Cisco C9K-T1-FANTRAY
Catalyst 9500 Type 4 front to back cooling Fan
Product Highlights
When a fan tray fails in a production Cisco Catalyst 9500 switch, every second of downtime counts. The Cisco C9K-T1-FANTRAY is the genuine replacement fan tray designed for select Catalyst 9500 Series high-performance switches, delivering reliable front-to-back forced-air cooling to keep critical network infrastructure within safe operating temperatures.
This Type 4 fan tray features a dual-stacked fan design and is fully hot-swappable, meaning you can remove and replace it without shutting down the switch. The fan tray supports Online Insertion and Removal (OIR) for up to 120 seconds, giving network engineers a safe maintenance window. Variable-speed fans automatically adjust RPM based on real-time thermal sensor data, balancing cooling performance with acoustic output.
The C9K-T1-FANTRAY is a field-replaceable unit (FRU) built for the Cisco Catalyst 9500 platform. Switches using this fan tray require two fan tray modules with all fans operating normally for the system to boot. If the minimum fan requirement is not met, the switch shuts down automatically to prevent overheating. Keeping a spare C9K-T1-FANTRAY on hand is a best practice for any organization running Catalyst 9500 switches in mission-critical environments.
Features & Benefits
Hot-Swappable Fan Replacement
The C9K-T1-FANTRAY supports hot-swap replacement, allowing you to remove and install the fan tray without powering down the switch. This capability is critical for maintaining uptime in 24/7 enterprise core and aggregation deployments where even brief outages are unacceptable.
Front-to-Back Airflow Direction
Designed with front-to-back (port-side intake, rear exhaust) airflow, this fan tray aligns with standard data center hot-aisle/cold-aisle configurations. Proper airflow direction is essential for efficient cooling and preventing thermal hotspots within the switch chassis.
Dual-Stacked Fan Resilience
Each fan tray unit contains dual-stacked fans. The switch can continue to function in the event of a single fan failure within the tray, providing a degree of fault tolerance while you arrange for replacement. Individual fans within the tray are not field-replaceable — the entire tray unit must be swapped.
Variable-Speed Thermal Management
The fan tray supports variable-speed operation up to 24,000 RPM, dynamically adjusting based on chassis temperature readings. This intelligent speed control optimizes cooling efficiency while minimizing unnecessary noise during normal operating conditions.
Environmental Monitoring Integration
The fan unit interfaces with the switch's environmental monitors to trigger alarms when thermal conditions exceed defined thresholds. If the fan tray is removed and not replaced promptly, the system enters thermal protection mode and will shut down automatically to prevent hardware damage.
Deployment Scenarios
Proactive Spare for Enterprise Core Switches
Organizations running Catalyst 9500 switches in the campus core or aggregation layer should keep spare C9K-T1-FANTRAY units on hand. A failed fan tray that isn't replaced quickly can trigger an automatic thermal shutdown, taking down a critical network node. Having a spare eliminates wait time for RMA or procurement.
Scheduled Maintenance and Fan Replacement
During planned maintenance windows, network teams can proactively replace aging or noisy fan trays to maintain optimal cooling performance. The hot-swappable, tool-less design allows the swap to be completed in seconds without disrupting traffic.
Data Center and Colocation Deployments
In data center environments with strict hot-aisle/cold-aisle airflow requirements, the C9K-T1-FANTRAY's front-to-back airflow direction ensures the Catalyst 9500 switch integrates seamlessly into the facility's cooling architecture, preventing recirculation of hot exhaust air.
General
Performance
Compatibility
Physical
Compliance
Compatibility Notes
Compatible Cisco Catalyst 9500 Switch Models
The C9K-T1-FANTRAY is a dual-stacked fan tray unit supported on the following Catalyst 9500 high-performance switch models:
- C9500-32QC
- C9500-24Y4C
- C9500-48Y4C
The C9K-T1-FANTRAY is also listed as compatible with the following Catalyst 9500 UADP 2.0 models:
- C9500-12Q
- C9500-24Q
- C9500-40X
- C9500-16X
Note: Switches using C9K-T1-FANTRAY modules must have 2 fan tray modules with all fans operating normally for the switch to boot. If this minimum is not met, the switch shuts down automatically to prevent overheating.
Important: The individual fans within the tray are not field-replaceable. If a fan fails, the entire fan tray unit must be replaced.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| FAN-T4-R | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Type 4 Fan Module (Individual) | Individual fan module for C9500-32C and standard C9500 models that use 5 separate fan units instead of dual-stacked fan trays. |
| C9K-T2-FANTRAY | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Type 5 Fan Tray | Type 5 fan tray for Catalyst 9500 — different form factor; verify compatibility with your specific C9500 model before ordering. |
| C9K-T1-FANTRAY= | Cisco C9K-T1-FANTRAY (Spare) | Same fan tray as C9K-T1-FANTRAY but sold as a standalone spare part (= suffix denotes orderable spare SKU). |