N9K-C9516-FM-E Cisco Nexus 9516 Fabric Switch Module

Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E Nexus 9516 Fabric Switch Module

The Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E Nexus 9516 Fabric Switch Module is a high-performance, scalable network module designed to enhance data center operations. This plug-in module provides advanced switching capabilities, ensuring optimal connectivity, flexibility, and efficiency in large-scale enterprise networks.

Manufacturer and Device Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number: N9K-C9516-FM-E
• Device Type: Switch
• Enclosure Type: Plug-in Module

Key Technical Features

• Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching functionality
• High port density for efficient network scalability
• Enhanced forwarding and routing performance
• Support for multiprotocol traffic and virtualization

Plug-and-Play Enclosure Integration

• Seamless installation into the Nexus 9516 chassis
• Hot-swappable design for minimal downtime
• Compact plug-in format for space-efficient deployments

Management Capabilities

• Centralized network orchestration with Cisco NX-OS
• Support for automation and policy-driven network configurations
• Real-time performance monitoring and analytics

Security Highlights

• Access control and role-based authentication
• Secure data forwarding with encryption support
• Resilient architecture for uninterrupted network operations

Benefits for Enterprises

• Improved network throughput and efficiency
• Reduced operational complexity
• Enhanced uptime and reliability
• Flexible deployment for growing infrastructures

Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E Nexus 9516 Fabric Switch Module

The Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E Nexus 9516 Fabric Switch Module is an essential component designed for high-performance data center networking. Engineered to deliver exceptional scalability, reliability, and low latency, this module is optimized for large-scale enterprise networks, cloud environments, and high-demand data center infrastructures. Its advanced architecture enables seamless integration with the Cisco Nexus 9500 Series switches, providing a foundation for unified data center fabric deployment and efficient network operations.

Advanced Switching Architecture

The N9K-C9516-FM-E leverages Cisco's modular switching technology to deliver enhanced throughput and flexible network design. The module supports high-density 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, allowing organizations to expand their network capacity while maintaining low latency and consistent performance. The architecture is designed to handle massive amounts of east-west traffic in modern data centers, making it suitable for virtualization, big data analytics, and cloud computing applications.

High-Speed Connectivity

With its high-speed fabric links, the Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E ensures efficient data transmission across multiple network layers. The module integrates seamlessly with other Nexus 9500 Series components, providing non-blocking fabric connectivity for mission-critical workloads. This high-speed capability reduces congestion, optimizes application performance, and supports bandwidth-intensive services without compromising network stability.

Scalability and Flexibility

The Nexus 9516 Fabric Switch Module offers unmatched scalability, allowing organizations to grow their networks as business demands increase. Its modular design supports additional line cards and expansion modules, providing flexibility to adapt to evolving network requirements. This scalability ensures that the network infrastructure remains future-proof, supporting emerging technologies and high-bandwidth applications over time.

Integrated Network Automation

Cisco Nexus 9516 modules are designed with network automation in mind, supporting features such as Cisco NX-OS programmability, policy-based automation, and model-driven telemetry. These capabilities enable IT teams to automate routine network operations, simplify configuration, and accelerate deployment processes. Automation reduces operational complexity, minimizes human errors, and ensures consistent policy enforcement across the data center fabric.

NX-OS Software Features

The Cisco NX-OS software provides a comprehensive suite of features to enhance the functionality of the N9K-C9516-FM-E module. It supports advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols, network virtualization, and traffic optimization technologies. Key features include Virtual Port Channels (vPC), Overlay Transport Virtualization (OTV), and Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) integration. These capabilities allow organizations to create a resilient, secure, and highly efficient network environment.

Enhanced Security and Resiliency

Security is a critical aspect of modern data centers, and the Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E addresses this with built-in protection mechanisms. The module supports hardware-based access control, role-based authentication, and traffic segmentation to safeguard sensitive data. Additionally, its resilient design incorporates redundant power supplies, fan modules, and fabric paths to ensure continuous network operation even in the event of hardware failures.

Energy Efficiency and Reliability

Designed with energy efficiency in mind, the Nexus 9516 Fabric Switch Module reduces operational costs while maintaining high availability. Its advanced cooling and power management features optimize energy consumption without compromising performance. The module’s reliability ensures that mission-critical applications remain online, providing consistent network service and minimizing downtime.

Data Center Integration

The Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E module is fully compatible with other Nexus 9000 Series switches, enabling a seamless fabric integration across the data center. It supports unified management through Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) and other orchestration tools, simplifying monitoring, provisioning, and troubleshooting. This integration streamlines network operations, enhances visibility, and supports large-scale data center deployments with minimal complexity.

Support for High-Bandwidth Applications

Modern data centers host applications that demand high throughput and low latency, such as cloud computing, virtualization, big data analytics, and machine learning workloads. The N9K-C9516-FM-E provides the necessary bandwidth and performance optimization to support these applications, ensuring smooth operation and faster data processing. Its capabilities allow enterprises to meet performance SLAs while handling increasing data traffic volumes efficiently.

Redundant Fabric Design

The fabric module supports redundant pathways for data transmission, enhancing the resiliency of the network. In combination with Nexus 9500 switches, it provides multiple active fabric links, enabling load balancing and failover capabilities. This redundancy ensures uninterrupted network services and reduces the risk of downtime caused by link or module failures.

Application-Centric Networking

By integrating with Cisco ACI, the N9K-C9516-FM-E supports application-centric networking models. This approach prioritizes network resources based on application requirements, improving performance, security, and resource utilization. Application-aware policies allow dynamic adaptation of network paths, ensuring critical applications receive optimal bandwidth and minimal latency.

Deployment Considerations

Deploying the Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E requires careful planning to maximize performance and reliability. Organizations must assess network capacity requirements, redundancy needs, and compatibility with existing infrastructure. Proper configuration and testing ensure seamless integration into the existing fabric, allowing the network to scale efficiently while maintaining high availability and performance.

Compatibility with Existing Infrastructure

The module is fully compatible with other Nexus 9000 Series switches, ensuring that deployment does not disrupt existing operations. Its design supports flexible network topologies, including spine-leaf and mesh configurations, enabling organizations to tailor the fabric to specific operational requirements. This compatibility facilitates phased deployments, allowing incremental upgrades without service interruptions.

Future-Proof Networking Investment

Investing in the Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E provides long-term benefits by supporting evolving network standards and emerging technologies. Its modular design allows easy expansion and upgrades, ensuring that the network remains capable of handling increasing traffic and new applications over time. Organizations can confidently deploy the module as part of a forward-looking data center strategy that accommodates growth and technological innovation.