C8500-12X – 12×1/10GE SFP+ Ports – Catalyst 8500 Edge Router – DNA Required
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C8500-12X Description
C8500-12X is a Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series edge router for branch WAN, SD-WAN, and high-capacity internet edge deployments. It is a 1RU fixed platform with 12 x 1/10G SFP+ Ethernet ports, no 40G or 100G ports on this model, 16 GB default DRAM expandable to 64 GB, 32 GB internal boot flash, and an optional Cisco C8500 480 GB M.2 SATA SSD. Cisco positions the platform with DNA Advantage subscription requirements, high-throughput SD-WAN IPsec service, and redundant 750W AC or 950W DC power supply choices, making this SKU a compact Catalyst 8000 routing platform for dense 10G WAN-edge connectivity.
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 |
|
Default 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
Key Features
C8500-12X gives the BOM twelve dual-rate SFP+ interfaces, so the port plan can stay focused on 1G or 10G optical handoffs without adding 40G or 100G bays.
The SKU belongs to the Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms, which Cisco positions for SD-WAN, internet gateway, SASE cloud edge, managed CPE, and enterprise branch routing use cases.
Cisco publishes separate C8500-12X performance values for SD-WAN IPsec, SD-WAN IMIX, autonomous IPv4 forwarding, and autonomous IPsec, so sizing should use this exact model row instead of a family average.
Cisco states Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms initially require a Cisco DNA Advantage Software subscription, and ordering the subscription requires Smart Account or Virtual Account handling.
The 1RU C8500-12X uses the Catalyst 8500 power supply family and supports AC or DC power options, so the power path and regional cords should be settled before optics are finalized.
The hardware guide identifies front-to-back airflow for the chassis, and Cisco warns that power supplies and fan modules in the same chassis must use matching airflow direction.
Application Scenarios
Deploy C8500-12X where the approved design needs a Catalyst 8500 edge router with twelve SFP+ ports and Cisco-listed SD-WAN IPsec performance in the 51 Gbps class.
Select this SKU when the site has many 1G or 10G optical WAN or LAN connections and does not need the QSFP 40G or 100G interface profile of C8500-12X4QC.
Use C8500-12X when the project standardizes on Catalyst 8500 Series routing and the procurement team can attach Cisco DNA Advantage with the correct Smart Account or Virtual Account.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
C8500-12X | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Product type |
SD-WAN edge router |
SD-WAN edge router |
SD-WAN edge router |
|
Power supply selection |
Two PWR-CH1-750WACR 750W AC or two PWR-CH1-950WDCR 950W DC redundant supplies |
Two PWR-CH1-750WACR 750W AC or two PWR-CH1-950WDCR 950W DC redundant supplies |
Three PWR-CH1-1100WAC 1100W AC or three PWR-CH1-950WDC 950W DC supplies; fourth supply optional |
|
Form factor |
1RU fixed platform |
1RU fixed platform |
3RU fixed platform |
|
1/10GE port count |
12 x 1/10GE SFP+ ports |
12 x 1/10GE SFP+ ports |
20 x 1/10GE SFP+ ports |
|
40G/100G port support |
Not included |
Up to 4 x 40GE or 100GE ports listed in the data sheet port table |
Up to 4 x 40GE or 100GE ports listed in the data sheet port table |
|
SD-WAN IPsec throughput |
Up to 51 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
Up to 125 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
Up to 350 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
|
SD-WAN IPsec IMIX throughput |
Up to 22.6 Gbps |
Up to 40 Gbps |
Up to 100 Gbps |
|
SD-WAN overlay tunnels |
8000 |
8000 |
8000 |
|
Autonomous IPv4 forwarding |
Up to 118 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
Up to 197 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
Up to 500 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
|
Autonomous IPsec throughput |
Up to 84 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
Up to 135 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
Up to 400 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
|
Default DRAM |
16 GB |
16 GB |
16 GB |
|
Maximum DRAM |
64 GB |
64 GB |
64 GB |
|
Required subscription |
Cisco DNA Advantage Software subscription |
Cisco DNA Advantage Software subscription |
Cisco DNA subscription with Advantage Tier 4 or Tier 5 offered for C8500-20X6C |
- In a C8500-12X vs C8500-12X4QC comparison, the clearest difference is the QSFP row: C8500-12X stays with twelve 1/10GE SFP+ ports, while C8500-12X4QC adds 40G or 100G capability.
- The C8500-12X difference for SD-WAN sizing is its 51 Gbps IPsec row; C8500-12X4QC moves that row to 125 Gbps for designs that need the larger platform profile.
- For buyers comparing C8500-12X vs C8500-12X4QC, the tunnel scale and default memory rows are not the deciding factors because both models list 8000 SD-WAN overlay tunnels and 16 GB default DRAM.
- Which model to choose should be tied to the approved interface speed mix, required IPsec throughput, autonomous forwarding target, and whether the WAN design needs 40G or 100G ports. C8500-20X6C is included as an additional same-family comparison point.
Selection Guide
1. Match the interface speed plan
Choose C8500-12X when the router BOM needs twelve 1G or 10G SFP+ ports and does not require any 40G or 100G QSFP handoff.
2. Move to C8500-12X4QC for QSFP ports
Select C8500-12X4QC instead when the approved edge design includes 40G or 100G interfaces or requires the higher Cisco-listed IPsec and IPv4 forwarding rows.
3. Confirm software and licensing before hardware release
Verify the Cisco DNA Advantage subscription, Smart Account or Virtual Account, IOS XE target release, and any HSEC requirement before the final quote is released.
4. Lock optics and power after the chassis PID
Confirm the SFP or SFP+ optics, AC or DC power supplies, rack kit, and airflow match after the project team confirms C8500-12X as the exact chassis PID.
Ordering Checklist
|
Check Item |
What to Confirm |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
|
Exact chassis PID |
Confirm C8500-12X in the hardware BOM |
Cisco lists C8500-12X as the Catalyst 8500 edge platform with twelve 1/10GE SFP+ ports |
|
Subscription attach |
Add Cisco DNA Advantage for the platform order |
Cisco states Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms initially require Cisco DNA Advantage Software subscription |
|
Smart Account |
Verify the customer Smart Account or Virtual Account |
Cisco ordering guidance requires SA or VA handling for the DNA subscription |
|
HSEC requirement |
Confirm whether the deployment requires the C8500-HSEC option |
Cisco ordering guidance lists C8500-HSEC as the HSEC license option for the platform family |
|
Optics and media |
Match SFP or SFP+ transceivers to the twelve dual-rate 10GE interfaces |
The hardware guide distinguishes 1G SFP and 10G SFP+ behavior on dual-rate interfaces |
|
Power supply path |
Choose AC or DC power supplies and matching regional cords |
The C8500-12X order path includes Cisco C8500 AC and DC power supply options |
|
Rack and airflow |
Confirm two-post or four-post rack kit and matching front-to-back airflow modules |
The hardware guide covers rack installation choices and matching airflow direction requirements |
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
|
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 |
— |
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product ID | C8500-12X | Product Type | SD-WAN edge router |
| Form Factor | 1RU fixed platform | Ethernet Ports | 12 x 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports |
| 40G/100G Ports | Not included on C8500-12X | Default 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 Direction | Front-to-back airflow with matching power supply and fan airflow direction | Dimensions | 1.73 x 17.50 x 18.46 in. |
| Chassis 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) |
| Altitude | -500 to 10000 ft (-152 to 3048 m) | MTBF | 146700 hours |
| Rack Installation | Two-post and four-post rack installation |
Get More Information
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Questions & Answers
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Which aggregation role fits C8500-12X?
-
What ports does C8500-12X provide?
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How is C8500-12X different from C8500L-8S4X?
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Which throughput sizing question matters on C8500-12X?
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Why do LACP and ECMP questions appear for C8500-12X?
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Can C8500-12X replace an ASR1001-X or ASR edge router?
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Which high-speed port limitation applies to C8500-12X?
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Which port mix points away from C8500-12X?
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