Primary Device
Cisco Catalyst 9500X
★ 3.2 Value Score
Technical Specifications
- Product Line: Cisco Catalyst 9500X series (fixed 1RU/data-center core and aggregation switches; configurations include C9500X-28C8D and C9500X-60L4D)
- Switching Capacity: Up to 12 Tbps per Cisco datasheet (some sources cite 12.8 Tbps full duplex, not confirmed for the 28C8D)
- Forwarding Rate: Up to 8 Bpps
- Ports (breakdown): C9500X-28C8D: 28x 100G QSFP28 + 8x 400G QSFP-DD. C9500X-60L4D: 60x 10/25/50G SFP56 + 4x 40/100/200/400G QSFP-DD
- PoE Budget: None (non-PoE switch family; PoE not applicable)
- Layer: L2/L3 (Layer 3 routing requires Network Advantage license)
- Stacking support: Not confirmed in research; Catalyst 9500 family supports StackWise Virtual, verify for 9500X
- Packet Buffer: 80 MB dedicated low-latency buffer; up to 8 GB HBM deep buffer
- ASIC: Cisco Silicon One Q200
- Power Supplies: 2 power supply slots (per Cisco product overview)
Curation Review
- ✔ Pros: High-density 100G/400G and 10/25/50G connectivity for data center core, aggregation, and spine roles; Up to 8 Bpps forwarding rate with a Silicon One Q200 ASIC; Large buffering (80 MB dedicated plus up to 8 GB HBM) suited to deep-buffer and bursty traffic; Cisco DNA licensing and automation (DNA Essentials/Advantage) with Layer 3 routing support; Strong platform longevity and wide partner/support availability
- ✘ Cons: Very high acquisition cost compared with general-purpose data center or campus switches; No PoE, so it is unsuitable for powering access endpoints; Port options are fixed per model, so flexibility is limited versus modular Catalyst 9600X; Advanced features and Layer 3 require higher-tier licensing that adds recurring cost; Published switching capacity differs between sources (12 vs 12.8 Tbps), so buyers must verify against the current Cisco datasheet
- Est. Price: $50,000 - $110,000
Compare Against
Ubiquiti Pro Max Aggregation (USW-Pro-Max-Aggregation)
★ 5.0 Value Score
Technical Specifications
- Switching Capacity: 760 Gbps
- Forwarding Rate: 565 Mpps
- Ports: 28 x 10G SFP+ (10G/1G) + 4 x 25G SFP28 (25G/10G/1G)
- PoE Budget: N/A (non-PoE switch)
- Layer: L3 (Layer 2 features also supported)
- Stacking: Not listed
- Non-blocking Throughput: 380 Gbps
- Max Power Consumption: 100 W
- Power Input: Universal AC 100-240 V; DC input for RPS backup
- Form Factor: 1U rack-mount (442 x 325 x 44 mm)
- Weight: 4.6 kg without brackets
Curation Review
- ✔ Pros: 760 Gbps switching capacity and 565 Mpps forwarding rate for aggregation duty; 28 x 10G SFP+ plus 4 x 25G SFP28 uplink ports; Layer 3 switching with Layer 2 features; DC input for redundant power backup; compact 1U rack form factor
- ✘ Cons: No PoE, so it can't power APs or cameras directly; no stacking listed; not in stock on Ubiquiti's US store (marked 'No restock date yet'); 100 W power draw is high for a non-PoE 1U switch; price is above many 10G-only alternatives
- Est. Price: $899 - $1,048