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C9500-32QC-E – 32 x 40G or 16×100G QSFP28 – core and aggregation switch
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C9500-32QC-E Description

Cisco C9500-32QC-E is a high-performance core and aggregation switch in the Catalyst 9500 high-performance family.
It offers 32 physical QSFP28 ports, which can be operated as 32 × 40G interfaces or as 16 × 100G interfaces (with the remaining ports disabled according to hardware profiles). This makes C9500-32QC-E an ideal choice for networks that are migrating from 40G aggregation to 100G backbone links while keeping the same platform.Powered by Cisco UADP 3.0 programmable silicon, the C9500-32QC-E delivers up to 3.2 Tbps switching capacity and 1 Bpps forwarding performance at line rate. It supports StackWise Virtual for chassis-class resiliency, 256-bit MACsec encryption for secure core links, and runs Cisco IOS XE for full programmability, telemetry, and integration with Cisco Catalyst Center or Meraki cloud monitoring.
Product Performance
Key Features
Single switch can be deployed as a 32×40G aggregation box or as a 16×100G core switch, giving you flexibility to migrate to 100G without replacing hardware.
Programmable ASIC delivers line-rate forwarding, rich QoS and ACL handling, plus telemetry support for real-time visibility.
Two C9500-32QC units can operate as one logical system, providing multichassis redundancy and simplified core design.
Secure Boot, Trust Anchor module and MACsec-256 encryption protect both control plane and high-speed backbone links.
Open APIs (NETCONF/RESTCONF/gNMI) and model-driven telemetry integrate with Cisco Catalyst Center or third-party controllers for intent-based networking.
Dual PSU slots, FRU fan trays and front-to-back airflow simplify maintenance and deployment in dense racks.
Applications Scenarios
Use as a 32×40G aggregation switch today and selectively move to 100G inter-building or DC uplinks as bandwidth grows.
Ideal for mixed 40G/100G spine-leaf designs where some racks still run 40G while others require 100G.
Provides secure, resilient 40G/100G transport for multi-tenant, latency-sensitive applications and backbone upgrades.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter 5841_5991d5-04> |
C9500-32QC-E 5841_7c2c4d-b1> | 5841_957cb1-bd> | 5841_50a42b-3f> |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Port configuration 5841_5e8a4b-a6> |
32 × QSFP28: 32×40G or 16×100G 5841_b4e33a-b7> |
24 × 1/10/25G SFP28 + 4 × 40/100G QSFP28 5841_a89ef8-e0> |
32 × 100G QSFP28 (fixed) 5841_990045-96> |
|
ASIC 5841_418ba2-e1> |
UADP 3.0 5841_fb0b7f-ce> |
UADP 3.0 5841_36f672-6d> |
UADP 3.0 5841_7638ef-a9> |
|
Switching capacity 5841_77288d-ae> |
3.2 Tbps 5841_9d4704-be> |
2.0 Tbps 5841_7f052c-83> |
6.4 Tbps 5841_cf3cfe-23> |
|
Forwarding rate 5841_063528-02> |
1 Bpps 5841_04938d-6a> |
1 Bpps 5841_7310c3-72> |
2 Bpps 5841_bfcbcd-c9> |
|
License tier 5841_d0cb9d-6c> |
Network Essentials 5841_b8a4e9-a6> |
Network Essentials 5841_8e0c51-38> |
Network Essentials 5841_526c5c-d1> |
|
StackWise Virtual 5841_8d0114-22> |
Yes 5841_550c3d-7b> |
Yes 5841_7e050f-1b> |
Yes 5841_0b33bd-c3> |
|
MACsec 5841_bd5f0c-56> |
256-bit 5841_9f9546-2e> |
256-bit 5841_93fcca-39> |
256-bit 5841_9615fc-d7> |
|
Typical use 5841_4ef398-53> |
Mixed 40G/100G core, migration platform 5841_30b81e-a6> |
25G aggregation with 100G uplinks 5841_b15187-93> |
Full 100G core with max throughput 5841_d4361f-93> |
|
PSU slots 5841_17f5fa-71> |
2 (dual redundant) 5841_25f68f-84> |
2 5841_eea5f8-fa> |
2 (higher-power PSUs) 5841_202e90-44> |
|
Form factor 5841_e4d09d-46> |
1RU, 17.5 × 21.2 in depth 5841_6cea97-97> |
1RU, 17.5 × 18 in depth 5841_83280d-26> |
1RU, 17.5 × 21.2 in depth 5841_d3d76b-93> |
|
Weight (approx.) 5841_f66a7c-00> |
11.4 kg 5841_45cea4-88> |
9.5 kg 5841_69e434-0b> |
11.63 kg 5841_65db8b-1c> |
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model / License | C9500-32QC-E (Network Essentials) | Family | Catalyst 9500 High-Performance Series |
| Physical Ports | 32 × QSFP28 slots | Logical Config | 32 × 40G **or** 16 × 100G (profile-based) |
| Port Types | 40G QSFP+ / 100G QSFP28, Cisco-qualified optics | Breakout | Per supported transceiver/cable (see Cisco optics matrix) |
| ASIC | Cisco UADP 3.0 programmable ASIC | Architecture | Line-rate, non-blocking switching |
| Switching Capacity | Up to 3.2 Tbps | Forwarding Rate | Up to 1 Bpps (64-byte frames) |
| MAC Address Table | Up to 64,000 entries | IPv4 / IPv6 Routes | Up to 256,000 each (direct + indirect) |
| VLAN IDs | 4094 | Jumbo Frames | 9,216 bytes |
| High Availability | StackWise Virtual, SSO, ISSU supported | Virtual Chassis | Two switches operate as one logical system |
| Routing Features | Static, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, IS-IS (per Essentials) | Multicast | PIM-SM/SSM, IGMP, MSDP (license dependent) |
| Security | Secure Boot, Trust Anchor, MACsec-256 | Compliance | Enterprise safety & EMC standards (UL/CE/FCC Class A) |
| Automation | NETCONF, RESTCONF, gNMI, model-driven telemetry | Management | Cisco Catalyst Center / Meraki Cloud Monitoring |
| Operating System | Cisco IOS XE (16.8.x or later recommended) | Licensing | Smart Licensing – Network Essentials / DNA subscription |
| Power Supply Slots | 2 × hot-swappable PSU bays | Typical PSUs | Dual 650W AC (1+1 redundancy, region-specific options) |
| Fan Modules | Field-replaceable fan trays, front-to-back airflow | MTBF | ≈ 336,780 hours (nominal, system level) |
| Dimensions (H×W×D) | 1.73 × 17.5 × 21.2 in (4.39 × 44.45 × 53.8 cm) | Weight | ≈ 11.4 kg (with 2 PSUs & fans) |
| Environment | 0–40 °C; 10–95% RH (non-condensing) | Warranty | Enhanced Limited Lifetime Warranty (E-LLW) |
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