Cisco NXA-FAN-35CFM-PI
Nexus Fan, 35CFM, port side intake airflow
Product Highlights
Maintaining proper thermal management in your data center is critical — a single overheating event can cascade into costly downtime and hardware damage. The Cisco NXA-FAN-35CFM-PI is a single replacement fan module engineered to deliver 35 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of port-side intake airflow for compatible Cisco Nexus switches.
This fan module draws cool air from the port (front) side of the chassis and exhausts warm air out the back, making it ideal for cold-aisle/hot-aisle data center configurations where the switch ports face the cold aisle. Its burgundy color coding provides instant visual confirmation of the correct airflow direction, helping prevent accidental mismatches that could compromise cooling performance.
Designed as a hot-swappable component, the NXA-FAN-35CFM-PI can be replaced during live operations without taking the switch offline — a must-have for environments that demand high availability. Compatible with select Cisco Nexus 9000, 3000, and 2000 series platforms, this fan module is a straightforward, cost-effective way to maintain or restore proper cooling in your Nexus infrastructure. All fan and power supply modules in a chassis must share the same airflow direction to ensure safe, effective thermal management.
Features & Benefits
Port Side Intake Airflow
The NXA-FAN-35CFM-PI uses a front-to-back (port-side intake) airflow pattern, drawing cool air in through the port side and expelling heat from the rear of the chassis. This design is purpose-built for cold-aisle/hot-aisle data center layouts where switch ports face the cold aisle, ensuring efficient and predictable thermal management.
Hot-Swappable Replacement
Fan modules can be replaced while the switch is running, provided at least one operational fan remains installed. This hot-swap capability minimizes maintenance windows and supports the high-availability requirements of production data center environments.
Color-Coded Identification
Cisco uses a burgundy color scheme for port-side intake modules and blue for port-side exhaust modules. This visual coding makes it easy for technicians to verify correct airflow direction at a glance, reducing the risk of installation errors that could lead to overheating.
Redundant Cooling Architecture
Compatible Nexus switches support multiple fan modules in a 1+1 or N+1 redundancy configuration. If one fan fails, the remaining module(s) continue to cool the chassis, giving you time to replace the faulty unit without impacting network operations.
Energy-Efficient Design
Rated at 35 CFM, this fan module is engineered to balance effective cooling with low power consumption and quiet operation. Variable fan speed control on supported platforms adjusts RPM based on ambient temperature, further reducing energy use during normal conditions.
Deployment Scenarios
Data Center Top-of-Rack Cooling
In top-of-rack deployments where Nexus 9200 or 9300 series switches serve as leaf nodes, the NXA-FAN-35CFM-PI maintains proper thermal conditions by drawing cold-aisle air through the chassis. This is essential for dense, high-throughput environments where heat buildup can degrade switch performance and reliability.
Proactive Spare / Maintenance Inventory
Keeping spare NXA-FAN-35CFM-PI modules on hand ensures that a failed fan can be replaced immediately via hot-swap, minimizing the risk of thermal shutdown. This is a best practice for organizations with strict SLA requirements and limited tolerance for unplanned downtime.
Cold-Aisle Containment Environments
Facilities using cold-aisle containment benefit from port-side intake fans that align with the containment airflow strategy. The NXA-FAN-35CFM-PI ensures the switch draws air from the contained cold aisle and exhausts into the hot aisle or return plenum, maximizing cooling efficiency.
General
Performance
Physical
Compatibility
Compatibility Notes
Compatibility & Installation Notes
- Supported Platforms: Compatible with select Cisco Nexus 2000, 3000, and 9000 series switches (N9K model family), including the Nexus 92300YC (N9K-C92300YC) and Nexus 93240YC-FX2.
- Airflow Direction: Port side intake (front-to-back). All fan modules and power supplies in a chassis must use the same airflow direction. Do not mix intake (burgundy) and exhaust (blue) modules.
- Matching Power Supplies: When using port-side intake fans, pair with port-side intake power supplies such as the NXA-PAC-650W-PI (burgundy) or the N9K-PUV-1200W (dual-direction, white).
- Redundancy: Supported switches typically require multiple fan modules (e.g., 2 or 4 depending on platform) with at least one for redundancy.
- Always consult the Cisco hardware installation guide for your specific switch model to confirm fan module compatibility and required quantities.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| NXA-FAN-35CFM-PE | Nexus Fan 35CFM Port Side Exhaust | Same 35CFM rating but with port-side exhaust (back-to-front) airflow direction — use when switch ports face the hot aisle. |
| NXA-SFAN-35CFM-PI | Nexus Small Fan 35CFM Port Side Intake | Smaller form-factor 35CFM intake fan for newer Nexus 9300 platforms that use the SFAN slot design. |
| NXA-SFAN-35CFM-PE | Nexus Small Fan 35CFM Port Side Exhaust | Small form-factor 35CFM exhaust fan — the port-side exhaust counterpart to the NXA-SFAN-35CFM-PI. |
| NXA-SFAN-30CFM-PI | Nexus Small Fan 30CFM Port Side Intake | Lower 30CFM airflow rating in a small form factor — designed for Nexus platforms with reduced cooling requirements. |