C9500-32C-E – 32×40/100G QSFP28 Ports – 96×10/25G Breakout – Network Essentials
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C9500-32C-E Description
C9500-32C-E is a Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series high-performance fixed core and aggregation switch with 32 QSFP28 ports that support 40G or 100G operation and Network Essentials licensing.
The order decision is mainly a license and port-density check. C9500-32C-E uses the same C9500-32C hardware profile as C9500-32C-A but ships with Network Essentials instead of Network Advantage, while C9500-32QC-E keeps the Essentials tier but reduces native 100G density to 16 ports.
For a reliable quote package, align the Cisco IOS XE release plan, QSFP28 optics or breakout cable map, Cisco DNA Essentials term, 1600W AC or DC power supply choice, C9K-T2 fan-tray sparing, rack clearance, price request, availability check, support coverage, and shipping destination.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product ID |
C9500-32C-E |
|
Product family |
Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series |
|
Product type |
High-performance fixed core and aggregation switch |
|
Base hardware model |
C9500-32C |
|
Network license |
Network Essentials |
|
Port configuration |
32 x 40G/100G QSFP28 ports |
|
Native 100G port density |
32 ports |
|
Breakout support |
Up to 96 x 10G or 25G breakout ports |
|
Switching capacity |
Up to 6.4 Tbps |
|
Forwarding rate |
Up to 2 Bpps |
|
Power supply slots |
2 |
|
Power supply options |
C9K-PWR-1600WAC-R and C9K-PWR-1600WDC-R |
|
Minimum software release |
Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a |
Product Performance
Key Features
C9500-32C-E keeps the 32-port C9500-32C hardware profile and maps the orderable PID to Network Essentials, so the suffix is a license-tier decision rather than a port-count change.
Cisco identifies C9500-32C with 32 QSFP28 ports where all native ports are 40G/100G capable, which is the key technical difference from the 32QC hardware profile.
The model supports breakout to 10G or 25G, but the supported breakout groups are not every fourth native port, so cabling should be mapped before optics and cables are ordered.
C9500-32C does not use the C9500-NM-8X or C9500-NM-2Q uplink modules, which keeps expansion planning focused on native QSFP28 ports rather than modular uplink slots.
The supported C9500-32C power supplies are C9K-PWR-1600WAC-R and C9K-PWR-1600WDC-R, not the 650W or 930W power modules used by several neighboring Catalyst 9500 high-performance SKUs.
Cisco maps the C9500-32C model to the C9K-T2-FANTRAY family, so cooling spares should be kept separate from the C9K-T1 fan tray used by 32QC, 48Y4C, and 24Y4C models.
Application Scenarios
C9500-32C-E fits a campus core or aggregation layer where the design calls for 32 native 100G-capable QSFP28 ports but the approved software tier is Network Essentials.
The same native ports can be planned for 40G or 100G, making this SKU useful when a BOM must support current 40G connectivity while reserving the 32C hardware profile for 100G growth.
Use the SKU in designs that need a mix of native 40G/100G links and supported 10G or 25G breakout groups, with the breakout map checked before final cable and optic quantities are approved.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
C9500-32C-E | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Product family |
Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series |
Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series |
Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series |
Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series |
|
Product type |
High-performance fixed switch |
High-performance fixed switch |
High-performance fixed switch |
High-performance fixed switch |
|
Base hardware model |
C9500-32C |
C9500-32C |
C9500-32QC |
C9500-24Y4C |
|
Network license |
Network Essentials |
Network Advantage |
Network Essentials |
Network Essentials |
|
Primary port profile |
32 x 40G/100G QSFP28 |
32 x 40G/100G QSFP28 |
32 x 40G or 16 x 100G QSFP28 |
24 x 1G/10G/25G SFP28 plus 4 x 40G/100G QSFP uplinks |
|
Native 100G density |
32 ports |
32 ports |
16 ports |
4 uplink ports |
|
Native 40G density |
32 ports |
32 ports |
32 ports |
4 uplink ports |
|
Breakout support |
Up to 96 x 10G/25G ports |
Up to 96 x 10G/25G ports |
Not listed for C9500-32QC |
Not listed for C9500-24Y4C |
|
Switching capacity |
Up to 6.4 Tbps |
Up to 6.4 Tbps |
Up to 3.2 Tbps |
Up to 2.0 Tbps |
|
Forwarding rate |
Up to 2 Bpps |
Up to 2 Bpps |
Up to 1 Bpps |
Up to 1 Bpps |
|
Power supply options |
C9K-PWR-1600WAC-R, C9K-PWR-1600WDC-R |
C9K-PWR-1600WAC-R, C9K-PWR-1600WDC-R |
C9K-PWR-650WAC-R, C9K-PWR-650WACL-R, C9K-PWR-930WDC-R |
C9K-PWR-650WAC-R, C9K-PWR-650WACL-R, C9K-PWR-930WDC-R |
|
Fan tray |
C9K-T2-FANTRAY |
C9K-T2-FANTRAY |
C9K-T1-FANTRAY |
C9K-T1-FANTRAY |
|
Minimum software release |
Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a |
Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a |
Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a |
Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a |
- In a C9500-32C-E vs C9500-32C-A comparison, the table keeps the base C9500-32C hardware, 32 native 100G ports, 6.4 Tbps capacity, and T2 fan-tray family the same; the difference is Network Essentials versus Network Advantage.
- The C9500-32C-E vs C9500-32QC-E difference is native 100G density and platform capacity, because 32C lists 32 native 100G ports and 6.4 Tbps while 32QC lists 16 native 100G ports and 3.2 Tbps.
- A C9500-32C-E vs C9500-24Y4C-E comparison changes the port media plan from all-QSFP28 40G/100G ports to 24 SFP28 ports with four QSFP uplinks.
- For buyers deciding which model to choose, keep C9500-32C-E on the order when the technical requirement is full 32-port 100G-capable C9500-32C hardware under Network Essentials.
Selection Guide
1. Choose it for full 32-port 100G density with Essentials
Select C9500-32C-E when the design requires 32 native QSFP28 ports that can run 40G or 100G and the approved network license tier is Network Essentials.
2. Move to the A suffix only for Advantage licensing
Use C9500-32C-A when the C9500-32C hardware requirement is unchanged but the entitlement plan requires Network Advantage instead of Network Essentials.
3. Compare 32QC only if lower native 100G density is acceptable
Review C9500-32QC-E when the network can use 16 native 100G ports or a 32-port 40G profile and the different 650W or 930W power family.
4. Validate high-speed media and service parts together
Confirm Cisco-supported QSFP28 optics, breakout cables, IOS XE release, 1600W power supply type, C9K-T2 fan tray, rack depth, and Cisco DNA Essentials term before the purchase line is finalized.
Ordering Checklist
|
Check Item |
What to Confirm |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
|
Exact PID |
C9500-32C-E |
Prevents replacing the Essentials orderable PID with the Network Advantage C9500-32C-A line |
|
License tier |
Network Essentials with the matching Cisco DNA Essentials term |
Keeps the base network tier and subscription family aligned |
|
Native port plan |
32 QSFP28 ports operating at 40G or 100G |
Confirms the design needs the full 32C port profile rather than 32QC or 24Y4C hardware |
|
Breakout plan |
Supported 10G or 25G breakout groups on C9500-32C |
Breakout is not available on every native port and changes cable counts |
|
Software baseline |
Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a or a supported later release |
Matches the Cisco-listed introductory release for C9500-32C-E |
|
Power path |
C9K-PWR-1600WAC-R or C9K-PWR-1600WDC-R |
Avoids mixing in 650W or 930W supply families from neighboring C9500 models |
|
Cooling and rack fit |
C9K-T2-FANTRAY spare plan and 1 RU rack allocation |
Service parts and cabinet clearance should match the C9500-32C chassis |
|
Commercial details |
Price request, availability check, support handling, and shipping destination |
Gives procurement a complete request tied to the confirmed hardware and license configuration |
Optional Add-ons
|
Model |
Description |
|---|---|
|
C9K-PWR-1600WAC-R |
1600W AC power supply module supported on C9500-32C |
|
C9K-PWR-1600WDC-R |
1600W DC power supply module supported on C9500-32C |
|
C9K-T2-FANTRAY= |
Fan tray family supported on C9500-32C |
|
C9500-ACCKITH-19I= |
19-inch rack mount accessory kit for Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series High-End switches |
|
C9500-ACCKITH-23I= |
23-inch rack mount accessory kit for Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series High-End switches |
|
C9500-4PTH-KIT= |
Four-point mounting extension rails and brackets for Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series High-End switches |
|
C9500-DNA-E-3Y |
Catalyst 9500 Network and Cisco DNA Essentials 3-year license for 32C-family SKUs |
|
C9500-DNA-E-5Y |
Catalyst 9500 Network and Cisco DNA Essentials 5-year license for 32C-family SKUs |
|
C9500-DNA-E-7Y |
Catalyst 9500 Network and Cisco DNA Essentials 7-year license for 32C-family SKUs |
C9500-32C-E Switch Front Panel
|
1 |
32 40G/100G QSFP28 ports |
5 |
RFID (Optional) |
|
2 |
Ethernet management port |
6 |
Console port (RJ-45 Serial) |
|
3 |
Reset button |
7 |
USB 3.0 host port |
|
4 |
USB mini Type B console port |
– |
C9500-32C-E Switch Rear Panel
The switch rear panel includes StackWise connectors, StackPower or XPS connectors, ports, fan modules, and power supply modules.
|
1 |
Power supply modules |
7 |
Fan 3 |
|
2 |
Fan modules |
8 |
Fan 2 |
|
3 |
Grounding pad |
9 |
Fan 1 |
|
4 |
SATA SSD module |
10 |
Fan 0 |
|
5 |
PSU 1 |
11 |
PSU 0 |
|
6 |
Fan 4 |
– |
– |
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
Packaging weight and dimensions included:| Weight | 19.69 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 70 × 58 × 19 cm |
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product ID | C9500-32C-E | Brand | Cisco |
| Product family | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series | Product type | High-performance fixed core and aggregation switch |
| Base hardware model | C9500-32C | Network license | Network Essentials |
| Cisco DNA subscription family | C9500-DNA-E-3Y, C9500-DNA-E-5Y, C9500-DNA-E-7Y | Introductory software release | Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a |
| Port configuration | 32 x 40G/100G QSFP28 ports | Supported QSFP28 modules | 32 x 100G or 32 x 40G QSFP28 modules |
| Native 100G ports | 32 | Native 40G ports | 32 |
| Breakout support | Up to 96 x 10G or 25G breakout ports | Breakout port limit | Supported on 24 native C9500-32C ports |
| ASIC | Cisco UADP 3.0 | Switching capacity | Up to 6.4 Tbps |
| Forwarding rate | Up to 2 Bpps | MAC addresses | Up to 82,000 |
| DRAM | 16 GB | Flash | 16 GB |
| Network modules | C9500-NM-8X and C9500-NM-2Q are not supported on C9500-32C | SATA SSD support | 240 GB, 480 GB, and 960 GB pluggable SSD options |
| Power supply slots | 2 | Supported power supplies | C9K-PWR-1600WAC-R, C9K-PWR-1600WDC-R |
| AC PSU input range | 90 to 140 VAC and 180 to 264 VAC with C9K-PWR-1600WAC-R | DC PSU input range | -40 to -72 VDC with C9K-PWR-1600WDC-R |
| Fan tray | C9K-T2-FANTRAY | Fan airflow | Default front-to-back airflow |
| Rack units | 1 RU | Dimensions | 1.73 x 17.5 x 21.2 in. (4.4 x 44.5 x 56.8 cm) |
| Chassis weight | 25.64 lb (11.63 kg) in Cisco technical specifications | Acoustic noise | No greater than 76.7 LwAd dB |
| BTU output | 3,631 BTU/hr with C9K-PWR-1600WAC-R; 3,709 BTU/hr with C9K-PWR-1600WDC-R | RFID option | C9500-RFID or C9500-RFID-NONE selected at ordering |
Get More Information
Need pricing, stock, or shipping details for the C9500-32C-E ? 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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What is Cisco C9500-32C-E used for?
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How many 100G ports does C9500-32C-E have?
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Can C9500-32C-E use breakout cables?
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How is C9500-32C-E different from C9500-32C-A?
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How is C9500-32C-E different from C9500-32QC-E?
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Does C9500-32C-E need a network module?
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Can C9500-32C-E run StackWise Virtual?
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When should I choose another model instead of C9500-32C-E?
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