C9500-24Y4C-A – 24×1/10/25G SFP28 Ports – 4×40/100G QSFP28 Uplinks – Network Advantage
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C9500-24Y4C-A Description
The C9500-24Y4C-A is a Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series high-performance fixed switch built for campus core and aggregation roles that need fiber-dense access with high-speed uplinks. It pairs 24 1G/10G/25G SFP28 downlink ports with 4 fixed 40G/100G QSFP28 uplink ports on the UADP 3.0 ASIC, giving it up to 2.0 Tbps of switching capacity and 1 Bpps forwarding without a separate uplink module. This -A variant ships with the Network Advantage license, which adds full routing protocols, VXLAN and BGP-EVPN segmentation, StackWise Virtual, and MACsec-256 on top of the same fixed hardware, positioning it for designs that need advanced Layer 3 services and high-availability features rather than plain Layer 2 access.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product ID |
C9500-24Y4C-A |
|
Network license |
Network Advantage |
|
Downlink ports |
24 x 1G/10G/25G SFP28 |
|
Fixed uplink ports |
4 x 40G/100G QSFP28 |
|
Network module support |
C9500-NM-8X and C9500-NM-2Q are not supported |
|
ASIC |
Cisco UADP 3.0 |
|
Switching capacity |
Up to 2.0 Tbps |
|
Forwarding rate |
Up to 1 Bpps |
|
Default power supply |
C9K-PWR-650WAC-R 650W AC |
|
Power supply options |
C9K-PWR-650WAC-R, C9K-PWR-650WACL-R, C9K-PWR-930WDC-R |
|
Fan tray |
C9K-T1-FANTRAY, up to 4 fans |
|
Minimum software release |
Cisco IOS XE 16.8.1a |
Product Performance
Key Features
The 24 SFP28 ports run natively at 1G/10G/25G and the 4 QSFP28 uplinks are fixed, so the port count and uplink capacity are set at the factory, removing the module-selection step that C9500-16X deployments require.
Because this SKU ships with Network Advantage, buyers get full BGP, EIGRP, IS-IS, and OSPF routing plus VRF, VXLAN, and BGP-EVPN segmentation on day one, without a separate license upgrade purchase for those features.
Network Advantage also unlocks StackWise Virtual chassis pairing and 256-bit MACsec, which matters for aggregation-layer designs that need multichassis resiliency or encrypted uplinks rather than a plain access deployment.
The 650W AC, 650W AC low-voltage, and 930W DC supply options are shared with C9500-32QC and C9500-48Y4C, so spare power supplies from those platforms can cover this switch without sourcing a separate PSU family.
At 1 RU and 20.99 lb with dual supplies and the built-in fan, the chassis fits standard aggregation racks without the extra depth or weight budget that the 32-port QSFP28 models in the same series require.
C9500-24Y4C requires Cisco IOS XE Software Release 16.8.1a or later, setting the software floor this switch brings into a campus core that already standardizes Catalyst 9500 hardware on an established IOS XE image train.
Application Scenarios
Deployed as a campus core or aggregation switch where 25G-capable fiber uplinks from access switches converge onto 40G/100G links toward the core or data center edge.
Used in wiring closets or aggregation points that need 25G fiber density toward downstream access switches instead of copper PoE ports, while keeping four QSFP28 ports for upstream aggregation.
Deployed in pairs with StackWise Virtual to form a resilient aggregation node, using the Network Advantage license’s multichassis EtherChannel support across the two switches.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
C9500-24Y4C-A | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Network license |
Network Advantage |
Network Essentials |
Network Advantage |
Network Advantage |
|
Downlink ports |
24 x 1G/10G/25G SFP28 |
24 x 1G/10G/25G SFP28 |
48 x 1G/10G/25G SFP28 |
32 x 40G/100G QSFP28 |
|
Fixed uplink ports |
4 x 40G/100G QSFP28 |
4 x 40G/100G QSFP28 |
4 x 40G/100G QSFP28 |
None (uplinks share the 32 QSFP28 ports) |
|
Breakout support |
Not supported |
Not supported |
Not supported |
Up to 96 x 10G/25G breakout ports |
|
Switching capacity |
Up to 2.0 Tbps |
Up to 2.0 Tbps |
Up to 3.2 Tbps |
Up to 6.4 Tbps |
|
Forwarding rate |
Up to 1 Bpps |
Up to 1 Bpps |
Up to 1 Bpps |
Up to 2 Bpps |
|
Power supply family |
650W AC/650W AC-LV/930W DC |
650W AC/650W AC-LV/930W DC |
650W AC/650W AC-LV/930W DC |
1600W AC/1600W DC |
|
Fan tray |
C9K-T1-FANTRAY |
C9K-T1-FANTRAY |
C9K-T1-FANTRAY |
C9K-T2-FANTRAY |
|
Routing and segmentation |
Full BGP/EIGRP/OSPF, VXLAN, BGP-EVPN |
Layer 2 and routed access only |
Full BGP/EIGRP/OSPF, VXLAN, BGP-EVPN |
Full BGP/EIGRP/OSPF, VXLAN, BGP-EVPN |
- The C9500-24Y4C-A and C9500-24Y4C-E share identical hardware, so the only real difference is license scope: the -E variant covers Layer 2 and basic routed access, while the -A variant adds full BGP/EIGRP/OSPF routing, VXLAN and BGP-EVPN segmentation, StackWise Virtual, and MACsec-256, which matters once a design needs more than static or limited-route Layer 3.
- Against the C9500-48Y4C-A, the port count is the deciding factor rather than throughput headroom: the C9500-48Y4C-A doubles downlink density to 48 SFP28 ports and raises switching capacity to 3.2 Tbps on the same 650W/930W power and fan family, so a design that will grow past 24 access-facing 25G ports is better matched to the 48-port chassis instead of adding a second C9500-24Y4C-A unit.
- The C9500-32C-A trades SFP28 downlink density for QSFP28 uplink-class ports with breakout, doubling switching capacity to 6.4 Tbps and forwarding to 2 Bpps, but it requires the 1600W power family and C9K-T2-FANTRAY instead of the 650W/930W and C9K-T1-FANTRAY shared by the C9500-24Y4C and C9500-48Y4C models; a design that needs native 25G SFP28 access ports rather than QSFP28-with-breakout ports stays with the C9500-24Y4C-A.
- Choosing among the four comes down to license scope first, then downlink port count: pick the -E variant only when the deployment stays within Layer 2 or basic routed access, move to the C9500-48Y4C-A when downlink port count needs to exceed 24, and move to the C9500-32C-A only when the design is built around QSFP28-plus-breakout ports rather than native SFP28 fiber access.
Selection Guide
1. Static Or Limited-Route Layer 3 Keeps Essentials Viable
This SKU ships with Network Advantage, which adds full BGP/EIGRP/OSPF routing, VXLAN/BGP-EVPN segmentation, StackWise Virtual, and MACsec-256 over the C9500-24Y4C-E baseline; a pure Layer 2 or basic routed-access deployment can move to the C9500-24Y4C-E instead and skip paying for those Layer 3 and high-availability entitlements.
2. Growth Past 24 Ports Moves The Order To The 48-Port Chassis
This chassis is fixed at 24 SFP28 downlink ports with no expansion path; a design that will need more than 24 25G-capable access-facing ports is better served by the C9500-48Y4C-A’s 48-port chassis on the same power and fan family than by adding a second 24-port unit once that growth is already known.
3. Breakout Requirements Point To QSFP28 Instead Of SFP28
This model’s ports are native SFP28 25G/10G/1G with no breakout path; a design that instead needs QSFP28 ports with 10G/25G breakout should move to the C9500-32C-A, accepting the 1600W power family and C9K-T2-FANTRAY change that comes with it rather than trying to reach breakout density on this chassis.
4. C9500-DNA-24Y4CEA Covers A Later Move Off Essentials
Cisco’s DNA subscription upgrade PID C9500-DNA-24Y4CEA moves this hardware from Essentials to Advantage entitlements without reordering the chassis, so a design that starts on the C9500-24Y4C-E variant can add Advantage later through that subscription PID instead of committing to the -A hardware PID at initial purchase.
Ordering Checklist
|
Check Item |
What to Confirm |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
|
Default power supply |
Confirm whether the standard single C9K-PWR-650WAC-R ships or a second supply and cord are added at order time. |
The order configurator preselects a second supply by default; leaving it in adds cost that an unnecessary redundant-supply purchase does not need. |
|
Dual-supply power model match |
If a redundant supply is ordered, confirm both slots use the same power family, especially C9K-PWR-650WACL-R. |
Mixing a single C9K-PWR-650WACL-R with another supply type in this chassis can cause unpredictable operation and network service interruption. |
|
RFID selection |
Confirm C9500-RFID or C9500-RFID-NONE is selected at order time. |
RFID is a mandatory selection for this high-performance model and cannot be added after the unit ships. |
|
Smart Account and software subscription tier |
Confirm the target Smart Account and that the Catalyst Software or DNA subscription term matches the Network Advantage tier already on this hardware. |
A mismatched subscription tier or unbound Smart Account can block license activation after delivery. |
Optional Add-ons
|
Model |
Description |
|---|---|
|
C9K-PWR-650WAC-R/2 |
Redundant 650W AC power supply for the C9500-24Y4C second power supply slot. |
|
Catalyst 9500 Series High-End 19-inch rack mount accessory kit shared by C9500-24Y4C, C9500-32C, C9500-32QC, and C9500-48Y4C. |
C9500-24Y4C-A Switch Front Panel
|
1 |
24 1G/10G/25G SFP28 ports |
5 |
USB mini Type B console port |
|
2 |
Uplink ports |
6 |
RFID (Optional) |
|
3 |
Ethernet management port |
7 |
Console port (RJ-45 Serial) |
|
4 |
Reset button |
8 |
USB 3.0 host port |
C9500-24Y4C-A Switch Rear Panel
The switch rear panel includes StackWise connectors, StackPower or XPS connectors, ports, fan modules, and power supply modules.
Components Delivered in the Shipping Box
The shipping box contains the model of the switch you ordered and other components needed for installation. Some components are optional, depending on your order.
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product ID | C9500-24Y4C-A | Network license | Network Advantage |
| Downlink ports | 24 x 1G/10G/25G SFP28 | Fixed uplink ports | 4 x 40G/100G QSFP28 |
| Native port numbering | Ports 1-24: 25G native; ports 25-28: 40G/100G native | Network module support | C9500-NM-8X and C9500-NM-2Q not supported |
| ASIC | Cisco UADP 3.0 | Switching capacity | Up to 2.0 Tbps |
| Forwarding rate | Up to 1 Bpps | DRAM / Flash | 16 GB DRAM / 16 GB flash |
| MAC address table | Up to 82,000 entries | IPv4 routes (indirect + direct) | Up to 256,000 |
| IPv4 host routes | Up to 90,000 | IPv6 routes (indirect + direct) | Up to 256,000 |
| IPv6 host routes | Up to 90,000 | IPv4 / IPv6 multicast routes | Up to 32,000 each |
| QoS ACL scale (v4/v6) | Up to 16,000/8,000 | Security ACL scale (v4/v6) | Up to 27,000/13,500 |
| Flexible NetFlow entries | Up to 256,000 | VLAN IDs | 4,094 |
| Jumbo frame size | 9,216 bytes | Default power supply | C9K-PWR-650WAC-R 650W AC |
| Power supply options | C9K-PWR-650WAC-R, C9K-PWR-650WACL-R, C9K-PWR-930WDC-R | Input voltage | 90-264 VAC |
| Thermal output | 1,454 BTU/hr (AC supplies); 1,484 BTU/hr (DC supply) | Fan tray | C9K-T1-FANTRAY, up to 4 fans |
| Operating temperature | 32-104 F (0-40 C); max altitude 10,000 ft at 40 C, 6,000 ft at 45 C | Storage temperature | -4 to 149 F (-20 to 65 C) |
| Relative humidity | 5-90% operating, 5-95% non-operating/storage (non-condensing) | Acoustic noise | No greater than 71.5 LWAd dB |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 1.73 x 17.5 x 18.0 in (4.39 x 44.45 x 45.72 cm) | Weight | 20.99 lb (9.52 kg) with dual supplies and built-in fan |
| Rack units | 1 RU | MTBF | 336,780 hours |
| Safety certifications | IEC 60950-1 (with amendments), AS/NZS 60950.1:2011, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1-07, GB 4943-95, EN 60950-1:2006 (with amendments), NOM-019-SCFI-1998, UL 60950-1 Second Edition | EMC compliance | 47 CFR Part 15 Class A, CISPR 32/EN 55032 Class A, ICES-003 Class A, EN 61000-3-2/EN 61000-3-3, EN 55024 |
| Warranty | Cisco Enhanced Limited Lifetime Warranty (E-LLW) with NBD hardware replacement where available and 90 days 8×5 TAC support | Minimum software release | Cisco IOS XE 16.8.1a |
| Management interfaces | Ethernet management port, RJ-45 serial console port, USB mini Type B console port, USB 3.0 host port, reset button, optional RFID tag |
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Quality Certifications
Customer Reviews
Questions & Answers
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What is Cisco C9500-24Y4C-A designed for?
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How is C9500-24Y4C-A different from C9500-24Y4C-E?
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Can C9500-24Y4C-A run 1G, 10G, and 25G on the same switch?
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How is C9500-24Y4C-A different from C9500-32C-A?
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Does C9500-24Y4C-A have modular uplinks?
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Can C9500-24Y4C-A be used in a StackWise Virtual pair?
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What should be checked before ordering C9500-24Y4C-A?
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When should I choose C9500-48Y4C-A instead?
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