Cisco MDS 9148T 32G 1 RU FC Switch — 24 Active Ports, 2 PSUs, 4 Fans, Port Side Intake

The Cisco MDS 9148T 32G 1 U Fibre Channel switch is a premier SAN fabric solution engineered for modern data centers that demand agility, reliability, and scalable performance. With 24 active Fibre Channel ports delivering 32 Gbps per port, this 1U switch is designed to accelerate storage workloads, simplify virtualization, and support evolving storage architectures. Built to integrate seamlessly with Cisco's SAN fabric, it delivers the resilience and straightforward management required by busy enterprise environments, hybrid clouds, and large-scale virtualization projects. Whether you’re consolidating storage, implementing NVMe over Fibre Channel, or expanding an existing fabric, the MDS 9148T offers a robust foundation for high-performance storage networks.

• Unmatched Fibre Channel performance: 24 active 32 Gbps Fibre Channel ports deliver enterprise-grade throughput with ultra-low latency, enabling rapid data access, faster backups, and improved application response times across large SAN deployments.
• Compact, scalable 1U design: A dense, rack-friendly footprint that maximizes data center space while providing the fabric capacity needed to scale as storage demands grow, virtualization expands, or performance missions evolve.
• Redundant power and cooling for high availability: Equipped with 2 hot-swappable power supply units (PSUs) and 4 cooling fans to sustain operations during component maintenance or unexpected power events, minimizing downtime and protecting critical workloads.
• Efficient cooling with port-side intake: The port-side intake airflow design optimizes thermal performance by directing cool air precisely where it’s needed, reducing thermal throttling and extending component life in dense SAN environments.
• Designed for virtualization and SAN consolidation: Engineered to integrate with Cisco MDS fabrics, supporting virtualization features, policy-based management, and storage networking innovations that simplify operations and improve workload mobility across the fabric.

Technical Details of Cisco MDS 9148T 32G 1 RU FC Switch

• Form Factor: 1U rack-mountable chassis designed for dense data center environments
• Ports: 24 active Fibre Channel ports rated at 32 Gbps per port
• Performance: High-bandwidth SAN switch optimized for low latency and rapid data access
• Power: 2 redundant hot-swappable Power Supply Units (PSUs) for continuous availability
• Cooling: 4 fans to sustain performance under heavy I/O loads
• Airflow: Port Side Intake configuration to maximize cooling efficiency
• Installation: Spare components included to facilitate quick field replacement and maintenance

How to install Cisco MDS 9148T 32G 1 RU FC Switch

• Prepare the rack: Choose a standard 19-inch rack and ensure there is adequate space for airflow and cable management around the 1U chassis.
• Mount the switch: Secure the MDS 9148T in the rack using the provided rails and ensure the unit sits level and firmly anchored to prevent vibration that could affect port alignment.
• Connect power: Install both Power Supply Units (PSUs) and connect power cords to a reliable, uninterrupted power source or a redundant power distribution setup to support failover protection.
• Configure cabling: Attach Fibre Channel cables to the 24 active ports, routing them to your storage arrays, tape libraries, or other fabric endpoints as required by your SAN design.
• Initial software configuration: Access the switch management interface (local console or out-of-band management) and perform initial setup, including fabric login, domain configuration, and zoning/policy settings as per your SAN design.
• Integrate with the fabric: Add the MDS 9148T to your Cisco MDS fabric, establish fabric bindings, verify NPIV/VSAN or NVMe over FC support if applicable, and confirm redundancy paths for critical storage workloads.
• Validation and monitoring: Run post-install validation tests for connectivity, latency, and throughput; configure monitoring, alerts, and baseline performance metrics to ensure ongoing reliability.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: How many active ports does the Cisco MDS 9148T provide? A: It provides 24 active Fibre Channel ports rated at 32 Gbps each, enabling dense, scalable SAN connectivity in a 1U form factor.
• Q: What is the airflow or cooling design? A: The switch uses a port-side intake airflow design coupled with four cooling fans to maintain optimal temperatures in high I/O environments.
• Q: Is the power supply redundant? A: Yes, the unit ships with two redundant hot-swappable PSUs, allowing for continuous operation even during power supply maintenance or failure events.
• Q: Is this switch suitable for virtualization workloads? A: Absolutely. The Cisco MDS 9148T is designed to integrate with virtualization features and SAN fabrics, supporting efficient consolidation and workload mobility across the fabric.
• Q: What kind of management and fabric features can I expect? A: The switch offers Cisco MDS SAN management capabilities, policy-based fabric control, and compatibility with NVMe over Fibre Channel and other modern SAN enhancements to simplify storage networking and administration.
• Q: Can this switch be used in existing Cisco MDS environments? A: Yes. The MDS 9148T is designed to integrate with Cisco’s SAN fabric ecosystem, enabling smooth coexistence with existing MDS switches and fabrics while expanding capacity and performance.