Cisco MDS Switch Ordering Guide

The Cisco MDS Switch series is a comprehensive line of high-performance, high-density, and highly reliable switches designed for deployment in storage area networks (SANs). This article provides a detailed guide on how to order these switches, focusing on the key considerations and steps involved in the process.

Understanding Cisco MDS Switches

Cisco MDS switches are designed to deliver robust performance, scalability, and flexibility, making them ideal for a wide range of storage networking environments. They offer advanced features such as virtual SANs (VSANs), Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR), and Quality of Service (QoS) to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.

Cisco MDS switches are the backbone of robust and efficient storage networking environments. Designed with performance, scalability, and flexibility in mind, they empower organizations to manage their growing storage needs with confidence.

Here’s a deeper dive into the features that make Cisco MDS switches stand out:

**1. Uncompromising Performance:**

* **High-speed connectivity:** MDS switches support the latest Fibre Channel and Ethernet protocols, ensuring lightning-fast data transfer speeds to meet the demands of modern applications.
* **Low latency:** Minimized latency ensures that data is accessed quickly and efficiently, improving application responsiveness and overall system performance.
* **High bandwidth:** MDS switches provide ample bandwidth to handle even the most demanding storage workloads, enabling seamless data flow and preventing bottlenecks.

**2. Limitless Scalability:**

* **Modular architecture:** MDS switches offer a modular design that allows for easy expansion and customization. As storage needs grow, additional ports and capabilities can be seamlessly integrated.
* **Hierarchical fabric design:** MDS switches support hierarchical fabric designs, enabling organizations to scale their storage networks efficiently and manage complex deployments with ease.
* **Inter-Switch Communication:** Advanced technologies like FabricPath and FCoE provide high-bandwidth, low-latency connections between MDS switches, facilitating seamless data transfer across the fabric.

**3. Unrivaled Flexibility:**

* **Multi-Protocol Support:** MDS switches support a wide range of protocols, including Fibre Channel, Ethernet (FCoE, iSCSI), and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), providing flexibility in connecting diverse storage devices and servers.
* **Virtual SANs (VSANs):** VSANs offer logical segmentation of storage resources, enabling efficient resource allocation, simplified management, and enhanced security.
* **Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR):** IVR allows data to flow seamlessly between different VSANs, improving storage efficiency and simplifying complex network configurations.

**4. Optimized Performance and Efficiency:**

* **Quality of Service (QoS):** MDS switches prioritize critical storage traffic, ensuring optimal performance for mission-critical applications and minimizing latency.
* **Data Deduplication and Compression:** Support for data reduction technologies helps optimize storage capacity and reduce data transfer costs.

**5. Enhanced Security:**

* **Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):** RBAC allows administrators to define granular access permissions for users and devices, enhancing security and protecting sensitive data.
* **Multi-factor Authentication:** MDS switches support multi-factor authentication mechanisms, adding an extra layer of security to protect against unauthorized access.

Identifying Your Needs

Before ordering a Cisco MDS switch, it’s crucial to identify your specific needs. Consider the following factors:

• Performance: Determine the performance requirements of your SAN. Cisco MDS switches offer varying levels of performance, from entry-level to high-end.
• Scalability: Consider your future growth needs. Cisco MDS switches are highly scalable, allowing you to expand your SAN as your business grows.
• Features: Identify the specific features you need. Cisco MDS switches offer a wide range of advanced features to meet diverse needs.

Selecting the Right Cisco MDS Switch

Once you’ve identified your needs, you can select the right Cisco MDS switch. Cisco offers a wide range of MDS switches, including:

• Cisco MDS 9700 Series: These are director-class switches designed for large, mission-critical SANs. They offer industry-leading performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Cisco MDS 9300 Series: These are versatile, high-performance switches ideal for medium-sized to large SANs. They offer a good balance of performance, scalability, and features.
• Cisco MDS 9200 Series: These are entry-level switches designed for small to medium-sized SANs. They offer excellent performance and features at an affordable price.

Placing Your Order

Once you’ve selected the right Cisco MDS switch, you can place your order. Here are the steps:

1. Visit the Our website and navigate to the product page of the selected switch.
2. Click on the  Get a Quote button.
3. Follow the prompts to complete your order or request a quote.