Dell Connectrix MDS-9396S
The Dell Connectrix MDS-9396S is a 2U 96-port 16Gb Fibre Channel switch based on the Cisco MDS 9396S platform. Engineered for large departmental SAN fabrics and enterprise edge aggregation, the MDS-9396S scales from 48 to 96 active ports on demand, providing line-rate non-blocking switching, VSAN isolation, and non-disruptive software upgrades via Cisco NX-OS.
Also written as: Connectrix MDS-9396S, Dell MDS-9396S, Cisco MDS 9396S 16Gb FC Switch
Specifications
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Family | Connectrix |
| Form factor | 2U switch |
| Released | May 2015 |
| End of sale | Jan 2019 |
| End of support | Jan 2024 |
| Port count | Up to 96 Fibre Channel ports (base 48 ports expandable to 96 ports in 12-port increments) |
| Port speeds | Auto-sensing 2, 4, 8, and 16Gb/s Fibre Channel speeds |
| Switching bandwidth | 1.536 Tbps aggregate bandwidth with line-rate non-blocking switching |
| Operating system | Cisco NX-OS Software for MDS 9000 Series |
| Power supply | Dual redundant hot-plug power supplies with hot-swappable fan trays |
Generations
- Next generation: Dell Connectrix MDS-9396T
Compatible parts
Network adapters
540-BBGY Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 PCIe Low Profile Network Adapter
OCP adapters
540-BBHB Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 OCP 3.0 Mezzanine Network Adapter
Transceivers
407-BCBF Dell 25GbE SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MMF)
Rail kits
770-BCKW Dell ReadyRails II Sliding Rails for 2U PowerEdge Servers (B6)
Works together
How the Dell Connectrix MDS-9396S 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 C4130 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R230 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R330 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R930 4U rack
Dell PowerEdge R220 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R430 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
Dell PowerProtect DD Data Domain DD9500 2U controller + shelves
Dell PowerProtect DD Data Domain DD6300 2U appliance
Dell PowerProtect DD Data Domain DD6800 2U controller + shelves
Dell PowerProtect DD Data Domain DD9300 2U controller + shelves
Dell PowerProtect DD Data Domain DD9800 2U controller + shelves
Dell PowerVault MD3800F 2U rack
Optics
407-BBOG Dell 16Gb Short Wave SFP+ Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver
407-BCBI Dell 32Gb Short Wave SFP28 Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver
57-1000262-01 Brocade 16G FC SFP+ ELWL 25 km
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
- Dell E-Lab Navigator (Dell interoperability) dell.com
Check compatibility with Dell
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Dell has tested with the Dell Connectrix MDS-9396S.
- Compatibility Dell E-Lab Navigator (storage and SAN interoperability) (free vendor sign-in)
- Support Dell Support: drivers, manuals and service tag lookup
Equivalent models from other brands
Buying a used Connectrix MDS-9396S: what to check
Verify number of activated ports via 'show license usage', check 16Gb SFP+ optical transceivers, confirm airflow direction on fans and power supplies, and test management Ethernet interfaces.
FAQ
Can the MDS-9396S perform non-disruptive software upgrades?
Yes, Cisco In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) allows upgrading NX-OS without dropping FC data frames.
Does the MDS-9396S support Inter-Switch Links (ISL) trunking?
Yes, hardware-based port trunking combines up to 16 physical links into a single logical high-bandwidth channel.
Buying or selling Connectrix MDS-9396S?
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
- Dell Connectrix MDS Series Spec Sheet, checked 2026-10-27