Cisco MDS 9124 vs MDS 9148T
The DS-C9124-K9 is an end-of-life 4G Fibre Channel fabric switch; the DS-C9148T-24PETK9 is the modern 32G MDS 9148T successor with 8x the per-port speed and current NX-OS. For any SAN still on the 9124, migrate to the 9148T.
Cisco MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch
A legacy entry-level Fibre Channel fabric switch with up to 24 ports of 4Gbps FC, now end of life.
- Up to 24 ports of 1/2/4G Fibre Channel
- On-demand port licensing (8/16/24 ports)
- Compact 1RU SAN fabric switch
- End of Sale and End of Support
Cisco MDS 9148T 32G Multilayer Fabric Switch
A modern 1RU 32G Fibre Channel fabric switch with up to 48 ports and current NX-OS for all-flash SANs.
- Up to 48 ports of 32G Fibre Channel (auto-negotiating to 8/16/32G)
- On-demand port activation in 8-port increments
- Built-in analytics and SAN telemetry
- NX-OS, current shipping product
Cisco MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch vs Cisco MDS 9148T 32G Multilayer Fabric Switch: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch | Cisco MDS 9148T 32G Multilayer Fabric Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Max ports | Up to 24 FC | Up to 48 FC |
| Port speed | 1/2/4 Gbps FC | 8/16/32 Gbps FC |
| On-demand licensing | 8 / 16 / 24-port options | Activated in 8-port increments (start 24-port model) |
| Form factor | 1RU | 1RU |
| Aggregate bandwidth | Up to ~96 Gbps (4G x 24) | Up to ~1.5 Tbps (32G x 48) |
| SAN analytics | Not supported | Integrated FC analytics and telemetry |
| Operating system | Cisco SAN-OS / early NX-OS | Cisco NX-OS (current) |
| Lifecycle status | End of Sale and End of Support | Current shipping product |
Choose Cisco MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch if
Keep the MDS 9124 only for an isolated, low-speed legacy SAN segment you plan to retire, accepting no support and 4G FC limits.
Choose Cisco MDS 9148T 32G Multilayer Fabric Switch if
Choose the DS-C9148T-24PETK9 for any modern all-flash or high-throughput SAN needing 32G Fibre Channel, higher port density, integrated analytics, and a supported NX-OS lifecycle.
Verdict
The DS-C9124-K9 is end of support and limited to 4G Fibre Channel, a major bottleneck for flash storage. Migrate to the DS-C9148T-24PETK9 for 32G FC, double the port count, SAN analytics, and current NX-OS. The only reason to keep a 9124 short-term is a contained legacy fabric awaiting decommission.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cisco MDS 9124 end of life?
Yes. The DS-C9124-K9 has reached End of Sale and End of Support, so Cisco no longer provides NX-OS/SAN-OS updates or TAC for it.
What is the replacement for the MDS 9124?
The Cisco MDS 9148T 32G fabric switch (DS-C9148T-24PETK9) is the modern successor, moving from 4G to 32G Fibre Channel with up to 48 ports.
How much faster is the MDS 9148T than the 9124?
The 9124 tops out at 4G per port, while the 9148T supports 32G per port, an 8x increase that matters for all-flash arrays and dense virtualization.
Does the MDS 9148T support SAN analytics?
Yes. The 9148T includes integrated Fibre Channel analytics and telemetry for flow-level visibility, a capability the older 9124 did not offer.
More MDS comparisons
Specs are for planning and may change; Uniqcli confirms the current Cisco bill of materials and pricing on your quote. Cisco, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki, and Firepower are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Uniqcli LLC is an independent authorized Cisco partner.