C9500-24X-A Cisco Catalyst 9500 24-port Ethernet Switch

Cisco C9500-24X-A Catalyst 9500 Series 24-Port Ethernet Switch

The Cisco C9500-24X-A is a high-performance, Layer 3 managed Ethernet switch designed for enterprise and data center networks. With its robust architecture, it delivers exceptional speed, scalability, and reliability for modern networking environments.

Key Manufacturer and Device Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model/Part Number: C9500-24X-A
• Device Type: Layer 3 Managed Network Switch
• Port Count: 24 Ethernet ports

Form Factor and Physical Specifications

• Rack Form Factor: 1U rack-mountable
• Compact Design: Space-efficient for enterprise racks

Port Layout and Interfaces

• 10GBase-T RJ-45 Ports: 16 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet
• 10GBase-X SFP+ Ports: 8 x 10 Gigabit SFP+

Advanced Network Performance

• Switching Capacity: Up to 480 Gbps full duplex
• Forwarding Rate: Up to 360 Million Packets Per Second (Mpps)
• MAC Address Table: Supports 64,000 entries
• Jumbo Frame Support: Up to 9,198 bytes for optimized large packet transfer

Supported Routing Protocols

• OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)
• RIP-1 and RIP-2 (Routing Information Protocol)
• IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol)
• VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol)
• PIM-SM and PIM-SSM (Protocol Independent Multicast)
• Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
• RIPng (RIP next generation for IPv6)

Supported Remote Management Standards

• SNMP Versions 1, 2c, and 3
• RMON Versions 1 and 2 for remote monitoring
• TFTP for file transfers and backups
• NETCONF for network configuration automation
• RESTCONF for modern web-based network management

Power Specifications

• Internal Power Supply: Hot-plug capable
• Installed Quantity: 2 power units
• Maximum Supported Quantity: 2 units for redundancy
• Redundant Power Support: Yes, ensures uninterrupted operation
• Total Power Output: 950 Watts
• Voltage Requirements: AC 120/230 V, 50–60 Hz

Cisco C9500-24X-A Catalyst 9500 Series 

The Cisco C9500-24X-A Catalyst 9500 24-ports Ethernet Switch is a high-performance enterprise-class network device designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern IT infrastructures. This switch offers exceptional throughput and scalability, ensuring reliable connectivity for campus, data center, and enterprise network deployments. As part of the Catalyst 9500 series, it provides advanced features for secure, high-speed Ethernet environments, integrating seamlessly with Cisco's broader networking ecosystem.

Advanced Switching Capabilities

The Catalyst 9500-24X-A is engineered with advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching capabilities. Its high-speed 24-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet configuration allows for efficient traffic management and optimized data flows across enterprise networks. The switch supports a wide range of routing protocols, including OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and IS-IS, offering robust Layer 3 performance that simplifies complex network topologies and enhances operational efficiency.

High-Performance Architecture

Built on a modular architecture, the Cisco C9500-24X-A provides high-speed packet forwarding and low-latency performance. Its dedicated hardware for routing and switching ensures minimal processing delays and supports full-duplex communication across all ports. The device is designed to deliver consistent throughput even under heavy network loads, making it ideal for bandwidth-intensive applications such as cloud computing, video conferencing, and virtualization.

Powerful Security Features

Security is a critical component of the Catalyst 9500-24X-A switch. The device incorporates Cisco’s comprehensive suite of security features, including advanced access control lists (ACLs), 802.1X authentication, dynamic ARP inspection, and IP Source Guard. These features prevent unauthorized access and mitigate common network threats, ensuring a secure and resilient enterprise network environment. Additionally, the switch supports encrypted management protocols and segmentation capabilities to protect sensitive data and maintain compliance with industry standards.

Scalability and Flexibility

The Cisco C9500-24X-A offers unmatched scalability for growing network demands. With support for stackable configurations, it allows multiple Catalyst 9500 switches to operate as a single logical unit, simplifying management and enabling seamless network expansion. The switch’s flexible uplink options provide high-bandwidth connectivity to aggregation layers and core network devices, accommodating both current requirements and future growth. Its modular design also ensures easy integration of new hardware or upgrades without network downtime.

Advanced Management and Automation

Managing the Catalyst 9500-24X-A is streamlined through Cisco DNA Center and Cisco IOS XE software. These platforms enable centralized automation, policy-based management, and AI-driven insights for proactive network monitoring. Administrators can deploy configuration templates, automate repetitive tasks, and gain real-time visibility into network health, significantly reducing operational complexity. The switch also supports open APIs for third-party integrations, enhancing interoperability within diverse IT environments.

Enhanced Network Visibility

The device provides extensive telemetry and analytics capabilities, allowing IT teams to gain actionable insights into traffic patterns, device performance, and network anomalies. Embedded tools such as Flexible NetFlow and streaming telemetry facilitate real-time monitoring, helping identify potential bottlenecks and optimize network performance. This granular visibility enhances troubleshooting efficiency and ensures consistent service delivery across enterprise networks.

Energy Efficiency and Reliability

The Catalyst 9500-24X-A is designed with energy efficiency in mind, using advanced power management features to minimize electricity consumption without compromising performance. Its fan and power supply systems are engineered for redundancy and reliability, ensuring uninterrupted operation even in critical enterprise environments. The device supports dual power supplies and field-replaceable fans, allowing for high availability and minimal downtime during maintenance or hardware replacement.

Comprehensive Support for Modern Applications

Modern enterprise networks demand support for high-performance applications, and the Cisco C9500-24X-A is equipped to handle these requirements. Its low-latency switching, high port density, and robust QoS features ensure optimal performance for latency-sensitive applications such as VoIP, video streaming, and mission-critical cloud services. The switch’s ability to prioritize traffic and dynamically allocate bandwidth guarantees uninterrupted service and superior user experience.

Integration with Cisco Ecosystem

As a cornerstone of Cisco’s Catalyst 9500 series, the C9500-24X-A integrates seamlessly with other Cisco network devices and software solutions. It supports software-defined access (SD-Access) for automated segmentation, Cisco TrustSec for enhanced security policies, and integration with Cisco Meraki for unified cloud-managed operations. This interoperability ensures that enterprises can build cohesive, scalable, and secure networks across multiple sites and locations.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The Catalyst 9500-24X-A is versatile enough to support a range of deployment scenarios. In campus environments, it provides reliable access-layer connectivity for wired and wireless devices, ensuring high-speed network performance for students, staff, and faculty. In enterprise data centers, the switch delivers high-density, low-latency connections for virtualization, cloud applications, and server interconnectivity. Additionally, the device is suitable for service provider networks that require carrier-grade performance and operational efficiency.

Optimized for Digital Transformation

Organizations undergoing digital transformation can leverage the capabilities of the Cisco C9500-24X-A to support emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, and cloud computing. The switch’s high-speed connectivity, advanced routing, and automation features allow enterprises to deploy new applications rapidly and manage network traffic intelligently. This adaptability ensures that IT infrastructures remain agile and future-proof in the face of evolving business demands.

Technical Specifications and Performance Metrics

The Cisco C9500-24X-A offers 24 fixed 10G Ethernet ports with uplink options that support up to 40 Gbps, enabling high-bandwidth interconnectivity. It features a switching capacity of up to 480 Gbps and a forwarding rate capable of handling millions of packets per second. Memory and CPU resources are optimized for large-scale routing tables, advanced QoS, and security features, providing the performance necessary for enterprise-class environments. The switch is designed to operate in temperatures ranging from standard office environments to high-density data center conditions, ensuring durability and consistent performance.

Support for Industry Standards

This switch adheres to a wide range of networking standards, including IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging, IEEE 802.3ad Link Aggregation, and IEEE 802.1X port-based authentication. Compliance with these standards ensures interoperability with other networking equipment and simplifies integration into heterogeneous network environments. The device also supports IPv6 routing, multicast protocols, and advanced network resiliency features such as StackWise Virtual, allowing enterprises to build highly reliable and future-ready networks.