C9404R-A Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches

Cisco C9404R-A Catalyst 9400 Series 4-Slot Chassis 

The Cisco C9404R-A Catalyst 9400 modular switch chassis delivers a resilient, scalable, and enterprise-grade foundation designed for next-generation campus architectures. Offering advanced slot density, redundant supervisory capabilities, and extensive power support, this enclosure enables high-performance network operations suitable for medium to large organizations. The structure supports powerful supervisor engines, diverse line cards, and efficient cooling mechanisms to maintain exceptional throughput and ongoing service continuity.

General Information

• Manufacturer: Cisco 
• Item Code / SKU: C9404R-A
• Product Category: Enterprise modular switching hardware
• Chassis Format: 19-inch rack-ready enclosure

Technical Information 

• Total Available Slots: 4
• Line-Card Positions: 2
• Supervisor Engine Slots: 2
• Assigned Supervisor Bays: Slots 2 and 3
• Redundancy Capabilities: Full supervisor engine failover support
• Compatible Supervisor Models:
  • C9400-SUP-1
  • C9400-SUP-1XL
  • C9400-SUP-1XL-Y

Performance Characteristics and Operational Throughput

• Per Line-Card Slot Bandwidth: Up to 480 Gbps
• High-density, high-speed data switching capabilities
• Optimal throughput for enterprise campus cores and distribution hubs

Power Delivery and Energy Capabilities

• Maximum PoE Allocation per Slot: Up to 2880W
• Power Supply Compartments: 4 dedicated bays
• Supported Power Modules:
  • 3200W AC
  • 2100W AC
• Integrated Power over Ethernet: Supported
• AC Input Compatibility: Fully supported
• Fan-Tray Slots: Single tray bay with high-efficiency cooling
• Rack Mount Integration: Includes rack and cable guide accessories

Safety and Reliability Conformance

• UL 60950-1
• CAN/CSA-C222.2 No. 60950-1
• EN 60950-1
• IEC 60950-1
• AS/NZS 60950.1

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Adherence

• 47 CFR Part 15
• CISPR 22 Class A
• KN 32 Class A
• EN 300 386
• EN 55022 Class A
• EN 55032 Class A

Energy Efficiency Standards

• IEEE 802.3 compliant for optimal electrical performance

Temperature Range and Humidity Tolerance

• Operating Temperature Threshold: -5°C to 55°C
• Relative Humidity Range: 10% to 93% non-condensing
• Altitude Endurance: Up to 1829 m (6000 ft) at 55°C

NEBS and Telecommunications Compatibility

• NEBS Level 3 (SR-3580, GR-63-CORE, GR-1089-CORE)

ETSI Environmental and Transport Ratings

• ETSI 300-019 Class 1.2 for Storage
• ETSI 300-019 Class 2.3 for Transportation
• ETSI 300-019 Class 3.2 for Stationary Use

Additional Ecological Standards

• EN 50121-4
• EN 300 386
• RoHS Compliance: ROHS5

Cisco C9404R-A Catalyst 9400 Series Switches 4-Slot Chassis 

The Cisco C9404R-A Catalyst 9400 Series Switches 4-slot chassis represents a modular enterprise switching foundation engineered for scalable architectures, extensive redundancy, and high-capacity distribution deployments. This four-slot configuration is designed for core and aggregation environments that demand adaptable throughput, resilient service continuity, and centralized management across converged networks. It supports advanced supervisor engines, high-density line cards, and next-generation forwarding performance optimized for digital transformation strategies across midsize and large organizations. Its architecture promotes simplified operations by integrating modern automation tools, enhanced telemetry capabilities, and secure segmentation frameworks.

Chassis Construction and Structural Design Attributes

The structural design of the C9404R-A emphasizes operational longevity and uninterrupted service availability. The chassis incorporates a centralized backplane that maintains unified communication pathways and packet forwarding stability under varying traffic conditions. Airflow channels and optimized cooling are embedded into the design to sustain hardware health even in thermally demanding environments. Supported power shelf configurations enable flexible placement and adaptive load distribution, creating an infrastructure capable of delivering consistent performance across employee workspaces, data services, and real-time applications.

Backplane Connectivity and Architectural Efficiency

The integrated backplane interconnects supervisor modules and line cards with minimal latency while enabling deterministic throughput at scale. The architecture supports evolving bandwidth requirements by permitting upgrades to new generations of supervisor engines without reengineering the deployment. This enhances future-proofing and protects technology investment. Built-in redundancy between fabric channels contributes to reliable failover pathways, maintaining forwarding continuity during component replacements, firmware updates, or scheduled maintenance cycles.

Cooling Methodology and Environmental Optimization

The C9404R-A chassis offers a variable cooling system dependent on airflow direction, enabling compatibility with different data center arrangements. Fans operate intelligently to maintain optimal internal temperatures, adjusting rotation speed based on thermal monitoring data. This improves hardware longevity and assists in sustaining stable packet delivery under IPv4, IPv6, multicast, and encrypted traffic.

Supervisor Engine Compatibility and Forwarding Capabilities

As part of the Cisco Catalyst 9400 modular family, the C9404R-A supports multiple supervisor platforms that expand its capabilities with every hardware iteration. Advanced supervisor engines introduce enhanced forwarding throughput, faster control-plane convergence, granular QoS enforcement, encrypted traffic visibility, and Segment Routing flexibility. These engines deliver superior route processing power and integrate programmable pipeline architectures that support modern enterprise security requirements.

Control-Plane and Data-Plane Integration

The system architecture binds control-plane intelligence with hardware-accelerated data-plane forwarding to achieve low-latency switching performance. The supervisor engines incorporate Cisco IOS XE software with modular packaging, allowing individual subsystems to be updated or restarted without affecting others. This improves uptime and ensures that network operations continue even during configuration changes. The architecture supports full lifecycle automation, model-driven telemetry, and real-time configuration synchronization across distributed nodes.

Intelligent Routing Support and Protocol Efficiency

The routing framework within the C9404R-A chassis supports advanced features essential for enterprise distribution. Protocols such as OSPF, BGP, IS-IS, and EIGRP operate efficiently with hardware acceleration, ensuring smooth handling of dynamic route updates. Segment Routing and MPLS capabilities allow the chassis to be positioned in complex campus designs where path engineering and traffic optimization are prioritized. Enhanced policy-based routing increases traffic steering flexibility for application-aware networking models.

Resilient Supervisor Redundancy

Redundancy is central to the Catalyst 9400 design philosophy. Dual supervisor engine deployments operate in stateful switchover mode, where both engines synchronize forwarding tables, protocol states, and configuration details. Should a failure occur, the secondary supervisor assumes active control nearly instantly, minimizing disruptions across connected endpoints. This makes the chassis suitable for organizations where uptime and service continuity are critical to business operations.

High-Density Interface Modules

Interface modules available for the Catalyst 9400 Series support speeds ranging from standard Gigabit Ethernet to advanced 40G and 100G uplinks. Multi-gigabit ports extend support for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 access points, ensuring adequate bandwidth availability for evolving wireless technologies. Fiber modules with long-reach optics support inter-building connectivity across large campuses, enabling centralized data aggregation within a compact footprint.

Forwarding Capacity and Throughput Optimization

Hardware forwarding engines embedded into the supported line cards enable deterministic performance during peak utilization. Each module benefits from high-performance ASICs that manage MAC learning, route lookups, and packet queuing with strong efficiency. Advanced QoS and traffic shaping mechanisms protect latency-sensitive applications such as collaboration suites, voice communication tools, and real-time analytics. The overall system throughput is designed to scale with new module generations, enabling long-term network modernization.

Power System Design and Redundancy Features

Power architecture is a significant component of the C9404R-A chassis. It supports redundant power supplies that operate in load-sharing configuration, enhancing reliability under variable power conditions. Hot-swappable power modules allow maintenance without interrupting service. Integrated power monitoring systems display consumption metrics that assist administrators in planning data center capacity and reducing operational expenses.

Energy Efficiency Considerations

Energy management capabilities prioritize sustainability without compromising performance. Embedded controls allow dynamic adjustment of power allocation based on real-time traffic demands. Interface modules enter low-power mode when inactive, and environmental sensors ensure optimal distribution of power to essential hardware components. These innovations help enterprises maintain energy-conscious network campuses that still achieve high forwarding efficiency.

UPS Integration and Power Continuity

The chassis seamlessly integrates with external UPS solutions to prevent downtime during electrical disturbances. Combined with redundant supervisors, resilient line cards, and fault-tolerant design principles, this ensures a holistic approach to high network availability.

Security Framework and Access Control

The Cisco C9404R-A chassis incorporates a comprehensive security model designed to enforce identity-based access, encrypted traffic processing, and micro-segmentation across campus networks. Integrated hardware security modules and Cisco TrustSec support encrypted policy exchanges and secure access for employees and IoT devices. The platform’s security engine works with network access control systems to prevent unauthorized interactions and limit lateral movement.

Encrypted Traffic Analytics and Threat Detection

Encrypted Traffic Analytics enables the chassis to detect anomalous behaviors within encrypted flows without decryption. Telemetry streams deliver granular visibility into traffic patterns, while policy engines evaluate flow attributes for potential risks. When paired with Cisco DNA Center, threat detection becomes more dynamic, utilizing machine learning to identify attacks in their early stages.

Segmentation and Policy Enforcement

Virtual networks and scalable group tags embedded into the Catalyst 9400 architecture allow administrators to implement secure segmentation at scale. Policies follow endpoints across wired and wireless environments, simplifying compliance while protecting sensitive data.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Case Flexibility

The C9404R-A chassis supports diverse deployment roles within enterprise networks. As a distribution node, it connects access-layer switches and enforces consistent security policies. As a core switch, it aggregates high-speed uplinks and ensures that mission-critical applications receive proper prioritization. Its modular design enables integration into educational campuses, healthcare environments, financial institutions, and large corporate headquarters where secure, high-capacity connectivity is essential.

Campus Distribution Deployments

In campus distribution environments, the chassis aggregates wired and wireless traffic, applying QoS, segmentation, and authentication policies before forwarding data toward core systems. This creates a consistent user experience across facilities and improves application response times.

Core Network Integration

When serving as a core switch, the C9404R-A provides the necessary throughput for inter-VLAN routing, inter-building connectivity, and centralized data services. High-speed uplinks and dense fiber connectivity ensure reliable backhaul traffic delivery.

Operational Reliability and Service Continuity

Reliability remains one of the strongest attributes of the Catalyst 9400 Series. The C9404R-A chassis includes extensive fault monitoring, health diagnostics, and proactive alerts that notify administrators before service degradation occurs. Combined with redundant supervisors, resilient fabric modules, and hot-swappable components, the chassis promotes continuous operation across mission-critical environments.

Hardware Hot-Swap and Field Replaceability

Hot-swappable modules such as power supplies, fans, and line cards enable rapid replacement without interrupting network services. This capability is essential in high-availability scenarios where downtime is unacceptable, supporting maintenance flexibility and minimizing operational disruptions.