Cisco MDS 9148 vs MDS 9148S
The MDS 9148 (DS-C9148-K9) is an 8G end-of-life fabric switch; the MDS 9148S (DS-C9148S-12PK9) is its 16G replacement, doubling per-port bandwidth and adding NVMe readiness. For any SAN refresh, move to the 9148S.
Cisco MDS 9148 Multilayer Fabric Switch
End-of-life 1RU 8G Fibre Channel fabric switch for small to midsize SANs.
- Up to 48 autosensing 8/4/2/1G FC ports
- On-Demand Port Activation in 8-port increments
- 768 Gbps aggregate switching bandwidth
- End of sale and end of support; 8G only, not NVMe-ready
Cisco MDS 9148S 16G Multilayer Fabric Switch
Current 1RU 16G Fibre Channel fabric switch, NVMe-ready, shipping with 12 active ports.
- 12 to 48 line-rate 16/8/4/2G FC ports
- On-Demand Port Activation in 12-port increments
- First-generation NVMe/FC ready 1RU MDS switch
- Backward compatible at 8/4/2G; supported lifecycle
Cisco MDS 9148 Multilayer Fabric Switch vs Cisco MDS 9148S 16G Multilayer Fabric Switch: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco MDS 9148 Multilayer Fabric Switch | Cisco MDS 9148S 16G Multilayer Fabric Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Status | End of sale / end of support | Current shipping product |
| Max FC ports | 48 | 48 |
| Port speeds | 8 / 4 / 2 / 1 Gbps | 16 / 8 / 4 / 2 Gbps |
| Per-port bandwidth | 8 Gbps dedicated | 16 Gbps dedicated |
| Ports enabled at base | 16 (8-port license increments) | 12 (12-port license increments) |
| Aggregate bandwidth | 768 Gbps | 1.536 Tbps |
| NVMe over FC ready | No | Yes |
| Rack height | 1RU | 1RU |
| Power supplies | Dual redundant | Dual redundant |
| Management / OS | Cisco NX-OS / DCNM | Cisco NX-OS / DCNM (current releases) |
| TAA / federal | Legacy, no current TAA SKU | TAA-compliant options, GPC-payable |
Choose Cisco MDS 9148 Multilayer Fabric Switch if
There is no strong reason to choose the 9148 for a new deployment. Keep it only to fill a port temporarily in an existing 8G fabric you are about to retire.
Choose Cisco MDS 9148S 16G Multilayer Fabric Switch if
Choose the MDS 9148S for all new and refresh SANs. It doubles per-port bandwidth to 16G, is NVMe/FC ready, and remains backward compatible with 8G hosts and targets.
Verdict
Migrate from the MDS 9148 to the MDS 9148S. The 9148S doubles per-port and aggregate bandwidth, adds NVMe over FC readiness, and stays supported, while keeping 8/4/2G backward compatibility so existing devices connect without disruption.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the MDS 9148 and 9148S?
The 9148 is an 8G switch (768 Gbps aggregate); the 9148S is a 16G switch (1.536 Tbps aggregate) that is NVMe over FC ready. Both are 1RU with up to 48 ports, but the 9148S licenses ports in 12-port increments versus 8-port on the 9148.
Is the Cisco MDS 9148 end of life?
Yes. The DS-C9148-K9 has reached end of sale and end of support. Cisco's small-fabric successor is the MDS 9148S (and later the 9148T/9148V), so plan a refresh.
Will my 8G devices work on the MDS 9148S?
Yes. The 9148S autonegotiates down to 8/4/2 Gbps, so existing 8G HBAs, arrays, and ISLs connect normally while you gain a 16G-capable fabric.
How many ports does the DS-C9148S-12PK9 ship with?
It ships with 12 active 16G ports and can be upgraded in 12-port increments to 24, 36, or 48 ports using On-Demand Port Activation licenses.
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.