Cisco NXA-FAN-160CFM-PI
Nexus Fan, 160CFM, port side intake airflow
Product Highlights
Thermal management is one of the most critical — and often overlooked — factors in maintaining data center switch reliability. A single overheating event can trigger hardware faults, degrade performance, or cause unplanned downtime that ripples across your entire network fabric.
The Cisco NXA-FAN-160CFM-PI is a high-performance replacement fan module engineered for Cisco Nexus 9000 series switches. Delivering 160 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of port-side intake (front-to-back) airflow, this burgundy-coded module draws cool air from the front of the chassis and exhausts it toward the rear — perfectly aligned with standard cold-aisle/hot-aisle data center airflow designs.
Designed for hot-swap replacement, the NXA-FAN-160CFM-PI can be installed or replaced without powering down the host switch, ensuring zero disruption to production traffic. The Nexus 9000 platform supports a 1+1 fan redundancy model, so even during a fan swap the remaining module continues to cool the chassis. Tool-less installation, variable-speed operation driven by onboard temperature sensors, and a compact 2.42 lb (1.1 kg) form factor make this fan module an essential spare for any Nexus 9000 deployment.
Whether you are building out a new leaf-spine fabric or stocking critical spares for an existing Nexus data center, the NXA-FAN-160CFM-PI provides the reliable, direction-matched cooling your infrastructure demands.
Features & Benefits
High-Volume 160 CFM Cooling
The NXA-FAN-160CFM-PI moves 160 cubic feet of air per minute, providing the thermal headroom needed to keep high-density Nexus switches operating within safe temperature ranges. Adequate airflow prevents thermal throttling and extends the operational lifespan of switch components.
Port-Side Intake (Front-to-Back) Airflow
Color-coded burgundy for easy visual identification, this fan module draws cool air from the port (front) side of the chassis and exhausts warm air out the back. This front-to-back airflow pattern is designed for data centers using a cold-aisle/hot-aisle containment strategy, ensuring your cooling infrastructure works in harmony with the switch.
Hot-Swappable & Tool-Less
The fan module is fully hot-swappable, allowing field replacement without shutting down the switch or disrupting network traffic. Tool-less snap-in installation means maintenance technicians can complete a swap in seconds, dramatically reducing mean time to repair (MTTR).
1+1 Redundant Cooling
Cisco Nexus 9000 switches that use this fan module support a 1+1 redundancy configuration — one fan for active cooling and one for failover. This ensures continuous operation even if one fan module fails, giving your team time to procure and install a replacement without risking thermal shutdown.
Variable-Speed Fan Control
The fan module works with the switch's onboard ambient temperature sensors to automatically adjust speed based on real-time thermal conditions. Lower speeds reduce power consumption and acoustic noise during normal operation, while higher speeds engage during peak thermal loads.
Deployment Scenarios
Data Center Leaf-Spine Fabric Maintenance
In large-scale leaf-spine deployments built on Nexus 9000 switches, maintaining a stock of replacement fan modules is essential for rapid fault resolution. The NXA-FAN-160CFM-PI enables hot-swap fan replacement without disrupting production traffic, keeping your fabric fully operational.
Cold-Aisle / Hot-Aisle Environments
Data centers that use cold-aisle containment require front-to-back (port-side intake) airflow components. The NXA-FAN-160CFM-PI is purpose-built for this orientation, ensuring that switch cooling aligns with the facility's overall thermal management strategy and avoids recirculation of hot exhaust air.
Critical Spares Inventory
For organizations running mission-critical workloads on Nexus 9000 infrastructure, keeping pre-staged spare fan modules on-site eliminates shipping delays during a failure event. The lightweight, tool-less design means any on-site technician can perform the swap quickly.
General
Performance
Physical
Compatibility Notes
Confirmed Compatibility
- Cisco Nexus 9364C (N9K-C9364C) — ACI mode and NX-OS mode
This fan module is part of the broader Cisco Nexus 9000 series accessory ecosystem. Always verify your specific Nexus switch model's hardware installation guide to confirm fan module compatibility before ordering.
Important: Ensure all fan modules and power supplies in a chassis use the same airflow direction. Do not mix port-side intake (PI / burgundy) and port-side exhaust (PE / blue) components in the same switch.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| NXA-FAN-160CFM-PE | Nexus 160CFM Fan — Port-Side Exhaust | Same 160CFM capacity but with port-side exhaust (back-to-front / blue) airflow — use in hot-aisle intake data center layouts |
| NXA-FAN-160CFM2PI | Nexus 160CFM Gen2 Fan — Port-Side Intake | Next-generation 160CFM port-side intake fan for newer Nexus 9300-GX2 series switches |
| NXA-FAN-160CFM2PE | Nexus 160CFM Gen2 Fan — Port-Side Exhaust | Next-generation 160CFM port-side exhaust fan for newer Nexus 9300-GX/GX2 series switches |