In short
The Cisco Catalyst 9500 is Cisco's fixed campus core and aggregation switch: 24 or 48 x 25G, 32 x 40G or 100G, and 9500X models with 400G. Each is sold with Network Essentials or Advantage plus a mandatory DNA or Catalyst subscription. Forever Systems, a Cisco Partner, can quote, supply and install a resilient core.
Order the Catalyst 9500
Add products and licences to your basket, then check out when you are ready.
What the Catalyst 9500 is for
Cisco calls it "Cisco's lead fixed enterprise core and aggregation switching platform". It sits at the centre of a campus: the access stacks on each floor uplink to it, and it connects the servers, firewall and WAN.
- Catalyst 9500: C9500-24Y4C and C9500-48Y4C (1/10/25G SFP28 with 40/100G uplinks), C9500-32C (32 x 100G) and C9500-32QC (32 x 40G).
- Catalyst 9500X: built on "the Cisco Silicon One Q200 ASIC", which Cisco describes as "purpose built for the next-generation core": the C9500X-28C8D (28 x 100G + 8 x 400G) and C9500X-60L4D (60 x 50G + 4 x 400G). The 9500X is sold with Network Advantage.
- Resilience: Cisco StackWise Virtual joins two switches as one logical core, with Multichassis EtherChannel to the access layer, plus redundant power supplies and fans.
- Routing: advanced routing and services including "MPLS Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPNs, Multicast VPN [MVPN], and Network Address Translation [NAT]".
Catalyst 9500 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.
| Part number | Model | Vendor description | Key specs | What you order with it | Status | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-24Y4C-E | C9500-24Y4C | Catalyst 9500 24x1/10/25G and 4-port 40/100G, Essential | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series high-performance 24-port 1/10/25 Gigabit Ethernet switch with SFP28; 4x 40/100G; 1RU | Required: Cisco DNA subscription, Essentials or Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Essentials | Current | |
| C9500-24Y4C-A | C9500-24Y4C | Catalyst 9500 24x1/10/25G and 4-port 40/100G, Advantage | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series high-performance 24-port 1/10/25 Gigabit Ethernet switch with SFP28; 4x 40/100G; 1RU | Required: Cisco DNA subscription, Advantage or Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Advantage | Current | |
| C9500-48Y4C-E | C9500-48Y4C | Catalyst 9500 48-port x 1/10/25G + 4-port 40/100G, Essential | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series high-performance 48-port 1/10/25 Gigabit Ethernet switch with SFP28; 4x 40/100G; 1RU | Required: Cisco DNA subscription, Essentials or Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Essentials | Current | |
| C9500-48Y4C-A | C9500-48Y4C | Catalyst 9500 48-port x 1/10/25G + 4-port 40/100G, Advantage | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series high-performance 48-port 1/10/25 Gigabit Ethernet switch with SFP28; 4x 40/100G; 1RU | Required: Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Advantage or Cisco DNA subscription, Advantage | Current | |
| C9500-32C-E | C9500-32C | Catalyst 9500 32-port 100G only, Essential | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series high-performance 32-port 100 Gigabit Ethernet switch with QSFP28; 1RU | Required: Cisco DNA subscription, Essentials or Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Essentials | Current | |
| C9500-32C-A | C9500-32C | Catalyst 9500 32-port 100G only, Advantage | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series high-performance 32-port 100 Gigabit Ethernet switch with QSFP28; 1RU | Required: Cisco DNA subscription, Advantage or Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Advantage | Current | |
| C9500-32QC-E | C9500-32QC | Catalyst 9500 32-port 40/100G only, Essential | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series high-performance 32-port 40 Gigabit Ethernet switch with QSFP+; 1RU | Required: Cisco DNA subscription, Essentials or Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Essentials | Current | |
| C9500-32QC-A | C9500-32QC | Catalyst 9500 32-port 40/100G only, Advantage | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series high-performance 32-port 40 Gigabit Ethernet switch with QSFP+; 1RU | Required: Cisco DNA subscription, Advantage or Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Advantage | Current | |
| C9500X-28C8D-A | C9500X-28C8D | Catalyst 9500 28x100G + 8x400G, Advantage | Cisco Catalyst 9500X with 28x 100 + 8x 400 Gigabit Ethernet; 8x 400G; 1RU | Required: Cisco DNA subscription, Advantage or Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Advantage | Current | |
| C9500X-60L4D-A | C9500X-60L4D | Catalyst 9500 60x10/25/50G + 4x400G, Advantage | Cisco Catalyst 9500X with 60x 50 + 4x400 Gigabit Ethernet; 4x 400G; 1RU | Required: Cisco DNA subscription, Advantage or Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Advantage | Current |
Add the Catalyst 9500 to your basket
Add it and anything else you need, then check out when you are ready.
Licences you must order with a Catalyst 9500
As with the rest of Catalyst 9000, the Network Stack licence (-E or -A, perpetual) is in the hardware part number and a DNA (-DNA-) or Cisco Catalyst (-DNX-) term subscription of the same tier, 3, 5 or 7 years, is mandatory. Our configurator lists the subscription codes that fit each switch.
Cisco Networking Subscription (opens in a new tab) supports Catalyst 9000 too, except "C9500-12Q, C9500-16X, C9500-24Q C9500-40X ... in a new purchase due to EOL". Those older 9500 models are no longer in Cisco's ordering data; if you run them, we can quote a replacement. A Cisco Smart Account is mandatory.
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 DNA subscription, Essentials
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNA-L-E-3Y | DNA Essentials 3 Year License | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNA-L-E-5Y | DNA Essential 5 Year License | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNA-L-E-7Y | DNA Essential 7 Year License | 7 years |
Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Essentials
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNX-E-24Y-3Y | C9500 Ess software subscription, 24P 25G Fiber, 3Yr Lic | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNX-E-24Y-5Y | C9500 Ess software subscription, 24P 25G Fiber, 5Yr Lic | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNX-E-24Y-7Y | C9500 Ess software subscription, 24P 25G Fiber, 7Yr Lic | 7 years |
Cisco DNA subscription, Advantage
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNA-L-A-3Y | Cisco Catalyst 9500 DNA Advantage 3 Year License | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNA-L-A-5Y | DNA Advantage 5 Year License | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNA-L-A-7Y | DNA Advantage 7 Year License | 7 years |
Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Advantage
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNX-A-24Y-3Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 24P 25G Fiber, 3Yr Lic | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNX-A-24Y-5Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 24P 25G Fiber, 5Yr Lic | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNX-A-24Y-7Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 24P 25G Fiber, 7Yr Lic | 7 years |
Cisco DNA subscription, Essentials
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNA-E-3Y | DNA Essential 3 Year License | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNA-E-5Y | DNA Essential 5 Year License | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNA-E-7Y | DNA Essential 7 Year License | 7 years |
Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Essentials
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNX-E-48Y-3Y | C9500 Ess software subscription, 48P 25G Fiber, 3Yr Lic | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNX-E-48Y-5Y | C9500 Ess software subscription, 48P 25G Fiber, 5Yr Lic | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNX-E-48Y-7Y | C9500 Ess software subscription, 48P 25G Fiber, 7Yr Lic | 7 years |
Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Advantage
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNX-A-48Y-3Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 48P 25G Fiber, 3Yr Lic | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNX-A-48Y-5Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 48P 25G Fiber, 5Yr Lic | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNX-A-48Y-7Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 48P 25G Fiber, 7Yr Lic | 7 years |
Cisco DNA subscription, Advantage
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNA-A-3Y | Cisco Catalyst 9500 DNA Advantage 3 Year License | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNA-A-5Y | DNA Advantage 5 Year License | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNA-A-7Y | DNA Advantage 7 Year License | 7 years |
Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Essentials
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNX-E-32C-3Y | C9500 Ess software subscription, 32P 100G Fiber, 3Yr Lic | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNX-E-32C-5Y | C9500 Ess software subscription, 32P 100G Fiber, 5Yr Lic | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNX-E-32C-7Y | C9500 Ess software subscription, 32P 100G Fiber, 7Yr Lic | 7 years |
Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Advantage
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNX-A-32C-3Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 32P 100G Fiber, 3Yr Lic | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNX-A-32C-5Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 32P 100G Fiber, 5Yr Lic | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNX-A-32C-7Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 32P 100G Fiber, 7Yr Lic | 7 years |
Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Essentials
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNX-E-32Q-3Y | C9500 Ess software subscription, 32P 40G Fiber, 3Yr Lic | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNX-E-32Q-5Y | C9500 Ess software subscription, 32P 40G Fiber, 5Yr Lic | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNX-E-32Q-7Y | C9500 Ess software subscription, 32P 40G Fiber, 7Yr Lic | 7 years |
Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Advantage
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNX-A-32Q-3Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 32P 40G Fiber, 3Yr Lic | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNX-A-32Q-5Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 32P 40G Fiber, 5Yr Lic | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNX-A-32Q-7Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 32P 40G Fiber, 7Yr Lic | 7 years |
Cisco DNA subscription, Advantage
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500X-DNA-A-3Y | Cisco Catalyst 9500X DNA Advantage 3 Year License | 3 years | |
| C9500X-DNA-A-5Y | DNA Advantage 5 Year License | 5 years | |
| C9500X-DNA-A-7Y | DNA Advantage 7 Year License | 7 years |
Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Advantage
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNX-A-28C-3Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 28P 100G Fiber, 3Yr Lic | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNX-A-28C-5Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 28P 100G Fiber, 5Yr Lic | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNX-A-28C-7Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 28P 100G Fiber, 7Yr Lic | 7 years |
Cisco Catalyst subscription (DNX), Advantage
| Part number | Description | Term | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9500-DNX-A-60L-3Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 60P 50G Fiber, 3Yr Lic | 3 years | |
| C9500-DNX-A-60L-5Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 60P 50G Fiber, 5Yr Lic | 5 years | |
| C9500-DNX-A-60L-7Y | C9500 Adv software subscription, 60P 50G Fiber, 7Yr Lic | 7 years |
Not sure what you need?
Tell us about your sites and we will recommend the right kit and licences.
Catalyst 9500 or a C9550 Smart Switch?
Cisco's newer fixed core is the C9550 Smart Switch, "fixed for enterprise core and aggregation deployments that require high port density and high-speed uplinks", sold under Cisco Networking Subscription. For a new core, we can quote both and compare. See Catalyst 9000 for the Smart Switch models.
Warranty
Cisco's data sheet says: "The Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches come with an Enhanced Limited Lifetime Warranty (E-LLW) that includes Next-Business-Day (NBD) delivery of replacement hardware where available and 90 days of 8x5 Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) support." These are Cisco's terms; anything beyond them is confirmed at quote.
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, you pick the tier and term in the same step. Add accessories, then View basket and Request a quote. We check every line, quantity and term against your plans and come back with a personalised quote by email. Nothing is charged online. We can also design, supply, stage, install and configure the switches as a project, with the scope confirmed at quote (see network installation). Optics for 25G and 100G ports are on Cisco SFP transceivers.
Vendor sources
How we can help with your network
Forever Systems can design, supply, stage, install and configure the network around the hardware you buy here, as a project or one step at a time.
- Design: we look at your sites, users and existing kit and size the switches, wireless and firewalls to fit
- Supply: every order gets a personalised quote by part number, with the subscriptions and support each product needs
- Stage: we can pre-configure and label equipment before it reaches site
- Install: we can rack and mount switches, access points and firewalls on site
- Configure: VLANs, wireless, firewall policy, VPNs and management platforms set up and documented at handover
Scope is confirmed at quote, so you only pay for the parts of the project you need.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Cisco Catalyst 9500 used for?
Campus core and aggregation: it connects the access switches, servers, firewall and WAN at 25G, 40G, 100G or, on the 9500X, 400G.
What is the difference between the 9500 and 9500X?
The 9500X uses Cisco's Silicon One Q200 ASIC and adds 400G ports (C9500X-28C8D and C9500X-60L4D). It is sold with Network Advantage.
Does the Catalyst 9500 need a DNA licence?
Yes. A DNA or Cisco Catalyst subscription of 3, 5 or 7 years is mandatory with each switch, alongside the Network Essentials or Advantage licence in the part number.
Can two Catalyst 9500 switches act as one?
Yes, with Cisco StackWise Virtual, which joins two switches into one logical switch so access stacks can uplink to both.
Are the C9500-16X and C9500-40X still sold?
They no longer appear in Cisco's ordering data, and Cisco excludes them from new Networking Subscription purchases due to end of life. We can quote a current replacement.
Ready to order?
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