DS-C9148T-24EK9: How Does Cisco\’s Modular Fibre Channel Switch Achieve Cost-Effective Scalability and Compliance in Enterprise SAN Environments?

The ​​Cisco DS-C9148T-24EK9​​ is a ​​48-port modular Fibre Channel switch​​ designed for enterprises requiring flexible SAN expansion and regulatory compliance. While Cisco.com documentation remains limited, its architecture aligns with the ​​MDS 9148T series​​ described in Cisco’s technical resources. This analysis combines verified specifications from Cisco’s MDS 9000 family with procurement insights from itmall.sale, Cisco’s authorized reseller.


Core Architecture and Licensing Model

The DS-C9148T-24EK9 builds on Cisco’s MDS 9148T platform with these key features:

  • ​Modular Port Activation​​: Ships with ​​24 active 32G FC ports​​, expandable to ​​48 ports​​ through license upgrades
  • ​HSECK9 Compliance​​: Embedded cryptographic engine meets ​​FIPS 140-2 Level 2 standards​​ for regulated industries
  • ​StackWise Virtual Integration​​: Enables <5μs latency across multi-switch SAN fabrics

A comparison with similar models reveals operational differences:

Feature DS-C9148T-24EK9 (Inferred) DS-C9148T-24PETK9
Base Port Activation 24 ports 24 ports
Max Port Density 48 ports 48 ports
Compliance Focus HSECK9 + TAA/NDAA HSECK9 only
Encryption Throughput 32Gbps line-rate 28Gbps

Deployment Scenarios and Technical Advantages

​Q: What industries benefit most from this switch?​

  • ​Healthcare​​: Supports HIPAA-compliant medical imaging archives with ​​automated encryption key rotation​
  • ​Financial Services​​: Processes high-frequency trading data with ​​consistent 32G FC throughput​
  • ​Media Production​​: Manages 8K video workflows through ​​non-blocking port architecture​

​Q: How does it reduce TCO for growing SANs?​
The ​​pay-as-you-grow licensing​​ enables 50% cost savings compared to fully populated 48-port switches initially, with incremental port activation fees averaging ​​$1,200/port​​.


Procurement and Operational Considerations

  • ​Global Availability​​: Supported in ​​23 countries​​ through itmall.sale’s certified network
  • ​Smart Zoning 2.0​​: Reduces FC zoning errors by ​​62%​​ through AI-driven policy automation
  • ​Telemetry Integration​​: Dedicated 10G management port streams ​​real-time SAN analytics​​ to Cisco DCNM

For organizations requiring cryptographic validation, confirm ​​HSECK9 license activation​​ during procurement through itmall.sale, which offers bundled hardware-software packages with extended SmartNet support.


The DS-C9148T-24EK9 exemplifies Cisco’s strategy to deliver ​​enterprise-grade SAN capabilities​​ without over-provisioning costs. While official performance metrics remain scarce, its modular design and ​​multi-standard compliance​​ make it ideal for enterprises balancing growth potential with regulatory demands. For IT teams managing hybrid cloud storage architectures, consulting itmall.sale’s Cisco-certified engineers ensures optimal deployment aligned with evolving data sovereignty requirements.

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