C8500-12X – 12×1/10GE SFP+ Ports – Catalyst 8500 Edge Router – DNA Required

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C8500-12X Description

The C8500-12X is a Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platform router for SD-WAN and high-capacity internet edge sites that terminate 1G and 10G links. The 1RU chassis has twelve dual-rate 1/10GE SFP+ ports, 16 GB of DRAM upgradable to 64 GB, and up to 51 Gbps of SD-WAN IPsec throughput with 1400-byte packets, or 22.6 Gbps with IMIX traffic. The router has no 40GE or 100GE ports and requires a Cisco DNA Advantage subscription.

Quick Specs

Parameter

Specification

Product ID

C8500-12X

Product type

SD-WAN edge router

Form factor

1RU fixed platform

Ethernet port profile

12 x 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports

40G/100G ports

Not included on C8500-12X

DRAM

16 GB

Maximum DRAM

64 GB

Boot flash storage

32 GB internal boot flash

Optional SSD

Cisco C8500 480 GB M.2 SATA SSD

SD-WAN IPsec throughput

Up to 51 Gbps at 1400-byte packets

SD-WAN overlay tunnels

8000

Required subscription

Cisco DNA Advantage Software subscription

Power supply selection

Two PWR-CH1-750WACR 750W AC or two PWR-CH1-950WDCR 950W DC redundant supplies

Product Performance

SD-WAN IPsec Throughput
SD-WAN IPsec IMIX Throughput
SD-WAN Overlay Tunnel Scale

Key Features

Twelve Dual-Rate SFP+ Ports

Each port runs at 1G or 10G, so one chassis can mix older 1G optics with 10G circuits. A 10G SFP+ port does not auto-negotiate, while a 1G SFP port does.

Hardware-Accelerated Encryption

Inline IPsec and MACsec encryption comes from the third-generation Quantum Flow Processor ASIC, which underlies the 51 Gbps IPsec figure at 1400-byte packets.

Routing And Session Scale

The router lists 4M IPv4 and 4M IPv6 routes with the default 16 GB of DRAM, plus 12M NAT sessions, 6M firewall sessions and 8000 VRFs.

Redundant Supplies And Front-To-Back Airflow

Two supplies ship by default, 750W AC or 950W DC, and the chassis cools front to back. Supplies and fan modules in one chassis must share the same airflow direction.

Memory And Storage Options

DRAM goes from 16 GB to 32 GB or 64 GB, and the 32 GB eUSB boot flash can be joined by an optional 480 GB SSD.

Software Redundancy In One Chassis

Two Cisco IOS XE processes run on a single device in routing mode, which gives software redundancy without a second chassis.

Application Scenarios

Dense 10G SD-WAN Hub

A regional hub that aggregates branch overlays can terminate them on one 1RU router, with up to 8000 SD-WAN overlay tunnels and 22.6 Gbps of IMIX IPsec traffic.

Internet Edge With Fiber Handoffs

At an internet edge, the twelve SFP+ ports connect 1G or 10G fiber circuits from carriers to the downstream firewall or core switches.

Telecom Room On DC Power

A telecom room or colocation cage with -48V feeds can power the router from 950W DC supplies, and the chassis meets NEBS GR-1089 and GR-63.

Product Comparison

Parameter

C8500-12X

C8500-12X4QC

C8500-20X6C

Interfaces

12-port 1/10GE

12-port 1/10GE, 2-port 40/100GE, 2-port 40GE

20-port 1/10GE, 6-port 40/100GE

Form factor

1RU

1RU

3RU

SD-WAN IPsec throughput (1400 Bytes, clear text)

Up to 51 Gbps

Up to 96 Gbps

Up to 350 Gbps

SD-WAN IPsec throughput (IMIX, clear text)

Up to 22.6 Gbps

Up to 31.9 Gbps

Up to 100 Gbps

SD-WAN overlay tunnels scale

8000

8000

8000

IPv4 forwarding throughput (1400 bytes)

Up to 118 Gbps

Up to 197 Gbps

Up to 500 Gbps

DRAM (default)

16 GB, upgradable to 64 GB

16 GB, upgradable to 64 GB

64 GB (not upgradable)

Minimum software requirement

Cisco IOS XE 17.3.2

Cisco IOS XE 17.3.2

Cisco IOS XE 17.10.1

License tier

Advantage, Tier 3 (up to 20G aggregate)

Advantage, Tier 3 (up to 20G aggregate)

Advantage, Tier 4 (up to 50G) or Tier 5 (up to 100G)

C8500-12X is the 12-port 1/10GE SFP+ router of this group with no 40G or 100G ports, while C8500-12X4QC adds 2 x 40/100GE ports plus 2 x 40GE ports on the same 1RU chassis and raises SD-WAN IPsec from 51 Gbps to 96 Gbps at 1400-byte packets. Designs that need more than 96 Gbps, or six 40/100GE QSFP+ ports, move to C8500-20X6C, a 3RU chassis with twenty SFP+ ports and up to 350 Gbps. C8500-12X is covered by DNA Tier 3 (up to 20G aggregate) and runs on Cisco IOS XE 17.3.2, while C8500-20X6C is offered only in Tier 4 and Tier 5 and needs 17.10.1.

Ordering Checklist

  • DNA subscription: Order L-DNA-C8500 at Tier 3 (DNA-C-T3-A or DNA-P-T3-A) for 3Y, 5Y or 7Y, with the hardware or separately. A Cisco DNA subscription is required, and only Cisco DNA Advantage is listed for this platform.
  • Software image and mode: Select a unified image such as SC8KAEPUK9-173, and IOSXE-AUTO-MODE (default) or IOSXE-CTRL-MODE. Image, software mode and power supply are mandatory selections on the hardware SKU.
  • Export license: Add C8000-HSEC, or C8000-HSEC-DNA when ordered through the DNA subscription. It is a default accessory on the platform order.
  • Power supplies: Order two PWR-CH1-750WACR (AC) or two PWR-CH1-950WDCR (DC), plus a power cable for AC. Supplies ship in redundant pairs, and all supplies and fan modules in one chassis must share one airflow direction.
  • Memory and storage: MEM-C8500-16GB is the default; MEM-C8500-32GB or MEM-C8500-64GB and SSD-M2SATA-480G are optional. The default build has 16 GB of DRAM and 32 GB of eUSB storage.
  • Rack kit: Select the 19-inch kit (default), the 23-inch kit or the 4-post kit. The rack-mount accessory kit is an optional selection on the order.

Optional Add-ons

Model

Description

L-DNA-C8500

Cisco C8500 subscription

C8500-HSEC

Cisco C8500 HSEC license option

PWR-CH1-750WACR=

Cisco C8500 750W AC power supply spare

PWR-CH1-950WDCR=

Cisco C8500 950W DC power supply spare

SSD-M2SATA-480G=

Cisco C8500 480 GB M.2 SATA SSD spare

MEM-C8500-32GB

Cisco C8500 32 GB memory option

MEM-C8500-64GB

Cisco C8500 64 GB memory option

C8500-FAN-1R=

Cisco C8500 1RU fan tray spare

C8500-ACCKIT-19=

Cisco C8500 19-inch accessory kit spare

C8500-4PT-KIT=

Cisco C8500 4-post accessory kit spare

C8500-12X Front View

C8500-12X

1

Power LED

9

USB 1

2

Status LED

10

USB 0

3, 4, and 5

Alarm LEDs

11

Management Interface

6, and 7

Management Interface LEDs

12

Micro-USB Console

8

Bay 0 : 12x 1/10GE SFP+ ports

13

Console RJ-45

C8500-12X Rear View

1

Fans

5

Power Switch

2

Power supply AC input LED

6

Power supply failure LED

3, and 4

PEM 0, PEM 1

—

C8500-12X

Specifications

Parameter Specification Parameter Specification
Product ID C8500-12X Product type SD-WAN edge router
Rack units 1RU fixed platform Ethernet ports 12 x 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports
40G/100G ports Not included on C8500-12X DRAM 16 GB
Maximum DRAM 64 GB Boot flash storage 32 GB internal boot flash
Optional SSD Cisco C8500 480 GB M.2 SATA SSD SD-WAN IPsec throughput Up to 51 Gbps at 1400-byte packets
SD-WAN IPsec IMIX throughput Up to 22.6 Gbps SD-WAN overlay tunnels 8000
Autonomous IPv4 forwarding Up to 118 Gbps at 1400-byte packets Autonomous IPsec throughput Up to 84 Gbps at 1400-byte packets
Autonomous IPsec SVTI tunnels 4000 IPv4 routes 4M with default 16 GB DRAM
IPv6 routes 4M with default 16 GB DRAM NAT sessions 12M
Firewall sessions 6M VRFs 8000
Required subscription Cisco DNA Advantage Software subscription Power supply options PWR-CH1-750WACR or PWR-CH1-950WDCR
Airflow Front-to-back airflow with matching power supply and fan airflow direction Dimensions 1.73 x 17.50 x 18.46 in.
Weight 20.25 lb Input voltage AC 85 to 264 VAC or DC -40 to -72 VDC
Operating temperature 32 to 104 F (0 to 40 C) Storage temperature -40 to 150 F (-40 to 70 C)
Operating altitude -500 to 10000 ft (-152 to 3048 m) MTBF 156,200 hours
Rack installation Two-post and four-post rack installation

Quality Certifications

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    Procurement approved a blanket PO with Layer23 based on our experience.

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    Great sales team. They helped us coordinate a complex delivery window.

    Tony Montana
    Posted on 02/05/2024
    Verified Buyer
    5.0

    You kept your word. The shipment arrived today. It’s good.

Questions & Answers

  • What IPsec throughput does C8500-12X reach?

    C8500-12X reaches up to 51 Gbps of SD-WAN IPsec throughput at 1400-byte packets and up to 22.6 Gbps with IMIX traffic. Autonomous IPv4 forwarding is up to 118 Gbps and autonomous IPsec is up to 84 Gbps, both at 1400-byte packets.
  • Which Cisco DNA license tier does C8500-12X need?

    C8500-12X needs a Cisco DNA Advantage subscription at Tier 3, ordered as L-DNA-C8500 with DNA-C-T3-A or DNA-P-T3-A. Terms run 3Y, 5Y or 7Y, and the subscription can be ordered with the hardware or separately.
  • Which broadband features does C8500-12X support, and from which release?

    C8500-12X supports the broadband features BNG, LNS, LAC and IWAG starting in Cisco IOS XE 17.9.3, per the Catalyst 8500 data sheet. Earlier releases from the 17.3.2 baseline do not include them.
  • What power cord and input does PWR-CH1-750WACR need on C8500-12X?

    PWR-CH1-750WACR takes 85 to 264 VAC at 47 to 63 Hz through an IEC 320 C14 inlet with a 10 A cord, per the Catalyst 8500 data sheet. It is rated 80 Plus Platinum with 20 ms of holdup.
  • How much IPsec throughput does C8500-12X reach in autonomous mode?

    C8500-12X reaches up to 84 Gbps of IPsec at 1400 bytes in autonomous mode, with IPv4 forwarding up to 118 Gbps and 10 MB of TCAM. The Catalyst 8500 data sheet measures CEF in autonomous mode and IPsec in either autonomous or controller mode, with the headline figures stated as platform maximums with a Cisco DNA license.
  • Which SD-WAN Manager release goes with C8500-12X on Cisco IOS XE 17.3.2?

    C8500-12X on Cisco IOS XE 17.3.2 pairs with SD-WAN Manager 20.3.2, per the Catalyst 8500 ordering guide. The ordering guide lists IOS XE 17.3.2 as the minimum release, and controller mode is selected with IOSXE-CTRL-MODE on the hardware order.
  • How much heat does C8500-12X dissipate?

    C8500-12X dissipates 682.4 BTU/hr typical and up to 1023.6 BTU/hr maximum, per the Catalyst 8500 data sheet. The chassis weighs 20.25 lb with two AC power supplies and the fan tray.

Warranty

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DataSheet Downloads

  • C8500-12X Datasheet