C9500-32QC-E – 32x40G or 16x100G QSFP Ports
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C9500-32QC-E Description
C9500-32QC-E is a Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series high-performance fixed switch for campus core and aggregation roles, pairing the C9500-32QC hardware profile with Network Essentials licensing. The switch supports a 32 x 40G QSFP+ operating profile, up to 16 x 100G QSFP28 ports, or a documented mixed mode of 24 x 40G plus 4 x 100G, giving aggregation designs a controlled path between 40G density and limited 100G uplinks. Cisco lists the platform with up to 3.2 Tbps switching capacity, up to 1 Bpps forwarding, two power-supply slots with a default C9K-PWR-650WAC-R 650W AC supply, and Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a as the minimum software release for this orderable Essentials SKU.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product ID |
C9500-32QC-E |
|
Product type |
High-performance fixed core and aggregation switch |
|
Network license |
Network Essentials |
|
Port configuration |
32 x 40G QSFP+ or up to 16 x 100G QSFP28 |
|
Mixed port mode |
24 x 40G plus 4 x 100G |
|
Switching capacity |
Up to 3.2 Tbps |
|
Forwarding rate |
Up to 1 Bpps |
|
Default power supply |
C9K-PWR-650WAC-R 650W AC |
|
Power supply slots |
2 |
|
Power and cooling |
C9K-PWR-650WAC-R, C9K-PWR-650WACL-R, C9K-PWR-930WDC-R, and C9K-T1-FANTRAY |
|
Minimum software release |
Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a |
Product Performance
Key Features
The -E suffix identifies C9500-32QC-E as the Network Essentials orderable line, so the licensing decision should be separated from the shared C9500-32QC hardware base.
Cisco documents the model around 32 40G QSFP+ ports with a supported 16-port 100G QSFP28 operating profile, making interface speed planning part of the BOM review.
C9500-32QC-E keeps the Essentials tier but provides 16 native 100G-capable ports, while C9500-32C-E uses a C9500-32C hardware profile with 32 native 100G-capable ports.
The C9500-32QC base is listed without C9500-NM-8X or C9500-NM-2Q support, so expansion planning stays with native QSFP ports rather than uplink modules.
Cisco maps the C9500-32QC model to C9K-PWR-650WAC-R, C9K-PWR-650WACL-R, and C9K-PWR-930WDC-R power supplies rather than the 1600W supply family used by C9500-32C.
The supported fan-tray family is C9K-T1-FANTRAY, which separates C9500-32QC cooling spares from the C9K-T2-FANTRAY used with the C9500-32C hardware line.
Application Scenarios
Order C9500-32QC-E for campus core or distribution blocks where the design authority wants the C9500-32QC hardware profile but keeps the network tier at Essentials.
The SKU works for refresh plans that retain a broad 40G QSFP aggregation layer while reserving a smaller 100G QSFP28 set instead of moving to the full C9500-32C 100G-density model.
This order line suits locations that already maintain the 650W AC, 930W DC, and C9K-T1-FANTRAY spare pool associated with C9500-32QC deployments.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
C9500-32QC-E | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Product type |
High-performance fixed switch |
High-performance fixed switch |
High-performance fixed switch |
|
Orderable PID |
C9500-32QC-E |
C9500-32QC-A |
C9500-32C-E |
|
Network license |
Network Essentials |
Network Advantage |
Network Essentials |
|
Default power supply |
C9K-PWR-650WAC-R 650W AC |
C9K-PWR-650WAC-R 650W AC |
C9K-PWR-1600WAC-R 1600W AC |
|
Cisco DNA term license |
C9500-DNA-E-3Y, C9500-DNA-E-5Y, C9500-DNA-E-7Y |
C9500-DNA-A-3Y, C9500-DNA-A-5Y, C9500-DNA-A-7Y |
C9500-DNA-E-3Y, C9500-DNA-E-5Y, C9500-DNA-E-7Y |
|
40G port density |
32 |
32 |
32 |
|
100G port density |
16 |
16 |
32 |
|
Documented port modes |
32 x 40G, 16 x 100G, or 24 x 40G plus 4 x 100G |
32 x 40G, 16 x 100G, or 24 x 40G plus 4 x 100G |
32 x 40G or 32 x 100G |
|
Switching capacity |
Up to 3.2 Tbps |
Up to 3.2 Tbps |
Up to 6.4 Tbps |
|
Forwarding rate |
Up to 1 Bpps |
Up to 1 Bpps |
Up to 2 Bpps |
|
Network module support |
No C9500-NM-8X or C9500-NM-2Q support |
No C9500-NM-8X or C9500-NM-2Q support |
No C9500-NM-8X or C9500-NM-2Q support |
|
Power supply options |
C9K-PWR-650WAC-R, C9K-PWR-650WACL-R, C9K-PWR-930WDC-R |
C9K-PWR-650WAC-R, C9K-PWR-650WACL-R, C9K-PWR-930WDC-R |
C9K-PWR-1600WAC-R, C9K-PWR-1600WDC-R |
|
Fan tray |
C9K-T1-FANTRAY |
C9K-T1-FANTRAY |
C9K-T2-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 |
- In a C9500-32QC-E vs C9500-32QC-A comparison, the table keeps the same C9500-32QC hardware, port densities, power supplies, fan tray, and software baseline; the confirmed difference is Network Essentials versus Network Advantage.
- The C9500-32QC-E vs C9500-32C-E difference is hardware density and power path, because C9500-32QC lists 16 native 100G ports with the 650W or 930W supply family while C9500-32C lists 32 native 100G ports with the 1600W supply family.
- For buyers deciding which model to choose, C9500-32QC-E matches the C9500-32QC high-performance port profile when the required order line is Network Essentials.
Selection Guide
1. Select it for C9500-32QC Essentials designs
Choose C9500-32QC-E when the approved design calls for C9500-32QC hardware and Network Essentials licensing.
2. Change only the suffix for Advantage licensing
Move to C9500-32QC-A when the same C9500-32QC port profile is required but the entitlement plan specifies Network Advantage.
3. Review C9500-32C-E for full 100G density
Compare C9500-32C-E before ordering if the design requires 32 native 100G-capable ports, 6.4 Tbps switching capacity, or the 1600W power supply family.
4. Tie optics and software to the selected mode
Confirm the 32 x 40G, 16 x 100G, or mixed 24 x 40G plus 4 x 100G mode together with supported transceivers and Cisco IOS XE release requirements.
Ordering Checklist
|
Check Item |
What to Confirm |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
|
PID and license suffix |
C9500-32QC-E |
Separates the Essentials order line from the otherwise similar C9500-32QC-A Advantage SKU |
|
Subscription family |
C9500-DNA-E-3Y, C9500-DNA-E-5Y, or C9500-DNA-E-7Y |
Keeps the Cisco DNA term license in the same Essentials tier as the switch PID |
|
100G port boundary |
Only the top row is 100G capable on C9500-32QC |
Stops the order from being scoped like C9500-32C-E with 32 native 100G-capable ports |
|
Software floor |
Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a or a supported later release |
Confirms the deployment image is not below the Cisco minimum for C9500-32QC |
|
Power module family |
C9K-PWR-650WAC-R, C9K-PWR-650WACL-R, or C9K-PWR-930WDC-R |
Keeps the BOM on the C9500-32QC supply family instead of the C9500-32C 1600W path |
|
Fan-tray spare |
C9K-T1-FANTRAY |
Matches the replaceable cooling part documented for the C9500-32QC platform |
Optional Add-ons
|
Model |
Description |
|---|---|
|
650W AC power supply supported on C9500-32QC | |
|
650W AC low-line power supply supported on C9500-32QC | |
|
930W DC power supply supported on C9500-32QC | |
|
C9K-T1-FANTRAY |
Catalyst 9500 fan tray for C9500-32QC, C9500-48Y4C, and C9500-24Y4C |
|
Catalyst 9500 Network and Cisco DNA Essentials 3-year license for C9500-32QC SKU | |
|
C9500-DNA-E-5Y |
Catalyst 9500 Network and Cisco DNA Essentials 5-year license for C9500-32QC SKU |
|
C9500-DNA-E-7Y |
Catalyst 9500 Network and Cisco DNA Essentials 7-year license for C9500-32QC SKU |
|
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 |
|
Four-point mounting extension rails and brackets for Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series High-End switches |
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 | C9500-32QC-E | Product type | High-performance fixed core and aggregation switch |
| Network license | Network Essentials | Minimum software release | Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.8.1a |
| Port configuration | 32 x 40G QSFP+ or up to 16 x 100G QSFP28 | Mixed C9500-32QC mode | 24 x 40G plus 4 x 100G |
| 40G port density | 32 | 100G port density | 16 |
| Supported QSFP modules | Standard 16 x 100G or 32 x 40G QSFP28 modules | 100G-capable port row | Only the top row is 100G capable on C9500-32QC |
| Switching capacity | Up to 3.2 Tbps | Forwarding rate | Up to 1 Bpps |
| ASIC | Cisco UADP 3.0 | DRAM | 16 GB |
| Flash | 16 GB | Network module support | C9500-NM-8X and C9500-NM-2Q are not supported on C9500-32QC |
| Power supply slots | 2 | Power supply options | C9K-PWR-650WAC-R, C9K-PWR-650WACL-R, C9K-PWR-930WDC-R |
| AC PSU input range | 90 to 264 VAC, 47 to 63 Hz | DC PSU input range | -40 to -72 VDC with C9K-PWR-930WDC-R |
| BTU output | 1,815 BTU/hr with 650W AC supplies; 1,856 BTU/hr with 930W DC supply | Fan tray | C9K-T1-FANTRAY |
| Rack units | 1 RU | Dimensions | 1.73 x 17.5 x 18.0 in. (4.39 x 44.45 x 45.72 cm) |
| Weight | 21.85 lb (9.91 kg) with 2 power supplies and built-in fan | Operating temperature | 32 to 104 deg F (0 to 40 deg C) up to 10,000 ft |
| Acoustic noise | No greater than 72.1 LwAd dB | Optics compatibility reference | Cisco Transceiver Module Group Compatibility Matrix |
Get More Information
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Quality Certifications
Customer Reviews
Questions & Answers
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What is Cisco C9500-32QC-E used for?
-
Can C9500-32QC-E support 100G ports?
-
How is C9500-32QC-E different from C9500-32QC-A?
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How is C9500-32QC-E different from C9500-32C-E?
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Does C9500-32QC-E use network modules?
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Can C9500-32QC-E run StackWise Virtual?
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When is C9500-32QC-E better than C9500-48Y4C-E?
-
When should I avoid C9500-32QC-E?
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