Cisco DS-X9232-256K9 Full Official Product Description
1. Part Number & Naming Definition
Official Full Name
Cisco DS-X9232-256K9 MDS 9000 Family Advanced Generation 4 Hot-Swappable 32-Port Auto-Sensing 1/2/4/8-Gbps Fibre Channel Switching Module
Spare Part SKU: DS-X9232-256K9=
Naming Breakdown
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DS: Director Switch, designation for pluggable Fibre Channel line cards for MDS multilayer storage directors
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X92: MDS advanced Fibre Channel switching module platform
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32: Total of 32 independent SFP+ port slots
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256: 256 Gbps dedicated bandwidth architecture per module
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K9: Integrated security licensed hardware platform supporting storage encryption features
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Suffix=: Standalone spare replacement unit for data center maintenance inventory
Core Product Positioning
The DS-X9232-256K9 is an advanced Generation 4 hot-swappable Fibre Channel line card exclusively designed for Cisco MDS 9500 series multilayer Storage Area Network (SAN) directors. It supports auto-negotiated 1Gbps, 2Gbps, 4Gbps and 8Gbps Fibre Channel speeds, built for high-performance enterprise storage fabrics, virtualized data centers and mainframe environments.
This advanced module delivers improved forwarding efficiency, Arbitrated Local Switching, native Cisco VMpath virtual machine-aware SAN monitoring, larger port buffer credits and enhanced hardware security. It is optimized for high-speed storage array attachment and high-capacity inter-switch ISL trunk links, offering a seamless upgrade path from Gen3 DS-X9224/DS-X9248-96K9 line cards.
2. Hardware & Platform Compatibility
Supported MDS Chassis
Cisco MDS 9500 Series Multilayer Directors: MDS 9506, MDS 9509, MDS 9513. Occupies one standard full line card slot.
Critical Requirement: MDS 9513 requires Fabric-2 or Fabric-3 backplane modules to operate DS-X9232-256K9 at full performance. Supervisor 2 or later supervisor modules are mandatory.
Unsupported Platforms
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MDS 9700 series 16G/32G next-generation directors
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MDS 9100 / MDS 9200 fixed compact standalone SAN switches
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MDS 9500 chassis equipped only with Fabric-1 backplane modules
Supported Firmware Releases
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Minimum NX-OS release: NX-OS 6.0(x)
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Fully validated for NX-OS 6.x, 7.x mainstream production firmware
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Supports non-disruptive ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade) for zero-downtime SAN fabric firmware upgrades
SFP+ Transceiver Compatibility
All Cisco certified 1G/2G/4G/8G Fibre Channel SFP+ LC transceivers (Optics sold separately from base module):
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Short-wave multimode: DS-SFP-FC8G-SW
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Long-wave single-mode: DS-SFP-FC8G-LW
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Extended long-haul single-mode optics for cross-building long-distance ISL connections
3. Physical & Electrical Technical Specifications
Form Factor
Single-slot hot-swappable FRU (Field Replaceable Unit), vertical front-panel insertion for MDS 9500 chassis, standard mechanical footprint for MDS advanced Fibre Channel line cards.
Port & Bandwidth Performance
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32 independent SFP+ LC port slots, auto-sensing 1.0625G / 2.125G / 4.25G / 8.5G Fibre Channel full line-rate forwarding
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Total aggregate full-duplex switching bandwidth: 512 Gbps (256 Gbps half-duplex dedicated module bandwidth)
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Supports Arbitrated Local Switching to reduce backplane traffic latency
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Maximum 256 buffer credits configurable per individual port for extended distance SAN links
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Supported Fibre Channel operational port modes: F_Port, FL_Port, E_Port, SD_Port, TE_Port, TL_Port
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Native FICON and FICON CUP protocol support for IBM System z mainframe storage environments
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Integrated Cisco VMpath technology for end-to-end virtual machine SAN traffic visibility
Power Consumption
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Typical idle operating power draw: 110W
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Maximum full-load power consumption: 180W with all 32 SFP+ transceivers operating at full line-rate traffic
Environmental Operating Parameters
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Operating ambient temperature range: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
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Storage / transportation temperature range: -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F)
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Relative humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing
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Maximum operating altitude: 3000 meters above sea level
4. Key Fibre Channel & Software Feature Set
Hot-Swap OIR (Online Insertion and Removal)
The entire DS-X9232-256K9 line card can be inserted or removed while the host MDS 9500 director remains fully powered and operational. No chassis power cycle is required for hardware replacement or SAN port capacity expansion. The supervisor module generates standardized syslog messages and SNMP trap alerts for all module insertion and removal events for centralized SAN fabric monitoring.
Full Native Fibre Channel Protocol Support
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Supports all standard Fibre Channel Classes of Service: Class 2, Class 3, Class F (fabric control plane traffic)
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Hardware-isolated VSAN (Virtual Storage Area Network) segmentation to logically partition multi-tenant SAN environments, independent zoning policies configurable per VSAN
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Comprehensive Fibre Channel zoning functionality: Hard zoning, soft zoning, WWPN/WWNN device-based zoning
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ISL trunking with E_Port trunk groups for aggregated resilient inter-fabric bandwidth
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IVR (Inter-VSAN Routing) support for cross-VSAN data forwarding across segmented storage fabrics
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Transparent FICON protocol forwarding for IBM mainframe integration
Enterprise-Grade SAN Security Features
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Port security: Lock individual port access to predefined storage device WWPN identifiers
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DH-CHAP mutual authentication for inter-switch ISL links; full FC-SP Fibre Channel security protocol support
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Broadcast and multicast Fibre Channel frame storm suppression, port lockdown functions
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RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) fully integrated with MDS supervisor management plane
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Hardware ready for Cisco SME (Storage Media Encryption) licensed storage encryption services
Advanced SAN Diagnostics & Management
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Built-in DOM (Digital Optical Monitoring) support for all optical SFP+ transceivers; real-time monitoring of transmit/receive optical power, laser operating temperature, module supply voltage
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Per-port real-time performance counters, CRC error statistics, link loss and signal fault logging
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SPAN port mirroring, FC ping, FC traceroute built-in diagnostic utilities
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Native integration with Cisco DCNM (Data Center Network Manager) for unified end-to-end SAN fabric lifecycle management
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Call Home automated fault notification for 24/7 data center operation monitoring
5. Typical Enterprise SAN Deployment Use Cases
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High-Performance Storage Array Connectivity: Deploy F_Ports to attach high-end all-flash storage systems and enterprise disk arrays requiring consistent low-latency 8Gbps Fibre Channel throughput
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Redundant High-Capacity ISL Trunks: E_Port trunk links to build scalable multi-path inter-fabric connections between multiple MDS 9500 directors
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IBM Mainframe SAN Infrastructure: Leverage native FICON protocol support for System z mainframe storage access deployments
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Virtualized Data Center SAN Fabrics: Utilize VMpath technology to monitor and control storage traffic for VMware virtual machine workloads
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Legacy SAN Infrastructure Migration: Upgrade from Gen2/Gen3 8Gbps line cards to advanced Gen4 hardware without full chassis replacement
6. Regulatory & Compliance Certifications
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Electrical Safety Standards: UL 60950-1, CSA C22.2 No.60950-1, IEC/EN 60950-1
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EMC & EMI Compliance: CE Mark, FCC Part 15 Class A, ICES-003 Class A, VCCI Class A, CISPR 22 Class A, CISPR 24, full EN 61000 series ESD, surge, radiated and conducted immunity testing compliance
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Environmental Directives: EU RoHS 2.0 hazardous substance restriction compliant, EU WEEE waste electronics recycling directive compliant
7. Standard Factory Packaging Contents
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DS-X9232-256K9 32-port auto-sensing 1/2/4/8Gbps Advanced Fibre Channel switching line card
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Integrated metal extraction lever and captive retention screws for secure chassis slot installation
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ESD anti-static protective bag and ESD wrist strap for static-safe hardware handling
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Hardware installation quick-start guide covering OIR hot-swap procedures, SFP+ transceiver installation, and basic Fibre Channel port configuration CLI commands
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Full global regulatory compliance and safety certification documentation packet
End-of-Life Status Note
The DS-X9232-256K9 has reached Cisco official End-of-Sale (EoS). Cisco TAC hardware fault support remains available for customers holding active Cisco Smart Net Total Care service contracts. Recommended migration replacement hardware includes MDS 9700 series 16Gbps Fibre Channel line cards.
UNSPSC Classification Code
43222602 – Cisco DS-X9232-256K9 hot-swappable 32-port auto-sensing 1/2/4/8-Gbps Advanced Generation 4 Fibre Channel switching line card for Cisco MDS 9500 series multilayer storage directors, supporting OIR hot-swap maintenance, hardware-isolated VSAN segmentation, Inter-VSAN Routing, Arbitrated Local Switching, Cisco VMpath virtual machine visibility, native FICON mainframe support, full Fibre Channel zoning, DH-CHAP fabric security, DOM optical transceiver diagnostics, designed for high-performance enterprise data center storage attachment, mainframe connectivity and high-capacity redundant inter-switch ISL trunk deployments.
Standard Hardware Warranty
All factory-new DS-X9232-256K9 line cards include a 1-year limited hardware warranty covering manufacturing defects and component failures under rated standard operating environmental conditions. Cisco Smart Net Total Care extended service contracts provide 24×7 priority Cisco TAC technical support, advance genuine spare hardware replacement service, validated stable NX-OS firmware upgrade releases, and comprehensive end-to-end SAN fabric fault troubleshooting support.
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