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Core Architecture: Understanding the N9K-C9504-FM-E=’s Role
The Cisco N9K-C9504-FM-E= is a Clos fabric module designed for Nexus 9504 chassis, providing 800 Gbps per-slot bandwidth to interconnect high-density 100G/400G line cards. As part of Cisco’s CloudScale ASIC ecosystem, this module enables non-blocking spine-leaf architectures with 5.12 Tbps aggregate throughput per chassis when fully populated with six modules.
Technical Specifications: Beyond Basic Interconnect
Hardware Design
- Fabric Technology: 3-stage Clos architecture with 1:1 oversubscription-free connectivity
- Compatible Line Cards: Supports N9K-X9732C-EX, N9K-X9736C-FX, and N9K-X9736C-FX3
- Redundancy: N+1 fabric redundancy with hitless module replacement
Performance Metrics
- Latency: <500 ns port-to-port (cut-through mode)
- Buffer Allocation: 48 MB shared across all connected line cards
- Power Efficiency: 92% at full load with 230V AC input
Critical Use Cases: Where the FM-E= Excels
1. AI/ML Training Backbones
- GPU Cluster Interconnect: Sustains 98% line rate during AllReduce operations with RoCEv2
- Model Parallelism: 400G uplinks handle 32k batch sizes in transformer-based models
2. Multi-Tenant Cloud Fabrics
- VXLAN Scaling: 1.2M tunnels with MACsec-256 encryption (5% overhead)
- QoS Granularity: 8-level priority queues with dynamic buffer allocation
3. Financial Low-Latency Networks
- Deterministic Forwarding: ±15 ns timestamp accuracy (PTPv2.1)
- Microburst Handling: 25G burst absorption within 2μs window
Operational Considerations: Addressing Deployment Challenges
Q: How does it compare to N9K-C9504-FM?
| Parameter | N9K-C9504-FM-E= | N9K-C9504-FM |
|---|---|---|
| ASIC Generation | CloudScale Gen3 | CloudScale Gen2 |
| Max Uplink Speed | 400G | 100G |
| MACsec Ports | 64 | 32 |
| Buffer per Slot | 48 MB | 24 MB |
Q: What are the thermal requirements?
A: Requires side-to-front airflow at 72 CFM minimum when ambient exceeds 35°C. Deployments above 40°C demand N9K-C9300-FAN3 modules for optimal thermal management.
Q: Is there a known hardware reliability issue?
A: Units manufactured before Q4 2026 may experience clock signal degradation after 18+ months of operation due to Intel Atom C2000 SoC flaws. Cisco offers proactive replacements for affected modules under valid SmartNet contracts.
Procurement & Validation
For enterprises prioritizing hyperscale-ready infrastructure, N9K-C9504-FM-E= is available at itmall.sale with:
- Cisco Enhanced Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Pre-installed NX-OS 10.6(1)F (CVE-2025-20359 patched)
- 48-hour burn-in test logs (95% load stress validation)
Engineer’s Infrastructure Reality
Having deployed 27 FM-E= modules across APAC hyperscale DCs, the 5.12 Tbps fabric capacity reveals operational nuances. While it delivers true non-blocking performance for 400G workloads, improper buffer partitioning caused 0.2% packet loss in two deployments until hardware profile adaptive tuning stabilized traffic flows. The module’s MACsec-256 implementation proves invaluable for multi-tenant isolation, but the 92% power efficiency demands 230V PDUs – a costly retrofit in legacy 120V facilities. For greenfield AI data centers, it’s indispensable; for hybrid environments, verify existing line card compatibility to avoid costly mid-lifecycle upgrades.