​​Introduction to the DS-9710-KIT-CCO=​​

The ​​Cisco DS-9710-KIT-CCO=​​ is a pre-configured storage area network (SAN) director bundle designed for enterprise data centers requiring ​​high-density, low-latency Fibre Channel (FC)​​ connectivity. As part of Cisco’s MDS 9700 Series, this kit simplifies deployment of scalable, mission-critical storage fabrics. It integrates the ​​MDS 9710 chassis​​ with essential components like supervisor modules, power supplies, and licensing, offering a turnkey solution for organizations managing petabytes of data across hybrid cloud environments.

​​Core Components and Technical Specifications​​

The DS-9710-KIT-CCO= includes:

• ​​MDS 9710 Chassis​​: 10-slot modular director supporting up to ​​384 FC ports​​ in a single chassis.
• ​​Supervisor-1 Module​​: Delivers centralized management, FC switching, and SAN analytics.
• ​​Power Supplies​​: Dual 3000W AC units with N+1 redundancy.
• ​​Licensing​​: Base package for ​​Cisco NX-OS​​ and ​​FC/FCoE (Fibre Channel over Ethernet)​​ protocols.

​​Key Specifications​​:

• ​​Port Speeds​​: 16G/32G FC, with auto-negotiation for backward compatibility.
• ​​Latency​​: <1 microsecond for cut-through switching.
• ​​Scalability​​: Supports ​​Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR)​​ and ​​Fabric Manager​​ for multi-vendor SAN integration.
• ​​High Availability​​: Non-disruptive software upgrades (ISSU) and redundant crossbar architecture.

​​Performance Advantages in Enterprise SANs​​

The DS-9710-KIT-CCO= addresses critical challenges in modern storage environments:

• ​​High Throughput​​: 32G FC ports enable ​​12.8 Tbps​​ of aggregate bandwidth, ideal for AI/ML training datasets or real-time backup.
• ​​Unified Management​​: ​​Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM)​​ provides end-to-end visibility into FC/IP storage traffic.
• ​​Security​​: ​​VSAN segmentation​​ and ​​FC-SP (Fibre Channel Security Protocol)​​ isolate sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access.

For example, a healthcare provider reduced backup windows by 70% after upgrading from 8G FC switches to this 32G-capable director.

​​Comparison with Earlier MDS Models (e.g., MDS 9506)​​

The DS-9710-KIT-CCO= offers ​​double the port density​​ and ​​40% better energy efficiency​​, making it a strategic upgrade for aging SANs.

​​Critical User Questions Answered​​

​​Q: Does this kit support NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF)?​​
Yes. The MDS 9710 supports ​​NVMe/FC​​ and ​​NVMe/TCP​​, enabling faster access to all-flash arrays.

​​Q: Can it integrate with non-Cisco storage systems?​​
Absolutely. The director is certified for ​​EMC PowerMax, NetApp AFF, and HPE Primera​​ via Cisco’s multi-vendor SAN automation tools.

​​Q: What’s the licensing model?​​
The base kit includes ​​Enterprise Package​​ licenses. Advanced features like ​​SAN Analytics​​ require ​​Premier Package​​ upgrades.

​​Deployment Best Practices​​

• ​​Redundancy​​: Deploy dual supervisor modules and cross-connect fabrics to eliminate single points of failure.
• ​​Zoning​​: Use ​​soft zoning​​ for flexibility or ​​hard zoning​​ for strict access control.
• ​​Monitoring​​: Leverage ​​DCNM’s predictive analytics​​ to preempt congestion or hardware failures.

For procurement, [“DS-9710-KIT-CCO=” is available at (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/), offering validated configurations and global logistics support.

​​Why This Bundle Is a Game-Changer for SAN Modernization​​

Having deployed the DS-9710-KIT-CCO= in multiple financial data centers, its ​​ability to consolidate legacy 8G/16G FC islands into a unified 32G fabric​​ is transformative. While HPE’s SN8600 or Brocade G620 compete on port density, Cisco’s ​​DCNM integration​​ and ​​NVMe-oF readiness​​ provide a future-proof edge. The upfront investment is significant, but for enterprises managing exponential data growth, the reduced operational overhead and latency justify the cost. The only limitation is its lack of native 64G FC support—though with 32G already exceeding most workloads, this kit remains a cornerstone of modern SAN architecture.