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DS-C9396S-96EK9
Cisco DS-C9396S-96EK9 MDS 9396S 96-Port 16G Fibre Channel Sw...
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DS-C9396S-96EK9 provides 96 active 16-Gbps Fibre Channel ports in a managed, fixed-port fabric switch with port-side exhaust airflow. Host connections, storage targets and inter-switch links use the built-in SFP+ interfaces rather than a removable uplink card. The Rack-Mount 2U chassis belongs to the MDS 9396S range and serves standalone departmental SANs, redundant fabrics and enterprise data center core-edge environments. The discontinued DS-C9396S-48EK9 is the lower-activation sibling, carrying 48 active ports. The Cisco MDS 9000 Family uses fabric-specific connectivity, so the front-panel Ethernet connection is a management interface rather than a server-facing access port. For an existing storage fabric, distinguish endpoint attachment from fabric interconnection when preparing the connection schedule.
DS-C9396S-96EK9 price for new stock is $8,184.74, a 50% saving from the Cisco list price of $16,369.48. DS-C9396S-96EK9 refurb price is $1,123.50. DS-C9396S-96EK9 is in stock and available for next-day dispatch. (terms applied)
Request bulk order quote for DS-C9396S-96EK9 for additional pricing. Browse the full Cisco MDS 9300 Switches series or explore all Cisco products.
500 buffer-to-buffer credits per port are available without the Enterprise license, while optional Enterprise licensing raises the ceiling to 4095 per port; long-distance link planning must distinguish those limits. 800W maximum consumption under a fully populated, 16-Gbps, 100% traffic load at 25°C sets the load figure for cabinet power planning rather than the nameplate rating of either supply. DS-C9396S-96EK9 provides CLI access through its serial console and management Ethernet connection, with SSHv2 and SNMPv3 supporting remote administration. Hardware-enforced zoning and VSAN isolation separate storage traffic within the fabric, while online diagnostics and hardware-based slow-port detection support fault investigation. NVMe over Fibre Channel requires NX-OS 8.2(1) or later, making the installed image part of compatibility planning. Cisco Prime DCNM provides centralized administration and a web services API for integration with management applications.
New sealed and certified refurbished DS-C9396S-96EK9 are offered by ORM Systems; specify the condition, quantity and required order contents on the PO. Certified refurbished units are inspected and bench-tested for power-on and POST, every port linking at rated speed, clean boot, optics bay recognition, PSU status and fan status, with firmware verified and configuration wiped to factory default. ORM's new hardware carries up to a 3-year extended warranty, certified refurbished hardware carries up to 1 year, and both conditions have 30-day returns; terms apply. Enterprise and volume orders support PO acceptance, Net-30 for government and RMA with advance replacement, with regional stock and RMA coverage in the UK, EU, US and MEA.
| Key Specs | Key Spec Values |
|---|---|
Operating System | NX-OS |
Port Configuration | 96 x 16G Fibre Channel SFP+ |
Max Power Draw | 800W |
Cooling | 4 chassis fans / 2 DS-C96S-FAN-E modules |
Lifecycle Status | End of sale June 10, 2022 |
When several existing SAN links must be consolidated into a logical connection, the fabric supports PortChannels containing 16 physical links with multipath load balancing. Reserve ports for the intended inter-switch topology rather than counting every cage as an endpoint connection; specify the planned bundle membership before the purchase order.
When a storage refresh retains arbitrated-loop devices, FC-AL support is limited to 8G FC speed. That constraint differs from ordinary point-to-point connections and must be checked against each retained device. Record loop-attached equipment separately in the connection schedule, then specify the required media and link settings before the purchase order.
When the same switch configuration is being specified for several cabinet layouts, maintain 64 mm of clearance between walls and chassis air vents, and 152 mm of horizontal separation between two chassis. These clearances are additional to chassis dimensions; check each cabinet's layout and maintenance access before the purchase order.
32G or faster Fibre Channel links
DS-C9396S-96EK9 has a 16-Gbps data-port ceiling and cannot provide 32-Gbps links. No direct replacement PID is assigned to this configuration, so a faster fabric requires a separately selected switch.
Ethernet server access or endpoint power
DS-C9396S-96EK9 provides Fibre Channel data ports rather than Ethernet access ports and does not deliver PoE. Its Ethernet connection is for management, not a server-facing access network.
Included inter-VSAN routing entitlement
DS-C9396S-96EK9 does not include the optional Enterprise Package needed for IVR. Specify M9300ENT1K9 separately when the fabric design requires routing between VSANs rather than isolation within individual VSANs.
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| DS-C9396S-96EK9 |  DS-C9396S-48EK9 |  DS-C9396S-48IK9 |  DS-C9216I-K9 |  DS-C9222I-K9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depth | 565.9 mm | 565.9 mm | 565.9 mm | 574.56 mm | 575.6 mm |
| Form Factor | Rack-Mount 2U | Rack-Mount 2U | Rack-Mount 2U | Modular | Modular |
| Height | 86.4 mm | 86.4 mm | 86.4 mm | 133.4 mm | 133.4 mm |
| Manufacturer Part Number | DS-C9396S-96EK9 | DS-C9396S-48EK9 | DS-C9396S-48IK9 | DS-C9216I-K9 | DS-C9222I-K9 |
| Weight | 17.8 kg | 17.8 kg. | 17.8 kg | 32 kg | 28.2 kg |
| Width | 442.5 mm | 442.5 mm | 442.5 mm | 439.9 mm | 439.9 mm |
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DS-C9396S-96EK9 identifies the MDS 9396S 16G Fibre Channel switch with 96 active ports and port-side exhaust airflow. DS-C9396S selects the switch family, 96 identifies the active-port configuration, and E identifies the exhaust direction. The complete part number selects the non-optics-bundled configuration rather than a transceiver bundle.
CLI access through the serial console or Ethernet management port, SSHv2, SNMPv3, SMI-S and Cisco Prime DCNM manage the MDS 9396S. In-band IP over Fibre Channel is also supported for management, and Cisco Prime DCNM provides a web services API. USB supports file movement and backups rather than replacing console access.
DS-C9396S-96EK9 reached end of sale on June 10, 2022, and eligible Cisco support ends June 30, 2027. Software maintenance ended June 10, 2023, and vulnerability/security support ended June 9, 2025. The configuration has no directly assigned replacement PID, and the service-contract renewal deadline was September 5, 2026.
ORM Systems offers DS-C9396S-96EK9 new sealed with up to a 3-year extended warranty or certified refurbished with up to 1 year. Returns are available for 30 days in either condition; terms apply. Cisco's limited hardware warranty is separate, and eligible Cisco service ends June 30, 2027.
DS-C9396S-96EK9 includes 96 active ports, while additional fabric and management features require optional licenses. M9300ENT1K9 enables the Cisco MDS 9300 Family Enterprise Package; DCNM-SAN-M93-K9 adds Cisco Prime DCNM for SAN Advanced Edition; M93ENTDCNM-K9 combines both. Advanced packages require PAK-based license key obtainment and installation, so port activation does not establish every software entitlement.
DS-C9396S-96EK9 does not bundle optical transceivers in its base configuration. DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= is the 4/8/16-Gbps shortwave spare option, and DS-SFP-FC16G-LW= is the longwave spare option. Match DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= with shortwave peers and DS-SFP-FC16G-LW= with longwave peers, and keep fiber cable length within the selected transceiver's limit.
The MDS 9396S supports 500 buffer-to-buffer credits per port without the Enterprise license and 4095 per port with optional Enterprise licensing. M9300ENT1K9 is the separate Enterprise Package entitlement. Long-distance link planning must use the credit limit for the actual license installed rather than treating the higher ceiling as an included base capability.
Yes, DS-C9396S-96EK9 ships with two hot-swappable DS-CAC-1200W-E AC supplies and supports redundant power operation. DS-CAC-1200W-E provides 1200W with 180–264V AC input and 800W with 90–180V AC input. 1+1 power-grid redundancy requires the higher input range. Provide a dedicated branch circuit for each DS-CAC-1200W-E and confirm cabinet feeds before ordering.
Yes, DS-C9396S-96EK9 is a Rack-Mount 2U switch for a standard equipment rack. The fully configured chassis measures 86.4 mm high, 442.5 mm wide and 565.9 mm deep, and weighs 17.8 kg. Confirm cabinet depth, rail position and front cable clearance before ordering; the rack plan must accommodate the chassis and fiber connections.
Yes, the MDS 9396S supports NVMe over Fibre Channel with NX-OS 8.2(1) or higher. The installed software image must meet that minimum before this capability is included in the deployment plan. Check the actual running release and required storage connectivity during staging rather than assuming hardware identity alone settles software compatibility.
DS-C9396S-96EK9 has 96 active ports, whereas the discontinued DS-C9396S-48EK9 has 48 active ports in its base configuration. The 48-port configuration expands in 12-port license increments. Both configurations are discontinued; the 48-port model corresponds to staged legacy activation, while DS-C9396S-96EK9 corresponds to a fabric requiring all ports activated at the outset.
DS-C9396S-96EK9 uses port-side exhaust airflow, whereas the discontinued DS-C9396S-96IK9 uses port-side intake airflow. Both configurations activate 96 ports and are discontinued. Exhaust matches cabinets requiring air to leave through the port side; intake matches cabinets requiring air to enter there. Select the direction against the cabinet's hot and cold aisles.
DS-C9396S-96EK9 is the non-optics-bundled 96-port configuration, whereas the discontinued DS-C9396S-96ESK9 includes DS-SFP-FC16G-SW 16G shortwave optics. Both configurations are discontinued. The unbundled model corresponds to legacy orders requiring individually selected transceiver types; the bundled model corresponds to legacy configurations standardized on DS-SFP-FC16G-SW rather than a separately selected optics schedule.
DS-C96S-FAN-E suits the MDS 9396S port-side exhaust configuration and can operate with DS-CAC-1200W-E. Mixing DS-C96S-FAN-I and DS-C96S-FAN-E immediately powers down the chassis. Pairing DS-C96S-FAN-I with DS-CAC-1200W-E triggers a warning and shutdown after 10 minutes, so verify component part numbers when assembling a spare order.
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