Overview of the A9K-8X100GE-FC

The Cisco A9K-8X100GE-FC is an ​​8-port 100 Gigabit Ethernet line card​​ designed for the Cisco ASR 9000 Series routers, targeting hyperscale networks and service providers requiring ultra-high-density throughput. This module supports ​​dual-mode operation​​ – handling both standard IP traffic and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) – making it ideal for converged storage and data networks.

Core Technical Specifications

• ​​Port Density​​: 8x QSFP28 ports, each supporting 100GE via SR4/LR4 optics or breakout to 4x25GE/10GE configurations.
• ​​Throughput​​: ​​800 Gbps full-duplex capacity​​ with non-blocking architecture, optimized for MPLS-TP, EVPN, and Segment Routing.
• ​​Storage Integration​​: Native FCoE support with ​​MACsec encryption​​ at line rate, enabling lossless FC-to-IP convergence for SAN environments.
• ​​Redundancy​​: Hot-swappable design with ISSU compatibility and dual power/thermal zones for mission-critical uptime.

Addressing Critical User Concerns

​​Q: Is this compatible with existing ASR 9904/9910 chassis?​​
Yes, but requires ​​IOS XR 7.8.1 or later​​ to enable advanced features like SRv6 and FCIP tunneling. Earlier chassis versions need firmware upgrades before deployment.

​​Q: Can it replace dedicated FC switches in SAN environments?​​
Partially. While the module handles FCoE encapsulation/decapsulation natively, traditional FC SANs still require MDS switches for end-to-end zoning. It excels in ​​hybrid cloud architectures​​ where IP and storage traffic converge.

Key Deployment Scenarios

• ​​Hyperscale DCI​​: Delivers 800G cross-site bandwidth for distributed AI/ML workloads, supporting <5μs latency with FlexE slicing.
• ​​5G Transport Core​​: Aggregates Xhaul traffic with hardware-accelerated QoS, ensuring SLA compliance for latency-sensitive RAN workloads.
• ​​Unified Media Production​​: Combines uncompressed 4K/8K video streams (via ST 2110) with storage replication traffic on a single platform.

Sourcing and Optimization

For teams prioritizing future-ready infrastructure, the “A9K-8X100GE-FC” is available here. Ensure compatibility with Cisco’s recommended 100G-LR4-S optics and validate chassis airflow configurations (front-to-back or back-to-front) before installation.

Final Perspective: The Density vs. Operational Balance

While 400G solutions gain traction, the A9K-8X100GE-FC remains pivotal for organizations needing ​​immediate 100G port density without forklift upgrades​​. Its ability to consolidate FC and IP traffic reduces cabling complexity in rack-dense environments, though operators must weigh the 32GFC speed limitation against pure FC fabric alternatives. This module shines most in transitional architectures bridging legacy SANs and cloud-native workloads – a strategic stopgap for carriers modernizing infrastructure incrementally.