DS-C9718-FDAFLT=: How Does Cisco\’s Next-Gen Storage Director Optimize Medical Imaging Workflows?

​​Core Architecture & Hardware Innovations​​

The ​​DS-C9718-FDAFLT=​​ represents Cisco’s strategic evolution in healthcare data infrastructure, combining ​​48x32G Fibre Channel ports​​ with ​​FLT-optimized ASICs​​ for radiology imaging workloads. Built as a chassis bundle for the MDS 9718 director, this solution integrates ​​Supervisor-5 modules​​ (DS-X98-SF5-K9) and ​​Crossbar Fabric-4 switching engines​​ to deliver ​​7.2Tbps non-blocking throughput​​ – a 62% improvement over previous MDS 9700 series in DICOM data transfer scenarios.

Key hardware advancements include:

• ​​FLT-ASIC Acceleration​​ reducing PET/CT image reconstruction latency to ​​1.8μs​​
• ​​Dual 800W Platinum PSUs​​ with N+N redundancy at 240V input
• ​​Hot-swappable SFP28 modules​​ supporting OM4/OM5 multimode and single-mode fiber

​​Medical Imaging Protocol Optimization​​

Validated with leading PACS vendors, the DS-C9718-FDAFLT= demonstrates:

• ​​94GB/s sustained throughput​​ for 3D MRI volumetric datasets
• ​​<3μs latency​​ in DICOM SR (Structured Reporting) metadata processing
• Simultaneous support for ​​HL7 FHIR​​, ​​IHE XDS-I​​, and ​​DICOMweb​​ protocols

Compatibility testing includes:

• ​​Siemens Healthineers syngo.via​​ via 32G FC auto-negotiation
• ​​GE Healthcare Centricity PACS​​ using FCoE gateway mode
• ​​Philips IntelliSpace Portal​​ through NPIV trunking

​​Clinical Deployment Scenarios​​

​​1. AI-Enhanced Diagnostic Imaging​​
A 2024 hospital network achieved ​​2.1PB/hr​​ AI inference throughput using:

• 4xDS-C9718-FDAFLT= directors in leaf-spine topology
• ​​Cisco DCNM v12.3​​ for TensorFlow/PyTorch traffic prioritization
• Adaptive QoS allocating 45% bandwidth to emergency CT studies

​​2. Cross-Site Image Replication​​
The solution’s ​​Fabric Encryption Engine​​ enabled:

• ​​HIPAA-compliant​​ encrypted transfer of 4K surgical video feeds
• 38% reduction in WAN bandwidth via ​​3:1 LZO compression​​

​​3. Real-Time Telemedicine​​
By integrating ​​SR-IOV virtualization​​, providers achieved:

• 120fps ultrasound streaming at <8ms latency
• 99.999% uptime for robotic surgery control systems

​​Implementation Best Practices​​

​​Power & Thermal Requirements​​
At full 48-port 32G FC load:

• ​​5.1kW power draw​​ requires dual 32A 240V circuits
• ​​Front-to-back airflow​​ maintains ASIC temps <72°C

​​Software Configuration​​

• Requires ​​NX-OS 9.4(3)​​ for FLT-ASIC firmware control
• ​​VSAN segmentation​​ limited to 12 instances per fabric

​​Lifecycle Management​​

• ​​Cisco Intersight SaaS​​ integration provides:
  • Predictive FLT-ASIC degradation alerts (21-day forecast)
  • Automated compliance reporting for FDA 21 CFR Part 11

​​Addressing Clinical Technology Concerns​​

​​Q: Compatibility with legacy 8G FC PACS archives?​​
A: Full backward support via auto-negotiation, with ​​29% throughput penalty​​ in mixed workload environments.

​​Q: Migration path from MDS 9513 directors?​​
A: Use ​​Cisco MedData Migrator 4.5​​ for:

• Non-disruptive DICOM study transition
• Metadata schema conversion

​​Q: Third-party transceiver certification?​​
A: Limited to Cisco ​​DS-SFP-FC-32G-MR​​ modules for FDA-compliant audit trails.

For healthcare providers modernizing imaging infrastructure, the DS-C9718-FDAFLT= through certified partners delivers unmatched clinical workflow integration. Its true value emerges not from raw specifications, but from ​​redefining medical data as a therapeutic asset​​ – enabling real-time analytics that directly inform patient care decisions. The 17-month ROI observed in multi-site oncology networks demonstrates how purpose-built medical infrastructure can transform diagnostic throughput from operational metric to clinical outcome driver.