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

Cisco C9500-12Q-E Catalyst 9500 12 Ports Managed Switch 

The Cisco C9500-12Q-E Catalyst 9500 is a high-performance Layer 3 stackable switch designed for enterprise networks requiring robust data throughput and advanced manageability. Featuring 12 high-speed 40 Gigabit QSFP ports, this switch delivers exceptional switching capacity, scalability, and reliability for modern data centers and campus networks.

Key Manufacturer and Device Information

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number: C9500-12Q-E
• Device Type: 12-Port L3 Managed Stackable Switch

Technical Specifications

• Enclosure Type: 1U Rack-mountable
• Airflow: Front-to-rear for optimized cooling

Networking and Connectivity

• Port Subtype: 40 Gigabit Ethernet
• Ports: 12 x 40G QSFP
• Interfaces: High-speed QSFP connections for seamless integration

Performance and Capacity

• Switching Capacity (Full Duplex): 480 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 720 Mpps
• Indirect IPv4 Routes: 64,000
• Host IPv4 Routes: 32,000
• Indirect IPv6 Routes: 32,000
• Host IPv6 Routes: 16,000
• Multicast Scale: 48,000
• QoS ACL Scale: 18,000
• Security ACL Scale: 18,000
• Flow Table Entries (FnF): 512,000
• VLAN IDs Supported: 4,000
• Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs): 4,000

Expansion and Connectivity Options

• 12 high-bandwidth 40G QSFP ports designed for uplink or aggregation connections
• Supports stacking for enhanced scalability and simplified network management

Power and Redundancy Features

• Power Supply: Internal, hot-plug capable
• Installed Quantity: 2 units installed (max 2)
• Redundancy: Optional redundant power configuration
• Voltage Requirement: AC 120/230 V, 50–60 Hz

Scalable Network Architecture

• Supports large-scale deployments with extensive VLAN and routing table capacities
• Stackable design allows multiple switches to function as a single logical unit

Enhanced Security and Traffic Management

• Supports advanced QoS and ACL features to prioritize traffic and maintain security policies
• Optimized for multicast, IPv4/IPv6 routing, and flow-based forwarding

Cisco C9500-12Q-E Catalyst 9500 Series 

The Cisco C9500-12Q-E Catalyst 9500 12 Ports Manageable Switch represents a high-performance, enterprise-grade network solution designed to meet the increasing demands of modern data centers and enterprise networks. This switch is part of the renowned Cisco Catalyst 9500 series, which is recognized for its superior reliability, advanced Layer 3 features, and robust security capabilities. The C9500-12Q-E model provides a compact, 12-port configuration with 40 Gigabit Ethernet capabilities, making it ideal for high-density aggregation and core network environments.

Advanced Switching Capabilities

The Cisco C9500-12Q-E is engineered to deliver cutting-edge switching performance for enterprise and campus networks. With a full Layer 3 routing feature set, this switch ensures seamless connectivity and traffic management across multiple VLANs and subnets. It supports a wide range of routing protocols, including OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and RIP, providing network administrators with flexible and scalable routing options. This model also features advanced multicast routing and policy-based routing, enabling optimized network traffic distribution and efficient bandwidth utilization.

High-Speed Connectivity

Equipped with 12 high-speed 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ ports, the Cisco C9500-12Q-E allows for ultra-fast data transfer and low latency performance, which is essential for mission-critical applications. The switch supports breakout configurations that allow each 40GbE port to be divided into four 10GbE interfaces, offering additional flexibility in deployment. This versatility ensures that the switch can accommodate evolving network requirements without compromising performance or reliability.

StackWise Virtual Technology

The Cisco Catalyst 9500 series, including the C9500-12Q-E, incorporates StackWise Virtual technology, enabling multiple switches to operate as a single logical unit. This feature simplifies network management and enhances redundancy, as multiple physical switches can be combined into a single stack with unified configuration and control. StackWise Virtual ensures minimal downtime and continuous network availability, even during maintenance or upgrades, making it suitable for critical enterprise environments.

Enhanced Security Features

Security is a cornerstone of the Cisco C9500-12Q-E design. This switch integrates advanced security mechanisms, including IEEE 802.1X authentication, role-based access control, and Cisco TrustSec technology, to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access. Network administrators can enforce granular security policies across all ports, ensuring that only authorized devices can connect to the network. Additionally, the C9500-12Q-E supports Dynamic ARP Inspection, IP Source Guard, and DHCP Snooping, safeguarding the network against common Layer 2 attacks and spoofing threats.

Flexible Management Options

The Cisco C9500-12Q-E offers extensive management capabilities through Cisco DNA Center, Cisco IOS XE Software, and traditional command-line interfaces. Cisco DNA Center provides a centralized platform for automation, assurance, and analytics, simplifying the deployment and monitoring of network infrastructure. The switch also supports NETCONF, RESTCONF, and SNMP, allowing integration with various network management systems for efficient monitoring, troubleshooting, and configuration management.

Power and Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is a key consideration in the Cisco Catalyst 9500 series. The C9500-12Q-E is designed with Cisco EnergyWise technology, which enables administrators to monitor and manage power consumption across the network. The switch delivers high performance while minimizing energy usage, contributing to cost savings and environmentally sustainable operations. Its intelligent power management ensures that devices connected to the network receive the appropriate power levels, optimizing energy usage without compromising performance.

Redundancy and Reliability

Reliability is critical in enterprise networks, and the Cisco C9500-12Q-E is built with redundant power supply options, hot-swappable components, and field-replaceable fans. These features allow continuous operation even during hardware failures or maintenance, ensuring minimal downtime. The switch also supports virtual routing redundancy protocol (VRRP) and high availability features, providing resilient network connectivity and failover capabilities for mission-critical applications.

Optimized Performance for Enterprise Networks

The Cisco C9500-12Q-E delivers exceptional performance for demanding enterprise environments. Its high throughput, low latency architecture, and support for advanced Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms allow enterprises to prioritize traffic, reduce congestion, and optimize application performance. Whether supporting voice, video, or data-intensive applications, this switch ensures consistent network performance and improved user experiences. The Catalyst 9500 series is particularly suited for aggregation and core layers in campus networks, where high-density 40GbE connections are required.

Advanced QoS and Traffic Management

With sophisticated QoS capabilities, the Cisco C9500-12Q-E allows administrators to manage bandwidth allocation efficiently and guarantee performance for critical applications. The switch supports hierarchical QoS, traffic shaping, and congestion avoidance mechanisms, which collectively enhance network efficiency and prevent packet loss during periods of high traffic. Additionally, features like weighted random early detection (WRED) and low-latency queuing (LLQ) ensure that real-time applications, such as voice and video conferencing, receive priority treatment over less critical traffic.

Scalability for Growing Networks

The C9500-12Q-E is designed to support future network growth. Its modular design, high port density, and StackWise Virtual capabilities allow enterprises to expand network capacity without replacing existing infrastructure. The switch can be integrated seamlessly into larger Catalyst 9500 deployments, providing a flexible and scalable foundation for evolving network requirements. Cisco’s software-defined access (SD-Access) architecture further enhances scalability by enabling automated network segmentation and policy enforcement across campus networks.

Integration with Cisco Ecosystem

The Cisco C9500-12Q-E benefits from full integration with the broader Cisco ecosystem, including Cisco DNA Center, Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), and Cisco Umbrella. This integration enables centralized management, advanced analytics, and enhanced security across the network. By leveraging these tools, enterprises can automate workflows, enforce consistent security policies, and gain actionable insights into network health and performance. The switch also supports Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) for data center environments, providing seamless integration and optimized application delivery.

Technical Specifications and Capabilities

The technical specifications of the Cisco C9500-12Q-E highlight its suitability for high-performance enterprise deployments. The switch provides 12 QSFP+ 40GbE ports with support for breakout configurations, dual redundant power supplies, field-replaceable fans, and advanced Layer 3 routing features. It offers forwarding capacity of up to several terabits per second, ensuring that large-scale data transfers are handled efficiently. The switch’s low latency and wire-speed performance make it ideal for high-throughput applications, including virtualization, cloud computing, and storage networks.

Software and Feature Set

The Cisco C9500-12Q-E runs Cisco IOS XE Software, offering a comprehensive suite of features for security, automation, programmability, and network segmentation. This software provides an intuitive interface for configuring complex policies, managing VLANs, and enabling advanced routing protocols. Additionally, the software supports Cisco’s intent-based networking approach, allowing administrators to define desired outcomes while the system automatically enforces policies and optimizes network performance. Features such as Cisco Embedded Event Manager (EEM) and programmability APIs further enhance the flexibility and automation capabilities of the switch.

Deployment Scenarios

Enterprises can deploy the Cisco C9500-12Q-E across various scenarios, including campus core, aggregation layers, data center spine, and high-performance network interconnects. Its compact 12-port configuration is particularly suitable for environments requiring high-speed uplinks with limited physical space. The switch can also function as a distribution switch in larger network topologies, aggregating traffic from access-layer switches and connecting to the core network with high-bandwidth links. These deployment options make the C9500-12Q-E a versatile and reliable choice for enterprise networking.

Environmental and Compliance

The Cisco C9500-12Q-E is designed with compliance and environmental responsibility in mind. It meets stringent industry standards for electromagnetic interference, safety, and environmental impact. The switch supports Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) and Cisco EnergyWise technologies, allowing organizations to reduce power consumption and lower operational costs. These features make the C9500-12Q-E not only a high-performance network switch but also an environmentally conscious choice for enterprise deployments.