C8500-12X
High-performance WAN aggregation and SD-WAN edge
C8550-G2
Data center WAN aggregation
Cisco router comparison
C8500-12X vs C8550-G2
The front panels do not distinguish C8500-12X from C8550-G2: each is a fixed 1RU router with twelve 1/10G SFP+ ports. Inside the chassis, C8500-12X starts with 16 GB of DRAM and 32 GB of storage, while C8550-G2 starts with 32 GB and 480 GB. Their published NAT limits are 12 million and 16 million sessions, respectively. Software entitlement is another concrete difference: C8500-12X uses Cisco DNA bandwidth tiers, while C8550-G2 is licensed by platform class rather than bandwidth tier.
2models compared
33specs shown for every model
48differences found
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At-a-glance comparison
Key performance and configuration differences
Start with the differences that have the greatest effect on capacity, connectivity, software, power and deployment fit.
C8500-12X
Not applicable
C8550-G2
Fixed platform; no NIM or SM slots
C8500-12X
Cisco DNA subscription required for SD-WAN deployments
C8550-G2
Routing OS Essentials included (250 Mbps aggregate crypto limit); Routing Advantage or WAN subscription for licensed features; WAN Essentials/Advantage required for SD-WAN
C8500-12X
16 GB
C8550-G2
32 GB
C8500-12X
32 GB
C8550-G2
480 GB
C8500-12X
Dual AC or DC power supplies
C8550-G2
Not published by Cisco
Buying decision
How to choose between C8500-12X and C8550-G2
Review the differences in this order to identify the model that best fits the intended deployment.
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01
Traffic and deployment role
Size the platform for the branch, aggregation or edge role using the Cisco throughput metric that matches the planned traffic mode.
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02
Interfaces and expansion
Confirm built-in WAN media and speeds, then check NIM, SM-X or other module support for current and future circuits.
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03
Software, licensing and power
Verify SD-WAN or routing software, subscriptions, memory, storage and the required power-redundancy design.
Before ordering
Confirm the exact Product ID, license tier, power supplies, accessories and regional requirements.
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Detailed comparison
Full specification comparison
| Comparison parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Product ID | C8500-12X | C8550-G2 |
| Product and ordering | ||
| Product TypeDifferent | C8500-12X Cisco Catalyst 8500 Edge Platform | C8550-G2 Cisco 8500 Series Secure Router |
| Form Factor | C8500-12X 1RU | C8550-G2 1RU |
| Router RoleDifferent | C8500-12X High-performance WAN aggregation and SD-WAN edge | C8550-G2 Data center WAN aggregation |
| Routing and WAN performance | ||
| Configurable Ethernet Ports | C8500-12X 12 x 1/10G SFP+ | C8550-G2 12x 1/10GE (SFP+) |
| Configurable Ethernet Port Count | C8500-12X 12 | C8550-G2 12 |
| Integrated LAN Switch Ports | C8500-12X Not applicable | C8550-G2 Not applicable |
| Integrated LAN Port CountDifferent | C8500-12X Not applicable | C8550-G2 0 |
| Flex Ports (Configurable LAN/WAN)Different | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 Not applicable |
| Flex Port CountDifferent | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 0 |
| Built-in 1GE PortsDifferent | C8500-12X 12 | C8550-G2 Not listed |
| Built-in 10GE PortsDifferent | C8500-12X 12 | C8550-G2 Not listed |
| Expansion SlotsDifferent | C8500-12X Not applicable | C8550-G2 Fixed platform; no NIM or SM slots |
| NIM Slots | C8500-12X 0 | C8550-G2 0 |
| SM-X Slots | C8500-12X 0 | C8550-G2 0 |
| Cellular Connectivity / PIMDifferent | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 Not applicable |
| Integrated DSLDifferent | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 Not applicable |
| Service Module SupportDifferent | C8500-12X Not applicable | C8550-G2 Not listed |
| Ports and interfaces | ||
| Management Ports | C8500-12X 1 x RJ-45 management Ethernet port | C8550-G2 1 x RJ-45 out-of-band management |
| Console Ports | C8500-12X 1 x RJ-45 console plus 1 x Micro-USB Type-B console | C8550-G2 1 x RJ-45 console; 1 x micro-USB console |
| Performance and scale | ||
| Aggregate Licensed ThroughputDifferent | C8500-12X Not published by Cisco | C8550-G2 Not listed |
| Autonomous IPv4 Forwarding (1400-byte)Different | C8500-12X Up to 118 Gbps | C8550-G2 Not listed |
| Forwarding Throughput (512-byte)Different | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 Up to 115 Gbps |
| SD-WAN IPsec Throughput (1400-byte)Different | C8500-12X Up to 51 Gbps | C8550-G2 Not listed |
| SD-WAN Throughput (512-byte)Different | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 Up to 19 Gbps Up to 19 Gbps; 512-byte packets; IPsec, QoS, deep packet inspection and Flexible NetFlow enabled |
| SD-WAN IPsec Throughput (IMIX)Different | C8500-12X Up to 22.6 Gbps | C8550-G2 Not listed |
| Autonomous IPsec Throughput (1400-byte)Different | C8500-12X Up to 84 Gbps | C8550-G2 Not listed |
| IPsec Throughput (512-byte)Different | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 Up to 48 Gbps |
| SD-WAN Overlay TunnelsDifferent | C8500-12X Up to 10,000 | C8550-G2 Not listed |
| IPsec TunnelsDifferent | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 10,000 |
| NAT SessionsDifferent | C8500-12X 12,000,000 | C8550-G2 16,000,000 |
| IPv4 RoutesDifferent | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 8,000,000 |
| IPv6 RoutesDifferent | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 8,000,000 |
| IPv4 ACLsDifferent | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 4,000 |
| IPv4 ACEsDifferent | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 380,000 |
| VRF InstancesDifferent | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 8,000 |
| Configuration, licensing and management | ||
| Routing ProtocolsDifferent | C8500-12X Static routing, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, IS-IS, MPLS and VRF | C8550-G2 Not listed |
| SD-WAN SupportDifferent | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 Supported |
| Management ModelDifferent | C8500-12X Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager or Cisco IOS XE CLI, NETCONF/RESTCONF and SNMP | C8550-G2 Not listed |
| LicensingDifferent | C8500-12X Cisco Smart Licensing | C8550-G2 Platform-class licensing; no bandwidth tiers; HSEC not required |
| Required SubscriptionDifferent | C8500-12X Cisco DNA subscription required for SD-WAN deployments | C8550-G2 Routing OS Essentials included (250 Mbps aggregate crypto limit); Routing Advantage or WAN subscription for licensed features; WAN Essentials/Advantage required for SD-WAN |
| USB PortsDifferent | C8500-12X 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A host ports | C8550-G2 1 x USB 3.0 Type-C |
| Memory and software | ||
| Default DRAMDifferent | C8500-12X 16 GB | C8550-G2 32 GB |
| Maximum DRAM | C8500-12X 64 GB | C8550-G2 64 GB |
| StorageDifferent | C8500-12X 32 GB | C8550-G2 480 GB 480 GB (default) |
| Operating SystemDifferent | C8500-12X Cisco IOS XE autonomous or SD-WAN software | C8550-G2 Cisco IOS XE |
| Minimum Software ReleaseDifferent | C8500-12X Cisco IOS XE 17.3.2 | C8550-G2 Cisco IOS XE 17.15.4 |
| Minimum SD-WAN Manager ReleaseDifferent | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager 20.15.4 |
| PoE and power | ||
| Integrated PoE Support | C8500-12X Not supported | C8550-G2 Not supported |
| Default PoE BudgetDifferent | C8500-12X Not applicable | C8550-G2 0 W |
| PoE Budget with Required Power OptionDifferent | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 Not applicable |
| Default Power SupplyDifferent | C8500-12X Dual AC or DC power supplies | C8550-G2 Not published by Cisco |
| Power Supply OptionsDifferent | C8500-12X Not listed | C8550-G2 750 W AC 950 W DC |
| Power RedundancyDifferent | C8500-12X 1+1 redundant power supplies | C8550-G2 Dual redundant power supplies |
| Physical and environmental | ||
| Dimensions (H × W × D)Different | C8500-12X 43.94 × 444.5 × 468.88 mm | C8550-G2 43.942 × 444.5 × 468.884 mm |
| WeightDifferent | C8500-12X 9.19 kg | C8550-G2 9.344 kg 20.6 lbs; with two AC power supplies and fan tray |
| Operating Temperature | C8500-12X 0 to 40 °C | C8550-G2 0 to 40 °C 32°F to 104°F |
| Storage TemperatureDifferent | C8500-12X -40 to 70 °C | C8550-G2 -40 to 65.556 °C |
| Storage Humidity | C8500-12X 5% to 95% | C8550-G2 5% to 95% |
| Operating Humidity | C8500-12X 10% to 85% | C8550-G2 10% to 85% |
| Operating Altitude | C8500-12X -152–3,048 m | C8550-G2 -152–3,048 m |
| MTBFDifferent | C8500-12X 156,200 hours | C8550-G2 Not listed |
| WarrantyDifferent | C8500-12X Cisco 1-year limited hardware warranty | C8550-G2 Cisco Limited 2-Year Return to Factory Hardware Warranty |
“Not listed” means that no confirmed value is currently available for that model and parameter.
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