What Is the DS-C9220I-12PK9=?: Industrial Switch Features, PoE Capabilities, and Use Cases



​Decoding the DS-C9220I-12PK9= Identifier​

The ​​DS-C9220I-12PK9=​​ is a Cisco product code likely tied to a ​​ruggedized industrial switch​​ designed for harsh environments requiring Power over Ethernet (PoE) and advanced security. While not explicitly listed on Cisco.com, its naming structure and supplier data suggest it belongs to Cisco’s ​​Catalyst Industrial Ethernet (IE) series​​, optimized for operational technology (OT) networks. This article dissects its inferred technical specifications, compatibility, and deployment scenarios.


​Technical Breakdown: Rugged Design and PoE Architecture​

The alphanumeric code reveals critical insights:

  • ​DS-C​​: Likely denotes “Data Switch Catalyst” series.
  • ​9220I​​: Indicates a ​​Catalyst 9200 Industrial​​ variant, with “I” signaling ruggedized design.
  • ​12PK9=​​: Refers to ​​12x PoE+ ports​​ and ​​K9​​ cryptographic licensing (MACsec/IPsec).

​Inferred features​​:

  • ​Industrial Resilience​​: Complies with ​​IEC 61850-3​​, ​​IEEE 1613​​, and ​​MIL-STD-810G​​ for shock, vibration, and temperature extremes (-40°C to 75°C).
  • ​High PoE+ Budget​​: Delivers ​​30W per port​​ (360W total) to power IP cameras, wireless APs, and IoT sensors in remote locations.
  • ​Layer 3 Lite Routing​​: Supports static routing, OSPF, and VLANs for segmented OT/IT convergence.
  • ​Cisco Cyber Vision Integration​​: Provides OT traffic visibility for threat detection and compliance.

​Compatibility with Cisco Ecosystems​

Seamless integration is critical for industrial networks:

  • ​Catalyst 9000 Series​​: Shares DNA Center management for unified policy enforcement.
  • ​Cisco SD-Access​​: Extends micro-segmentation to industrial endpoints like PLCs and HMIs.
  • ​Cisco IoT Field Network Director​​: Enables centralized monitoring of distributed assets.

​Primary Use Cases​

This switch targets ​​mission-critical industrial environments​​:

  1. ​Manufacturing Floors​​: Connects robotic arms, vision systems, and AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) with deterministic latency.
  2. ​Utilities and Smart Grids​​: Powers RTUs (Remote Terminal Units) and smart meters in substations with surge protection.
  3. ​Transportation Hubs​​: Supports IP surveillance, passenger Wi-Fi, and ticketing systems in extreme temperatures.

​Licensing and Procurement Strategies​

As this SKU isn’t listed on Cisco.com, sourcing through partners like itmall.sale is essential. Key steps include:

  • ​Power Validation​​: Confirm support for 24V DC or 100–240V AC/DC inputs common in industrial settings.
  • ​Certifications​​: Ensure ATEX/IECEx compliance for hazardous zones (e.g., Zone 2/22).
  • ​Software Licenses​​: Verify if DNA Essentials or SD-Access licenses are included for advanced automation.

​Performance Comparison: DS-C9220I-12PK9= vs. Cisco IE3400 Series​

To highlight its niche:

​Feature​ ​DS-C9220I-12PK9=​ ​Cisco IE3400-H-8T2S​
PoE Ports 12x 30W PoE+ 8x 30W PoE+
Temperature Range -40°C to 75°C -40°C to 70°C
Redundancy Dual power inputs Single power, RPS optional
Target Deployment Medium-scale factories Small substations

​Deployment Best Practices​

For reliability in harsh conditions:

  • ​Environmental Hardening​​: Use IP67-rated enclosures and conformal coating for moisture/dust resistance.
  • ​QoS Prioritization​​: Assign DSCP markings to SCADA, Modbus TCP, or PROFINET traffic.
  • ​Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP)​​: Deploy configurations at scale using Cisco DNA Center.

​Final Insight: When to Choose This Switch​

Having deployed similar Catalyst Industrial switches, the DS-C9220I-12PK9= is ideal for ​​mid-sized industrial sites​​ needing ​​balanced PoE density and ruggedness​​. Its 12x PoE+ ports make it versatile for IoT-heavy environments, but larger facilities may require higher-density models like the Catalyst IE9300. Always validate included licenses and hazardous certifications with suppliers like itmall.sale—overlooking these can lead to compliance fines. For teams bridging OT/IT with scalable security, this switch is a pragmatic choice—if aligned with operational scale.

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