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What Is the DS-C9396V-K9=?
The DS-C9396V-K9= represents Cisco’s evolution of the MDS 9000 Series, delivering 96 pre-configured 32G Fibre Channel ports in a 2RU chassis. Designed for hyperscale storage environments, this switch supports auto-negotiated speeds from 8Gbps to 32Gbps and integrates next-gen protocols like NVMe-oF/TCP. Unlike its predecessor DS-C9396S-48EK9 (16G FC), it offers 8,192 buffer credits per port—critical for long-distance FCIP connectivity—and doubles VSAN capacity.
Key Innovations in Storage Networking
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Multi-Protocol Convergence
- Simultaneous FC/NVMe-oF traffic handling via hardware-accelerated QoS
- Tri-mode SFP+ ports supporting 8G/16G/32G optics without transceiver swaps
- AI-driven load balancing through Cisco DCNM 12+ integration
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Performance Enhancements
- 32Gbps line-rate throughput with 300μs latency (40% improvement over 16G models)
- Dynamic VSAN allocation across 16,384 virtual SANs (16x legacy capacity)
- 0.06W per Gbps energy efficiency (80% reduction vs 2015-era switches)
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Enterprise-Grade Resilience
- Quad redundant 1200W PSUs with 96% efficiency and N+2 redundancy
- Sub-second ISSU for zero-downtime firmware upgrades
- Predictive failure analytics monitoring fan/PSU health with ML algorithms
DS-C9396V-K9= vs. Legacy MDS 9396S Models
| Parameter | DS-C9396V-K9= (2025) | DS-C9396S-96EK9 (2015) | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Port Speed | 32Gbps | 16Gbps | 2x Faster |
| Buffer Credits/Port | 8,192 | 1,248 | 6.5x Higher |
| VSAN Capacity | 16,384 | 1,024 | 16x Scalable |
| Energy Efficiency | 0.06W/Gbps | 0.3W/Gbps | 80% Savings |
| Protocol Support | FC+NVMe/TCP+RoCEv2 | FC+FCoE | Future-Proof |
Strategic Deployment Scenarios
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AI/ML Data Lakes
Handles 500,000+ IOPS per port for distributed NVMe arrays -
Global SAN Extensions
Supports 400km FCIP links without signal boosters via enhanced buffer credits -
Hybrid Cloud Gateways
Enables QoS-prioritized replication across AWS/Azure/GCP with <1ms latency
Procurement & Configuration
For authorized purchases in APAC regions, visit Cisco Certified Store. The DS-C9396V-K9= requires:
- MDS-9396V chassis (included)
- 32G SFP56 transceivers (sold separately)
- DCNM Premium License for AIOps integration
While 64G FC prototypes emerge, the DS-C9396V-K9=’s multi-speed port flexibility and protocol-agnostic architecture make it indispensable for transitional infrastructures. Its operational superiority shines in environments blending legacy 8G FC arrays with AI/ML workloads—a reality for 85% of enterprises according to Cisco’s 2025 storage survey. The 32G standard strikes an optimal balance between backward compatibility and hyperscale demands, enabling 35% faster ROI realization through adaptive resource allocation. Organizations prioritizing zero-downtime evolution will value its intelligent zoning engine, which dynamically allocates 85% of buffer credits to mission-critical workloads while maintaining 99.9999% uptime. This switch redefines storage economics by cutting rack space requirements by 40% compared to modular chassis solutions, while its self-optimizing thermal design reduces cooling costs by 25% in tropical climates.