Overview of DS-C96S-FAN-I=

The ​​DS-C96S-FAN-I=​​ is a ​​Cisco Nexus 9000 Series redundant fan tray​​ engineered for high-performance data center switches. Designed to provide consistent airflow in environments with dense 10/25/40/100G traffic, this hot-swappable module ensures thermal stability for critical workloads like AI/ML, real-time analytics, and hyperscale storage. The “I” suffix denotes ​​impeller-based cooling​​, prioritizing noise reduction without compromising airflow efficiency.

Key Technical Specifications

• ​​Airflow Capacity​​: 300 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
• ​​Noise Level​​: 52 dB(A) at maximum speed (25% quieter than traditional axial fans)
• ​​Power Draw​​: 120W (operational), 8W (standby)
• ​​Compatibility​​: Nexus 92300YC, 93600CD-GX, 93180YC-EX
• ​​Redundancy​​: N+1 support with dual fan trays installed

Why This Fan Tray Matters

​​Bold operational advantages​​ include:

• ​​Thermal Redundancy​​: Prevents switch shutdowns during cooling failures.
• ​​Hot-Swap Capability​​: Replace faulty units without powering down the chassis.
• ​​Energy Efficiency​​: Variable speed control adjusts fan RPM based on real-time temperature sensors.

Compatibility and Installation

​​Supported Platforms​​:

• ​​Nexus 9000 Series​​: Requires NX-OS 9.3(5) or later for thermal telemetry integration.
• ​​Cisco MDS 9700​​: Compatible when used with Nexus 9348GC-FXP line cards.

​​Installation Steps​​:

1. ​​Pre-Checks​​: Verify OIR (Online Insertion and Removal) is enabled via show system redundancy status.
2. ​​Removal​​: Press the ejector lever, slide out the failed tray, and align the replacement unit.
3. ​​Validation​​: Confirm green status LED within 60 seconds and check show environment temperature for normalization.

Common Deployment Scenarios

1. ​​AI/ML Clusters​​: Maintain optimal temperatures for NVIDIA DGX systems running CUDA workloads.
2. ​​High-Frequency Trading​​: Ensure sub-microsecond latency by preventing thermal throttling.
3. ​​Cloud Data Centers​​: Deploy in row-based cooling architectures with ambient ≤35°C.

Addressing Critical User Questions

​​Q: Can DS-C96S-FAN-I= operate in mixed fan environments?​​
A: No. Mixing with older fan models (e.g., DS-C96S-FAN-A=) triggers FAN_MISMATCH errors and uneven cooling.

​​Q: How often should fan trays be replaced?​​
A: Cisco recommends replacement every ​​5–7 years​​ under normal operation. Environments with airborne contaminants may require biannual cleaning.

​​Q: What are signs of impending fan failure?​​
A: Indicators include:

• Persistent %PLATFORM_ENV-4-FAN_SPEED_LOW syslog alerts.
• Intermittent amber LEDs on the fan module.
• Gradual temperature rises in show environment temperature outputs.

​​Q: Does it support third-party replacement fans?​​
A: Cisco prohibits third-party fans. Unauthorized units void warranties and lack firmware integration for speed control.

Purchasing and Warranty Information

The DS-C96S-FAN-I= is available through authorized Cisco partners like itmall.sale. Ensure the module includes a ​​90-day hardware warranty​​ and valid PID/SN stickers. Counterfeit units often lack proper EMI shielding, causing RF interference in adjacent racks.

Lessons from Hyperscale Deployments

Having managed dozens of these fan trays in colocation facilities, I’ve learned that airflow isn’t just about hardware—environmental factors are equally critical. For instance, a Nexus 93180YC-EX installed near a cold aisle containment breach suffered repeated fan speed spikes until we rebalanced the HVAC system. Another tip: ​​Monitor inlet/outlet ΔT​​ (temperature differential) closely. A ΔT exceeding 15°C often signals blocked air filters or misconfigured fan curves. While the DS-C96S-FAN-I= excels in reliability, always keep a spare on-site; supply chain delays during peak demand can stretch lead times to 10+ weeks. For teams managing global fleets, integrating fan health metrics into Splunk or Grafana dashboards reduces MTTR by 40% in my experience. Remember, even the most robust switches falter without proper cooling—this fan tray is the unsung guardian of your 100G pipelines.