Cisco NXA-FAN-65CFM-PI
Nexus Fan, 65CFM, port side intake airflow
Product Highlights
Unplanned thermal shutdowns in a data center don't just disrupt services — they erode trust and revenue. The Cisco NXA-FAN-65CFM-PI is a hot-swappable fan module engineered to deliver reliable, high-capacity cooling for Cisco Nexus switches deployed in demanding data center environments.
Rated at 65 cubic feet per minute (CFM), this dual-rotor fan module uses a port-side intake (PI) airflow direction, drawing cool air from the front (port side) of the chassis and exhausting it toward the rear. This front-to-back airflow pattern is purpose-designed for cold-aisle containment data center layouts, ensuring that switch components receive a consistent stream of cooled air.
The NXA-FAN-65CFM-PI is compatible with select Cisco Nexus 9000 and 3000 series switches, including the Nexus 9336C-FX2 and Nexus 36180YC-R. Its hot-swappable design allows network engineers to replace a failed fan module without interrupting switch operations, maintaining the high availability that production networks demand. Integrated fan speed monitoring and fault detection through Cisco NX-OS provide real-time thermal visibility, enabling proactive maintenance before temperatures reach critical thresholds. The module features a burgundy-colored housing for quick visual identification of the intake airflow direction during rack-level servicing.
Features & Benefits
High-Capacity 65 CFM Airflow
The NXA-FAN-65CFM-PI delivers 65 cubic feet per minute of airflow, providing effective thermal cooling for high-density Nexus switching platforms. This capacity ensures stable operating temperatures even under sustained, heavy workloads — reducing the risk of thermal throttling or emergency shutdowns.
Port-Side Intake (Front-to-Back) Cooling
Cool air is drawn in from the port (front) side of the switch and exhausted out the rear. This front-to-back airflow pattern aligns with cold-aisle containment data center designs, ensuring maximum cooling efficiency. Matching your fan airflow direction to your facility's thermal architecture is critical for optimal performance.
Hot-Swappable for Zero Downtime
The fan module can be removed and replaced while the switch is fully operational. This hot-swappable capability eliminates the need for maintenance windows when replacing a failed or degraded fan, keeping your network infrastructure running without interruption.
Dual-Rotor Fault Tolerance
Each fan module contains two independent rotors. The switch can continue to function normally even if one rotor inside a fan module fails, providing built-in redundancy. In the event of more than one rotor failure across modules, the switch issues a warning and initiates a controlled power-down to protect hardware.
NX-OS Integrated Monitoring
Fan speed, health status, and fault conditions are monitored in real time through Cisco NX-OS. Administrators gain proactive visibility into thermal conditions, enabling preventive maintenance and reducing the risk of unplanned outages caused by cooling failures.
Deployment Scenarios
Data Center Leaf/Spine Deployments
In modern leaf-spine architectures built on Nexus 9300-series switches, consistent cooling is essential for maintaining line-rate forwarding performance. The NXA-FAN-65CFM-PI provides the airflow capacity needed to keep high-throughput switches operating within thermal specifications in dense rack environments.
Cold-Aisle Containment Facilities
Facilities using cold-aisle containment require front-to-back (port-side intake) airflow to align with the cooling architecture. The PI designation on this fan module ensures compatibility with these environments, drawing chilled air from the contained cold aisle across internal switch components.
Proactive Spare and Maintenance Inventory
Keeping spare NXA-FAN-65CFM-PI modules on hand allows operations teams to immediately replace a degraded or failed fan without waiting for procurement lead times. The hot-swappable design means a technician can swap the module in seconds, minimizing any thermal risk window.
General
Performance
Features
Compatibility
Compatibility Notes
Compatible Platforms
The NXA-FAN-65CFM-PI is compatible with select Cisco Nexus switches, including:
- Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2 (N9K-C9336C-FX2)
- Cisco Nexus 36180YC-R (N3K-C36180YC-R)
Important: Always match the airflow direction of all fan modules and power supplies within a single chassis. Port-side intake (PI / burgundy) fans must be paired with port-side intake power supplies (e.g., NXA-PAC-750W-PI, NXA-PAC-1100W-PI2, NXA-PAC-1100W-PI3). Mixing PI and PE components in the same chassis is not supported.
Consult Cisco's official hardware installation guide for your specific switch model to confirm full compatibility before ordering.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| NXA-FAN-65CFM-PE | Nexus 65CFM Fan, Port-Side Exhaust | Same 65CFM capacity but with port-side exhaust (back-to-front) airflow — use in hot-aisle containment or rear-intake rack designs. |
| NXA-SFAN-65CFM-PI | Nexus 65CFM Smart Fan, Port-Side Intake | Updated smart fan variant with port-side intake airflow; supported from NX-OS Release 9.3(7) on compatible platforms. |
| NXA-SFAN-65CFM-PE | Nexus 65CFM Smart Fan, Port-Side Exhaust | Smart fan variant with port-side exhaust airflow; supported from NX-OS Release 9.3(7) — choose for back-to-front cooling environments. |
| NXA-FAN-35CFM-B | Nexus 35CFM Single Fan, Port-Side Intake | Lower-capacity single-rotor 35CFM fan for Nexus 9300-EX/FX models that require smaller fan modules. |