C9500-12Q-A Cisco Catalyst 9500 12 Ports Switch

Cisco C9500-12Q-A Catalyst 9500 12-Port Managed Switch 

The Cisco C9500-12Q-A Catalyst 9500 is a high-performance, 12-port Layer 3 manageable switch designed for modern enterprise networks. This stackable device ensures seamless network scalability, reliability, and enhanced security features for data center and campus environments.

General Information

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: C9500-12Q-A
• Device Type: 12-Port L3 Managed Switch, Stackable

Physical and Enclosure Details

• Rack Mount: 1U, standard rack-mountable design
• Airflow Direction: Front-to-rear airflow for optimal cooling
• Subtype: 40 Gigabit Ethernet switch

Connectivity

• Total Ports: 12 x 40 Gigabit QSFP ports
• Interface Type: QSFP high-speed uplinks for data-intensive applications
• Stacking: Supports stackable deployment for network expansion

Switching Performance

• Switching Capacity: 480 Gbps (Full Duplex)
• Forwarding Rate: 720 Mpps

Routing and Multicast Capabilities

• Indirect IPv4 Routes: 64,000
• Host IPv4 Routes: 32,000
• Indirect IPv6 Routes: 32,000
• Host IPv6 Routes: 16,000
• Multicast Scale: 48,000

Security and QoS Support

• QoS ACL Entries: 18,000
• Security ACL Entries: 18,000
• Flexible NetFlow (FNF) Entries: 512,000

VLAN and Interface Capacity

• VLAN IDs Supported: 4,000
• Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs): 4,000

Interface Highlights

• 12 x 40Gbit LAN QSFP interfaces
• Support for high-throughput uplinks and inter-switch connectivity
• Scalable and flexible deployment in stacked configurations

Power Supply Specifications

• Internal Power Units: 2 hot-pluggable units
• Maximum Supported Units: 2
• Voltage Input: AC 120/230 V, 50–60 Hz
• Redundancy: Full power redundancy support

Energy Efficiency and Cooling

• Front-to-rear airflow design enhances thermal management
• Optimized for energy-efficient operation without sacrificing performance

Cisco C9500-12Q-A Catalyst 9500 Series 

The Cisco C9500-12Q-A Catalyst 9500 12 Ports Manageable Switch represents a high-performance, enterprise-class solution designed for modern network infrastructures. This switch belongs to the Catalyst 9500 series, which is renowned for its advanced routing, switching, and network security capabilities. With the C9500-12Q-A, organizations can achieve unprecedented network stability, scalability, and operational efficiency while maintaining the flexibility needed for future network growth.

Advanced Networking Capabilities

The Catalyst 9500-12Q-A is engineered to handle complex networking environments with ease. It supports high-density 40 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks across 12 ports, making it ideal for data centers, campus backbones, and aggregation layers. Its integrated hardware and software features provide advanced routing protocols, including OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and RIP, allowing seamless integration into existing enterprise networks. The switch also delivers robust Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching capabilities, providing efficient traffic management and improved network performance.

Layer 2 Switching Features

At the Layer 2 level, the C9500-12Q-A provides comprehensive support for VLAN segmentation, spanning-tree protocols, and link aggregation. VLAN support enables network administrators to isolate and secure traffic within specific segments, while spanning-tree protocols prevent loops and ensure redundancy in network topologies. Link aggregation combines multiple physical interfaces into a single logical connection, increasing bandwidth and providing higher resilience in network operations.

Layer 3 Routing and Advanced Protocols

For Layer 3 routing, the Catalyst 9500-12Q-A integrates multiple routing protocols that allow dynamic route calculations, network convergence, and efficient packet forwarding. BGP support ensures compatibility with large-scale enterprise WAN deployments, while OSPF and EIGRP provide fast route updates and minimal downtime during topology changes. This advanced routing capability makes the C9500-12Q-A a reliable choice for organizations requiring both LAN and WAN connectivity in their network designs.

Security and Policy Enforcement

Security is a critical component of the Cisco Catalyst 9500 series. The C9500-12Q-A integrates comprehensive security features, including MAC address filtering, 802.1X authentication, and dynamic ARP inspection. These measures protect against unauthorized access, network attacks, and spoofing threats. Additionally, policy-based routing and access control lists (ACLs) allow administrators to define precise rules for traffic flow, ensuring compliance with corporate policies and regulatory requirements.

Threat Detection and Segmentation

The switch supports Cisco TrustSec technology, which enables secure segmentation of network traffic and simplifies policy enforcement. By classifying users and devices, the Catalyst 9500-12Q-A can enforce role-based access controls, reducing the risk of lateral movement in case of security breaches. Furthermore, integration with Cisco DNA Center allows real-time monitoring, automated threat response, and intelligent policy application across the network.

High Availability and Redundancy

Reliability and uptime are essential in enterprise networks. The Catalyst 9500-12Q-A includes advanced redundancy features such as StackWise Virtual technology, which allows multiple switches to operate as a single logical unit. This capability ensures uninterrupted network service during hardware failures or maintenance. In addition, dual power supply support, hot-swappable components, and redundant fans further enhance system resilience, minimizing downtime and operational disruptions.

Stacking and Scalability

The StackWise Virtual technology of the C9500-12Q-A allows administrators to interconnect multiple switches into a single, high-capacity virtual stack. This not only simplifies network management but also provides seamless scalability as organizational needs grow. With the ability to combine up to eight switches in a single stack, the Catalyst 9500-12Q-A supports increased port density, higher throughput, and improved redundancy without adding management complexity.

Performance and Traffic Optimization

Performance optimization is a cornerstone of the Catalyst 9500-12Q-A. With 12 high-speed 40G ports, the switch delivers exceptional throughput, low latency, and reliable packet delivery across demanding network environments. Quality of Service (QoS) features prioritize critical applications, ensuring smooth performance for latency-sensitive services such as voice and video. Additionally, hardware-based forwarding and deep packet inspection reduce processing delays, providing consistent network efficiency even under heavy traffic loads.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Considerations

Energy efficiency is increasingly important for modern IT infrastructures. The Catalyst 9500-12Q-A incorporates intelligent power management features, including low-power standby modes and energy-efficient Ethernet support. These features reduce power consumption without compromising performance, contributing to lower operational costs and a smaller environmental footprint. The switch’s thermal design also optimizes airflow and cooling, ensuring stable operation even in high-density deployments.

Integration with Cisco Ecosystem

The Cisco C9500-12Q-A is fully compatible with the broader Cisco ecosystem, including Cisco DNA Center, Cisco Identity Services Engine, and Cisco Secure Firewall. This integration enables automated network provisioning, advanced analytics, and centralized policy management. By leveraging the Cisco Digital Network Architecture (DNA), organizations can deploy a more intelligent, adaptive, and secure network infrastructure that responds dynamically to changing business requirements.

Software-Defined Networking Capabilities

The switch supports software-defined networking (SDN) features, allowing programmable control of the network through Cisco DNA Center and other management platforms. SDN enables centralized configuration, policy enforcement, and monitoring, reducing manual intervention and operational complexity. This flexibility is particularly valuable in hybrid IT environments, where workloads may span on-premises data centers, cloud platforms, and branch offices.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The C9500-12Q-A Catalyst 9500 12 Ports Manageable Switch is ideal for a wide range of deployment scenarios. In enterprise campuses, it serves as a core or aggregation layer switch, delivering high-speed connectivity and advanced routing features. In data centers, it functions as a high-density uplink switch, supporting virtualization and high-throughput applications. Its security and policy enforcement capabilities also make it suitable for organizations with strict compliance requirements and sensitive data protection needs.

Campus Networks and Enterprise Backbone

Within campus environments, the Catalyst 9500-12Q-A provides resilient and scalable connectivity between access switches, routers, and wireless controllers. Its high throughput and low latency ensure smooth operation of business-critical applications, collaboration tools, and cloud services. By supporting advanced features like VXLAN, multicast, and MPLS, the switch enables flexible network segmentation, efficient traffic distribution, and simplified management.

Data Center Uplink and Aggregation

In data centers, the C9500-12Q-A serves as a robust aggregation switch, connecting server racks, storage networks, and core routers. Its 40G ports accommodate high-bandwidth workloads, virtualization traffic, and high-speed storage protocols. The switch’s advanced QoS and congestion management features ensure balanced resource utilization and consistent application performance across the data center network.

Future-Proofing Network Infrastructure

The Cisco C9500-12Q-A Catalyst 9500 12 Ports Manageable Switch is designed to meet current networking demands while accommodating future growth. Its modular design, flexible deployment options, and integration with Cisco’s evolving technology ecosystem ensure that organizations can scale their networks seamlessly. As network requirements increase due to cloud adoption, IoT proliferation, and high-bandwidth applications, the Catalyst 9500-12Q-A remains a reliable and adaptable core component of enterprise networks.