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We Talked a Customer Out of
Spending More
A data center operator sent us a Cisco C9400 build spec. Our engineering team reviewed it, found components that didn't match the actual use case, and revised the quote before the PO was signed.
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The Quote We Wouldn't Rubber-Stamp
Overview
A data center operator needed a Cisco Catalyst 9407R chassis switch to provide internet connectivity and switching for client cabinets via direct CAT5/CAT6 runs. They sent us a detailed build spec with dual power supplies, dual supervisors, 48-port UPoE line cards, and 24x7x2 onsite Cisco support. The spec was solid. Our engineering team still found ways to make it better.
The Results:
- UPoE+ line cards replaced with standard UPoE (lower cost, same capability for this use case)
- Supervisor engine optimized from SUP-1XL to SUP2
- Unnecessary SSD storage identified and flagged (C9400 SSD is for containerized applications, not required for standard IOS operation)
- Revised BoQ delivered before the PO was signed
The Customer's Build
The operator had already built their BoQ using Cisco's own configurator. They specified the C9407R chassis with dual 3200AC power supplies, NEMA 5-20 power cables, dual supervisor cards for redundancy, and two 48-port UPoE+ line cards.
They also required 24x7x2 onsite SmartNet support because they were running a single chassis without a failover switch. The spec made sense for the environment. But a few components were more than the deployment actually needed.
What NDI's Team Did
Instead of quoting the BoQ as received, our pre-sales engineer reviewed the build against the actual deployment environment. Three questions changed the quote:
First, the line cards. The original spec included C9400-LC-48H UPoE+ cards. Since the data center connects client cabinets directly over copper, standard UPoE cards delivered the same functionality at a lower price point. We swapped them.
Second, the supervisor engine. The original spec used SUP-1XL with a redundant secondary. Our team recommended SUP2, which offered better price-to-performance for this specific deployment.
Third, the SSD storage. The customer believed SSD was required for firmware, IOS images, and logs. Our engineer clarified that on the C9400 platform, the SSD module is dedicated to hosting containerized applications. For a standard switching deployment without container workloads, it's an unnecessary line item. We flagged it and let the customer decide.
The result was a revised BoQ that matched the actual environment precisely, with no unnecessary spend and no compromises on redundancy or support coverage.
Products Referenced:
- Cisco Catalyst C9407R Chassis
- C9400-LC-48U 48-Port UPoE Line Card
- C9400-SUP2 Supervisor Engine
- PWR-C9400-3200AC Power Supply
