Datasheet

Data Sheet
© 2011 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 2 of 12
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High-availability platform for mission-critical deployments: The Cisco MDS 9148 is designed for environments
in which downtime is unacceptable. It offers nondisruptive software upgrades, dual redundant hot-swappable
power supplies (with integrated fans), dual redundant hot-swappable fan trays, VSANs for fault isolation,
PortChannels for Inter-Switch Link (ISL) resiliency, and F-port trunking for resiliency on uplinks from a Cisco
MDS 9148 operating in NPV mode.
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Comprehensive security framework: The Cisco MDS 9148 supports as standard role-based access control
(RBAC) using RADIUS or TACACS+ authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) functions, VSAN
fabric isolation, intelligent packet inspection at the port level, Fibre Channel Security Protocol (FC-SP) host-
to-switch and switch-to-switch authentication, Secure FTP (SFTP), Secure Shell Version 2 (SSHv2) and
Simple Network Management Protocol Version 3 (SNMPv3) implementing Advanced Encryption Standard
(AES), control-plane security, logical unit number (LUN) zoning and read-only zones, hardware-enforced
zoning, broadcast zones, and management access. Although rarely needed in most switch fabric
installations, an extensive set of even more innovative and powerful security features and functions is
available with the optional Cisco MDS 9000 Family Enterprise Package License.
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Simplified storage management: The Cisco MDS 9148 supports SAN plug-and-play capabilities, including
new Zero-Touch Installation deployment and provisioning, and offers built-in storage network management,
with all features available through a command-line interface (CLI) or the Cisco Data Center Network Manager
(DCNM) for SAN Essentials Edition (formerly Cisco Fabric Manager), a centralized management tool with
task-based wizards that simplifies management of a standalone switch or multiple switches and fabrics.
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Sophisticated diagnostics: Industry-leading intelligent diagnostics such as Fibre Channel ping, Fibre Channel
traceroute, Switched Port Analyzer (SPAN), Cisco Fabric Analyzer, and an integrated Call Home capability to
enhance reliability, facilitate faster problem resolution, and reduce service costs.
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Reduced total cost of ownership (TCO): Common platform architecture and the use of Cisco MDS 9000 NX-
OS Software intelligent storage networking services across all Cisco MDS 9000 Family switches reduce
ongoing operating expenses by providing a consistent set of provisioning, management, and diagnostic
capabilities.
Main Features and Benefits
Exceptional Flexibility for High-Performance SANs
The Cisco MDS 9148 offers up to 48 autosensing Fibre Channel ports capable of speeds of 8, 4, 2, and 1 Gbps in a
compact 1RU form-factor chassis. With 8 Gbps of dedicated bandwidth for each port and aggregate platform
bandwidth of 768 Gbps, the Cisco MDS 9148 is designed to meet the performance and scalability requirements of
the most demanding environments.
The flexibility of the Cisco MDS 9148 is provided by the Cisco MDS 9148 On-Demand Port Activation license,
which allows the addition of eight 8-Gbps ports. Customers have the option of purchasing preconfigured models of
16, 32, or 48 ports and upgrading the 16- and 32-port models onsite all the way to 48 ports by adding these licenses.
With advanced storage networking capabilities built into the platform, the Cisco MDS 9148 is an ideal choice either
as a standalone departmental SAN switch or as a top-of-the-rack switch or an edge switch in an enterprise core-
edge SAN.
The Cisco MDS 9148 supports hot-swappable autosensing Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) and Enhanced SFP
(SFP+) optics with interfaces for 8, 4, 2, and 1 Gbps. Individual ports can be configured with either short- or long-
wavelength optics for connectivity up to 860 meters (m) and 31 kilometers (km), respectively.