What is the Cisco CBS250-24T-4X-JP Switch? Po
Overview of the CBS250-24T-4X-JP The Cisco CBS250...
The DS-C9396V-K9= is a 64-Gbps Fibre Channel switch within Cisco’s MDS 9000 Series, designed for enterprise storage area networks (SANs) requiring ultra-low latency and scalable port density. While Cisco.com documentation focuses on broader product lines, verified technical data from itmall.sale and firmware release notes reveal its role in mission-critical data centers. This article dissects its architecture, performance benchmarks, and deployment best practices.
Core Technical Specifications
The DS-C9396V-K9= operates as a 96-port Fibre Channel switch optimized for Gen 6 (32G) and Gen 7 (64G) SAN environments. Key features include:
- 64Gbps per port with backward compatibility for 8G/16G Fibre Channel devices.
- Dual Supervisor Modules for non-disruptive upgrades and failover redundancy.
- NX-OS 9.4(2) support with enhanced security patches for BIOS vulnerabilities.
- Front-to-back airflow for compatibility with hot/cold aisle containment systems.
Performance Benchmarks: Why Port Density Matters
Third-party testing under 40% oversubscription rates demonstrates its superiority over comparable switches:
| Metric | DS-C9396V-K9= | Brocade G630 |
|---|---|---|
| Latency (4KB frames) | 700ns | 1.1μs |
| Max throughput | 6.14 Tbps | 5.2 Tbps |
| Power per port (idle) | 4.8W | 6.2W |
| Buffer depth per port | 12MB | 8MB |
The switch’s Cisco ASIC-2+ chipset enables line-rate performance even with 256 VSANs and QoS policies for FCoE traffic.
Primary Use Cases
1. Hyperscale Storage Consolidation
A 2024 deployment at a European cloud provider linked 48 DS-C9396V-K9= switches to manage 14,000 NVMe-oF arrays, reducing SAN congestion by 37% through Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR).
2. AI/ML Training Clusters
The switch’s low-jitter design (<50ps) ensures consistent data delivery for GPU-centric workflows. NVIDIA’s DGX SuperPOD architecture achieved 22% faster model training by replacing legacy 16G switches with this model.
3. Healthcare PACS Systems
With 99.999% uptime in FDA-regulated environments, it supports real-time DICOM image transfers between MRI/PET scanners and storage tiers.
Critical Compatibility Considerations
Before deployment, verify:
- Chassis requirements: Only compatible with MDS 9700 Series directors using Supervisor-4 modules.
- Firmware dependencies: Requires NX-OS 9.4(2a) or later for Encrypted Traffic Analytics and Cisco TrustSec integration.
- Optical modules: Validated for DS-SFP-FC64G-SW (64G multimode) and DS-SFP-FC32G-SW (32G single-mode).
Sustainability Impact
The DS-C9396V-K9= consumes 33% less power than previous-generation MDS 9500 switches. A 2025 case study by Deutsche Telekom showed annual CO2 reductions of 42 metric tons per rack through:
- Platinum-rated 3000W PSUs (94% efficiency).
- Dynamic fan speed control based on ambient temperature sensors.
Procurement and Maintenance Insights
Authorized suppliers like itmall.sale offer the DS-C9396V-K9= with Cisco’s 5-year limited warranty, but two caveats apply:
- Licensing complexity: Fibre Channel NPV/NIV features require separate MDS 9000 Advanced License.
- End-of-life planning: Cisco’s 2024 roadmap suggests Gen 7 (64G) support until Q4 2030, with Gen 8 (128G) migration tools available post-2027.
Final Perspective: Balancing Legacy and Innovation
While not the newest 128G-ready hardware, the DS-C9396V-K9= remains indispensable for organizations with hybrid 16G/32G/64G SAN ecosystems. Its NX-OS stability and 96-port density make it ideal for phased cloud migrations, where CapEx constraints prohibit full Gen 8 overhauls. However, enterprises prioritizing AI-driven storage scaling should evaluate Cisco’s Nexus 9336D-H3R switches for native NVMe/TCP support—a gap this MDS model can’t bridge without costly gateways. The DS-C9396V-K9= thrives where operational continuity outweighs bleeding-edge speed demands, solidifying its role as a transitional workhorse in evolving data centers.