SX550X-12F-K9-NA Cisco 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ Layer3 Switch (12 Ports)

Cisco SX550X-12F-K9-NA 12-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet L3 Switch

The Cisco SX550X-12F-K9-NA is a high-performance Layer 3 switch designed for enterprise networks and data centers. With 12 high-speed ports and advanced management features, it ensures efficient network traffic handling and robust connectivity.

Key Product Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model/SKU: SX550X-12F-K9-NA
• Device Type: Managed Switch
• Port Count: 12 Ports
• Switch Type: 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Layer 3

Technical Specifications

• Total Network Ports: 12 high-speed ports
• Uplink Capability: Yes, supports high-throughput uplinks
• Modular & Stackable: Designed for flexible network expansion and stacking
• Port Expansion:
  • 2 x 10G Ethernet TP/SFP Combo
  • 10 x 10G Ethernet Expansion Slots

Performance Metrics

• Forwarding Rate: 178.56 Mpps for 64-byte packets
• Switching Capacity: 240 Gbps for seamless data transfer

Network Management & Capacity

• Supported VLANs: Up to 4094
• Static Routes: IPv4: 7168, IPv6: 1792
• Access Control List (ACL) Rules: 2000
• QoS Hardware Queues: 8
• MAC Address Table: 32,000 entries

Remote Management Protocols

• SNMP Versions 1, 2c, 3
• RMON Monitoring, Telnet, HTTP, HTTPS
• TFTP, SSH, SSH-2, CLI, SCP

Advanced Security Features

• Encryption: SSL for secure data transmission
• Authentication: RADIUS, TACACS, TACACS+
• Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI)
• IP/MAC/Port Binding (IPMB)
• DoS Attack Prevention and Port Mirroring

Enhanced Functionality

• Flow Control for efficient data handling
• DHCP Support for dynamic IP management
• IGMP Snooping for optimized multicast traffic
• Syslog Integration for real-time monitoring
• High Availability & Multicast Storm Control
• Firmware Upgradeable with Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Support

Processor and Memory

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

Interface Options

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

Power Requirements

• Power Source: Internal AC Power Supply
• Voltage: AC 120/230V, 50/60 Hz

Cisco SX550X-12F-K9-NA 12 Ports SFP+ Layer3 Switch Overview

The Cisco SX550X-12F-K9-NA represents a pinnacle of performance in the realm of enterprise networking, offering 12 high-speed 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports combined with robust Layer3 functionality. This switch is designed for medium to large-scale businesses that demand ultra-reliable connectivity, extensive throughput, and advanced network management capabilities. Ideal for data center aggregation, server virtualization environments, and high-performance campus networks, the SX550X series provides both scalability and flexibility to adapt to evolving networking needs.

High-Performance Networking with 10 Gigabit SFP+ Ports

At the core of the Cisco SX550X-12F-K9-NA is its 12-port 10 Gigabit SFP+ architecture, engineered for low-latency, high-throughput performance. These ports support fiber connectivity, making them ideal for interconnecting switches, servers, and storage devices over longer distances without compromising on speed or reliability. The SFP+ modules offer hot-swappable capability, ensuring uninterrupted operations during maintenance or upgrades, while the 10 Gigabit capacity guarantees future-proofing against growing bandwidth demands. This high-speed connectivity empowers IT teams to deploy high-density applications, streamline data center communications, and maintain seamless network performance across all segments.

Layer3 Capabilities for Advanced Routing

The Layer3 functionality of the SX550X-12F-K9-NA sets it apart from standard Layer2 switches, offering comprehensive routing features that support dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF, RIP, and static routes. By integrating Layer3 routing directly into the switch, businesses can efficiently segment network traffic, reduce congestion, and optimize packet delivery between VLANs. This capability is especially critical for enterprise networks that require robust inter-VLAN routing, efficient traffic management, and improved overall network resilience. Cisco's intelligent routing ensures minimal latency, secure data paths, and consistent network performance for mission-critical applications.

Scalability and Future-Proof Design

Designed with growth in mind, the Cisco SX550X-12F-K9-NA offers scalable networking solutions to meet evolving enterprise requirements. With support for additional SFP+ modules and stacking capabilities, this switch allows IT administrators to expand network infrastructure seamlessly as the organization grows. The modular nature of the SFP+ ports ensures compatibility with various transceivers, supporting both short-range and long-range fiber connections. Enterprises benefit from an investment that remains viable for years, eliminating the need for frequent hardware upgrades while maintaining high-speed connectivity and network reliability.

Security Features and Network Protection

Security is a paramount consideration in modern networking environments, and the SX550X-12F-K9-NA delivers a comprehensive suite of security features to safeguard sensitive data. Advanced access control lists (ACLs) allow administrators to define granular traffic policies, controlling which devices and users can communicate across the network. Integrated support for 802.1X authentication ensures that only authorized devices gain access, reducing the risk of unauthorized intrusions. Additionally, the switch includes robust Denial-of-Service (DoS) prevention mechanisms, traffic segmentation, and MAC address filtering, creating a secure and resilient networking environment suitable for enterprise and campus deployments.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Considerations

The Cisco SX550X-12F-K9-NA incorporates energy-efficient design principles, helping organizations reduce operational costs and environmental impact. Intelligent power management features dynamically adjust energy consumption based on network load, minimizing unnecessary power usage. The switch also complies with industry standards for energy efficiency, including Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), which reduces power consumption during periods of low activity. This combination of performance and eco-friendly design ensures that enterprises can maintain a sustainable network infrastructure without compromising on speed or reliability.

Application in Data Centers

In data center environments, the SX550X-12F-K9-NA excels as an aggregation or top-of-rack switch, providing high-speed 10 Gigabit connectivity to servers, storage systems, and other networking devices. Its low-latency performance ensures efficient handling of virtualized workloads, database transactions, and high-volume data transfers. The Layer3 capabilities support advanced routing and network segmentation, optimizing data paths and improving overall application performance. IT teams can leverage the switch's flexibility to implement redundant connections, load balancing, and failover strategies, ensuring uninterrupted operations even in high-demand scenarios. Data centers benefit from the combination of scalable performance, advanced security, and centralized management offered by the SX550X-12F-K9-NA.

Campus and Enterprise Network Deployments

The SX550X-12F-K9-NA is equally effective in enterprise campus networks, where seamless connectivity, traffic management, and high availability are essential. Its Layer3 routing capabilities enable efficient inter-VLAN communication, while the 10 Gigabit SFP+ ports facilitate high-speed links between buildings, floors, or departments. The switch supports a range of advanced features, including Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) for redundancy, QoS for prioritizing critical traffic, and VLAN segmentation for logical separation of departments or services. By deploying the SX550X series, organizations can achieve reliable network performance, simplified management, and future-ready infrastructure for expanding business requirements.

Reliability and Redundancy Features

Reliability is a cornerstone of the SX550X-12F-K9-NA design, with multiple features aimed at minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous network operation. The switch supports dual firmware images, allowing administrators to update or roll back software versions without disrupting network services. Hardware redundancy is achieved through support for redundant power supplies and hot-swappable modules, ensuring critical connections remain active even in the event of component failure. Cisco's proprietary protocols, such as Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), further enhance network resilience by preventing loops and enabling fast failover in case of link or device failures. Together, these features make the SX550X-12F-K9-NA a highly reliable choice for mission-critical enterprise networks.

Advanced Quality of Service and Traffic Management

Managing diverse traffic types efficiently is essential in high-performance networks, and the SX550X-12F-K9-NA excels in this regard with robust Quality of Service features. The switch allows administrators to prioritize voice, video, and data traffic, ensuring critical applications receive the bandwidth they require. Traffic shaping and policing mechanisms can be applied to maintain performance during peak loads, while multicast management ensures smooth delivery of streaming services and collaborative applications. Cisco's QoS implementation is granular, flexible, and fully configurable, allowing network teams to optimize resources, reduce congestion, and deliver a consistent user experience across all services.

Compatibility and Integration with Cisco Ecosystem

Being part of the Cisco SX series, the SX550X-12F-K9-NA integrates seamlessly with Cisco’s broader networking ecosystem. It supports compatibility with Cisco's management software, network analytics platforms, and security solutions, enabling centralized monitoring and streamlined operations. Integration with Cisco DNA Center allows advanced automation, policy enforcement, and network assurance, reducing manual configuration errors and enhancing operational efficiency. The switch's compatibility with existing Cisco infrastructure ensures smooth deployment in hybrid environments, allowing enterprises to leverage legacy systems while upgrading to high-speed 10 Gigabit connectivity.

Flexible Deployment Options

The Cisco SX550X-12F-K9-NA offers multiple deployment configurations, supporting both rack-mount and stackable setups. Rack-mount deployment is ideal for data center racks and server rooms, while stacking enables multiple switches to operate as a single logical unit, simplifying management and increasing network capacity. These deployment options provide IT teams with flexibility to optimize space, improve network architecture, and accommodate growth without extensive reconfiguration. Combined with modular SFP+ ports and scalable routing features, this flexibility ensures that enterprises can implement the network design that best aligns with operational goals.