C8300-1N1S-6T is the expandable option: it provides six built-in 1G interfaces, an SM slot, a NIM slot, a PIM slot and redundant hot-swappable power supplies. C8200-1N-4T is the more compact four-port branch platform with no SM-X slot and a fixed internal supply. The C8300 also publishes higher autonomous forwarding, IPsec and tunnel scale, so verify the traffic profile, module plan and power-redundancy requirement together.
Start with the differences that have the greatest effect on capacity, connectivity, software, power and deployment fit.
Medium-to-large branch SD-WAN edge with high WAN IPsec performance
Higher-performance small-to-medium branch SD-WAN and SD-Routing edge
4 x 1G RJ-45 plus 2 x 1G SFP
2 x 1G RJ-45 plus 2 x 1G SFP configurable routed Ethernet
6
4
1 SM slot(s), 1 NIM slot(s) and 1 PIM slot
1 NIM slot and 1 PIM slot
Up to 19.7 Gbps
3.8 Gbps
Up to 2 Gbps
1 Gbps
Review the differences in this order to identify the model that best fits the intended deployment.
Size the platform for the branch, aggregation or edge role using the Cisco throughput metric that matches the planned traffic mode.
Confirm built-in WAN media and speeds, then check NIM, SM-X or other module support for current and future circuits.
Verify SD-WAN or routing software, subscriptions, memory, storage and the required power-redundancy design.
Send your port, performance, license, quantity or deployment requirements. A CCIE-level network engineer will review the shortlist and help identify the better-fit Product ID.
| Comparison parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Product ID | C8300-1N1S-6T | C8200-1N-4T |
| Product and ordering | ||
| Product Type | Cisco Catalyst 8300 Edge Platform | Cisco Catalyst 8200 Edge Platform |
| Form Factor | 1RU | 1RU |
| Router Role | Medium-to-large branch SD-WAN edge with high WAN IPsec performance | Higher-performance small-to-medium branch SD-WAN and SD-Routing edge |
| Routing and WAN performance | ||
| Configurable Ethernet Ports | 4 x 1G RJ-45 plus 2 x 1G SFP | 2 x 1G RJ-45 plus 2 x 1G SFP configurable routed Ethernet |
| Configurable Ethernet Port Count | 6 | 4 |
| Integrated LAN Switch Ports | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Integrated LAN Port Count | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Built-in 1GE Ports | 6 | 4 |
| Built-in 10GE Ports | 0 | 0 |
| Expansion Slots | 1 SM slot(s), 1 NIM slot(s) and 1 PIM slot | 1 NIM slot and 1 PIM slot |
| NIM Slots | 1 | 1 |
| SM-X Slots | 1 | 0 |
| Service Module Support | Cisco SM, NIM and PIM modules with online insertion and removal | NIM and PIM modules; no SM-X slot |
| Ports and interfaces | ||
| Management Ports | 1 x dedicated 10/100/1000BASE-T management Ethernet | Dedicated management Ethernet and console interfaces |
| Console Ports | 1 x RJ-45 console plus 1 x Micro-USB console | RJ-45 and USB console |
| Performance and scale | ||
| Autonomous IPv4 Forwarding (1400-byte) | Up to 19.7 Gbps | 3.8 Gbps |
| Forwarding Throughput (512-byte) | Not published by Cisco | Not listed |
| SD-WAN IPsec Throughput (1400-byte) | Up to 2 Gbps | 1 Gbps |
| SD-WAN Throughput (512-byte) | Not published by Cisco | Not listed |
| SD-WAN IPsec Throughput (IMIX) | 1.8 Gbps | 0.9 Gbps |
| Autonomous IPsec Throughput (1400-byte) | Up to 1.9 Gbps | 1 Gbps |
| IPsec Throughput (512-byte) | Not published by Cisco | Not listed |
| Autonomous IPsec Throughput (IMIX) | 1.9 Gbps | Not listed |
| SD-WAN Overlay Tunnels | 6,000 | 2,500 |
| NAT Sessions | Up to 2,000,000 | Not listed |
| Configuration, licensing and management | ||
| Routing Protocols | Static routing, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, IS-IS, RIP, MPLS and VRF | Static routing, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, IS-IS, MPLS and VRF |
| Management Model | Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, Cisco Catalyst Center, WebUI, CLI, NETCONF/RESTCONF and SNMP | Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager or Cisco IOS XE CLI, NETCONF/RESTCONF and SNMP |
| Licensing | Cisco Smart Licensing with Cisco DNA/Catalyst subscription tiers | Cisco Smart Licensing |
| Required Subscription | Cisco DNA/Catalyst subscription required for SD-WAN; autonomous routing licensed separately | Cisco DNA subscription required for SD-WAN deployments |
| USB Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 Type-A storage port plus 1 x Micro-USB console port | USB host and console interfaces |
| Memory and software | ||
| Default DRAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Maximum DRAM | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Storage | Up to 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Operating System | Cisco IOS XE autonomous or SD-WAN software | Cisco IOS XE autonomous or SD-WAN software |
| Minimum Software Release | Cisco IOS XE 17.3.2 | Cisco IOS XE 17.3.1 |
| PoE and power | ||
| Integrated PoE Support | PoE/PoE+ on Network Interface or Service Modules with at least one PoE-capable power supply installed | Optional through a compatible PoE NIM and external PoE supply |
| Default PoE Budget | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Default Power Supply | Dual redundant hot-swappable power supplies (AC, DC or HVDC) | Fixed internal 100W AC supply |
| Power Redundancy | 1+1 redundant hot-swappable power supplies | Optional external redundant power system |
| Physical and environmental | ||
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 43.9 × 444.5 × 412.8 mm | 43.9 × 438.1 × 299.7 mm |
| Weight | 9.07 kg | 4.54 kg |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 40 °C | 0 to 40 °C |
| Storage Temperature | -40 to 70 °C | -40 to 70 °C |
| Storage Humidity | 5% to 95% | 5% to 95% |
| Operating Humidity | 5% to 85% | 5% to 85% |
| Operating Altitude | 0–3,000 m | -152–3,048 m |
| MTBF | 536,060 hours | 692,577 hours |
| Warranty | Cisco 1-year limited hardware warranty | Cisco 1-year limited hardware warranty |
“Not listed” means that no confirmed value is currently available for that model and parameter.
Use the exact Product ID when requesting a quote, because suffixes can identify different licenses, regions or configurations. Open an available product page for details and pricing, or request a project quote from our team.
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