PACKETPERF

Primary Device

Cisco Catalyst 9500-48Y4C
Cisco Catalyst 9500-48Y4C
★ 3.3 Value Score

Technical Specifications

  • Switching Capacity: 80 Tbps
  • Forwarding Rate: 1.9 Tbps
  • Ports: 48x 25GbE (SFP28) + 4x 100GbE (QSFP28)
  • Layer: L3 (Full Routing Capable)
  • Stacking Support: Yes (up to 9 units)
  • Max Power Consumption: 3500W
  • Throughput per Port: 25 Gbps (data ports) / 100 Gbps (uplinks)
  • Memory: 16 GB DRAM, 4 GB Flash
  • PoE: Optional PoE modules available

Curation Review

  • ✔ Pros: Industry-leading 80 Tbps switching capacity for ultra-high-performance core/distribution deployments; Modular architecture supports line-rate forwarding on all ports with consistent low latency; Comprehensive L3 routing with hardware-based VXLAN/MPLS for advanced network designs; Redundant supervisors and power supplies for carrier-grade availability; Cisco Catalyst 9000 software suite enables AI-driven networking, telemetry, and segment routing
  • ✘ Cons: Exceptionally high capex cost ($95k-$145k+) limits deployment to large enterprise and service provider networks; Requires skilled networking staff for full feature utilization including programmability and automation; Power and cooling requirements (3.5kW+) significant for smaller data centers; Complex licensing model for advanced software features; Overkill throughput specifications for organizations with modest switching needs
  • Est. Price: $95,000 - $145,000

Compare Against

Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Pro Max 16 PoE
Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Pro Max 16 PoE
★ 4.1 Value Score

Technical Specifications

  • Switching Capacity: 360 Gbps
  • Forwarding Rate: 268 Mpps
  • Ports: 16x Gigabit Ethernet PoE + 2x 10G SFP+ uplink
  • PoE Budget: 240W total
  • Layer: L3 (Managed/Routing)
  • Stacking Support: Yes, stackable via stacking ports
  • Max Power Consumption: 400W
  • Dimensions: 17.3 x 8.9 x 1.7 inches
  • Management: UniFi Controller / Web UI

Curation Review

  • ✔ Pros: 240W PoE budget for high device density; Dual 10G SFP+ uplink ports for high-bandwidth core connectivity; Layer 3 routing capabilities for VLAN and inter-subnet management; Centralized UniFi controller integration with intuitive dashboard; Stackable design for scalable network growth; Fanless or near-silent operation; Enterprise-grade build quality in compact form factor
  • ✘ Cons: Requires UniFi Controller for advanced management features (standalone mode is limited); Higher initial cost compared to unmanaged switches; Limited to 10G uplinks rather than 40G or higher bandwidth options; Learning curve for users unfamiliar with UniFi ecosystem; No console port for legacy terminal-based management; PoE budget may be insufficient for very high-density deployments with power-hungry APs
  • Est. Price: $899 - $1,399

Popular Comparisons

Cisco Catalyst 9500-48Y4C vs Ubiquiti UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE Cisco Catalyst 9500-48Y4C vs Ubiquiti Pro Max Aggregation (USW-Pro-Max-Aggregation) Cisco Catalyst 9500-48Y4C vs Ubiquiti USW-Pro-24-PoE Cisco Catalyst 9500-48Y4C vs Ubiquiti Enterprise 8 PoE Cisco Catalyst 9500-48Y4C vs Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Pro Max 16 PoE