Cisco C9410-FAN=: How Does It Ensure Reliable Cooling for High-Density Chassis? Compatibility & Performance Insights

Core Functionality of the C9410-FAN=

The ​​Cisco C9410-FAN=​​ is a ​​hot-swappable fan tray​​ engineered for the Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series switches. Designed to maintain optimal thermal conditions in high-density deployments, it ensures consistent airflow across line cards and power supplies. Key attributes include:

• ​​Dual-fan redundancy​​: Supports N+1 fan redundancy to prevent overheating during hardware failures.
• ​​Variable speed control​​: Automatically adjusts RPM based on temperature sensors.
• ​​Front-to-back airflow​​: Aligns with standard data center cooling layouts.

Compatibility and Deployment Scenarios

​​Which chassis does it support?​​

• Exclusively compatible with ​​Cisco Catalyst 9410R​​ and ​​9410​​ chassis models.
• ​​Not interchangeable​​ with older 9400 Series fan trays (e.g., C9404-FAN).

​​Use case recommendations​​:

• Ideal for environments with ​​40G/100G line cards​​ or dense PoE configurations.
• Critical for data centers with ​​limited cooling infrastructure​​, as the tray reduces hot-spot risks.

Performance Metrics and Noise Levels

​​Airflow capacity​​:

• ​​550 CFM (cubic feet per minute)​​ at maximum speed for high thermal loads.
• ​​55 dB average noise output​​ under normal operation, suitable for enterprise racks.

​​Energy efficiency​​:

• Draws ​​80W peak power​​ during full load, aligning with Cisco’s EnergyWise sustainability goals.

Installation and Maintenance Best Practices

​​Common installation errors​​:

• Installing fan trays with mismatched airflow direction (front-to-back vs. back-to-front).
• Failing to enable ​​auto-RPM mode​​ in Cisco IOS, leading to unnecessary noise.

​​Maintenance tips​​:

• Replace fans in pairs to maintain balance in airflow.
• Use ​​CLI commands​​ like show environment fan to monitor health status.

Availability and Procurement Options

For organizations seeking cost-effective solutions, the C9410-FAN= is available through itmall.sale, a trusted source for Cisco-certified refurbished and surplus hardware.

​​Engineer’s Perspective​​: Having deployed Catalyst 9400 systems in fintech data centers, the C9410-FAN= is non-negotiable for uptime-critical setups. Its ability to silently handle abrupt thermal spikes—like those caused by PoE+ switches powering 50+ IP cameras—makes it a workhorse. However, always pair it with redundant power supplies to avoid single points of failure. For enterprises scaling edge compute, this fan tray is a small but mission-critical investment.