C8500-20X6C – 20×1/10GE SFP+ – 6×40/100GE QSFP+ – Catalyst 8500 Edge Router
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C8500-20X6C Description
C8500-20X6C is a 3RU Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge router for 100G-ready WAN edge builds, using twenty SFP+ 1/10GE interfaces and six QSFP+ 40/100GE interfaces in the same chassis.
Use this model when the aggregation design does not fit inside the 1RU C8500-12X4QC envelope. The buying split is interface capacity and rack footprint: Cisco allows the C8500-20X6C front-panel set to be enabled together and lists 800 Gbps of port bandwidth, while C8500-12X4QC is limited to up to 240GE enabled ports.
Procurement should validate DNA Advantage Tier 4 or Tier 5, Smart Account or Virtual Account ownership, IOS XE 17.10.1 or later, HSEC entitlement, optical modules for each speed class, AC or DC feed count, four-post mounting, quote price, warranty support, and delivery destination.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product ID |
C8500-20X6C |
|
Product family |
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms |
|
Product type |
SD-WAN edge router |
|
Form factor |
3RU fixed platform |
|
1/10GE port profile |
20 x SFP+ ports |
|
40/100GE port profile |
6 x QSFP+ ports |
|
Enabled port bandwidth |
800 Gbps listed port bandwidth |
|
Default memory |
64 GB DRAM |
|
Default storage |
480 GB SSD and 32 GB internal boot flash |
|
SD-WAN IPsec throughput |
Up to 350 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
|
Autonomous IPv4 forwarding |
Up to 500 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
|
Minimum Cisco IOS XE release |
17.10.1 |
|
Required subscription |
Cisco DNA subscription with Advantage Tier 4 or Tier 5 offered for C8500-20X6C |
Product Performance
Key Features
Bay 0 provides twenty SFP+ ports that Cisco documents as configurable for 1G, 10G, or a mix of 1G and 10G interfaces.
Bay 1 provides six QSFP+ ports that Cisco documents for 40G, 100G, or mixed 40G and 100G use, making optics selection a central BOM step.
C8500-20X6C is the enhanced 3RU member of the Catalyst 8500 Edge Platform family, not the compact 1RU C8500-12X or C8500-12X4QC hardware profile.
Cisco publishes separate C8500-20X6C rows for SD-WAN IPsec, autonomous IPv4 forwarding, autonomous IPsec throughput, and system scale, so sizing should use this exact model rather than a smaller Catalyst 8500 row.
The platform supports AC and DC C8500 power supplies, with Cisco noting four power-supply slots maximum and at least two populated and powered supplies.
Cisco ordering guidance requires a Catalyst 8500 DNA subscription attach and Smart Account or Virtual Account handling, with Advantage Tier 4 and Tier 5 offered for C8500-20X6C.
Application Scenarios
Deploy C8500-20X6C where the approved design needs a Catalyst 8500 edge router with Cisco-listed 350 Gbps SD-WAN IPsec throughput and 100G interface support.
Select this SKU when the site requires six 40/100GE QSFP+ ports plus twenty 1/10GE SFP+ ports, rather than a 1RU Catalyst 8500 model with fewer high-speed interfaces.
Use C8500-20X6C when the project can support the 3RU chassis, four-post rack installation, matching front-to-rear airflow, and the C8500-20X6C subscription and power requirements.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
C8500-20X6C | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Product family |
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms |
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms |
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms |
|
Product type |
SD-WAN edge router |
SD-WAN edge router |
SD-WAN edge router |
|
Form factor |
3RU fixed platform |
1RU fixed platform |
1RU fixed platform |
|
1/10GE port count |
20 x 1/10GE SFP+ ports |
12 x 1/10GE SFP+ ports |
12 x 1/10GE SFP+ ports |
|
40G/100G port profile |
6 x 40/100GE QSFP+ ports |
2 x 40/100GE ports plus 2 x 40GE ports |
Not included |
|
Enabled port bandwidth |
800 Gbps listed port bandwidth |
Up to 240GE of ports enabled simultaneously |
12 x 1/10GE ports |
|
SD-WAN IPsec throughput |
Up to 350 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
Up to 96 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
Up to 51 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
|
SD-WAN IPsec IMIX throughput |
Up to 100 Gbps |
Up to 31.9 Gbps |
Up to 22.6 Gbps |
|
Autonomous IPv4 forwarding |
Up to 500 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
Up to 197 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
Up to 118 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
|
Autonomous IPsec throughput |
Up to 400 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
Up to 135 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
Up to 84 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
|
SD-WAN overlay tunnels |
8000 |
8000 |
8000 |
|
Default memory |
64 GB DRAM |
16 GB DRAM |
16 GB DRAM |
|
Rack installation |
Four-post only |
Two-post or four-post |
Two-post or four-post |
- In a C8500-20X6C vs C8500-12X4QC comparison, the main difference is port scale: C8500-20X6C lists twenty 1/10GE SFP+ ports and six 40/100GE QSFP+ ports, while C8500-12X4QC uses a smaller 1RU port layout.
- The C8500-20X6C difference for SD-WAN sizing is its 350 Gbps IPsec row and 100 Gbps IMIX row; C8500-12X4QC is listed at 96 Gbps and 31.9 Gbps for the same controller-mode checks.
- For buyers comparing C8500-20X6C vs C8500-12X, the C8500-12X model removes 40G and 100G ports and stays at twelve 1/10GE interfaces.
- Which model to choose should be tied to interface speed mix, required enabled-port bandwidth, encrypted throughput target, default memory, and rack space.
Selection Guide
1. Use this PID for dense 100G edge designs
Choose C8500-20X6C when the approved WAN or aggregation design needs six 40/100GE QSFP+ ports and twenty 1/10GE SFP+ ports in the same Catalyst 8500 chassis.
2. Stay with C8500-12X4QC for smaller QSFP requirements
Select C8500-12X4QC only when the design can fit the 1RU profile and does not require the C8500-20X6C port scale or performance rows.
3. Avoid C8500-12X when 40G or 100G ports are required
Use C8500-12X for a 1/10GE-only Catalyst 8500 order, but keep C8500-20X6C on the BOM when QSFP+ 40G or 100G links are required.
4. Confirm license, optics, power, and rack details together
Verify Cisco DNA subscription tier, Smart Account or Virtual Account, IOS XE release, HSEC entitlement, optics, at least two powered supplies, airflow direction, and four-post rack space before purchase.
Ordering Checklist
|
Check Item |
What to Confirm |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
|
Exact chassis PID |
Confirm C8500-20X6C in the hardware BOM |
Cisco lists this PID as the Catalyst 8500 edge platform with 20 x 1/10GE and 6 x 40/100GE ports |
|
Cisco DNA subscription |
Select the Catalyst 8500 subscription and the correct Advantage tier |
Cisco ordering guidance states a DNA subscription attach is required and only Advantage Tier 4 and Tier 5 are offered for C8500-20X6C |
|
Smart Account |
Verify the customer Smart Account or Virtual Account |
Cisco ordering guidance requires SA or VA handling for separate DNA subscription ordering |
|
Software baseline |
Confirm IOS XE 17.10.1 or later for the platform order |
Cisco lists 17.10.1 as the minimum IOS XE release supported for C8500-20X6C in the ordering guide |
|
HSEC entitlement |
Confirm whether full crypto functionality is required |
Cisco states HSEC is required for full crypto function and is provided by default with Catalyst 8500 hardware |
|
Optics and breakout plan |
Match 1G, 10G, 40G, and 100G optics to the selected ports |
Cisco ordering guidance points C8500-20X6C buyers to 1GE, 10GE, 40GE, and 100GE optic choices |
|
Power and rack plan |
Confirm AC or DC supplies, minimum powered supply count, airflow, and four-post rack space |
C8500-20X6C uses a 3RU chassis with four-post installation and a minimum powered supply requirement |
Optional Add-ons
|
Model |
Description |
|---|---|
|
L-DNA-C8500 |
Cisco C8500 subscription |
|
PWR-CH1-1100WAC= |
Cisco C8500 1100W AC power spare |
|
PWR-CH1-950WDC= |
Cisco C8500 950W DC power spare |
|
SSD-M2SATA-480G= |
Cisco C8500 SSD M.2 SATA 480 GB spare |
|
C8500-FAN-3R= |
Cisco C8500 fan tray 3RU spare |
|
C8500-ACCKIT3R-19= |
Cisco C8500 19-inch accessory kit 3RU spare |
|
C8500-FILTER-ASSY |
Cisco NEBS level 3 filter |
|
C8500-NEB3-FILTER= |
Cisco NEBS Level 3 filter replacement spare |
C8500-20X6C Front View
|
1 |
Management Interface RJ-45 |
5 |
Micro-USB Console |
|
2 |
Bay 0 |
6 |
Console RJ-45 |
|
3 |
Bay 1 |
7 |
USB 0 |
|
4 |
Power switch |
8 |
USB 1 |
C8500-20X6C LED
|
1 |
Management interface LEDFlashing green : Link activity indicatorOff : No LinkSolid Green : Link with no activity |
5 |
Power LEDOff : No power to chassis.Yellow : Power On, one power supply has failed or is not plugged in.Green : All power is within specifications |
|
2 |
Management interface LED – LinkLink LED : Off – no link,Link LED : On – Link is up |
6 |
Status LEDOff : System not bootedRed : System FailureYellow : System is booted to ROMmonGreen : System is booted to IOS |
|
3 |
Micro-USB LEDLeft LED On indicates that USB console is active |
7,8, and 9 |
Alarm LED : Minor, Major, Critical |
|
4 |
Console RJ-45 LEDRight LED On indicates that RJ-45 console is active |
— |
Specifications
Packaging weight and dimensions included:| Weight | 22.86 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 72 × 59 × 18 cm |
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product ID | C8500-20X6C | Product Family | Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms |
| Product Type | SD-WAN edge router | Form Factor | 3RU fixed platform |
| Ethernet Ports | 20 x 1/10GE SFP+ ports and 6 x 40/100GE QSFP+ ports | Enabled Port Bandwidth | 800 Gbps listed port bandwidth |
| Bay 0 | 20 x SFP+ ports configurable as 1G, 10G, or mixed 1G and 10G | Bay 1 | 6 x QSFP+ ports configurable as 40G, 100G, or mixed 40G and 100G |
| Default Memory | 64 GB DRAM | Boot Flash Storage | 32 GB internal boot flash |
| Default SSD | 480 GB SSD | TCAM | 320 MB TCAM |
| SD-WAN IPsec Throughput | Up to 350 Gbps at 1400-byte packets | SD-WAN IPsec IMIX Throughput | Up to 100 Gbps |
| SD-WAN Overlay Tunnels | 8000 | Autonomous IPv4 Forwarding | Up to 500 Gbps at 1400-byte packets |
| Autonomous IPsec Throughput | Up to 400 Gbps at 1400-byte packets | Autonomous IPsec SVTI Tunnels | 4000 |
| IPv4 Routes | 7M with default 64 GB DRAM | NAT Sessions | 32M |
| Firewall Sessions | 32M | Required Subscription | Cisco DNA subscription with Advantage Tier 4 or Tier 5 offered for C8500-20X6C |
| Minimum Cisco IOS XE Release | 17.10.1 | Minimum Catalyst SD-WAN Manager Release | 20.10.1 |
| Power Supply Options | PWR-CH1-1100WAC or PWR-CH1-950WDC | Power Supply Requirement | 4 slots maximum with at least 2 supplies populated and powered |
| Input Voltage | AC 90 to 264 VAC or DC -40 to -72 VDC | Airflow Direction | Front-to-rear chassis airflow |
| Dimensions | 26.85 in L x 17.25 in W x 5.22 in H | Chassis Weight | 77.5 lb with 4 x AC or 75 lb with 3 x AC |
| 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 | 241225 hours |
| Rack Installation | Four-post only | NEBS Criteria | GR-1089 and GR-63 |
Get More Information
Need pricing, stock, or shipping details for the C8500-20X6C ? Layer23-Switch can help you check current availability, lead time, and delivery options for this. Send us the part number, quantity, and destination country via live chat or email sales@layer23-switch.com for a fast quotation.
Quality Certifications
Customer Reviews
Questions & Answers
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Who is C8500-20X6C built for?
-
Can all C8500-20X6C ports run at the same time?
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How many 100G ports does C8500-20X6C have?
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How is C8500-20X6C different from C8500-12X4QC?
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What IPsec throughput fits C8500-20X6C planning?
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Which IOS XE version supports C8500-20X6C SD-WAN?
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What hardware options are default on C8500-20X6C?
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What needs sizing before buying C8500-20X6C?
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