UCS-EP-MDS9148S-16 Cisco MDS 9148S Fibre Channel Switch

Product Overview

The Cisco UCS-EP-MDS9148S-16 MDS 9148S Fibre Channel Switch is a high-performance networking solution designed to deliver reliable, low-latency storage connectivity. Built as part of the trusted Cisco MDS 9100 Series, this switch is ideal for modern data centers that require speed, scalability, and simplified administration.

General Information

Manufacturer Details

• Brand: Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Product Series: Cisco MDS 9100
• Model: MDS 9148S
• Part Number: UCS-EP-MDS9148S-16

Technical Specifications

Switch Type and Performance

• Device Category: Fibre Channel Switch
• Maximum Data Throughput: Up to 16 Gbit/s

High-Speed Connectivity

With advanced Fibre Channel technology, this switch ensures fast and stable data transfers, making it suitable for enterprise storage area networks (SANs) and mission-critical workloads.

Port Configuration

Fibre Channel Interfaces

The Cisco MDS 9148S provides flexible port options to support growing infrastructure needs.

• Total Fibre Channel Ports: 12

Scalable Network Design

Its port configuration allows organizations to efficiently expand their SAN environments while maintaining optimal performance and reliability.

Management and Control

Administrative Features

• Management Support: Fully manageable

Simplified Operations

Designed for ease of use, this Fibre Channel switch supports streamlined monitoring and configuration, helping IT teams reduce operational complexity and maintain consistent network performance.

Unpacking the MDS 9148S 16G Fibre Channel Switch Architecture

At its core, the Cisco MDS 9148S is engineered to deliver non-blocking, low-latency performance across all its ports simultaneously. Its architecture is built to ensure that storage traffic flows efficiently and predictably, which is paramount for applications like large-scale virtualization, database operations, and high-frequency transactions.

Hardware Design and Specifications

The switch is a 1RU form factor device, making it ideal for space-constrained data centers. The specific UCS-EP-MDS9148S-16 bundle typically includes the base switch with either 24 or 48 autosensing 16Gbps Fibre Channel ports, which can automatically negotiate speeds of 2G, 4G, 8G, and 16Gbps, protecting existing infrastructure investments. It is powered by Cisco's proven MDS-series ASICs, providing hardware-based intelligence for advanced features.

Intelligent Fibre Channel Features and Capabilities

Beyond raw speed, the Cisco MDS 9148S distinguishes itself with a suite of intelligent software features that simplify SAN management, enhance security, and optimize traffic flow. These capabilities transform it from a simple switch into an intelligent fabric controller.

Virtual SAN (VSAN) Technology

A cornerstone of Cisco SAN technology, VSANs enable the creation of multiple isolated logical SANs over a single physical infrastructure. This provides hard zoning at the fabric level, improving security, scalability, and fault isolation. Different departments or applications can share the same physical switch while maintaining complete traffic separation.

Advanced Traffic Management and Diagnostics

The switch includes tools like Cisco SAN Analytics and I/O Accelerator (IOA), which provide deep visibility into fabric performance and help identify bottlenecks. Features like Fibre Channel Congestion Control (FCC) and Quality of Service (QoS) ensure that priority traffic, such as synchronous replication or critical database I/O, receives the necessary bandwidth and low latency.

Primary Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The versatility of the Cisco UCS-EP-MDS9148S-16 allows it to serve as the backbone for a variety of storage networking needs, from mid-sized enterprise cores to large-scale data center edge deployments.

Core Fabric Switch for Mid-Range SANs

For small to medium-sized SAN deployments, one or two MDS 9148S switches can serve as the complete core fabric. Their high port density and non-blocking architecture provide ample connectivity for hosts and storage arrays, while features like VSANs allow for logical segmentation of development, production, and backup environments.

Edge Fabric Switch in Large Data Centers

In massive, multi-switch SAN fabrics, the 9148S is perfectly suited as an edge switch (also called a leaf switch). It connects server racks via top-of-rack (ToR) or end-of-row (EoR) deployments into a larger MDS director-based core fabric. Its 16Gbps ports offer excellent bandwidth for server-to-storage traffic aggregation.

Support for Flash Storage and All-Flash Arrays

The low latency and high throughput of 16G Fibre Channel are critical for unlocking the full performance of modern all-flash arrays (AFAs) and NVMe-based storage. The MDS 9148S ensures that the network is not a bottleneck, allowing organizations to realize the full investment in high-speed storage.

Disaster Recovery and SAN Extension

With support for Fibre Channel over IP (FCIP), the switch can be used to extend SAN fabrics over IP networks for metropolitan or long-distance disaster recovery. This enables synchronous and asynchronous replication between data centers without changing the underlying Fibre Channel protocol for hosts and storage.

Integration with Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS)

The "UCS-EP" in the product name signifies its role in the Cisco Unified Computing System ecosystem. The MDS 9148S is a key component in building unified fabric architectures, particularly within Cisco UCS server deployments.

Unified Fabric with FCoE Convergence

The switch can be equipped with optional Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) modules, enabling a unified fabric that carries both LAN and SAN traffic over a single 10 Gigabit Ethernet cable. This simplifies cabling, reduces adapter count in UCS servers, and lowers overall capital and operational costs.

Centralized Management with Cisco DCNM

When deployed as part of a larger Cisco data center, the MDS 9148S is fully manageable under Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM). This provides a single pane of glass for monitoring, provisioning, and troubleshooting both the LAN and SAN fabrics, significantly simplifying operations.

Comparison and Considerations

Understanding where the MDS 9148S fits in the broader market and technology landscape is crucial for making an informed purchasing decision.

MDS 9148S vs. Brocade (Broadcom) G620

The primary competitor to the Cisco MDS 9148S is the Brocade G620. Key differentiators often come down to the management ecosystem, specific feature implementation (like congestion control algorithms), and integration with existing data center infrastructure. Cisco's deep integration with UCS and Nexus platforms offers a compelling advantage in a homogeneous Cisco environment.

16G Fibre Channel vs. 32G Fibre Channel and NVMe over Fabrics

While 32G Fibre Channel and NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) represent the next performance frontier, 16G remains the workhorse for most enterprise SANs. The MDS 9148S offers a cost-effective, reliable, and proven platform. For many organizations, moving to 16G from 8G provides a massive performance uplift that meets current needs while future-proofing with features that support the evolution to NVMe.