C1-C4500X-F-16SFP+ Cisco Catalyst 4500-X 16 Ports Managed Switch

Product Overview

The Cisco C1-C4500X-F-16SFP+ Catalyst 4500-X Series managed switch is a high-performance Layer 3 networking solution designed for modern enterprise environments. Built with reliability, scalability, and advanced routing capabilities in mind, this model delivers exceptional 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity for data centers, campus networks, and aggregation layers.

General Product Information

Manufacturer Details

• Brand: Cisco
• Manufacturer: Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Model Number: C1-C4500X-F-16SFP+
• Product Family: Catalyst
• Series: 4500-X
• Device Type: Managed Layer 3 Switch

Interfaces and Port Configuration

Port & Slot Architecture

This switch is engineered with a flexible and modular design, supporting high-speed fiber connectivity for demanding network infrastructures.

• 16 × 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ expansion ports
• 1 dedicated uplink module
• Modular chassis for future scalability
• No stacking port support

Expansion Capabilities

• Total Expansion Slots: 17
• Slot Types: SFP+ and uplink module
• Shared SFP Slots: Not supported

Network Performance and Speed

Supported Media & Technology

• Optimized for optical fiber connections
• Supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet technology
• Compatible with 10GBase-X networking standards

Advanced Networking

With full Layer 3 routing support, this Cisco switch ensures efficient traffic management, enhanced security, and superior network performance.

Management and Control

Manageability

• Fully manageable for enterprise-level administration
• Supports advanced network monitoring and configuration
• Ideal for centralized IT management environments

Power and Reliability

Power Features

• Powered by an internal power supply
• Redundant power supply support for high availability
• Designed for continuous operation in critical networks

Environmental Compliance

Eco-Friendly Design

• Environmentally responsible manufacturing
• RoHS-5 certified for reduced hazardous substances
• Energy-efficient design suitable for green IT initiatives

Cisco Catalyst 4500-X Series: The Core of Modern Enterprise

The Cisco Catalyst 4500-X Series represents a pivotal line of fixed aggregation switches designed to deliver superior performance, high availability, and operational simplicity at the network edge and in mid-sized core deployments. Engineered for the demanding needs of today's digital business, this series converges wired and wireless services onto a single, resilient platform. As a cornerstone of Cisco's core networking portfolio, the Catalyst 4500-X provides the robust switching, advanced security, and seamless scalability required to support bandwidth-intensive applications, unified communications, and secure mobility.

Deep Dive: The C1-C4500X-F-16SFP+ Model

The specific model Cisco C1-C4500X-F-16SFP+ is a foundational configuration within this renowned series. It is a standalone, fixed 1RU switch that comes pre-integrated with 16 fixed 1 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports. This model is architected for aggregation and core layer deployments where density, reliability, and future-readiness are non-negotiable. It operates with the proven Cisco IOS XE operating system, offering a consistent feature set and management experience across the broader Catalyst ecosystem. The "F" in the model number signifies the inclusion of front-to-back airflow, making it suitable for data center deployments with hot/cold aisle containment.

Key Architectural Advantages

The Catalyst 4500-X isn't just a switch; it's a platform built with several key architectural innovations that set it apart in the competitive landscape of enterprise networking.

Unified Wired and Wireless with StackWise Virtual

One of the most significant features is its native integration with Cisco's Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs). The switch can host an embedded wireless controller, allowing it to manage hundreds of access points directly. This eliminates the need for a separate physical WLC appliance, simplifying the network architecture, reducing costs, and centralizing management. Furthermore, the platform supports StackWise Virtual technology, which allows two physical Catalyst 4500-X switches to be logically combined into a single, highly available virtual switch. This provides hardware-level redundancy with stateful switchover (SSO) and in-service software upgrades (ISSU), maximizing network uptime.

High-Performance Switching Fabric

At its heart, the C4500X-F-16SFP+ boasts a non-blocking switching fabric with a substantial aggregate bandwidth. Each of the 16 SFP+ ports can operate at 1Gbps, but they are also capable of 10Gbps speeds with the appropriate SFP+ transceiver, protecting your investment. The switch offers extensive buffers to handle bursty traffic and prevent packet loss during congestion, which is critical for data center and performance-sensitive environments.

Hardware Specifications and Capabilities

Understanding the physical and performance specifications is crucial for proper integration into your network infrastructure.

Port Configuration and Expandability

The base unit provides 16 fixed SFP+ ports. However, its modularity is a key strength. The switch features two dedicated network module slots. These slots can be populated with a variety of modules to add 8-port 10G SFP+, 4-port 40G QSFP+, or even 2-port 100G QSFP28 connectivity. This allows the C4500X to evolve from a 1G/10G aggregation point to a 40G/100G core switch, seamlessly scaling with growing bandwidth demands without a forklift upgrade.

Resiliency and Power Options

Designed for always-on operation, the switch supports dual, hot-swappable, redundant power supplies (available as accessories). It also offers multiple fan tray options (front-to-back or back-to-front airflow) to match your data center's cooling design. The inclusion of redundant, hot-swappable components ensures that maintenance and component failures do not lead to network downtime.

Software and Feature Set: Cisco IOS XE

The hardware is empowered by the full-featured Cisco IOS XE operating system, delivering a comprehensive suite of Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionalities along with advanced services.

Advanced Layer 2/3 Routing and Switching

The switch supports a complete set of routing protocols including OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and IS-IS for complex network designs. For Layer 2, it offers full IEEE 802.1Q VLAN trunking, Rapid PVST+, MSTP for loop prevention, and advanced features like Flexible NetFlow for detailed traffic analysis.

Quality of Service (QoS) for Application Assurance

In a converged network carrying voice, video, and data, QoS is paramount. The Catalyst 4500-X provides rich, hardware-accelerated QoS capabilities. It can classify, police, mark, and queue traffic based on deep packet inspection, ensuring critical applications like VoIP or video conferencing receive the priority and bandwidth they require, even during network congestion.

Network Security and Visibility

Security is integrated at every layer, from the control plane to the data plane.

Comprehensive Security Feature Suite

The platform offers robust security features including Access Control Lists (ACLs), port security, DHCP snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), and IP Source Guard to protect against common layer 2 attacks. It integrates with Cisco TrustSec for software-defined segmentation using Security Group Tags (SGTs), enabling policy enforcement based on user and device identity rather than just IP address.

Primary Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The versatility of the Cisco C4500X-F-16SFP+ makes it an ideal fit for several critical roles within an enterprise network topology.

Enterprise Campus Core and Distribution

In medium to large campus environments, the Catalyst 4500-X excels as a distribution or core layer switch. Its high routing performance, VLAN routing capacity, and redundancy features make it perfect for aggregating traffic from multiple access layer switches (like the Catalyst 3850 or 9300) and providing a resilient gateway to the data center and WAN.

Data Center Top-of-Rack (ToR) Aggregation

With its front-to-back airflow option and high-density 10G/40G capabilities via expansion modules, this switch is a compelling choice for data center ToR or end-of-row aggregation. It can efficiently consolidate traffic from racks of servers before uplinking to the data center core, providing essential services like VLAN routing and security policies close to the server farm.

Converged Wired-Wireless Aggregation

Perhaps its most distinctive use case is as a converged access aggregation point. By deploying the switch with an embedded wireless controller, organizations can aggregate traffic from both wired access switches and a large fleet of wireless access points. This simplifies the network, reduces latency for wireless clients, and provides a single point of policy enforcement for all users, regardless of how they connect.

Comparison and Considerations

When selecting a switch, it's important to understand where the Catalyst 4500-X fits within Cisco's portfolio and against competitor offerings.

Within the Cisco Catalyst Family

The Catalyst 4500-X sits between the access-focused Catalyst 9300/3850 series and the high-density, modular Catalyst 9500/6500 series. It offers more aggregation-focused features and higher port density than the access switches, but in a more compact and cost-effective form factor than the largest core switches. For networks that have outgrown simple access switching but do not require the immense scale of a chassis-based system, the 4500-X is the ideal "sweet spot."

Key Decision Factors

Choosing the C1-C4500X-F-16SFP+ involves evaluating several factors: current and future bandwidth needs (leveraging its modular uplinks), the requirement for embedded wireless control, the necessity of StackWise Virtual for high availability, and the existing network management ecosystem (DNA Center vs. Prime). Its support for mature, stable IOS XE software also makes it a preferred choice for organizations seeking proven reliability.