Cisco MDS 9300 Multilayer Fabric Switches - Refurbished, Used, New

MDS 9300 models and parts

Which MDS 9396S do I need?

Start with the port count you need now: every 9396S has 96 physical ports, and each listing states how many of them are enabled, 48 or 96. Then match airflow to your rack. The E models and E fans and power supplies push air out the port side, which suits racks where the ports face the hot aisle; the I models pull air in through the port side. Fan modules must match the switch's airflow direction, so order replacement fans with the same letter. For power supplies, the DS-CAC-1200W-E works only with port side exhaust fans, while the plain DS-CAC-1200W works with either direction. Each switch takes two power supplies and two fan modules; the fan modules are hot swappable, but the switch needs both installed to keep running, so keep a spare on hand. Check whether the listing includes SFP+ transceivers; the ES part numbers usually do, the others usually do not, so budget for 16G or 8G FC optics to suit the speed your storage arrays and HBAs negotiate.

Frequently asked questions

Can an MDS 9396S run alongside older 8G and 4G MDS switches in the same fabric?
Yes. Fibre Channel ports negotiate down to the speed of the device on the other end, so a 16G 9396S interoperates with 8G and 4G MDS switches, HBAs and arrays in the same fabric, as long as the NX-OS releases on each switch are compatible with each other.

Does the 9396S support NPV mode for attaching to a core director?
Yes. The 9396S can run as a full fabric switch with its own domain ID, or in N-Port Virtualization mode so it looks like a group of host ports to an upstream MDS 9700 and does not consume a domain ID in the fabric.

How do I confirm the enabled port count before I buy?
The listing title states it: 48x Active or 96x Active. Tell us how many ports you need enabled and we will match you to the right unit.

NetworkTigers has sold enterprise network equipment since 1996. Every switch and part carries the NetworkTigers 365-day warranty. Need a pair for a dual fabric? Ask us for a quote.