Primary Device
Cisco Catalyst 9500
★ 3.3 Value Score
Technical Specifications
- Switching Capacity: 38.4 Tbps
- Forwarding Rate: 2.56-38.4 Tbps (configuration-dependent)
- Ports: Modular: 12-40 ports (10GbE to 400GbE capable)
- Port Breakdown: C9500-12Q: 12u00d7100GbE QSFP28; C9500-40X: 40u00d710GbE SFP+
- PoE Budget: Optional - available on select linecards
- Layer Support: L2/L3 (Multi-layer)
- Stacking Support: Yes - up to 8 units
- Throughput (Aggregate): Up to 38.4 Tbps per chassis
- Redundancy: Dual supervisors, dual power supplies
Curation Review
- ✔ Pros: Modular design enables flexible port configurations and future upgrades; Industry-leading switching capacity (38.4 Tbps) for carrier-grade deployments; Advanced L3 routing with sophisticated QoS, security, and multicast capabilities; Stackable architecture supports seamless scaling to 8 units; Cisco IOS XE OS provides extensive features, automation, and security; Exceptional support for high-density 100GbE/400GbE connectivity
- ✘ Cons: Extremely high capital expenditure ($150K–$500K+) unsuitable for small/medium deployments; Complex modular architecture requires significant operational expertise; High power consumption and cooling requirements; Licensing costs can add 30–50% to acquisition price; Over-engineered for most enterprise use cases; Limited ROI for organizations not requiring carrier-grade performance
- Est. Price: $150,000 - $500,000
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