Cisco MDS 9700 License

Cisco MDS 9700 License

The licensed Cisco MDS 9700 is a family of high-performance director-class switches designed for storage area networks (SANs). These switches are designed to provide high scalability, reliability, and performance for mission-critical applications. One of the critical aspects of the MDS 9700 is its software license.

Cisco MDS 9700 License types

In the following, we will discuss the different types of licenses available for the licensed Cisco MDS 9700 and their respective use cases.

Base License

The base license is the default license that comes with the Cisco MDS 9700. This license enables all the essential features required for basic SAN connectivity, including Fibre Channel, FCoE, and iSCSI. The base license allows the switch to support up to 24 ports and a maximum bandwidth of 8 Gbps.

Advanced License

The advanced license unlocks additional features in the licensed Cisco MDS 9700. This license includes advanced services such as virtual SANs (VSANs), Fabric Services, and advanced traffic management capabilities. It also enables the switch to support up to 48 ports and a maximum bandwidth of 16 Gbps. The advanced license is useful for organizations that require advanced SAN features for their storage environment.

Enterprise License

The enterprise license is the most comprehensive license available for the licensed Cisco MDS 9700. This license enables all the features available in the base and advanced licenses and includes additional features such as intelligent network services, advanced traffic management, and advanced security features. It also allows the switch to support up to 96 ports and a maximum bandwidth of 32 Gbps. The enterprise license is ideal for large enterprises that require a robust and comprehensive SAN infrastructure.

Port Upgrade License

The port upgrade license allows organizations to increase the number of ports supported by the licensed Cisco MDS 9700. This license is useful for organizations that need to expand their SAN infrastructure but do not require additional features. The port upgrade license is available in increments of 8, 16, 24, and 48 ports.

Analytics License

The analytics license is an optional license that enables organizations to gain valuable insights into their SAN environment. This license provides real-time analytics and monitoring capabilities that enable organizations to identify and troubleshoot issues quickly. The analytics license is useful for organizations that require advanced monitoring and analytics capabilities for their SAN infrastructure.

FC-NVMe License

The FC-NVMe license enables the support of the Fibre Channel Non-Volatile Memory Express (FC-NVMe) protocol. This license is useful for organizations that require low-latency access to data in their SAN environment.

Cisco MDS 9700 key features

High Port Density

The licensed Cisco MDS 9700 supports up to 768 Fibre Channel ports, making it ideal for large-scale SAN deployments. The high port density enables organizations to consolidate their SAN infrastructure and reduce the number of switches required, resulting in lower power consumption and simplified management.

Non-Disruptive Upgrades

The licensed Cisco MDS 9700 supports non-disruptive upgrades, enabling organizations to perform software upgrades without interrupting SAN traffic. This feature is critical for organizations that require high availability and cannot afford any downtime.

Virtual SANs (VSANs)

The Cisco MDS 9700 supports Virtual SANs (VSANs), allowing organizations to create multiple logical SANs within a single physical SAN fabric. This feature enables organizations to isolate traffic between different departments or applications, enhancing security and simplifying management.

Fabric Services

The licensed Cisco MDS 9700 supports Fabric Services, which includes services such as Name Server, Fabric Manager, and Zone Manager. These services provide automated discovery, management, and configuration of SAN devices, simplifying SAN management and reducing the risk of human error.

PortChannels

The Cisco MDS 9700 supports PortChannels, which enable organizations to bundle multiple physical links into a single logical link. This feature enhances redundancy, load balancing, and throughput, ensuring optimal performance and availability for mission-critical applications.

Quality of Service (QoS)

The licensed Cisco MDS 9700 supports Quality of Service (QoS), which enables organizations to prioritize SAN traffic based on the importance of the application. This feature ensures that mission-critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and latency requirements, improving application performance and user experience.

Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)

The Cisco MDS 9700 supports Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), enabling organizations to consolidate their SAN and LAN infrastructure into a single network. This feature reduces cabling and infrastructure costs and simplifies management, resulting in lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

Advanced Security

The licensed Cisco MDS 9700 supports advanced security features, including Access Control Lists (ACLs), Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), and Secure Fabric Operating System (FOS). These features provide enhanced security for SAN traffic and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive data.

Analytics and Monitoring

The Cisco MDS 9700 supports advanced analytics and monitoring capabilities, enabling organizations to gain valuable insights into their SAN environment. This feature provides real-time monitoring and analytics, enabling organizations to identify and troubleshoot issues quickly and efficiently.

In conclusion, the licensed Cisco MDS 9700 license is a critical component of the switch’s overall functionality. The base license provides basic SAN connectivity, while the advanced and enterprise licenses enable advanced SAN features. The port upgrade license allows organizations to expand their SAN infrastructure, while the analytics license provides real-time monitoring and analytics capabilities. The FC-NVMe license enables low-latency access to data in the SAN environment. Understanding the different types of licenses available for the Cisco MDS 9700 is essential for organizations looking to optimize their SAN infrastructure.