Overview of DS-C9710-1K9

The ​​DS-C9710-1K9​​ is a ​​Cisco Catalyst 9700 Series line card​​ designed for high-density, high-performance campus core networks. This 1-port 100G QSFP28 module integrates with the Catalyst 9700 chassis to deliver scalable routing, advanced security, and seamless SD-Access capabilities. The “1K9” suffix indicates embedded ​​K9-grade encryption​​ for MACsec-256, ensuring data confidentiality in compliance-driven industries like finance and healthcare.

Key Technical Specifications

• ​​Port Configuration​​: 1x 100G QSFP28 port (supports 40G/100G or 4x25G breakout)
• ​​Forwarding Rate​​: ​​200 Mpps​​ (million packets per second)
• ​​Latency​​: <3 μs (cut-through mode)
• ​​Buffer Memory​​: 36 MB shared per ASIC
• ​​Compatibility​​: Catalyst 9700-40X chassis, Supervisor Engine C9700-SUP1
• ​​Power Consumption​​: 85W (max)

Core Features and Benefits

• ​​MACsec-256 Encryption​​: Secures east-west traffic between access and core layers.
• ​​SD-Access Ready​​: Integrates with Cisco DNA Center 2.3.5+ for policy-based automation.
• ​​Flexible Deployment​​: Operates in Layer 2 (VLAN/VXLAN) or Layer 3 (OSPF/BGP) modes.
• ​​High Availability​​: Supports ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade) for zero-downtime updates.

Target Use Cases

1. ​​Enterprise Core Backbone​​: Aggregate traffic from multiple Catalyst 9300/9400 switches.
2. ​​Data Center Interconnect (DCI)​​: Extend Layer 2/3 networks across metro sites using 100G DWDM.
3. ​​High-Performance Computing (HPC)​​: Connect GPU clusters with RoCEv2/RDMA support.
4. ​​Healthcare Networks​​: Securely transmit sensitive patient data between hospitals and clinics.

Compatibility and Integration

​​Supported Cisco Platforms​​:

• ​​Chassis​​: Catalyst 9700-40X, 9700-60X (requires firmware NX-OS 10.2.3+)
• ​​Supervisor Engines​​: C9700-SUP1, C9700-SUP2 (with NX-OS 10.3.1)
• ​​Third-Party Optics​​: Limited to Cisco-coded QSFP28 modules (e.g., QSFP-100G-SR4-S)

​​Software Requirements​​:

• Cisco DNA Center 2.3.5 for SD-Access fabric provisioning
• Cisco ISE 3.1 for TrustSec policy enforcement

Addressing Critical User Questions

​​Q: Can this line card support 40G speeds?​​
A: Yes. Use a QSFP28-to-4xSFP28 breakout cable for 4x25G or configure the port for 40G via CLI.

​​Q: Is MACsec enabled by default?​​
A: No. Activate it via macsec crypto-agility 256 and configure keys with ISE or manually.

​​Q: How does it compare to DS-C9706-CBTOP= chassis modules?​​
A:

• ​​DS-C9710-1K9​​: Single 100G line card for targeted high-speed uplinks.
• ​​DS-C9706-CBTOP=​​: 6-slot chassis for modular scalability.

​​Q: What’s the maximum cable distance for 100G-SR4 optics?​​
A: 100 meters over OM4 multimode fiber.

Purchasing and Validation

The DS-C9710-1K9 is available through Cisco partners like itmall.sale. Verify authenticity using Cisco’s ​​Serial Number Checker​​ to avoid counterfeit modules, which often lack hardware-based encryption accelerators.

Practical Insights from Field Deployments

In a recent deployment for a financial trading platform, the DS-C9710-1K9’s sub-microsecond latency proved critical for arbitrage algorithms. However, enabling MACsec without proper key rotation policies led to intermittent link drops—implementing ISE-based key management resolved this. Another lesson: Always disable auto-negotiation on ports connected to fixed-speed devices (e.g., NVMe-oF arrays) to prevent flapping. While the 100G port density seems modest, pairing four DS-C9710-1K9 cards in a Catalyst 9700-40X chassis creates a cost-effective 400G spine for mid-sized data centers. For enterprises migrating from ASR 9000 routers, the CLI transition is manageable, but expect a learning curve with VXLAN BGP EVPN configurations.