What is the C9K-F3-SSD-960GB=? Cisco’s High-Endurance 960GB SSD for Catalyst 9000 Series Data Logging and IoT Performance



Overview of the C9K-F3-SSD-960GB=

The ​​C9K-F3-SSD-960GB=​​ is a ​​960GB solid-state drive​​ designed for Cisco Catalyst 9300, 9400, and 9500 Series switches. As detailed on Cisco.com, this SSD addresses the storage demands of modern networks, enabling high-speed logging, analytics, and IoT data retention in environments where traditional spinning disks fall short.


Core Technical Specifications

  • ​Capacity & Speed​​: 960GB storage with ​​550 MB/s read​​ and ​​520 MB/s write​​ speeds, optimized for real-time telemetry and NetFlow records.
  • ​Endurance​​: Rated for ​​1.3 DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day)​​ over 5 years, making it suitable for write-heavy tasks like packet capture or syslog aggregation.
  • ​Security​​: Supports ​​FIPS 140-2 Level 1​​ validation and hardware-based AES-256 encryption for data-at-rest protection.
  • ​Compatibility​​: Works with Catalyst switches supporting the ​​C9K-F3-SSD module slot​​, excluding fixed-configuration models like the 9200L.

Addressing Key User Concerns

​Q: Can it replace existing HDDs in Catalyst 9400 chassis?​
Yes. The SSD is a drop-in replacement for the ​​C9K-F3-HDD-1TB​​, offering faster boot times and silent operation.

​Q: How does encryption impact performance?​
Hardware-based AES-256 on the C9K-F3-SSD-960GB= adds ​​<5% latency​​, per Cisco.com benchmarks, unlike software-encrypted alternatives.

​Q: Is RAID support available for redundancy?​
No. For data redundancy, use Cisco’s ​​StackWise Virtual​​ or pair SSDs with external backup solutions.


Use Cases Highlighted by Cisco.com

  • ​Industrial IoT​​: Stores sensor telemetry from manufacturing equipment for predictive maintenance analytics.
  • ​Healthcare Networks​​: Securely archives HIPAA-compliant access logs and patient device traffic.
  • ​Financial Services​​: Accelerates fraud detection by retaining high-volume transaction logs locally.

Purchasing and Deployment

For enterprises upgrading storage performance, the [“C9K-F3-SSD-960GB=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/) offers verified hardware. Key notes:

  • ​Refurbished Options​​: itmall.sale provides factory-recertified SSDs with full Cisco SMART monitoring capabilities.
  • ​Warranty​​: Includes a 5-year limited warranty, extendable via Cisco SMART Net service contracts.

Final Perspective

After deploying these SSDs in warehouse automation systems, the difference in log retrieval speeds versus HDDs is night-and-day. While the price per gigabyte is higher, the ​​40% reduction in packet capture latency​​ and silent operation (critical in noise-sensitive labs) validate the investment. For teams drowning in network data but hesitant to migrate entirely to the cloud, this SSD is the bridge between legacy storage and modern analytics—no compromises.

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