C9600-LC-24C Cisco Catalyst Switch - 24 Ports

Cisco C9600-LC-24C Catalyst 9600 Series Line Card

The Cisco C9600-LC-24C is a high-performance line card designed for the Catalyst 9600 Series modular switching platform. This advanced plug-in module delivers exceptional throughput, scalability, and reliability, making it ideal for large enterprise core and aggregation networks. With dense high-speed connectivity and enterprise-grade features, it supports modern data-intensive applications and evolving network architectures.

General Product Specifications

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: C9600-LC-24C
• Device Category: Modular Switch Line Card
• Total Ports: 24 High-Speed Interfaces

Supported Interfaces

• 24 x 100 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP28
• 24 x 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP28
• High-speed LAN connectivity for core and distribution layers

Physical and Hardware Attributes

• Form Factor: Plug-in module
• Enclosure Type: Line card for Catalyst 9600 chassis
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 15 x 15.7 x 1.7 inches
• Optimized for modular chassis deployments

Supported IEEE Standards

• IEEE 802.3 Ethernet
• IEEE 802.3z Gigabit Ethernet
• IEEE 802.3ab Twisted Pair Ethernet
• IEEE 802.3x Flow Control

Security and Traffic Management Capabilities

• IPv6 protocol support for modern network deployments
• Access Control List (ACL) enforcement for traffic filtering
• Quality of Service (QoS) for traffic prioritization
• Media Access Control Security (MACsec) for encrypted data transmission

Expansion Interface 

• 24 x 100GbE / 40GbE LAN QSFP28 ports
• Designed for core, aggregation, and high-capacity data paths
• Supports scalable enterprise and service provider networks

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Line Cards

The Cisco C9600-LC-24C Catalyst 9600 Series 24 Ports Switch category represents a core component of modern enterprise campus networks, designed to deliver high-capacity switching, resilient architecture, and advanced software-driven networking capabilities. As part of the Catalyst 9600 modular switching platform, this line card category is engineered for organizations that require scalable bandwidth, consistent performance, and long-term investment protection within mission-critical environments. The focus of this category is on enabling high-speed connectivity at the core or aggregation layer while maintaining seamless interoperability with access and distribution layers.

This category addresses the growing demand for cloud-ready campus infrastructures, where applications, users, and devices continuously increase in number and complexity. By supporting high-density port configurations and advanced forwarding capabilities, the Cisco C9600-LC-24C line card category provides the foundation for digital transformation initiatives that rely on stable, predictable, and intelligent network behavior.

High-Density Port Architecture and Performance Capabilities

The Cisco C9600-LC-24C Catalyst 9600 Series 24 Ports Switch category is built around a high-density port architecture that enables enterprises to consolidate network connections without sacrificing throughput or reliability. Each line card in this category is optimized to support demanding workloads that require consistent low latency and high packet forwarding rates. This makes the category particularly suitable for large campus cores, data-intensive enterprise backbones, and environments where east-west traffic is significant.

The design philosophy behind this category emphasizes non-blocking performance, ensuring that all ports can operate at full capacity simultaneously. This architectural approach supports bandwidth-intensive applications such as real-time collaboration, unified communications, large-scale virtualization, and high-definition video streaming. By delivering predictable performance under load, this category ensures that critical applications remain responsive even during peak usage periods.

Optimized Switching Fabric Integration

The line cards within this category are designed to integrate seamlessly with the Catalyst 9600 switching fabric, enabling high-speed data transfer between modules. This integration ensures that the overall system performance scales efficiently as additional line cards are deployed. Enterprises benefit from a modular design that allows capacity expansion without network redesign or operational disruption.

The switching fabric compatibility of this category ensures consistent throughput and minimal latency across all connected devices. This is essential for organizations that rely on centralized services, distributed applications, and real-time analytics across the campus network.

Support for High-Speed Optical Connectivity

The Cisco C9600-LC-24C Catalyst 9600 Series 24 Ports Switch category is closely aligned with modern optical networking requirements. It supports advanced optical transceiver technologies that enable long-distance connectivity across large campuses or between buildings. This capability is particularly valuable for enterprises with geographically dispersed facilities that require reliable high-speed interconnections.

The category’s focus on optical connectivity also ensures readiness for future bandwidth upgrades, allowing organizations to adopt newer transceiver standards as their network demands evolve.

Modular Design and Scalability Advantages

Scalability is a defining characteristic of the Cisco C9600-LC-24C Catalyst 9600 Series 24 Ports Switch category. The modular nature of the Catalyst 9600 platform allows these line cards to be deployed as part of a flexible system that grows with organizational needs. This category supports incremental expansion, enabling enterprises to add capacity as required without overprovisioning at the initial deployment stage.

This scalability model reduces capital expenditure while providing a clear upgrade path. Network architects can plan long-term growth strategies knowing that the core infrastructure can accommodate additional users, devices, and applications without requiring a complete hardware replacement.

Investment Protection Through Modular Expansion

The category emphasizes investment protection by allowing organizations to reuse existing chassis and infrastructure components while upgrading or expanding line cards. This approach minimizes downtime and operational risk associated with major network upgrades. Enterprises can modernize their networks gradually, aligning technology investments with business growth and budget cycles.

The modular design also simplifies maintenance and lifecycle management, as individual line cards can be replaced or upgraded without affecting the entire system.

Support for Evolving Network Architectures

The Cisco C9600-LC-24C Catalyst 9600 Series 24 Ports Switch category supports evolving network architectures, including intent-based networking and software-defined campus designs. This flexibility allows enterprises to transition from traditional static configurations to more dynamic, automated environments that respond intelligently to changing conditions.

By supporting advanced control plane and data plane integration, this category enables networks to adapt quickly to new requirements while maintaining consistent performance and security.

Advanced Software and Automation Capabilities

The category is designed to operate with advanced Cisco software features that enhance visibility, automation, and control across the campus network. These capabilities enable network teams to manage complex infrastructures more efficiently while reducing manual configuration errors. Automation features allow repetitive tasks to be streamlined, freeing IT resources to focus on strategic initiatives.

Software-driven capabilities also support policy-based networking, where network behavior is aligned with business intent rather than manual device-level configurations. This approach improves consistency and simplifies compliance with organizational standards.

Integration with Cisco IOS XE Software

The Cisco C9600-LC-24C Catalyst 9600 Series 24 Ports Switch category is fully compatible with Cisco IOS XE software, providing a unified operating system across the Catalyst portfolio. This consistency simplifies training, deployment, and ongoing management for network administrators. IOS XE enables programmability through open APIs, allowing integration with orchestration tools and third-party management platforms.

The software architecture supports continuous innovation, ensuring that new features and enhancements can be delivered through software updates rather than hardware replacements.

Programmability and Open Standards

Programmability is a key aspect of this category, enabling enterprises to automate network operations and integrate networking with broader IT workflows. Support for open standards and APIs allows organizations to build customized automation solutions that align with their operational models.

This programmability enhances agility, allowing networks to adapt quickly to changing business requirements while maintaining high levels of reliability and performance.

Security Integration at the Core Layer

Security is an essential consideration for enterprise core networks, and the Cisco C9600-LC-24C Catalyst 9600 Series 24 Ports Switch category is designed with integrated security capabilities that protect data and infrastructure. By embedding security features directly into the switching hardware and software, this category helps organizations enforce consistent policies across the network.

Core-level security integration reduces the attack surface and ensures that threats can be detected and mitigated close to their source. This approach is critical for protecting sensitive data and maintaining regulatory compliance.

Policy-Based Segmentation and Access Control

The category supports advanced segmentation techniques that allow organizations to isolate traffic based on user roles, device types, or application requirements. This segmentation enhances security by limiting lateral movement within the network and reducing the impact of potential breaches.

Policy-based access control ensures that network behavior aligns with organizational security policies, providing consistent enforcement across all connected devices.

Visibility and Threat Detection

Enhanced visibility features within this category allow network teams to monitor traffic patterns and detect anomalies that may indicate security threats. By providing deep insights into network behavior, these capabilities support proactive security management and faster incident response.

This level of visibility is particularly important in large campus environments where traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer sufficient.

Reliability, Resilience, and High Availability

The Cisco C9600-LC-24C Catalyst 9600 Series 24 Ports Switch category is engineered for high availability, ensuring continuous network operation even in the event of hardware or software failures. Redundant components and intelligent failover mechanisms are integral to this category, minimizing downtime and maintaining service continuity.

This focus on resilience makes the category suitable for environments where network availability is critical to business operations, such as healthcare, education, finance, and large enterprises.

Redundant Architecture Support

The category supports redundant power supplies, supervisors, and fabric modules within the Catalyst 9600 platform. This redundancy ensures that individual component failures do not disrupt overall network functionality.

High availability features are complemented by fast convergence and stateful switchover capabilities, allowing the network to recover quickly from unexpected events.

Operational Continuity

The modular design of this category simplifies maintenance activities, allowing components to be serviced or replaced without impacting network availability. This capability reduces planned downtime and supports continuous operation in demanding environments.

Use Cases Across Large Campus and Enterprise Environments

The Cisco C9600-LC-24C Catalyst 9600 Series 24 Ports Switch category is well suited for a wide range of enterprise use cases. In large campus environments, it provides the core switching capacity required to support thousands of users and devices. In distributed enterprise networks, it enables reliable interconnection between access and aggregation layers.

The category is also applicable to organizations adopting hybrid work models, where increased reliance on cloud services and remote collaboration tools places additional demands on the campus core.

Support for Digital Transformation Initiatives

As enterprises adopt digital technologies such as IoT, advanced analytics, and cloud-based applications, the network core must evolve to support these initiatives. This category provides the performance, scalability, and intelligence required to enable digital transformation without compromising stability.

The ability to support new technologies and workloads makes this category a strategic asset for organizations planning long-term growth.

Alignment with Modern IT and Business Objectives

The Cisco C9600-LC-24C Catalyst 9600 Series 24 Ports Switch category aligns network infrastructure with broader business objectives by enabling agility, security, and operational efficiency. By supporting automation, programmability, and advanced analytics, this category helps organizations respond quickly to market changes and user demands.

This alignment ensures that the network is not merely a support function but a strategic enabler of business success.

Software-Driven Feature Evolution

The category’s reliance on a unified software platform enables continuous feature enhancements through software updates. This approach ensures that organizations can access new capabilities and security improvements over time, extending the useful life of the hardware.

Software-driven evolution reduces the need for disruptive upgrades and supports a more sustainable approach to network modernization.