SX550X-12F-K9 Cisco 550X 12 Ports Managed Switch Layer3 10 Gigabit

Cisco SX550X-12F-K9 12-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet Switch

The Cisco SX550X-12F-K9 is a high-performance Layer 3 switch designed for enterprise networks that demand speed, flexibility, and advanced management. With 12 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports, this switch ensures seamless connectivity, robust security, and scalable network performance.

Key Specifications

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: SX550X-12F-K9
• Device Type: Managed Switch
• Port Count: 12
• Uplink Capability: Yes
• Stackable: Supports modular stacking

Network Interfaces and Expansion

• 2 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet TP/SFP Combo ports
• 10 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet expansion slots
• Flexible port expansion for growing network needs

Performance Metrics

• Forwarding Rate: 178.56 Mpps (64-byte packets)
• Switching Capacity: 240 Gbps

Advanced Management and Capacity

• Supports up to 4094 VLANs for network segmentation
• Static IPv4 Routes: 7168
• Static IPv6 Routes: 1792
• Access Control List (ACL) Rules: 2000
• MAC Address Table: 32,000 entries
• 8 Hardware QoS queues for traffic prioritization

Remote Management & Monitoring

• Supports SNMP versions 1, 2c, and 3
• RMON, Telnet, HTTP, HTTPS protocols
• Secure management with SSH, SCP, and CLI access
• TFTP support for configuration backups

Security and Protection Features

• SSL-based encryption for secure data transmission
• Authentication via RADIUS, TACACS, and TACACS+
• DoS attack prevention to safeguard network integrity
• Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) and IP/MAC/Port Binding (IPMB)

Enhanced Network Functions

• Flow Control for smooth traffic management
• DHCP support for automatic IP assignment
• IGMP Snooping for efficient multicast handling
• Port Mirroring for traffic analysis
• High availability and multicast storm control
• Firmware upgradeable for future enhancements
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) support for loop prevention
• Syslog support for detailed network logging

Processor and Memory

• CPU: X ARM, 1.3 GHz
• RAM: 512 MB
• Flash Storage: 256 MB

Interface and Connectivity Options

• 10 x 10GBASE-T SFP+ ports
• 2 x 10GBASE-T RJ-45 ports
• 2 x 10GBASE-X SFP+ ports
• 1 x Console RJ-45 port
• 1 x USB Type-A port
• 1 x Gigabit LAN management port

Power Requirements

• Internal power supply for reliable operation
• Voltage: AC 120/230 V, 50/60 Hz

Cisco SX550X-12F-K9 12 Ports Ethernet SFP+ L3 Switch

The Cisco SX550X-12F-K9 represents a high-performance Layer3 switch designed for enterprises and data centers requiring fast, reliable, and scalable network solutions. With 12 dedicated 10 Gigabit SFP+ ports, this switch enables organizations to seamlessly manage high-throughput network traffic, reduce latency, and support mission-critical applications. The SX550X-12F-K9 is part of the Cisco Small Business 550X Series, renowned for delivering advanced features typically found in enterprise-grade equipment while maintaining ease of deployment and management.

Advanced Layer3 Networking Capabilities

Layer3 switches such as the Cisco SX550X-12F-K9 provide integrated routing functions, allowing inter-VLAN routing, static routing, and dynamic routing protocols. This switch supports OSPF, RIP, and advanced static routing configurations, offering network administrators flexible options to design resilient and optimized network topologies. By combining Layer2 switching efficiency with Layer3 routing intelligence, the SX550X-12F-K9 reduces the need for separate routers, lowering both capital and operational expenses while enhancing overall network performance.

High-Speed Connectivity with 10 Gigabit SFP+

The 12 SFP+ ports on the Cisco SX550X-12F-K9 provide high-speed 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, enabling fast uplinks to core switches, servers, and storage systems. SFP+ ports support various optical transceivers and direct attach cables, offering flexibility to match existing fiber infrastructure or copper solutions. This makes it ideal for data centers and aggregation layers where high-speed uplinks are critical. By leveraging SFP+ technology, the SX550X-12F-K9 ensures low latency, high throughput, and consistent performance even under heavy network loads.

Support for Multi-Gigabit and PoE Expansion

Although the primary focus of the SX550X-12F-K9 is high-speed 10 Gigabit SFP+ connectivity, the Cisco 550X Series switches offer expandable configurations that support multi-gigabit access in certain models. This allows network administrators to integrate devices requiring higher-than-Gigabit connections without the need for additional switches. Furthermore, while the SX550X-12F-K9 itself is optimized for high-speed fiber uplinks, the broader 550X family provides models with PoE and PoE+ support, facilitating power delivery to IP phones, cameras, and wireless access points.

Scalability and Redundancy Features

One of the standout characteristics of the Cisco SX550X-12F-K9 switch is its scalability. Designed to grow with organizational needs, the switch supports stacking with compatible Cisco 550X Series devices, allowing multiple switches to operate as a single logical unit. This stacking capability simplifies management and enhances redundancy, as the failure of a single switch does not disrupt network operations. Additionally, the SX550X-12F-K9 supports link aggregation using LACP, enabling multiple ports to combine bandwidth and provide failover protection.

Robust Security and Access Control

Security is a critical concern in modern networks, and the Cisco SX550X-12F-K9 delivers enterprise-grade protections. It includes support for Access Control Lists (ACLs), IEEE 802.1X port-based authentication, and advanced DHCP snooping features. These security mechanisms ensure that unauthorized devices cannot access the network, while legitimate traffic remains uninterrupted. The switch also provides secure management interfaces using HTTPS, SSH, and SNMPv3 protocols, safeguarding configuration changes and monitoring data from potential threats.

Quality of Service and Traffic Management

The Cisco SX550X-12F-K9 is equipped with sophisticated Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities, enabling administrators to prioritize latency-sensitive traffic such as voice and video. The switch supports multiple traffic classes, differentiated services code points (DSCP), and weighted round-robin (WRR) scheduling to ensure efficient bandwidth allocation. This functionality is crucial in enterprise networks where applications like VoIP, video conferencing, and data replication require consistent performance without packet loss or delay.

VLAN Segmentation and Network Optimization

With full support for VLANs, the SX550X-12F-K9 allows segmentation of network traffic for improved performance and security. Administrators can configure multiple VLANs for different departments, applications, or services, ensuring that broadcast traffic is contained and sensitive data remains isolated. The switch also supports advanced VLAN features such as Private VLANs, VLAN tagging, and VLAN trunking, facilitating complex network topologies commonly found in modern enterprises and service provider environments.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Considerations

Cisco has incorporated energy-efficient technologies into the SX550X-12F-K9 switch. Features such as Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) reduce power consumption during periods of low network activity without compromising performance. The switch is designed with fanless or low-noise cooling options, depending on deployment scenarios, making it suitable for office environments or data centers where noise and heat management are concerns. Energy-efficient design not only lowers operational costs but also supports organizational sustainability initiatives.

Compatibility with Modern Network Architectures

The SX550X-12F-K9 is designed to support modern network architectures including converged networks, hyperconverged data centers, and cloud-ready infrastructures. With high-density 10 Gigabit uplinks and Layer3 routing capabilities, the switch can serve as an aggregation layer device, connecting multiple access switches to the core network. Its compatibility with Cisco Digital Network Architecture (DNA) enables policy-based automation and analytics, facilitating smoother integration with SDN solutions and enhancing network visibility and control.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The Cisco SX550X-12F-K9 is ideal for enterprise branches, data centers, and campus networks where high-speed uplinks, low latency, and Layer3 routing are required. In data centers, it can aggregate traffic from multiple access switches, provide redundancy, and maintain high throughput for server connectivity. In branch offices, the switch supports inter-VLAN routing and PoE expansion from other models in the series, reducing the need for additional networking devices. Educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and financial organizations also benefit from its secure, scalable, and manageable design, ensuring consistent performance across critical applications.

Integration with Fiber and Copper Infrastructure

One of the strengths of the SX550X-12F-K9 is its adaptability to both fiber and copper network infrastructures. The SFP+ ports allow for direct connection to fiber links, enabling long-distance uplinks or connections to other network segments. Additionally, compatibility with DAC cables and media converters ensures smooth integration with existing copper-based networks, providing flexibility in deployment and reducing the need for full infrastructure overhauls. This makes the SX550X-12F-K9 a cost-effective solution for organizations with mixed network environments.

Redundant Power and High Availability

For mission-critical deployments, high availability is essential. While the SX550X-12F-K9 includes internal power redundancy features and supports dual power supply configurations in some models, it is designed to maintain continuous operation with minimal downtime. Redundant uplinks, link aggregation, and rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP) provide additional layers of network reliability, ensuring that traffic continues to flow even during hardware failures or network interruptions. These high-availability features are crucial for enterprise applications that demand continuous uptime.

Technical Specifications and Performance Metrics

The Cisco SX550X-12F-K9 delivers line-rate forwarding on all 12 10 Gigabit SFP+ ports with non-blocking architecture. It supports up to 128K MAC addresses and 16K VLANs, providing the scalability needed for large enterprise networks. The switch forwarding capacity exceeds 240 Gbps, while the switching fabric ensures minimal latency for high-performance applications. Advanced routing features such as OSPF, RIP, and static routing protocols, along with ACL-based security, traffic shaping, and QoS policies, position the SX550X-12F-K9 as a versatile solution for both access and aggregation layers in modern networks.