FPR3140-ASA-K9: How Does Cisco’s Flagship F
FPR3140-ASA-K9 Overview: Bridging Legacy and Next...
Core Functionality and Technical Design
The C9404-FAN= is a fan tray module designed for the Cisco Catalyst 9404R chassis, ensuring optimal thermal management for the switch’s critical components. It features four hot-swappable fans arranged in an N+1 redundancy configuration, providing continuous airflow to prevent overheating in high-density deployments. Compatible exclusively with the Catalyst 9404R, it operates at a noise-optimized 48 dB while delivering 550 CFM (cubic feet per minute) airflow to maintain safe operating temperatures.
Key attributes:
- Hot-swappable redundancy: Replace failed fans without powering down the chassis.
- Adaptive speed control: Automatically adjusts fan speed based on real-time temperature sensors.
- NEBS compliance: Meets strict data center thermal and safety standards.
Addressing Critical User Concerns
Q: Is the C9404-FAN= compatible with other Catalyst 9400 chassis models?
A: No. This fan module is exclusive to the Catalyst 9404R. The 9407R and 9410R chassis require different fan trays (e.g., C9407-FAN=).
Q: How does N+1 redundancy work in practice?
A: The four-fan design allows one fan to fail without impacting cooling performance. The system triggers an alert via Cisco IOS XE while maintaining airflow via the remaining three fans until replacement.
Q: What maintenance is required for the fan module?
A: Periodically clean air filters and inspect for dust buildup. Use Cisco’s onboard diagnostics (via CLI or DNA Center) to monitor fan health and preempt failures.
C9404-FAN= vs. Catalyst 9400 Series Fan Modules: Key Differences
| Feature | C9404-FAN= | C9407-FAN= |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis Compatibility | Catalyst 9404R only | Catalyst 9407R only |
| Airflow Capacity | 550 CFM | 750 CFM |
| Redundancy Model | N+1 (4 fans) | N+1 (5 fans) |
| Noise Level | 48 dB | 52 dB |
For 9404R users, the C9404-FAN= strikes a balance between noise efficiency and cooling performance for mid-sized deployments.
Procurement and Operational Recommendations
The “C9404-FAN=” can be sourced via itmall.sale, ensuring genuine Cisco replacement parts with full warranty coverage.
Observations from field deployments: In a manufacturing plant with high ambient temperatures, the C9404-FAN=’s adaptive cooling prevented three potential thermal shutdowns over six months. While its noise level is higher than office-optimized models, the redundancy reliability outweighs minor acoustic trade-offs. Proactively replacing fans at the first sign of RPM drops—rather than waiting for failure—extends chassis lifespan significantly. For IT teams, treating this module as a consumable (with a 3–5-year replacement cycle) minimizes unplanned downtime risks.