Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E2 Nexus 9516 Series Fabric Module

Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E2 Nexus 9516 Series Fabric Module

The Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E2 is a high-performance fabric module designed for the Nexus 9516 Series, delivering robust 100G support and optimized network efficiency. This module ensures high-speed connectivity, low latency, and seamless integration into enterprise data centers.

Key Specifications of N9K-C9516-FM-E2

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number: N9K-C9516-FM-E2
• Device Type: Switch
• Enclosure Type: Fabric Module
• Network Speed Support: Up to 100G
• Compatibility: Nexus 9516 Series chassis

High-Speed Connectivity and Performance

• Ultra-low latency for high-demand applications
• Optimized 100G port aggregation for peak performance
• Seamless integration with Nexus 9516 chassis for reliable network expansion

Advanced Fabric Architecture

• High-density 100G connections across the network
• Improved traffic distribution and load balancing
• Enhanced scalability for future network growth

Reliability and Redundancy Features

• Redundant power and cooling support
• Hot-swappable module design for minimal disruption
• Advanced fault-tolerant architecture

Integration with Nexus 9516 Series

• Seamless chassis integration without configuration conflicts
• Unified management via Cisco NX-OS software
• Flexible scalability options for growing enterprise networks

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Management

• Intelligent power management features
• Efficient airflow design to reduce thermal impact
• Compliance with industry energy efficiency standards

Deployment Scenarios

• High-speed core and aggregation layers
• Data center spine-leaf architecture
• Redundant and scalable 100G fabric connectivity

Network Security and Resilience

• Support for advanced network segmentation
• Enhanced monitoring and traffic analysis
• Robust fault-tolerant operations minimizing downtime

Software and Management

• Centralized configuration and monitoring tools
• Automation support for large-scale environments
• Integration with Cisco management platforms for end-to-end visibility

Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E2 Nexus 9516 Fabric Module

The Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E2 is a high-performance fabric module designed specifically for the Nexus 9516 Series switches. This module brings enhanced 100G support, offering a scalable and robust solution for enterprise data centers. With its advanced architecture, it ensures low latency and high throughput, making it ideal for environments that demand consistent, reliable network performance. The module is engineered to optimize data traffic and provide seamless connectivity between different switch modules within the Nexus 9516 chassis.

High-Speed 100G Fabric Connectivity

The N9K-C9516-FM-E2 fabric module supports 100G uplinks and interconnects, enabling faster data transfer across the data center network. Its design focuses on minimizing bottlenecks, ensuring that even the largest workloads are handled efficiently. By leveraging advanced ASIC technology, the module can deliver predictable performance across all ports, which is essential for applications requiring real-time processing and low latency communication. Cisco’s proprietary forwarding mechanisms are integrated to enhance traffic distribution and maintain optimal network performance.

Scalability and Data Center Integration

This fabric module is optimized for high-density deployments, allowing data centers to expand network capacity without compromising performance. It supports seamless integration with existing Nexus 9000 series switches, enabling flexible architecture choices for modern cloud and enterprise networks. The N9K-C9516-FM-E2 also facilitates easy addition of new modules, reducing downtime during network upgrades. Cisco’s modular approach ensures that network administrators can scale out connectivity based on growing data center demands, delivering a future-proof solution for long-term network planning.

Advanced Fabric Architecture

The module features a sophisticated fabric design that ensures optimal traffic management across the Nexus 9516 chassis. It incorporates Cisco’s innovative crossbar switching fabric, which enhances data flow efficiency and reduces latency across all connected devices. Each fabric module operates independently while collaborating with other modules to distribute traffic intelligently, enabling deterministic performance under heavy network loads. This architecture is particularly beneficial for mission-critical applications and high-performance computing environments where consistent throughput is paramount.

Redundancy and Reliability

The N9K-C9516-FM-E2 emphasizes high availability with built-in redundancy mechanisms. Each module supports failover capabilities, ensuring continuous network operation even in the event of hardware failures. The Nexus 9516 chassis can host multiple fabric modules, providing active-active configurations that maximize uptime. Cisco’s reliability features include error detection, fast failover, and system monitoring tools that help administrators proactively manage network health. These features are critical for enterprise and cloud networks that cannot tolerate unplanned downtime.

Energy Efficiency and Cooling Optimization

Designed for data center efficiency, the N9K-C9516-FM-E2 offers a power-optimized design without sacrificing performance. Advanced cooling mechanisms reduce thermal stress and maintain optimal operating temperatures, enhancing module longevity. The energy-efficient architecture aligns with modern data center sustainability goals, lowering power consumption while supporting high-density 100G environments. Cisco’s integrated thermal management ensures that the module operates reliably even under maximum load, contributing to consistent network uptime and predictable energy usage.

Comprehensive Management and Monitoring

Network administrators can leverage Cisco’s robust management platforms to monitor and configure the N9K-C9516-FM-E2 fabric module. Tools such as Cisco NX-OS and Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) provide real-time insights into network performance, port utilization, and system health. The module’s diagnostic capabilities allow for rapid troubleshooting and proactive maintenance, minimizing service interruptions. With centralized management, administrators can optimize fabric performance and ensure that all network segments operate efficiently across the data center environment.

Integration with Nexus 9000 Ecosystem

The Cisco N9K-C9516-FM-E2 seamlessly integrates with the broader Nexus 9000 ecosystem, supporting both traditional and modern network designs. It complements Nexus 9500 switches and other fabric modules to form a unified, high-performance network backbone. By enabling VXLAN and other overlay technologies, the module facilitates flexible network virtualization and workload mobility. Its compatibility with software-defined networking solutions allows enterprises to implement automated provisioning, network segmentation, and policy enforcement with minimal manual intervention.

Enhanced Security Features

The N9K-C9516-FM-E2 includes robust security mechanisms to protect sensitive data and maintain network integrity. It supports hardware-based access control lists, traffic segmentation, and encryption for secure data transfers across the fabric. Cisco’s integrated security features help prevent unauthorized access and mitigate potential threats at the data center core. By providing secure, high-speed connectivity, the module ensures that enterprise applications and workloads operate in a protected and controlled environment.

Use Cases and Applications

This fabric module is ideal for high-performance data centers, cloud service providers, and enterprise networks that demand scalable, low-latency infrastructure. It supports virtualization, large-scale analytics, AI workloads, and storage-intensive applications by providing reliable 100G interconnects. Organizations deploying the N9K-C9516-FM-E2 can achieve optimal network efficiency while maintaining high availability and robust security. Its flexibility and advanced capabilities make it a cornerstone of modern data center designs, enabling seamless integration with evolving network technologies.

Future-Proof Design and Upgradeability

Investing in the N9K-C9516-FM-E2 ensures that data center infrastructure remains adaptable to future networking requirements. The module’s modular architecture supports incremental upgrades, enabling administrators to enhance performance and capacity without replacing the entire chassis. As network demands grow and 100G deployments expand, this fabric module provides a reliable and scalable platform for continuous innovation. Cisco’s commitment to backward and forward compatibility allows organizations to maintain long-term operational efficiency and maximize return on investment.