C9500-48X-E Cisco Catalyst 9500 48 Ports 10G Bundle, Network Essentials

Cisco C9500-48X-E Catalyst 9500 48-Port Switch 

The Cisco C9500-48X-E Catalyst 9500 series is a high-performance 48-port network switch designed for enterprise environments. This advanced switch bundle provides scalable 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity and robust features for modern network infrastructures.

General Specifications

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number: C9500-48X-E
• Device Type: 48-Port Network Switch
• Product Category: Network Switch

High-Performance Switching and Forwarding Capacity

• Full Duplex Switching Capacity: 480 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 720 Million Packets per Second (Mpps)

Routing and Network Capabilities

• Routing Table Entries: 64,000
• Indirect IPv4 Routes: 64,000
• Host IPv4 Routes: 32,000
• Indirect IPv6 Routes: 32,000
• Host IPv6 Routes: 16,000
• Multicast Scalability: 48,000 entries
• Quality of Service (QoS) ACL Scale: 18,000
• Security ACL Scale: 18,000
• Flow Export Entries (FNF): 512,000
• VLAN Support: Up to 4,000 VLAN IDs
• Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs): 4,000

Additional Performance Features

• MAC Address Table: 64,000 entries
• Jumbo Frame Support: Up to 9,198 bytes

Supported Routing Protocols

• OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)
• IS-IS (Intermediate System to Intermediate System)
• RIP-1 and RIP-2 (Routing Information Protocol)
• BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)
• EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol)
• IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol)
• VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol)
• PIM-SM and PIM-SSM (Protocol Independent Multicast)
• MSDP (Multicast Source Discovery Protocol)
• RIPng (RIP next generation for IPv6)
• MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching)

Remote Management and Security

• Remote Management Protocols: SNMP v1, v2c, v3, RMON v1 & v2, TFTP, NETCONF, RESTCONF
• Encryption: 256-bit AES

Processor, Memory, and Storage

• Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
• RAM: 16 GB DDR4 SDRAM (DIMM 288-pin)
• Flash Memory: 16 GB

Expansion Options and Connectivity

• 10GBase-X SFP+ Ports: 40 standard ports
• Additional 10GBase-X SFP+ Ports: 8
• USB Ports: 2 x USB 3.0

Power Supply and Redundancy Features

• Power Type: Internal, Hot-Plug
• Installed Power Units: 2
• Maximum Units Supported: 2
• Power Redundancy: Optional, 1+1 Redundancy Scheme
• Power Output: 950 Watts
• Voltage Requirement: AC 120/230 V (50 – 60 Hz)

Cisco C9500-48X-E Catalyst 9500 48 Ports Essentials Switch 

The Cisco C9500-48X-E Catalyst 9500 Series is a high-performance, fully managed network switch engineered for enterprise-level deployments. Designed to deliver exceptional throughput, reliability, and advanced network intelligence, this switch represents the pinnacle of Cisco’s Catalyst portfolio. With 48 high-speed 10G ports bundled in a compact 1U rack-mountable chassis, the Catalyst 9500 provides a scalable solution for modern data centers, campus networks, and core-edge aggregation layers. Network administrators benefit from comprehensive network visibility, automated management, and robust security mechanisms that are integral to the C9500-48X-E model.

High-Performance 48-Port 10G Switching

The C9500-48X-E offers 48 fixed 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports that are capable of handling high-volume data traffic with minimal latency. These 10G interfaces are optimized for server-to-switch and switch-to-switch connections, providing seamless bandwidth for mission-critical applications. The switch’s forwarding capacity is engineered to support multi-gigabit network environments, ensuring that high-density deployments maintain peak performance. Each port supports advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 features, enabling routing and switching convergence, which is essential for enterprises that demand fast, efficient, and resilient networking capabilities.

Scalable Architecture and Modular Expansion

Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series switches, including the 48X-E model, incorporate a highly scalable architecture designed to grow alongside enterprise network demands. The chassis supports optional uplink modules, allowing for flexible integration with 40G or 100G network cores. This adaptability ensures future-proof deployments as data traffic patterns evolve and network loads increase. The switch leverages Cisco’s Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) technology, which accelerates packet processing while reducing latency and energy consumption. By combining fixed high-speed interfaces with scalable uplinks, the Catalyst 9500 provides a balance between current network requirements and future expansion needs.

Enhanced Security and Segmentation

Security is a core design principle of the Cisco C9500-48X-E. The switch integrates advanced network security features, including segmentation policies, secure access, and dynamic threat detection. Network administrators can leverage features such as role-based access control (RBAC), IEEE 802.1X authentication, and network segmentation through Virtual LANs (VLANs). Additionally, the Catalyst 9500 supports Cisco TrustSec technology, which simplifies policy enforcement across the network and provides consistent security across wired and wireless environments. These integrated security mechanisms help protect sensitive enterprise data while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Comprehensive Network Automation

The C9500-48X-E supports full network automation capabilities through Cisco DNA Center and Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access). These automation tools allow administrators to define policies, monitor network performance, and deploy configurations across multiple switches without manual intervention. Automation reduces the risk of configuration errors, accelerates provisioning, and enhances operational efficiency. Furthermore, the switch supports programmable APIs and scripting tools that integrate seamlessly with existing network management platforms, providing the flexibility required for complex enterprise networks.

Advanced Layer 3 Capabilities

Layer 3 routing capabilities in the Catalyst 9500-48X-E enable efficient traffic management across enterprise networks. The switch supports static routing, Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), and Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), providing robust routing solutions for both small and large-scale deployments. In addition, the switch supports advanced routing features such as Equal-Cost Multipath (ECMP), route summarization, and policy-based routing, which optimize network traffic flow and improve overall performance. These features make the C9500-48X-E suitable for data center spine-leaf architectures and enterprise core networks where high-speed, low-latency routing is critical.

Reliability and High Availability

The Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series is engineered for continuous operation in mission-critical environments. The 48X-E model supports redundant power supplies and field-replaceable fan modules, ensuring high availability even during component failures. Network uptime is further enhanced through Cisco StackWise Virtual technology, which allows multiple switches to operate as a single logical entity. This stacking capability provides redundancy, load balancing, and simplified management while maintaining uninterrupted connectivity. Additionally, the switch supports in-service software upgrades (ISSU), enabling administrators to apply software updates without network downtime, a vital feature for enterprises that cannot afford service interruptions.

Energy Efficiency and Green Design

Despite its high-performance capabilities, the Catalyst 9500-48X-E is optimized for energy efficiency. Cisco’s hardware and software innovations reduce power consumption per port while maintaining full throughput performance. Features such as intelligent power allocation, Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), and adaptive cooling mechanisms help lower operating costs and reduce the environmental footprint of enterprise networks. The switch’s 1U form factor maximizes rack space utilization, further contributing to operational efficiency in dense data center or campus deployments.

Intelligent Network Analytics

The C9500-48X-E incorporates advanced telemetry and analytics tools that provide real-time network insights. Cisco’s Embedded Event Manager (EEM) and streaming telemetry features enable proactive monitoring of network performance and rapid identification of anomalies. Administrators can receive alerts on potential congestion, link failures, or configuration issues before they impact network operations. The switch’s integrated analytics support capacity planning, fault diagnosis, and performance optimization, providing a comprehensive understanding of network behavior across wired and wireless domains. These insights empower IT teams to make informed decisions that enhance reliability and end-user experience.

Flexible Deployment Options

The Catalyst 9500-48X-E is versatile in deployment, supporting campus core, aggregation, and data center access roles. Its high-density 10G connectivity makes it ideal for server farm uplinks, aggregation of high-speed access switches, and connections to storage area networks. The switch is compatible with Cisco’s SD-Access architecture, which enables consistent policy enforcement and seamless segmentation across distributed enterprise campuses. Additionally, the 48-port 10G configuration provides sufficient headroom for future bandwidth demands, ensuring that network infrastructure investments remain relevant over time.

Integration with Cisco Ecosystem

As part of the Cisco Catalyst family, the C9500-48X-E integrates seamlessly with other Cisco solutions, including wireless access points, security appliances, and network management platforms. This interoperability simplifies network design and deployment while maximizing operational efficiency. By leveraging Cisco DNA Center, administrators can unify wired and wireless network management, apply automated policies, and gain a comprehensive view of the network. Integration with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) further enhances security and access control, ensuring that devices and users comply with corporate policies.

Support for Network Virtualization

The Catalyst 9500 Series supports virtualized network environments through features such as VRF-Lite, MPLS Layer 3 VPN, and VXLAN encapsulation. These capabilities enable enterprises to create isolated, secure virtual networks over a shared physical infrastructure. Network virtualization reduces operational complexity, optimizes resource utilization, and enhances flexibility for multi-tenant or hybrid cloud environments. The 48X-E switch is therefore ideal for organizations looking to implement software-defined networking (SDN) or hybrid cloud architectures without compromising performance or security.

Comprehensive Quality of Service (QoS)

The Cisco C9500-48X-E provides advanced Quality of Service mechanisms to prioritize critical applications and ensure predictable network performance. The switch supports classification, marking, policing, and scheduling of traffic across all 48 ports. Enterprises can enforce service-level agreements (SLAs) for voice, video, and mission-critical data, maintaining high-quality communication and collaboration experiences. Integration with Cisco TrustSec and SD-Access further allows dynamic QoS enforcement based on user roles, device types, or application requirements, ensuring that network resources are allocated efficiently and fairly.

Robust Software and Licensing Options

The C9500-48X-E is delivered with Cisco’s Network Essentials licensing, providing a full suite of Layer 2 and Layer 3 features, security, and management capabilities suitable for most enterprise network deployments. For organizations requiring advanced routing, analytics, or automation features, Cisco also offers Network Advantage licenses. These licensing tiers provide flexibility to scale network functionality based on operational requirements and budget considerations. The Cisco IOS XE software platform ensures consistent updates, long-term support, and compatibility with other Cisco networking devices, enabling a future-ready network infrastructure.

Enterprise-Grade Reliability and Support

With its robust hardware design, advanced redundancy features, and Cisco’s world-class support infrastructure, the C9500-48X-E delivers enterprise-grade reliability. Cisco offers comprehensive technical assistance, software updates, and proactive support services that help minimize network downtime and optimize performance. The Catalyst 9500 Series is designed for environments where uptime, security, and operational efficiency are paramount, ensuring that IT teams can focus on innovation rather than routine maintenance or troubleshooting.

Ideal Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The Cisco C9500-48X-E is particularly suited for enterprise campus cores, high-performance aggregation layers, data center access deployments, and high-density server uplinks. Its 48-port 10G connectivity, robust Layer 3 capabilities, advanced security, and automation features make it an ideal choice for organizations that require reliable, scalable, and future-proof network infrastructure. Enterprises leveraging collaboration tools, cloud applications, or high-volume data transfers benefit significantly from the switch’s performance and resiliency. Furthermore, its integration with Cisco DNA Center and SD-Access simplifies management and enhances operational efficiency across large distributed networks.