Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-E

Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-E

The Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-E is a fixed-configuration switch designed for enterprise access networks. It offers 16 ports that support 1G or 10G, all packed into a compact 1U rack unit. This model delivers strong performance using a non-blocking architecture, supporting up to 480 Gbps of switching capacity and 360 million packets per second (Mpps) in forwarding speed. Its custom ASIC enables advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 processing, thanks to a programmable pipeline and microengine functionality. Features like MACsec encryption enhance network security, while container hosting support adds flexibility for custom services. The switch runs Cisco IOS XE, comes with Smart Licensing, and includes the Network Advantage feature set.

Key Features and Benefits

•  16 × 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Non-blocking architecture delivering up to 480 Gbps switching capacity
• MACsec 128-bit encryption for securing connectivity
• Energy Efficiency: Reduce operational costs with intelligent power management.
• Extensive L2 and L3 feature support including VXLAN and EVPN
• Container hosting for third-party and custom applications
• Cisco DNA Support: Simplify network automation and management through Cisco’s Digital Network Architecture
• Redundant hot-swappable power supplies and fans
• Cisco IOS XE operating system with smart licensing
• Network Advantage license enabled out of the box, Enhanced Limited Lifetime Warranty (E-LLW)
• Cisco Plug and Play (PnP) enabled: A simple, secure, unified, and integrated offering to ease new branch or
  campus device rollouts or updates to an existing network

Why Choose Cisco C9500-16X-E Catalyst 

• Enterprise-grade Performance: Ensures your network is always running at peak efficiency.
• Advanced Security Features: Helps Kenyan businesses comply with cybersecurity regulations.
• Cost-Effective Operations: Optimizes power usage and simplifies network management.
• Future-Proof Design: Scalable for the evolving needs of growing businesses.

Supported Modules and Accessories (Reworded)

• Network Expansion: You can add optional modules for either 8x 1/10G ports or 2x 40G ports to increase uplink capacity.
• Storage Option: A 120GB USB 3.0 SSD is available for extra onboard storage.
• Power Supply: Supports 950W AC or DC power supplies, with the ability to run in a redundant setup.
• Cooling: Comes with five hot-swappable fans designed for front-to-back airflow.
• Rack Mounting: Compatible with both 19-inch and 23-inch rack mount kits for flexible installation.

Power Supplies (PSUs)

The C9500‑16X‑E supports redundant power with dual hot-swappable units, you can install up to two power supplies in a 1+1 redundant configuration. The system ships with one PSU by default, and if only one is used, it must be placed in Power Supply Bay #1. Supported models include:

• Power Provided: 950 Watts
• Voltage: AC 115/230 V

• Cooling direction: Front-to-back airflow

Fans & Cooling Configuration

• The C9500‑16X‑E uses five hot-swappable fan modules (FAN‑T4‑R) arranged for front‑to‑back airflow. Up to one fan failure can be tolerated (N+1 redundancy).
• These fans support online insertion/removal (OIR) and can spin up to 64,000 rpm.
• The switch can operate safely provided at least four fans remain operational. If the number falls below that, the system may shut down to avoid overheating

Security Features

The Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-E switch is built with enterprise-grade security in mind, making it a strong choice for core and aggregation layers in modern networks. The C9500-16X-E supports a robust set of security capabilities:

• Cisco TrustSec: Implements role-based access control using Security Group Tags (SGTs), simplifying policy enforcement across the network.
• MACsec Encryption: Supports IEEE 802.1AE MACsec for line-rate Layer 2 encryption, securing data in transit between trusted devices.
• Secure Boot and Image Signing: Ensures that only trusted software is loaded during boot-up, protecting against tampering.
• Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA): Uses machine learning to detect threats in encrypted traffic without decryption, preserving privacy while enhancing security.
• IPsec VPN Support: Enables secure site-to-site or remote access VPNs directly from the switch.

Advanced Threat Protection

• Cisco DNA with Software-Defined Access (SD-Access): Automates segmentation and policy enforcement, reducing attack surfaces and improving containment.
• Network Address Translation (NAT): Adds an extra layer of abstraction and security for internal IP addresses.
• Multicast VPN (MVPN): Secures multicast traffic across VPNs, useful for video and voice applications.

Resiliency and high availability

The Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-E Graceful Insertion and Removal (GIR) that allows maintenance without disrupting network operations. While stateful Switchover (SSO) with Nonstop Forwarding (NSF) maintains session continuity during failover events.

Resiliency Features

• Redundant Power Supplies: Supports dual redundant power supplies (AC or DC), ensuring uninterrupted operation during power failures.
• High MTBF: Designed with a high Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), contributing to long-term reliability even in demanding environments.
• Fail-Safe Mechanisms: Includes hardware and software failover capabilities to maintain uptime during component failures

High Availability Capabilities

• Cisco StackWise Virtual: Enables two switches to operate as a single logical unit, providing active-active redundancy and seamless failover. This boosts Layer 2 and Layer 3 availability and simplifies management.
• Hot Swappable Components: Power supplies and fan trays can be replaced without shutting down the system, minimizing downtime.
• Advanced Routing & Redundancy Protocols: Supports protocols like VRRP, HSRP, and MPLS for robust network failover and traffic rerouting.
• SD-Access Integration: Offers secure segmentation and policy-based automation, enhancing fault isolation and recovery speed.

Performance Under Pressure

• Switching Capacity: Up to 480 Gbps with a forwarding rate of 360 Mpps, ensuring high throughput even during failover scenarios.
• Rich QoS and ACL Scaling: Supports up to 64,000 QoS and security ACLs, allowing granular traffic control and prioritization during congestion or recovery

Software requirements

The C9500‑16X‑E requires Cisco IOS XE version 16.5.1a or newer, enabling programmability, patching, and advanced security features.

Default Software Inclusion & Licensing

It ships with:

• Cisco IOS XE software
• Smart Licensing: establishes a pool of software licenses that can be used across the entire organization—no more PAKs (Product Activation Keys) thus easy for activation.
• Network Essentials license (sometimes referred as NW Ess.)

• The Network Essentials license provides core Layer 2 and basic Layer 3 functionality, along with essential performance, security, and reliability features

The C9500-16X-E supports advanced enterprise features, so your software should enable:

• Advanced Routing & Infrastructure Services: MPLS Layer 2/3 VPNs, Network Address Translation NAT, Multicast VPN (MVPN)
• Software-Defined Access (SD-Access): Host tracking, VRF-aware Locator/ID Separation Protocol (LISP)- for scalable routing, cross-domain connectivity
• High Availability: Graceful Insertion and Removal (GIR), Nonstop Forwarding (NSF) with Stateful Switchover (SSO)
• Virtualization: Cisco StackWise® Virtual for system-level redundancy

Warranty and Support

The C9500-16X-E comes with an Enhanced Limited Lifetime Warranty (E-LLW) that includes next business day delivery of replacement hardware. It also includes 90 days of 8×5 Cisco TAC support.