Cisco SSD-120G
Cisco pluggable USB3.0 SSD storage
Product Highlights
As network edge intelligence grows, so does the need for local storage on your switching infrastructure. The Cisco SSD-120G is a 120 GB pluggable USB 3.0 solid state drive purpose-built for the Cisco Catalyst 9300 series switches. It installs into the dedicated USB 3.0 SSD port on the rear panel of the switch, instantly adding high-speed local storage without any disruption to network operations.
The SSD-120G enables application hosting directly on the switch — run workloads inside KVM virtual machines, Linux Containers (LXC), or Docker containers at the network edge. Beyond app hosting, the drive serves as a repository for packet captures, operating system trace logs, Graceful Insertion and Removal (GIR) snapshots, and third-party applications, all while functioning simultaneously as a general-purpose storage device.
Built-in S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) continuously monitors drive endurance and health, giving network teams early warning before wear-out occurs. Password protection with encrypted credential storage on the switch ensures data security. At just 50 grams and 1.1 W of power draw, the SSD-120G adds meaningful capability without impacting the switch's thermal or physical envelope. As a hot-swappable field-replaceable unit, it can be installed or replaced on-site in seconds — keeping your Catalyst 9300 deployment agile and resilient.
Features & Benefits
Edge Application Hosting
Host compute workloads directly on your Catalyst 9300 switch using KVM, LXC, or Docker containers. The SSD-120G provides the local storage these application environments require, enabling IoT analytics, monitoring agents, and custom network services to run at the edge — reducing round-trip latency to centralized servers.
Hot-Swappable Field Replacement
The SSD-120G is a hot-swappable plug-in module that installs into the rear-panel USB 3.0 SSD slot. Add or replace storage in the field without powering down the switch, minimizing maintenance windows and keeping your network online.
S.M.A.R.T. Drive Health Monitoring
Integrated S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) runs continuous self-tests and logs health data. Network administrators can proactively monitor endurance, predict wear-out, and plan replacements before failures occur — reducing unplanned downtime.
Diagnostics & Troubleshooting Storage
Use the SSD-120G to store packet captures, OS trace logs, and GIR snapshots locally on the switch. Having diagnostic data available on-device accelerates root-cause analysis and eliminates the need to stream large capture files across the network to a remote server.
Security & Access Control
Password protection prevents unauthorized access to the drive's contents. Credentials are stored in encrypted form on the switch itself, ensuring that even if the SSD is physically removed, data remains protected.
Deployment Scenarios
IoT & Edge Computing on Catalyst 9300
Deploy lightweight IoT analytics, monitoring agents, or custom network services in Docker or LXC containers directly on the switch. The SSD-120G provides the persistent local storage these containerized workloads need, keeping compute at the edge and reducing backhaul traffic.
Network Troubleshooting & Packet Capture
Store extended packet captures and operating system trace logs locally on the switch for post-incident analysis. Having 120 GB of on-device storage means you can capture more data over longer periods without impacting network bandwidth or relying on external storage.
Graceful Insertion and Removal (GIR) Workflows
Save GIR snapshots to the SSD-120G before performing maintenance or upgrades on a switch in a production stack. The local snapshot enables rapid validation and rollback, reducing change-window risk in campus and branch deployments.
Third-Party Application Deployment
Install and run third-party applications on the Catalyst 9300 using the SSD-120G as persistent storage. This enables use cases like security monitoring, traffic analytics, or custom automation scripts without deploying additional hardware at the network edge.
General
Storage
Compatibility
Physical
Power
Security
Lifecycle
Compatibility Notes
Compatible Platforms
- Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series Switches — Installs in the rear-panel USB 3.0 SSD slot
- Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches — Supported on standard C9500 models (not supported on C9500 Series High Performance switches)
Requirements
- Only Cisco-branded USB SSD drives are supported; third-party USB drives will not be recognized
- The drive ships unformatted and auto-partitions to EXT4 on first use (EXT2 and EXT3 also supported)
- Refer to the Interface and Hardware Components Configuration Guide for formatting and unmounting procedures
Important: End-of-Sale Notice
- Cisco announced End-of-Sale for the SSD-120G on July 20, 2022. The recommended migration is to the SSD-240G (240 GB). Limited stock may still be available through authorized resellers and the Cisco Certified Refurbished Equipment program.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| SSD-240G | Cisco 240GB USB 3.0 SSD | Double the capacity (240 GB vs. 120 GB) — Cisco's recommended replacement for the EoL SSD-120G |
| C9K-F1-SSD-480G | Cisco 480GB Pluggable SSD for C9500 | 480 GB capacity designed for Catalyst 9500 switches — ideal for higher-density storage requirements |
| C9K-F1-SSD-240G | Cisco 240GB Pluggable SSD for C9500 | 240 GB SSD in the C9K-F1 form factor, purpose-built for Catalyst 9500 series switches |
| C9K-F2-SSD-240GB | Cisco 240GB Pluggable SSD for C9600 | 240 GB SSD in the F2 form factor, designed for the Catalyst 9600R modular chassis platform |