N9K-C9504-FM Cisco Fabric Module

Cisco N9K-C9504-FM Fabric Module Overview

The Cisco N9K-C9504-FM is a high-performance fabric module designed specifically for the Nexus 9504 Chassis. Engineered by Cisco, this modular switch component enhances the switching capacity and reliability of enterprise networks.

Key Features of Cisco N9K-C9504-FM

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number / SKU: N9K-C9504-FM
• Product Type: Switch
• Module Type: Fabric Modular
• Optimized for Nexus 9504 Chassis

Technical Specifications

• Device Category: Switch Fabric Module
• Primary Application: Switching Fabric
• Subcategory: Network Hubs and Switches
• Form Factor: Plug-in Module
• Weight: Approx. 6.4 lb

Performance & Compatibility

• Fully compatible with the Cisco Nexus 9504 Chassis
• Provides scalable, high-speed switching for data center networks
• Supports seamless integration into existing Cisco network infrastructures

Advantages of Using Cisco N9K-C9504-FM

• Enhances the switching efficiency of the Nexus 9504 chassis
• Reliable performance for enterprise-grade network environments
• Modular design allows easy installation and maintenance
• Reduces network latency and increases overall throughput

Ideal Use Cases

• Data centers requiring high-bandwidth, low-latency network solutions
• Enterprise networks looking to expand or upgrade Nexus 9504 chassis capabilities
• Organizations seeking scalable, modular switching infrastructure

Cisco N9K-C9504-FM Fabric Module

The Cisco N9K-C9504-FM Fabric Module is a critical component designed specifically for the Nexus 9504 Chassis, providing high-speed, reliable interconnectivity essential for modern data center environments. Engineered to deliver unmatched performance, this fabric module enhances the overall switching capacity of the Nexus 9504, enabling organizations to meet demanding network requirements with ease. The module seamlessly integrates into existing infrastructure, ensuring optimized data flow across all connected modules.

High-Performance Architecture

The N9K-C9504-FM is built with advanced fabric architecture that supports high-bandwidth data transfer between line cards, significantly reducing latency and ensuring smooth data traffic handling. Its high-throughput design is ideal for environments where large volumes of data are processed, such as enterprise data centers, cloud networks, and service provider infrastructures. By facilitating fast, efficient communication between modules, the fabric module improves overall system performance, reliability, and scalability.

Seamless Integration with Nexus 9504 Chassis

Designed exclusively for the Cisco Nexus 9504 Chassis, the N9K-C9504-FM provides native integration and ensures compatibility with other components within the system. Installation is streamlined, with minimal disruption to network operations, and the module supports Cisco’s Unified Fabric, allowing administrators to consolidate network, storage, and compute traffic. This level of integration simplifies management, enhances network efficiency, and reduces operational costs by consolidating multiple network services onto a single platform.

Advanced Data Forwarding Capabilities

The fabric module features high-speed data forwarding capabilities that allow the Nexus 9504 Chassis to handle thousands of concurrent connections with minimal latency. Its advanced switching mechanisms ensure that packets are delivered efficiently across the system, reducing bottlenecks and maintaining optimal network performance. This capability is particularly critical for data-intensive applications such as virtualized workloads, cloud computing, and real-time analytics, where consistent performance and low latency are essential.

Scalable Network Infrastructure

The Cisco N9K-C9504-FM is built to support scalable network architectures. As organizations grow, the demand for higher bandwidth and more ports increases. This fabric module allows for seamless expansion, enabling businesses to add more line cards or modules without compromising performance. The modular design of the Nexus 9504 chassis, combined with the high-speed fabric module, provides a future-proof solution for growing data centers. Scalability ensures that the network infrastructure can adapt to evolving business needs, supporting both current and next-generation workloads.

Enhanced Reliability and Redundancy

Reliability is a key factor in modern networking, and the N9K-C9504-FM excels in this area. The module is designed with redundancy features that ensure uninterrupted network operation even in the event of a failure. Dual fabric modules can be deployed in the Nexus 9504 chassis to provide failover protection, minimizing downtime and maintaining continuous data flow. This high-availability design is critical for enterprises that require uninterrupted access to data and applications, reducing risks associated with network outages.

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Management

In addition to high performance, the Cisco N9K-C9504-FM is engineered for energy efficiency and optimal thermal management. The module operates with minimal power consumption relative to its throughput capabilities, contributing to lower operational costs in data center environments. Advanced cooling mechanisms ensure that the module remains within safe operating temperatures, preventing overheating and enhancing long-term reliability. These features support sustainable networking practices while maintaining peak performance.

Comprehensive Security Features

Security is an integral aspect of the Cisco N9K-C9504-FM fabric module. The module supports various Cisco security technologies, providing protection against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other network threats. By incorporating robust security protocols and hardware-based protections, the fabric module ensures that sensitive data remains secure as it traverses the network. This is particularly important for organizations handling confidential information, financial transactions, or regulatory-compliant data.

Advanced Monitoring and Management

The Cisco N9K-C9504-FM offers comprehensive monitoring and management capabilities, allowing network administrators to maintain optimal performance and quickly identify potential issues. Integrated with Cisco’s management tools, the module supports real-time monitoring of traffic patterns, utilization statistics, and system health. Proactive monitoring enables administrators to perform predictive maintenance, ensuring that the Nexus 9504 chassis operates efficiently and minimizing potential downtime. This level of visibility enhances network reliability and simplifies operational management.

Support for Unified Fabric and Data Center Convergence

The fabric module is fully compatible with Cisco’s Unified Fabric architecture, enabling the convergence of LAN and SAN traffic over a single infrastructure. This reduces the complexity of data center networks, lowers cabling requirements, and simplifies management. By consolidating multiple types of network traffic, organizations can optimize resource utilization, reduce costs, and improve performance. The N9K-C9504-FM ensures seamless operation of converged networks, supporting high-speed data, storage, and virtualization workloads simultaneously.

Optimal Performance for Virtualized Environments

Virtualized environments demand high-bandwidth, low-latency networking to support multiple virtual machines and applications. The Cisco N9K-C9504-FM fabric module is designed to meet these requirements, providing fast, reliable connectivity for virtualized workloads. Its ability to handle large-scale traffic efficiently ensures that virtualization platforms operate without bottlenecks, maintaining application performance and responsiveness. This makes the module an ideal choice for enterprises implementing virtualized servers, private clouds, or hybrid cloud solutions.

Investment Protection and Future-Proofing

Investing in the Cisco N9K-C9504-FM provides organizations with a long-term, future-proof solution. The module is designed to support evolving network standards and emerging technologies, ensuring compatibility with future upgrades. Cisco’s continuous innovation and support for the Nexus 9504 Chassis ecosystem mean that organizations can expand or enhance their network infrastructure without frequent replacement of core components. This level of investment protection reduces total cost of ownership and ensures that the network remains capable of meeting future demands.

Integration with Cisco Ecosystem

The N9K-C9504-FM fabric module integrates seamlessly with the broader Cisco ecosystem, including Nexus switches, management tools, and security solutions. This interoperability allows organizations to leverage a consistent networking strategy across the enterprise, simplifying deployment, management, and troubleshooting. By utilizing a cohesive Cisco environment, businesses can maximize the value of their networking investments while ensuring a high level of performance, reliability, and security across their infrastructure.

Key Use Cases for the Cisco N9K-C9504-FM

The Cisco N9K-C9504-FM is suited for a wide range of use cases within enterprise, cloud, and service provider environments. In enterprise data centers, the module ensures reliable, high-speed connectivity between servers and storage arrays, supporting critical business applications. For cloud providers, it enables scalable, multi-tenant networks with minimal latency. Service providers benefit from its high throughput and redundancy features, delivering consistent service quality for demanding network applications. Additionally, organizations implementing software-defined networking (SDN) can leverage the module’s advanced features to optimize network performance and simplify management.

Data Center Interconnectivity

High-speed fabric modules like the N9K-C9504-FM are essential for efficient data center interconnectivity. By providing fast, reliable pathways between line cards and other modules, the fabric module ensures smooth data flow and minimizes congestion. This is particularly important for large-scale data centers with high traffic volumes, as it allows organizations to maintain performance standards and deliver uninterrupted services to users and applications.

Support for High-Bandwidth Applications

The module’s high-performance design is ideal for bandwidth-intensive applications such as big data analytics, artificial intelligence workloads, and real-time data processing. Its ability to handle significant amounts of concurrent traffic ensures that these applications operate efficiently, reducing delays and maintaining optimal user experience. Enterprises leveraging such applications benefit from improved productivity and faster decision-making capabilities due to the enhanced performance provided by the N9K-C9504-FM.