The Cisco MDS 9148S 16Gb Fibre Channel Switch (DS-C9148S-D12P8K9) is a high-performance, enterprise-grade SAN switching solution designed for small to mid-sized data centers running mission-critical storage workloads. Combining high port density, ultra-low latency, and advanced SAN services, the MDS 9148S delivers reliable, scalable Fibre Channel connectivity in a compact 1RU form factor.
The switch supports up to 48 autosensing 16-Gbps Fibre Channel ports, with a pay-as-you-grow licensing model that activates 12 ports by default and allows seamless expansion as storage requirements grow. With 768 Gbps switching bandwidth, 384 Mpps forwarding rate, and sub-microsecond port-to-port latency, the Cisco MDS 9148S ensures predictable performance for latency-sensitive applications such as databases, virtualization, and enterprise storage arrays.
Built on Cisco NX-OS for SAN, the MDS 9148S provides advanced storage networking features including Virtual SANs (VSANs), Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR), and hardware-based intelligent zoning for secure traffic segmentation. Enhanced virtualization support - such as NPIV, NPV, and tight VMware vCenter integration - makes it ideal for modern virtualized data centers.
Enterprise-class reliability is delivered through redundant hot-swappable power supplies and fans, extensive buffer credits (up to 4096) for long-distance Fibre Channel links, and integrated analytics for real-time monitoring and telemetry. Strong security features, including RBAC, secure boot, digitally signed firmware, and FIPS 140-2 compliance (with appropriate modules), help meet regulatory and compliance requirements.
Compatible with Cisco MDS 9700, 9200, and 9100 series, as well as third-party Fibre Channel devices and Cisco UCS, the Cisco MDS 9148S is an ideal choice for organizations seeking a scalable, secure, and high-performance 16G Fibre Channel SAN switch.
Product Specifications – Cisco MDS 9148S 16Gb Fibre Channel Switch (DS-C9148S-D12P8K9)
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| Category |
Specification Details |
| Product Name |
Cisco MDS 9148S |
| Model Number |
DS-C9148S-D12P8K9 |
| Product Series |
Cisco MDS 9000 Series |
| Product Type |
Fibre Channel SAN Switch |
| Target Deployment |
Small to Mid-Sized Enterprise SANs, Mission-Critical Storage |
| Form Factor |
Fixed Configuration, Rack-Mountable |
| Rack Height |
1 Rack Unit (1RU) |
| Fibre Channel Ports (Max) |
48 × 16-Gbps Fibre Channel |
| Base Activated Ports |
12 Ports (License-Upgradeable to 48) |
| Port Speed Support |
2 / 4 / 8 / 16 Gbps (Auto-Sensing) |
| Port Activation Model |
Pay-as-You-Grow Licensing |
| Console Port |
1 × RJ-45 |
| USB Port |
1 × USB (Image & Configuration) |
| Management Ports |
2 × 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet |
| Switching Bandwidth |
768 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate |
384 Million Packets per Second (Full Duplex) |
| Latency |
Sub-1 Microsecond (Port-to-Port) |
| Buffer Credits |
Up to 4,096 (Extended Distance Support) |
| Fabric Services |
Full Fabric Services Enabled |
| Virtual SANs (VSANs) |
Supported |
| Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR) |
Supported |
| Zoning |
Hardware-Based Intelligent Zoning |
| Virtualization Support |
NPIV, NPV |
| VMware Integration |
VMware vCenter Integration |
| Operating System |
Cisco NX-OS for SAN |
| Management Tools |
Cisco DCNM, CLI |
| Management Protocols |
SNMPv3, RADIUS, TACACS+ |
| Telemetry & Analytics |
Integrated Analytics Engine |
| Diagnostics |
Real-Time Monitoring & Telemetry |
| Security Features |
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) |
| Secure Boot |
Supported |
| Firmware Integrity |
Digitally Signed Firmware |
| Compliance Standards |
FIPS 140-2 (With Proper Modules) |
| Auditing & Logging |
Supported for Compliance Reporting |
| Power Supply |
Dual Redundant AC Power Supplies |
| Power Input |
100–240 VAC (Auto-Ranging) |
| Typical Power Consumption |
~90 W (Configuration Dependent) |
| Cooling System |
Hot-Swappable Fans |
| Airflow Direction |
Front-to-Back |
| Operating Temperature |
0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) |
| Operating Humidity |
10% to 90% (Non-Condensing) |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) |
1.75 × 17.3 × 19.5 in (4.45 × 43.94 × 49.53 cm) |
| Weight |
Approx. 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| High Availability |
Redundant Power & Cooling |
| SAN Compatibility |
Cisco MDS 9700, 9200, 9100 Series |
| Storage Compatibility |
Cisco UCS & Major Storage Vendors |
| Third-Party Interoperability |
Standards-Based Fibre Channel SANs |
| Use Case – SAN Core/Edge |
High-Performance 16G Fibre Channel Switching |
| Use Case – Scalability |
Pay-as-You-Grow SAN Expansion |
| Package Contents |
Switch Chassis (Licenses, Optics Sold Separately) |
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FAQs for DS-C9148S-D12P8K9:
Can I expand the number of active ports later?
Yes, the switch supports a license-based model to scale from 12 to 48 active ports.
Is this switch suitable for high-performance SAN environments?
Absolutely, it offers 16-Gbps Fibre Channel performance with sub-microsecond latency and advanced diagnostics.
Does the switch support SAN analytics?
Yes, it has an integrated analytics engine for real-time visibility into I/O flows and congestion.
What virtualization features are supported?
The MDS 9148S supports NPV, NPIV, and is fully compatible with VMware vCenter for virtual SAN environments.
Can I manage this switch remotely?
Yes, you can manage it using Cisco DCNM, CLI, SNMP, and WebUI for remote and centralized configuration.
