Cisco Switch Fabric Module

The Cisco Switch Fabric Module is a high-performance, hot-swappable expansion component designed to accelerate data-center networks with 400GBASE-X capabilities. Engineered for spine-and-leaf architectures and large-scale enterprise deployments, this fabric module delivers four expansion slots that support ultra-fast 400 Gigabit Ethernet links, enabling scalable interconnects between core switches, distribution layers, and gateway devices. Built to Cisco’s exacting standards, it enhances reliability, manageability, and investment protection while minimizing downtime through its hot-swappable design. Whether you’re modernizing a campus core, expanding a data-center fabric, or architecting a multi-site interconnect, this module provides the throughput, flexibility, and resilience needed to meet today’s demanding workloads—from AI and machine learning to real-time analytics and media-rich applications. By consolidating high-density 400G connectivity into a compact fabric module, organizations can simplify cabling, optimize space, and streamline orchestration with familiar Cisco management tools. The result is a future-ready fabric that grows with your network, reduces operational complexity, and accelerates application performance with deterministic, low-latency switching.

• Unmatched scalability with 4 x 400GBase-X expansion slots: Scale your data center fabric to support rapidly growing traffic, dense interconnects, and large-scale spine-leaf configurations without replacing your chassis.
• High-performance 400G connectivity: Leverage 400 Gigabit Ethernet links using 400GBase-X technology to deliver substantial bandwidth for core-to-core, inter-cluster, and gateway fabric interconnections with reduced hop counts and lower latency.
• Hot-swappable design for minimal downtime: Replace, upgrade, or reconfigure the fabric module without powering down the chassis, enabling maintenance windows to be scheduled around business needs and preserving uptime for critical workloads.
• Reliability, availability, and ecosystem integration: Built to Cisco’s reliability and safety standards, with compatibility across Cisco’s switching fabrics and management ecosystems, including Cisco DNA Center and CLI-based administration for consistent policy enforcement and straightforward operations.
• Flexible deployment and future-proofing: Optimized for modern data centers, the module supports seamless integration with Cisco switches and hundreds of fabric configurations, helping you adapt to evolving traffic patterns, virtualization, and emerging workloads while protecting your investment.

Technical Details of Cisco Switch Fabric Module

• Expansion slots: 4 x 400GBase-X
• Networking technology: 400GBase-X
• Throughput: up to 400 Gbps per 400GBASE-X link (aggregate throughput depends on chassis configuration and fabric layout)
• Power and cooling: Hot-swappable hardware design with standard Cisco power and thermal management considerations (exact specifications vary by chassis model)
• Form factor and compatibility: Designed for Cisco switching fabrics and compatible with Cisco data center and campus network ecosystems

How to install Cisco Switch Fabric Module

• Prepare the chassis: Confirm that your Cisco chassis supports the Switch Fabric Module and review the vendor’s guidelines for hot-swappable components. Ensure you have appropriate maintenance windows if required by your operational policy.
• Power and safety: If your chassis model allows hot-swapping, you may proceed without powering down the system. If required for your environment, follow standard safety precautions and disconnect power as specified in the device’s service manual.
• Identify the correct expansion slots: Locate the designated Switch Fabric Module bays on the chassis and verify there are four available expansion slots ready for installation.
• Insert the module: Align the module with the slot guides and gently insert it until it seats securely. Ensure there is proper contact with the backplane and the latches engage to hold the module in place.
• Secure and verify: Close any latches or retention mechanisms, reconnect any necessary optical or electrical feeds, and power the system back on if required. Access the switch management interface (CLI or GUI) to verify the module is recognized and appears in the fabric topology.
• Configure fabric settings: Use Cisco DNA Center or the CLI to configure the new fabric module within the switching fabric. Assign interfaces, policies, and routing/forwarding rules as needed, and validate link status, MTU settings, and latency parameters.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the main purpose of the Cisco Switch Fabric Module?
  A: It serves as a high-density, hot-swappable expansion module that provides 400GBASE-X connectivity across multiple expansion slots to scale data-center fabrics and interconnects, enabling high-throughput, low-latency networking for demanding workloads.
• Q: How many expansion slots does it have and what standards does it support?
  A: It offers 4 x 400GBase-X expansion slots and supports 400GBase-X networking technology to deliver ultra-fast Ethernet interconnects within Cisco fabrics.
• Q: Is the module hot-swappable?
  A: Yes. The design supports hot-swapping, allowing maintenance and upgrades without requiring a full chassis power-down in supported environments.
• Q: What management tools work with this module?
  A: The module is designed to integrate with Cisco management ecosystems, including Cisco DNA Center and standard CLI-based workflows, enabling centralized policy, monitoring, and configuration of the fabric.
• Q: Can this module be used in existing Cisco deployments?
  A: It is intended for Cisco switching fabrics and is compatible with supported Cisco switches and chassis that provide the required expansion slots and backplane support for 400GBase-X fabric modules.