C9500-24Y4C-E Cisco Catalyst 9500 24-Ports 40/100G Network Essential Switch

Enterprise-Class Layer 3 Switching Platform

The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-E Catalyst 9500 Series switch is a high-performance, fixed-core networking solution engineered for modern enterprise campus and data center aggregation layers. Designed with scalability, resiliency, and advanced routing intelligence, this managed Layer 3 switch delivers ultra-fast throughput, extensive routing tables, and flexible uplink options to support growing network demands.

Manufacturer and Product Identification

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

Form Factor and Enclosure Details

• Rack-mountable 1U chassis
• Enterprise-grade metal enclosure
• Optimized airflow for data center and campus use

Power Supply and Redundancy Options

• Internal power supply included
• Supports up to two power supplies
• Optional 1+1 power redundancy scheme
• Total power output up to 650 watts
• AC input voltage: 120/230V at 50–60 Hz

Downlink and Port

• 24 x 25 Gigabit Ethernet SFP28 ports
• 4 x 40/100 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports
• 2 x USB 3.0 ports for storage and system functions

Performance Specifications

• Switching capacity (full duplex): 1.6 Tbps
• Forwarding rate: up to 1 billion packets per second (Bpps)
• Optimized ASIC-based packet processing

Routing and Table Capacity

• Routing table entries: up to 80,000
• Indirect IPv4 routes: 212,000
• Host IPv4 routes: 90,000
• Indirect IPv6 routes: 212,000
• Host IPv6 routes: 90,000

Multicast, VLAN, and Interface Scaling

• Multicast scale: 32,000 entries
• VLAN IDs supported: up to 4,000
• Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs): up to 4,000

Security and QoS Scaling

• QoS ACL scale: 16,000 entries
• Security ACL scale: up to 270,000 entries
• Flexible NetFlow (FNF) entries: 96,000

Supported Routing Protocols

• OSPF
• RIP v1 and RIP v2
• RIPng
• BGP
• EIGRP
• IGMP
• VRRP
• MSDP
• Policy-Based Routing (PBR)

Management and Monitoring Protocols

• SNMP v1, v2c, and v3
• RMON 1 and RMON 2
• NETCONF
• RESTCONF

Enterprise-Class Fixed Core Switching Category 

The Cisco Catalyst 9500 fixed core switching category is designed to address the performance, reliability, and scalability requirements of modern enterprise campus cores and high-density aggregation layers. This category focuses on delivering deterministic forwarding, high availability, and simplified operations for organizations that demand consistent uptime and predictable throughput. Devices within this class emphasize hardware-based forwarding, advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 services, and tight integration with enterprise network architectures.

Within this category, rack-mountable fixed switches play a critical role in replacing legacy modular cores where space efficiency, power optimization, and simplified deployment are priorities. The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-E Catalyst 9500 series switch represents a high-performance implementation of this category, combining dense fiber connectivity with uplink flexibility for evolving bandwidth demands.

High-Density Fiber Switching Architecture

The category emphasizes high-density fiber port availability to support modern access layer uplinks, server connections, and data center interconnects. The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-E configuration highlights this architectural direction by offering a dense array of 25 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces alongside ultra-high-speed 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet uplink options. This combination allows enterprises to aggregate multiple high-speed connections while preserving investment protection for future expansion.

Fixed core switches in this category are engineered with non-blocking architectures, ensuring that all ports can operate at line rate simultaneously. This design supports latency-sensitive applications such as real-time collaboration, voice, video, and mission-critical transactional systems. Hardware forwarding engines and optimized ASICs provide consistent packet processing under heavy traffic loads.

25 Gigabit Ethernet Access Aggregation

The prevalence of 25 Gigabit Ethernet in enterprise networks has increased due to its balance between throughput and cost efficiency. This category supports aggregation of access switches and high-performance endpoints that exceed the capabilities of traditional 10 Gigabit Ethernet. The Cisco Catalyst 9500 fixed core platform integrates 25 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces to meet these requirements while maintaining backward compatibility through transceiver flexibility.

High-density 25 Gigabit ports enable network architects to design scalable topologies that minimize oversubscription. By consolidating multiple access layer uplinks into a single fixed core switch, organizations can reduce complexity while improving traffic flow and simplifying network management.

40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet Capabilities

Uplink flexibility is a defining feature of this switching category. Support for 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet allows seamless integration with data center cores, service provider handoff points, and high-capacity inter-building links. These uplinks provide sufficient bandwidth headroom to accommodate future traffic growth without requiring immediate hardware replacement.

The Cisco C9500-24Y4C-E exemplifies this approach by incorporating dedicated high-speed uplink ports that can operate at both 40 Gigabit and 100 Gigabit speeds. This adaptability supports phased network upgrades and hybrid environments where multiple speed tiers coexist.

Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 Feature Set

Core switching categories demand comprehensive Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality to support diverse enterprise network designs. Fixed core switches in this class deliver advanced routing, switching, and multicast capabilities while maintaining deterministic performance. The Cisco Catalyst 9500 family is engineered to provide rich protocol support for both traditional and modern network architectures.

Layer 2 capabilities include advanced VLAN handling, spanning tree optimizations, and resilient link aggregation. These features ensure loop-free topologies, efficient traffic distribution, and rapid convergence in the event of link failures.

Dynamic Routing and Scalability

Layer 3 routing support within this category is optimized for scalability and fast convergence. Protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP, IS-IS, and BGP are implemented in hardware-assisted architectures to handle large routing tables without compromising performance. This allows the core switch to function as a central routing point for campus, branch, and data center connectivity.

High route scale and fast failover mechanisms are essential in environments where uptime is critical. The Catalyst 9500 fixed core category supports these requirements by integrating advanced routing engines with high-speed forwarding planes.

IPv4 and IPv6 Readiness

Modern enterprise networks require seamless coexistence of IPv4 and IPv6. This category supports dual-stack deployments, enabling organizations to transition gradually without operational disruption. Hardware-based IPv6 forwarding ensures that next-generation addressing does not introduce performance penalties.

Support for IPv6 routing protocols, neighbor discovery optimization, and security features ensures that networks remain future-ready while maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure.

High Availability and Resiliency Design

Resiliency is a cornerstone of the Catalyst 9500 fixed core category. These switches are designed to operate continuously in demanding enterprise environments, minimizing downtime through redundant components and rapid failover mechanisms. The rack-mountable form factor allows for efficient deployment in standard data center and wiring closet environments.

High availability features include redundant power supplies, advanced monitoring, and proactive fault detection. These capabilities enable IT teams to identify and address potential issues before they impact network operations.

Fast Convergence and Fault Tolerance

Fast convergence technologies are essential in core and aggregation layers. This category integrates mechanisms that allow the network to recover quickly from link or node failures. Features such as equal-cost multipath routing and rapid spanning tree enhancements contribute to minimal traffic disruption.

Hardware-assisted failover ensures that traffic is rerouted almost instantaneously, maintaining application performance and user experience.

Operational Continuity in Enterprise Environments

Enterprise environments often support critical business functions that cannot tolerate extended outages. The Catalyst 9500 fixed core category is engineered to provide continuous operation through robust hardware design and mature software features. This focus on operational continuity makes it suitable for campuses, headquarters, and regional hubs.

Software-Defined Access and Automation Integration

Modern network categories increasingly emphasize automation and centralized management. The Cisco Catalyst 9500 fixed core category integrates with software-defined access architectures to simplify policy enforcement and network segmentation. This approach reduces operational complexity while enhancing security and agility.

Automation frameworks enable consistent configuration deployment, rapid provisioning, and streamlined troubleshooting. By leveraging programmable interfaces and controller-based management, organizations can adapt quickly to changing business requirements.

Policy-Based Networking

Policy-based networking capabilities allow administrators to define intent-driven policies that are automatically enforced across the network. This category supports segmentation and access control at scale, ensuring that users and devices receive appropriate network services regardless of location.

The integration of policy frameworks with high-performance hardware ensures that security and compliance requirements do not compromise throughput or latency.

Telemetry and Analytics Support

Advanced telemetry features provide real-time visibility into network performance and health. This category supports streaming telemetry and detailed analytics that enable proactive monitoring and faster root cause analysis. By leveraging these insights, IT teams can optimize network performance and plan capacity upgrades more effectively.

Security Capabilities for Core and Aggregation Layers

Security is an integral aspect of enterprise switching categories. The Catalyst 9500 fixed core category incorporates comprehensive security features to protect the network infrastructure and connected endpoints. These capabilities are implemented in hardware to ensure minimal impact on forwarding performance.

Security features include access control mechanisms, threat detection, and secure management protocols. These functions help safeguard sensitive data and maintain compliance with organizational policies.

Infrastructure Protection Mechanisms

Infrastructure protection is critical in preventing unauthorized access and mitigating potential attacks. This category supports advanced control plane protection, secure boot processes, and encrypted management channels. These features ensure that the core switch remains resilient against both internal and external threats.

By embedding security at the core, enterprises can establish a trusted foundation for their entire network architecture.

Segmentation and Access Enforcement

Network segmentation capabilities enable isolation of traffic flows based on organizational requirements. This category supports virtual routing and forwarding instances and scalable segmentation techniques that enhance security and simplify compliance management.

Performance Optimization and Quality of Service

Performance optimization is essential in environments supporting diverse application workloads. The Catalyst 9500 fixed core category includes advanced quality of service mechanisms that prioritize critical traffic and ensure consistent application performance. These capabilities are especially important for real-time services and latency-sensitive applications.

Hardware-based QoS ensures predictable behavior even under heavy load, allowing enterprises to deliver reliable user experiences.

Traffic Classification and Prioritization

Accurate traffic classification enables the network to identify and prioritize different application types. This category supports granular classification techniques that allow administrators to define policies aligned with business priorities.

By implementing prioritization at the core, organizations can maintain service quality across the entire network.

Energy Efficiency and Physical Design

Energy efficiency is an important consideration in modern enterprise environments. Fixed core switches in this category are designed to deliver high performance while optimizing power consumption. Efficient hardware design and intelligent power management contribute to lower operational costs.

The rack-mountable form factor supports flexible deployment options and efficient use of space in data centers and network closets.

Thermal Management and Reliability

Effective thermal management ensures consistent performance and long hardware lifespan. This category incorporates advanced cooling mechanisms and temperature monitoring to maintain optimal operating conditions.

Reliable operation under varying environmental conditions makes the Catalyst 9500 fixed core category suitable for a wide range of enterprise deployments.

Scalability and Investment Protection

Scalability is a defining characteristic of enterprise core switching categories. The Catalyst 9500 fixed core platform is designed to scale with organizational growth, supporting increasing bandwidth demands and expanding network topologies. This scalability ensures that initial investments remain valuable over extended deployment lifecycles.

Support for emerging standards and flexible interface options provides investment protection, allowing organizations to adopt new technologies without extensive hardware replacement.

Future-Ready Networking Foundations

The category’s emphasis on high-speed interfaces, automation, and security positions it as a future-ready foundation for enterprise networks. As applications evolve and traffic patterns change, the Catalyst 9500 fixed core category provides the performance and adaptability required to meet new challenges.