C9500X-28C8D-E – 28×40/100G QSFP28 – 8x400G QSFP-DD
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C9500X-28C8D-E Description
C9500X-28C8D-E is a Cisco Catalyst 9500X Series fixed core and aggregation switch for high-density campus core, distribution, and aggregation roles, pairing the C9500X-28C8D hardware profile with a Network Essentials license. This SKU provides 28 40G/100G QSFP28 ports and 8 40G/100G/200G/400G QSFP-DD ports, includes two power supply slots, supports 10G with QSA on QSFP28 and QSFP-DD ports, and supports breakout on odd-numbered QSFP28 ports and all QSFP-DD ports for flexible fiber uplink and aggregation designs.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product ID |
C9500X-28C8D-E |
|
Product type |
Fixed core and aggregation switch |
|
Base PID |
C9500X-28C8D |
|
Network license |
Network Essentials |
|
QSFP28 ports |
28 x 40G/100G QSFP28 |
|
QSFP-DD ports |
8 x 40G/100G/200G/400G QSFP-DD |
|
QSA support |
10G with QSA on QSFP28 and QSFP-DD ports |
|
Breakout support |
Odd-numbered QSFP28 ports and all QSFP-DD ports |
|
Switching capacity |
Up to 12 Tbps |
|
Forwarding rate |
8 Bpps |
|
Default power supply |
C9K-PWR-1500WAC 1500W AC |
|
Minimum software release |
Cisco IOS XE Cupertino 17.7.1 |
Product Performance
Key Features
The -E suffix identifies the Network Essentials orderable package for the C9500X-28C8D hardware, so the quote should not drift to the -A PID unless the project needs Network Advantage.
Twenty-eight native QSFP28 ports give the design team a large 40G/100G interface block without selecting the SFP56-heavy C9500X-60L4D hardware profile.
Eight QSFP-DD ports support 40G, 100G, 200G, and 400G modules, which keeps the uplink plan inside a fixed 1 RU Catalyst 9500X switch.
QSA support is available on both QSFP28 and QSFP-DD ports, while breakout use is limited to odd-numbered QSFP28 ports and all QSFP-DD ports.
Cisco lists this platform with the Silicon One Q200 ASIC, 12 Tbps switching capacity, 8 Bpps forwarding rate, 32 GB DRAM, and 32 GB flash.
The chassis uses two power supply slots and six field-replaceable fan units, and Cisco lists Catalyst 9500X rack kits plus 240 GB, 480 GB, and 960 GB pluggable SSD options.
Application Scenarios
C9500X-28C8D-E fits campus core or distribution builds that need the C9500X-28C8D QSFP28-heavy hardware profile while keeping the approved software tier at Network Essentials.
The combination of 28 QSFP28 ports and 8 QSFP-DD ports is useful when the switch must aggregate many 40G/100G links and still reserve native ports for 200G or 400G uplinks.
This SKU suits projects where optics, QSA adapters, and breakout cables must be mapped at the port level before the final hardware and subscription order is released.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
C9500X-28C8D-E | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Base PID |
C9500X-28C8D |
C9500X-28C8D |
C9500X-60L4D |
|
Form Factor |
1RU fixed switch |
1RU fixed switch |
1RU fixed switch |
|
QSFP28 Port Count |
28 |
28 |
0 |
|
SFP56 Port Count |
0 |
0 |
60 |
|
QSFP-DD Port Count |
8 |
8 |
4 |
|
QSFP28 Speeds |
40G/100G |
40G/100G |
No QSFP28 ports |
|
SFP56 Speeds |
No SFP56 ports |
No SFP56 ports |
10G/25G/50G |
|
QSFP-DD Speeds |
40G/100G/200G/400G |
40G/100G/200G/400G |
40G/100G/200G/400G |
|
10G QSA Support |
QSFP28 and QSFP-DD ports |
QSFP28 and QSFP-DD ports |
QSFP-DD ports |
|
Breakout support |
Odd-numbered QSFP28 ports and all QSFP-DD ports |
Odd-numbered QSFP28 ports and all QSFP-DD ports |
QSFP-DD ports |
|
ASIC |
Cisco Silicon One Q200 |
Cisco Silicon One Q200 |
Cisco Silicon One Q200 |
|
Switching capacity |
Up to 12 Tbps |
Up to 12 Tbps |
Up to 9.2 Tbps |
|
Forwarding rate |
8 Bpps |
8 Bpps |
8 Bpps |
|
DRAM |
32 GB |
32 GB |
32 GB |
|
Flash |
32 GB |
32 GB |
32 GB |
|
Network license |
Network Essentials |
Network Advantage |
Network Advantage |
|
Default power supply |
C9K-PWR-1500WAC 1500W AC |
C9K-PWR-1500WAC 1500W AC |
C9K-PWR-1500WAC 1500W AC |
|
Power supply slots |
2 slots |
2 slots |
2 slots |
|
Fan modules |
6 |
6 |
6 |
- In a C9500X-28C8D-E vs C9500X-28C8D-A comparison, the port layout, ASIC, switching capacity, memory, power slots, and fan count stay aligned; the difference is Network Essentials versus Network Advantage.
- The C9500X-28C8D-E vs C9500X-60L4D-A difference is the hardware profile: C9500X-28C8D-E has 28 QSFP28 ports, 8 QSFP-DD ports, and 12 Tbps switching capacity, while C9500X-60L4D-A has 60 SFP56 ports, 4 QSFP-DD ports, and 9.2 Tbps switching capacity.
- For buyers deciding which model to choose, keep C9500X-28C8D-E on the BOM when the comparison target is the C9500X-28C8D QSFP28-heavy platform with Essentials licensing.
Selection Guide
1. Keep the order in Essentials
Place C9500X-28C8D-E on the quote when the approved design requires the C9500X-28C8D hardware model and Network Essentials entitlement.
2. Change only the suffix for Advantage
Move to C9500X-28C8D-A when the port plan remains 28 QSFP28 plus 8 QSFP-DD but the required network license tier is Network Advantage.
3. Separate QSFP28 plans from SFP56 plans
Review C9500X-60L4D-A only when the design is based on 10G, 25G, or 50G SFP56 density instead of QSFP28 40G/100G aggregation.
4. Release the BOM after media and platform checks
Confirm Cisco-supported QSFP28 optics, QSFP-DD optics, QSA use, breakout ports, power supply type, fan airflow, SSD requirements, Smart Account handling, and the IOS XE 17.7.1 baseline.
Ordering Checklist
|
Check Item |
What to Confirm |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
|
Exact product ID |
Confirm C9500X-28C8D-E |
The -E suffix identifies Network Essentials for the C9500X-28C8D hardware |
|
Subscription term |
Select C9500X-DNA-E-3Y, C9500X-DNA-E-5Y, or C9500X-DNA-E-7Y |
Cisco ordering lists Essentials term licenses for the C9500X-28C8D SKU |
|
Port plan |
Confirm 28 QSFP28 ports and 8 QSFP-DD ports |
This avoids substituting the SFP56-heavy C9500X-60L4D hardware |
|
Media and breakout map |
Validate QSFP28, QSFP-DD, QSA, and supported breakout positions |
QSFP28 breakout is limited to odd-numbered ports while QSFP-DD breakout is supported on all QSFP-DD ports |
|
Power and cords |
Choose C9K-PWR-1500WAC or C9K-PWR-1500WDC and the correct AC power cord |
Catalyst 9500X uses two power supply slots and C21 AC cord planning |
|
Fan airflow |
Use one airflow type across all six fan units |
Cisco does not support mixing front-to-back and back-to-front Catalyst 9500X fan units |
|
Installation options |
Decide on rack kit, four-point kit, RFID selection, and optional SSD storage |
These items are Cisco-listed Catalyst 9500X accessories and should be explicit in the BOM |
Optional Add-ons
|
Model |
Description |
|---|---|
|
1500W AC power supply option for Catalyst 9500X | |
|
1500W DC power supply option for Catalyst 9500X | |
|
C9500X-FAN-1U-R |
Catalyst 9500X front-to-back cooling fan, maximum six per switch |
|
C9500X-FAN-1U-F |
Catalyst 9500X back-to-front cooling fan, maximum six per switch |
|
C9500X-ACCKIT-19I= |
19-inch rack mount accessory kit for Catalyst 9500X |
|
C9500X-ACCKIT-23I= |
23-inch rack mount accessory kit for Catalyst 9500X |
|
C9500X-4PTH-KIT= |
Four-point mounting extension rails and brackets for Catalyst 9500X |
|
C9500X-RFID |
RFID option for Catalyst 9500X ordering |
|
C9500-RFID-NONE |
RFID opt-out selection for Catalyst 9500X ordering |
|
Cisco pluggable SSD storage, 240 GB | |
|
Cisco pluggable SSD storage, 480 GB | |
|
Cisco pluggable SSD storage, 960 GB |
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product ID | C9500X-28C8D-E | Product type | Fixed core and aggregation switch |
| Base PID | C9500X-28C8D | Network license | Network Essentials |
| ASIC | Cisco Silicon One Q200 | QSFP28 ports | 28 x 40G/100G QSFP28 |
| QSFP-DD ports | 8 x 40G/100G/200G/400G QSFP-DD | 10G QSA Support | Supported on QSFP28 and QSFP-DD ports |
| Breakout support | Odd-numbered QSFP28 ports and all QSFP-DD ports | Network Modules | C9500-NM-8X and C9500-NM-2Q are not supported on C9500X-28C8D |
| Switching capacity | Up to 12 Tbps | Forwarding rate | 8 Bpps |
| CPU | Intel 2.3-GHz x86 CPU with 8 cores | DRAM | 32 GB |
| Flash | 32 GB | SSD Storage Options | 240 GB, 480 GB, and 960 GB Catalyst 9500X pluggable SSD options |
| Power supply slots | 2 slots | Power supply options | C9K-PWR-1500WAC, C9K-PWR-1500WDC |
| AC Input Voltage | 90 to 264 VAC, 47 to 63 Hz with C9K-PWR-1500WAC | DC input voltage | -40 to -72 VDC with C9K-PWR-1500WDC |
| Fan modules | 6 field-replaceable variable-speed fan units | Airflow options | C9500X-FAN-1U-R or C9500X-FAN-1U-F; all six fan units must use the same airflow type |
| Rack units | 1 RU | Dimensions | 1.73 x 17.5 x 21.8 in. (4.39 x 44.45 x 55.37 cm) |
| Weight | 29.27 lb (13.28 kg), chassis with 2 power supplies and built-in fan | BTU Output | 4,034 BTU/hr with AC or DC PSU |
| MTBF | 123,950 hours | Minimum software release | Cisco IOS XE Cupertino 17.7.1 |
| Cisco ordering description | Catalyst 9500 28x100G + 8x400G switch, NW Essentials License |
Get More Information
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