Cisco SKY-2PE-1US= Enterprise Satellite Modem
Technical Architecture and Design Specifications�...
What Defines DS-C9700-LC-BL= in Cisco’s High-Density Switching Ecosystem?
The DS-C9700-LC-BL= serves as a 48-port 10/25G SFP28 line card designed for Cisco Nexus 9500 modular chassis, targeting hyperscale data centers requiring non-blocking throughput up to 3.6 Tbps per slot. Compatible with Cisco NX-OS 9.3+ and ACI 5.0+ environments, this module supports MACsec-256 encryption and adaptive buffering for mixed east-west and north-south traffic patterns.
Key operational advantages include:
- Hot-swappable design with N+1 redundancy for zero service interruption
- Forwarding capacity of 720 Mpps per slot, enabling sub-5μs latency
- Unified port flexibility: 10G, 25G, or 40G (via QSFP breakout) configurations
How Does It Compare to Legacy Line Cards in Nexus 9000 Series?
| Parameter | DS-C9700-LC-BL= | Previous Gen (N9K-X9736C-EX) |
|---|---|---|
| Port Density | 48×25G | 36×40G |
| Power Efficiency | 2.8W per port | 3.5W per port |
| Buffer Allocation | 16 MB dynamic | 9 MB static |
| MACsec Support | 256-bit AES-GCM | 128-bit AES |
This next-gen line card resolves three critical limitations:
- Energy optimization: 20% lower power consumption than 40G predecessors
- AI/ML workload readiness: Enhanced deep buffer for distributed training traffic
- Multi-protocol agility: Native support for RoCEv2 and VXLAN-GPE encapsulation
Where to Source Authentic DS-C9700-LC-BL= Modules?
For guaranteed compatibility with Nexus 9500 fabric modules, purchase Cisco-certified units exclusively through Cisco Infrastructure Solutions Hub. Authorized channels provide:
- Firmware pre-validation for target NX-OS versions
- Custom thermal profiles optimized for tropical deployments
- Bulk deployment kits with pre-terminated QSFP28 cables
Operational best practices recommend:
• Maintaining ambient temperature below 35°C with front-to-back airflow
• Implementing per-port ECN marking for AI traffic prioritization
• Scheduling buffer calibration every 6,000 operational hours
The DS-C9700-LC-BL= redefines leaf-spine architectures by combining 400G spine readiness with 25G access economics. While its 48-port density suits hyperconverged infrastructure, organizations migrating from 40G clusters should conduct traffic microburst analysis before full deployment. For financial institutions requiring ultra-low latency, pairing this line card with N9K-C9504-FM-E fabric modules achieves deterministic sub-3μs performance.