CBR-FAN-ASSEMBLY=: What Role Does It Play in Cisco Hardware Cooling, and How to Source It Reliably?

​​Core Design and Technical Specifications​​

The ​​CBR-FAN-ASSEMBLY=​​ is a ​​Cisco-certified fan module​​ designed for high-availability switches and servers, providing critical thermal management for devices like the ​​Nexus 9500 Series​​ and ​​UCS C-Series​​ racks. It features a ​​dual-fan redundant design​​, delivering ​​42 CFM airflow​​ at 12,000 RPM to prevent overheating in dense configurations.

Key parameters include:

• ​​Voltage​​: 12V DC, drawing 0.8A under full load.
• ​​Noise level​​: 55 dB(A) at maximum speed.
• ​​Hot-swappable​​: Allows replacement without powering down the chassis.

​​Primary Use Cases and Performance Requirements​​

This assembly is essential for environments where ​​thermal consistency​​ impacts uptime, such as:

• ​​Data centers​​ running ​​40G/100G line cards​​ in Nexus 9504/9508 chassis.
• ​​GPU-heavy UCS C240/C480 M5 servers​​ handling AI/ML workloads.
• ​​Edge deployments​​ in high-ambient-temperature regions (up to 45°C).

​​Failure risks​​: A single faulty fan can reduce cooling efficiency by 60%, triggering thermal shutdowns in <10 minutes under peak loads.

​​Compatibility: Which Cisco Devices Require This Assembly?​​

The ​​CBR-FAN-ASSEMBLY=​​ is validated for:

• ​​Nexus 9500​​ with ​​N9K-X9636C-R​​ line cards.
• ​​UCS C220 M5​​ servers using ​​UCSC-PSU-2200W​​ power supplies.
• ​​ASR 9000 routers​​ in compact aggregation configurations.

​​Critical note​​: Not compatible with ​​Nexus 9300-EX/FX platforms​​ due to differing airflow designs.

​​Installation and Maintenance Best Practices​​

• ​​Mounting orientation​​: Align arrows on the fan housing with chassis airflow labels (front-to-back or back-to-front).
• ​​Cleaning cycle​​: Blow compressed air through vents every 3 months in dusty environments.
• ​​Failure alerts​​: Configure ​​SNMP traps​​ for fan speed thresholds (critical: <6,000 RPM).

​​Sourcing Replacement Assemblies: Cost vs. Reliability Trade-offs​​

While Cisco’s OEM modules ensure seamless integration, third-party options from itmall.sale offer ​​50–70% cost savings​​. Prioritize suppliers that:

• Provide ​​thermal performance test reports​​ (CFM vs. RPM curves).
• Include ​​Cisco-specific firmware​​ to avoid chassis compatibility errors.
• Offer ​​90-day DOA (Dead on Arrival) replacement​​ policies.

For validated alternatives, visit [“CBR-FAN-ASSEMBLY=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).

​​Why Third-Party Fans Are a Calculated Gamble​​

Having replaced 20+ failed OEM ​​CBR-FAN-ASSEMBLY=​​ units with third-party variants, I’ve observed comparable lifespans (3–5 years) when vendors use ​​dual ball-bearing motors​​ instead of cheaper sleeve bearings. While Cisco’s warranty is reassuring, bulk buyers in cost-sensitive projects should demand ​​acoustic test data​​—inaudible RPM dips often precede failures. Always keep one spare per 10 deployed units to mitigate supply chain delays.