Cisco MDS 9000 Series MDS 9396V
The Cisco MDS 9396V is a 2RU Fibre Channel switch with up to 96 ports at 64 Gb/s, the 64G step up from the MDS 9396T. The base model has 48 ports and license upgrades add 16 at a time, in four port groups of 24, for 6 Tb/s of aggregate bandwidth. Cisco's data sheet lists NVMe over Fibre Channel, VSANs with licensed Inter-VSAN Routing, and a hardware analytics engine that runs at line rate on every port. Buyers use it as the core switch in mid-size to large SANs with all-flash arrays.
Also written as: MDS 9396V, Cisco MDS 9396V, MDS 9396V 64G FC Switch
Specifications
| Brand | Cisco |
|---|---|
| Family | Cisco MDS 9000 Series |
| Form factor | 2RU |
| Released | Aug 2023 |
| Form factor | 2RU fixed, 3.4 x 17.4 x 23.9 in (8.64 x 44.23 x 60.73 cm), 44 lb (20 kg) |
| Ports | Up to 96x SFP+ Fibre Channel ports at 8, 16, 32 or 64 Gb/s autosensing (48 in the base model; 16-port upgrade licenses up to 96) |
| Switching capacity | 6 Tb/s end-to-end full duplex |
| Power supply | Two hot-swap redundant 80 PLUS Platinum PSUs: 1400 W AC, or 2000 W AC / HVAC / HVDC |
| Buffer credits | Default 1,000 per port, up to 16,000 on one port and 24,000 per 24-port group |
| Software | Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS 9.4(1) or later; SAN Analytics needs 9.4(2) or later |
Generations
- Previous generation: Cisco MDS 9000 Series MDS 9396T
Works together
How the Cisco MDS 9000 Series MDS 9396V connects to servers, storage and the network: 1 way, with the parts and products on each path.
Fibre Channel SAN
Match the speed: 16Gb and 32Gb FC HBAs, switches and array ports work together, and each generation also runs one or two speeds below its own (a 32Gb port runs at 16Gb and 8Gb).
Servers
Dell PowerEdge R HS5610 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R HS5620 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R660 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R660xs 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R6615 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R6625 1U rack
Adapters for the server
540-BBUU Dell Emulex LPe31002 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
540-BBUV Dell QLogic 2692 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
540-BCMS Dell QLogic 2770 Single Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
540-BCMT Dell QLogic 2772 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
Storage
HPE Alletra Storage MP 2U rack
Lenovo ThinkSystem DE6400H 2U rack
Lenovo ThinkSystem DE6600H 2U rack
Lenovo ThinkSystem DM3010H 2U rack
Lenovo ThinkSystem DG5000 2U rack
Lenovo ThinkSystem DG7000 4U rack
Optics
DS-SFP-FC16G-SW Cisco 16Gbps Fibre Channel Shortwave SFP+ Transceiver
DS-SFP-FC32G-SW Cisco 32Gbps Fibre Channel Shortwave SFP28 Transceiver
57-1000262-01 Brocade 16Gb Shortwave SFP+ Optical Transceiver
Plan and size it
- Draw this setup in the topology planner mrplanb.com
- Add up rack power and space rack-density.com
- Virtualization storage Ledger: scored storage platforms mrplanb.com
- SAN transport and NVMe over FC for backup mrplanb.com
Check compatibility with Cisco
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Cisco has tested with the Cisco MDS 9000 Series MDS 9396V.
- Compatibility Cisco interoperability page for the Cisco MDS 9000 Series MDS 9396V
- Compatibility Cisco UCS Hardware Compatibility List
- Compatibility Cisco Optics-to-Device Compatibility Matrix
- Support Cisco Support and Downloads
Equivalent models from other brands
Buying a used MDS 9396V: what to check
Check how many of the 96 ports are licensed and whether the 16-port licenses are tied to the serial number. Confirm airflow direction (port-side exhaust or intake) and PSU type, check the fan modules, and ask whether 64G or 32G optics are included, since optics are a large share of the cost.
FAQ
How many ports does the Cisco MDS 9396V have?
The base model has 48 SFP+ ports and it scales to 96 in 16-port steps, using the M9396V-PL16 upgrade license. Ports are arranged in four groups of 24.
What is the difference between the MDS 9396V and the 9148V?
Both run 8, 16, 32 and 64 Gb/s. The 9396V is a 2RU switch with up to 96 ports and 6 Tb/s, and the 9148V is a 1RU switch with up to 48 ports and 3 Tb/s.
Which NX-OS release does the MDS 9396V need?
Cisco lists NX-OS 9.4(1) as the minimum release, and 9.4(2) or later for SAN Analytics.
Buying or selling MDS 9396V?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- Cisco MDS 9396V 64-Gbps 96-Port Fibre Channel Switch Data Sheet, checked 2026-10-27