DS-C9220I-4PIK9=: How Does Cisco’s Ultra-Compact 4-Port SAN Switch Dominate Edge Storage Agility Against Brocade’s Rigid Port Models?


What Makes the DS-C9220I-4PIK9= Ideal for Micro-Edge SAN Deployments?

The ​​Cisco DS-C9220I-4PIK9=​​ is a ​​4-port Fibre Channel switch​​ optimized for space-critical edge computing environments, delivering ​​32 Gbps speeds​​ with ​​2 pre-activated ports​​ and ​​front-to-back airflow design​​. Part of Cisco’s MDS 9000 Series, it supports ​​FC-NVMe workloads natively​​ and uses ​​incremental licensing​​ to activate additional ports in 2-port increments. Unlike Brocade’s fixed-port bundles requiring hardware swaps, Cisco’s model enables ​​granular scalability​​ while integrating ​​Cisco Prime DCNM​​ for centralized analytics.


Core Technical Breakthroughs

  1. ​Space and Power Efficiency​

    • ​Non-blocking architecture​​: Sustains ​​<1 μs latency​​ under full 32G bandwidth, critical for IoT sensor fusion and real-time edge analytics.
    • ​Dynamic buffer allocation​​: 64 shared buffer credits per port group prevent congestion in high-traffic micro-SANs.
  2. ​Thermal and Operational Resilience​

    • ​Single redundant power supply​​: Achieves ​​99.99% uptime​​ with hot-swappable components, outperforming Brocade’s non-redundant edge switches.
    • ​Front-to-back cooling​​: Reduces thermal throttling risks by 40% in 1U racks compared to side-exhaust alternatives.
  3. ​Licensing Flexibility​

    • ​2 default active ports​​: Expandable to 4 via ​​2-port license packs​​, eliminating upfront hardware overprovisioning costs.
    • ​Zero firmware upgrades required​​ for FC-NVMe compatibility, contrasting with Brocade solutions needing post-purchase updates.

DS-C9220I-4PIK9= vs. Brocade G610: Strategic Comparison

Feature DS-C9220I-4PIK9= Brocade G610
​Port Activation​ Incremental licensing Fixed 2-port bundles
​Management Tools​ Cisco Prime DCNM + CLI Brocade Network Advisor
​Form Factor​ 1U ultra-compact design 2U chassis
​NVMe Support​ Native integration Requires firmware update

Where to Purchase Authentic DS-C9220I-4PIK9= Units?

For Cisco-certified hardware with validated licenses, purchase exclusively from itmall.sale, an authorized reseller offering ​​NX-OS compatibility guarantees​​ and ​​thermal optimization kits​​.


The DS-C9220I-4PIK9= redefines ​​edge SAN economics​​ through its unmatched port density and thermal efficiency, though its CLI-driven zoning demands adaptation from Brocade users. For micro-data centers prioritizing ​​NVMe-ready infrastructure​​, this switch justifies its premium via operational agility and reduced lifecycle costs. While Brocade’s simpler workflows appeal to legacy setups, Cisco’s ecosystem integration and license flexibility cement its role in next-gen hybrid edge architectures.

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