Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers (8100, 8200, 8300)

8100, 8200 and 8300 compared

Cisco data-sheet "up to" figures (512-byte packets; threat protection with NAT, firewall, IPS, URL filtering and malware protection on):

SD-WAN on the C8130-G2, C8130H-G2 and C8140-G2 needs IOS XE 26.2.1 or later (Cisco 8100 data sheet).

Sources: 8100 data sheet (opens in a new tab) (30 Sep 2026), 8200 data sheet (opens in a new tab) and 8300 data sheet (opens in a new tab) (both 14 Oct 2026). Real-world throughput depends on the features you turn on and your traffic mix, so we size from your line speeds and VPN count.

Choosing a model: ports, slots and PoE

• Fixed or modular: the -E models (C8231-E-G2, C8235-E-G2, C8375-E-G2) have a NIM slot for extra WAN, switch, serial or voice modules; the C8375-E-G2 adds a service module (SM) slot. The other models are fixed.
• Cellular: a PIM slot takes a pluggable 5G or LTE module on the C8151-G2, C8161-G2, C8231-E-G2, C8235-E-G2, C8235-G2, C8355-G2 and C8375-E-G2. The C8151H-C-G2 has embedded cellular.
• Fibre and 10G: from the 8200 Series up, 10G SFP+ ports take Cisco optics such as SFP-10G-SR or SFP-10G-LR (see Cisco SFP transceivers).
• PoE for phones and access points: the C8161-G2 gives 4 PoE / 2 PoE+ ports with an 80 W power output; the C8231-E-G2 and C8235-E-G2 have UPOE+ multigigabit ports (120 W budget with the 150 W PoE power supply); the C8375-E-G2 reaches a 360 W budget with its 760 W PoE supply. Power supply options are confirmed at quote.
• Rack or desk: the 8100 and most 8200 models are desktop units with optional 19-inch rack kits; the 8300 models are 1RU.

Cisco states the 8100, 8200 and 8300 Series "come standard with a Cisco Limited 2-Year Return To Factory Hardware Warranty".

8000 Secure Routers models and part numbers

Press Add next to a part number to put it in your basket. Where a subscription or support option goes with the hardware, you choose it in the same step and it goes into your basket with the hardware. Part numbers come from the vendor; we confirm each line, quantity and term when we quote.

WAN Essentials or WAN Advantage

The Secure Routers are licensed through a Cisco WAN Essentials or WAN Advantage subscription (Networking Subscription) for SD-WAN, or Cisco routing licensing for autonomous routing; Cisco notes that "Routing licensing is not available in a Cisco Networking Subscription". We confirm the licence at quote. WAN Essentials and WAN Advantage are each sized Small, Medium, Large or Extra Large (part numbers LIC-CSWAN-S-E to LIC-CSWAN-XL-A). Cisco's Networking Subscription data sheet (opens in a new tab) lists the C8161-G2, C8151-G2, C8231-G2, C8235-G2, C8355-G2, C8375-E-G2, C8455-G2 and C8475-G2 as supported routers, and says the licences can be used "on-premises or in the cloud", with support consistent with Cisco Support Basic "but excludes any RMA benefits".

When you add a router, the basket offers the WAN Essentials and WAN Advantage tiers; we confirm the licence, the size for each router and the term at quote. For the models not on Cisco's list we confirm the licensing with you. The first-generation Catalyst 8200 and 8300 Edge models take a Cisco DNA subscription instead, listed below.

What you order with it

Subscription and support part numbers for the hardware above. We confirm the right tier, term and quantity at quote.

Cisco WAN Essentials or WAN Advantage (Networking Subscription)

Cisco DNA subscription (ISR 1100 and first-generation Catalyst 8200/8300)

Modules and rack kits

Modules and rack kits from Cisco's 8000 Series data sheets. Add them alongside the router; we check each one fits the model and software release at quote:

Managing Secure Routers

• Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, on premises or in the cloud, for SD-WAN across many branches.
• Autonomous routing on Cisco IOS XE, from the command line, infrastructure-as-code tools or Cisco Catalyst Center.
• Cloud management: Cisco's 8300 data sheet describes cloud management for IOS XE Secure Routers "combining Meraki's ease of use with IOS XE's scale". The -MX versions run as Meraki appliances and are sold on cloudnetworking.uk (opens in a new tab).

Minimum software releases differ by model (for example IOS XE 17.18.1 for the C8151-G2, C8161-G2, C8231-G2 and C8235-G2, and 26.1.2 or later for the C8221-G2 and C8225-G2), so we check your SD-WAN Manager version before quoting.

Part numbers ending ++

Part numbers such as C8231-E-G2++ and C8355-G2++ are Cisco's TAA versions of the same router, described by Cisco as "TAA". TAA versions are for buyers who need Trade Agreements Act compliance; ask us if you need one.

First-generation Catalyst 8200 and 8300 Edge: last orders

Cisco's notices EOL15955 (opens in a new tab) and EOL15950 (opens in a new tab) (both amended 19 Oct 2026) set the last orders for the first-generation Catalyst 8000 Edge platforms:

• C8200-1N-4T, C8200L-1N-4T, C8300-2N2S-4T2X and C8300-2N2S-6T (EOL15955): last order 31 Jul 2027, last date of support 31 Jul 2032. Cisco names the C8235-E-G2 for the C8200-1N-4T and the C8231-E-G2 for the C8200L-1N-4T. For the C8300-2N2S-4T2X and C8300-2N2S-6T, Cisco says "There is currently no migration product available"; we would look at the C8375-E-G2 or C8355-G2 (our suggestion).
• C8300-1N1S-4T2X and C8300-1N1S-6T (EOL15950): last order 31 Jan 2027, last date of support 31 Jan 2032. Cisco names the C8375-E-G2 for both.

They stay in the table with Add buttons until their last order date, for sites that want to match an existing estate.

Lifecycle and replacements

Dates are from Cisco's end-of-sale notices EOL15955 and EOL15950 (amended 19 Oct 2026). These models stay in the table above with Add buttons until their last order date.

How to order

How ordering works. Press Add next to a part number and it goes into your basket; where the hardware needs a subscription or takes optional support, you pick it in the same step. Add any modules or accessories, then View basket and Request a quote. We check every line, quantity and term against your sites and come back with a personalised quote by email. Nothing is charged online. We can also design, supply, stage, install and configure Secure Routers, SD-WAN and the firewall policy as a project, with the scope confirmed at quote (see network installation).

Not sure which model fits? Contact us with your sites, line types and user numbers, and we will suggest a bill of materials.

Vendor sources

• Cisco SD-WAN routers page (opens in a new tab)
• Cisco 8100 Series Secure Routers data sheet (opens in a new tab)
• Cisco 8200 Series Secure Routers data sheet (updated 14 Oct 2026) (opens in a new tab)
• Cisco 8300 Series Secure Routers data sheet (updated 14 Oct 2026) (opens in a new tab)
• Networking Subscription data sheet (supported routers) (opens in a new tab)
• EOL15955 (updated 19 Oct 2026) (opens in a new tab)
• EOL15950 (updated 19 Oct 2026) (opens in a new tab)