C9500-24Y4C-A Cisco 24 Ports Layer 3 Switch 25 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+

Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Layer 3 Switching Platform

The Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series represents a next-generation enterprise-grade switching solution designed for core and aggregation deployments. Built to support high-density fiber connectivity, the Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A model delivers advanced Layer 3 capabilities with exceptional throughput, resiliency, and scalability. This switch is purpose-built for modern campus networks, service provider environments, and data-driven enterprise infrastructures requiring consistent performance and operational efficiency.

Product Identification and Classification

• Brand: Cisco 
• Product Line: Catalyst
• Series: Catalyst 9500
• Model Number: C9500-24Y4C-A
• Device Category: Managed Layer 3 Switch

Total Ports and Expansion Slots

• Total Network Ports: 24 high-speed interfaces
• Total Expansion Slots: 28
• Expansion Slot Type: SFP28
• Dedicated uplink ports: Available

Core and Aggregation Network Optimization

• Supports enterprise routing protocols
• Optimized for core and distribution layers
• High forwarding capacity for east-west traffic
• Low-latency packet processing

Supported Ethernet and Network Standards

• Ethernet Technologies:
  • 25 Gigabit Ethernet
  • 100 Gigabit Ethernet
• Network Standards:
  • 25GBASE-X
  • 100GBASE-X

Modular Hardware Architecture

• Modular design for flexible deployment
• Supports future upgrades and expansion
• Designed for long-term infrastructure investment

Ideal Use Cases and Applications

• Enterprise campus core switching
• Aggregation layer deployments
• High-speed fiber backbones
• Data-intensive business environments

Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Fixed Core Switching Platform 

The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A belongs to the Catalyst 9500 Series, a family of enterprise-grade fixed core switches engineered for high-performance campus and aggregation layer deployments. This category represents a new generation of Layer 3 switching designed to address increasing bandwidth demands, advanced security requirements, and the need for operational simplicity across modern digital networks. Built on purpose-driven hardware and tightly integrated with Cisco IOS XE software, the Catalyst 9500 Series delivers scalability, resiliency, and programmability for mission-critical environments.

The C9500-24Y4C-A model is positioned for organizations that require dense 25 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity along with uplink flexibility using 100 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. This category is widely adopted in enterprise core, aggregation, and high-performance distribution layers where low latency, high throughput, and deterministic performance are essential. Its fixed-form factor provides predictable performance while reducing complexity compared to modular chassis-based systems.

High-Density 25 Gigabit Ethernet Switching Architecture

This category of switches is defined by its 24 ports of 25 Gigabit Ethernet SFP28 connectivity, enabling organizations to scale bandwidth efficiently without redesigning their physical infrastructure. The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A supports high-speed server connections, wireless aggregation, and data-intensive workloads that require consistent throughput and minimal packet loss. The additional four 100 Gigabit Ethernet ports provide uplink and backbone connectivity, allowing seamless integration into high-capacity core networks.

The underlying switching architecture is optimized for wire-speed performance across all ports. Advanced ASIC design ensures predictable latency and sustained throughput even under heavy traffic conditions. This makes the category suitable for environments such as large campuses, data center edge deployments, and service aggregation layers where traffic patterns are dynamic and highly variable.

Optimized Throughput and Low-Latency Forwarding

The Catalyst 9500 Series fixed switches are designed to handle massive traffic volumes with minimal delay. The C9500-24Y4C-A supports non-blocking switching and high forwarding rates, ensuring that packets are processed efficiently regardless of network load. This characteristic is especially important for real-time applications, unified communications, and latency-sensitive services that demand consistent network performance.

By combining hardware-based forwarding with intelligent software features, this category delivers deterministic behavior across Layer 2 and Layer 3 operations. The switch maintains performance integrity while supporting complex routing tables, policy enforcement, and telemetry collection.

Advanced Layer 3 Routing Capabilities

The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A category emphasizes comprehensive Layer 3 functionality to meet the needs of enterprise core and aggregation layers. It supports a wide range of dynamic routing protocols, enabling seamless integration into complex network topologies. This allows organizations to design scalable, resilient networks that can adapt to changing traffic patterns and business requirements.

Layer 3 switching in this category is enhanced by support for equal-cost multipath routing, fast convergence, and route optimization. These features ensure high availability and efficient traffic distribution across redundant paths, reducing downtime and improving overall network reliability.

Scalable Routing Tables and Policy Control

The platform supports large routing and forwarding tables, allowing it to manage extensive IP addressing schemes and segmentation strategies. This is particularly beneficial for enterprises adopting virtualization, software-defined access, and multi-tenant architectures. Policy-based routing and access control mechanisms enable granular traffic management, ensuring that critical applications receive priority while maintaining security boundaries.

Integration with Software-Defined Networking Models

This category aligns with modern software-defined networking approaches by supporting programmability and automation. The Cisco IOS XE operating system provides APIs and model-driven programmability that simplify network management and reduce operational overhead. Network administrators can automate configuration tasks, monitor real-time performance metrics, and implement consistent policies across the infrastructure.

Enterprise-Grade Security Features

Security is a core element of the Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A category. These switches are designed to protect the network at the hardware and software levels, providing defense against internal and external threats. Integrated security features help organizations enforce access control, segment traffic, and detect anomalies without compromising performance.

The category supports advanced encryption, secure boot, and trust anchor technologies that ensure the integrity of the device from startup through operation. This creates a trusted foundation for enterprise networks that handle sensitive data and mission-critical applications.

Network Segmentation and Access Enforcement

Segmentation capabilities enable organizations to isolate traffic flows based on user roles, device types, or application requirements. This reduces the attack surface and limits lateral movement within the network. The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A category supports scalable segmentation models that integrate with identity services and policy engines for centralized control.

Threat Detection and Traffic Visibility

Built-in telemetry and monitoring features provide deep visibility into network traffic patterns. This enables faster detection of abnormal behavior and potential security incidents. By leveraging real-time analytics, network teams can proactively address threats and maintain compliance with organizational security policies.

High Availability and Resiliency Design

The Catalyst 9500 Series category is engineered for continuous operation in enterprise environments where downtime is unacceptable. The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A incorporates redundant components and advanced software mechanisms to ensure high availability. This design minimizes service disruption during maintenance activities or unexpected failures.

Features such as stateful switchover, fast failover, and resilient power design contribute to consistent uptime. The fixed platform delivers chassis-like reliability in a compact form factor, making it suitable for critical network roles.

Redundant Power and Cooling Architecture

To support nonstop operations, this category includes support for redundant power supplies and efficient cooling systems. These components work together to maintain optimal operating conditions while reducing the risk of hardware-related outages. Intelligent thermal management ensures that the switch operates reliably even under heavy workloads.

Fast Convergence and Network Stability

Rapid convergence protocols enable the network to recover quickly from link or node failures. This ensures minimal impact on applications and users. The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A category supports advanced convergence mechanisms that maintain routing consistency and prevent traffic loss during transitions.

Support for High-Performance Campus and Aggregation Networks

This category is particularly well suited for enterprise campus core and aggregation layers where large numbers of access switches, wireless controllers, and servers converge. The combination of 25 Gigabit Ethernet access ports and 100 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks provides ample bandwidth to support growing user populations and increasing application demands.

The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A is commonly deployed in environments that require deterministic performance, such as higher education campuses, healthcare facilities, financial institutions, and large corporate headquarters. Its ability to scale and adapt makes it a versatile choice for diverse network architectures.

Wireless and IoT Traffic Aggregation

With the proliferation of high-speed wireless standards and connected devices, aggregation switches must handle significant east-west and north-south traffic. This category provides the capacity and intelligence needed to aggregate wireless access points and IoT gateways while maintaining performance and security.

Support for Future Network Expansion

The fixed core design allows organizations to plan for future growth without extensive hardware changes. By adopting 25 Gigabit Ethernet at the aggregation layer, enterprises can future-proof their networks and accommodate higher-speed access technologies as they emerge.

Cisco IOS XE Software and Operational Efficiency

The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A category runs on Cisco IOS XE, a modular and resilient operating system that enhances operational efficiency. IOS XE combines the stability of traditional networking software with modern programmability and analytics capabilities. This enables organizations to streamline network operations and reduce complexity.

Features such as in-service software upgrades and process-level redundancy ensure that updates and maintenance can be performed with minimal impact on network availability. This is especially valuable for enterprises that require continuous uptime.

Automation and Programmability

IOS XE supports automation frameworks that allow network teams to deploy configurations consistently across devices. Model-driven telemetry and open APIs enable integration with orchestration platforms and third-party management tools. This category supports modern DevOps workflows, bridging the gap between networking and IT automation.

Enhanced Monitoring and Analytics

Real-time monitoring capabilities provide actionable insights into network health and performance. By leveraging streaming telemetry, administrators can collect granular data and analyze trends over time. This proactive approach helps identify potential issues before they affect users.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Network Design

The Catalyst 9500 Series category is designed with energy efficiency in mind. The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A optimizes power consumption without sacrificing performance, helping organizations reduce operational costs and environmental impact. Intelligent power management features adjust consumption based on workload and port utilization.

Efficient cooling and airflow design further contribute to sustainable operation. These characteristics make the category suitable for data centers and enterprise environments focused on energy optimization.

Optimized Hardware Utilization

By leveraging advanced silicon and efficient architecture, the switch delivers high performance per watt. This allows enterprises to scale their networks while maintaining responsible energy usage. The category supports long-term sustainability initiatives without compromising network capabilities.

Interoperability and Ecosystem Compatibility

The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A category is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing Cisco and third-party network components. Standards-based protocols ensure compatibility across diverse environments, allowing organizations to build flexible and interoperable infrastructures.

This category supports integration with Cisco DNA Center and other management platforms, enabling centralized visibility and control. Such integration simplifies network lifecycle management from deployment through optimization.

Enterprise and Service-Oriented Deployments

Whether deployed in a traditional enterprise campus or a hybrid environment, the Catalyst 9500 Series provides the adaptability required for evolving network strategies. The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A supports both on-premises and cloud-connected architectures, making it a strategic choice for long-term network planning.