C8500-20X6C
High-performance WAN aggregation and SD-WAN edge
C8650-G2
High-scale data center WAN aggregation
Cisco router comparison
C8500-20X6C vs C8650-G2
Hardware specifications are almost identical between C8500-20X6C and C8650-G2: both occupy 3RU and include twenty 1/10G SFP+ ports, six 40/100G QSFP28 ports, 64 GB of DRAM, 480 GB of storage, 16 million IPv4/IPv6 routes, and 32 million NAT sessions. Cisco publishes up to 10,000 SD-WAN overlay tunnels for C8500-20X6C and 12,000 for C8650-G2. C8500-20X6C uses Cisco DNA bandwidth tiers, whereas C8650-G2 uses a platform-class subscription that is not bandwidth-tiered. Their throughput figures use different packet sizes and feature profiles, so those headline numbers are not a like-for-like comparison.
2models compared
34specs shown for every model
46differences found
Change comparison
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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.
C8500-20X6C
Not applicable
C8650-G2
Fixed platform; no NIM or SM slots
C8500-20X6C
Cisco DNA subscription required for SD-WAN deployments
C8650-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
C8500-20X6C
Three AC or DC power supplies
C8650-G2
Not published by Cisco
C8500-20X6C
Not listed
C8650-G2
Not applicable
C8500-20X6C
20
C8650-G2
Not listed
Buying decision
How to choose between C8500-20X6C and C8650-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 | C8500-20X6C | C8650-G2 |
| Product and ordering | ||
| Product TypeDifferent | C8500-20X6C Cisco Catalyst 8500 Edge Platform | C8650-G2 Cisco 8600 Series Secure Router |
| Form Factor | C8500-20X6C 3RU | C8650-G2 3RU |
| Router RoleDifferent | C8500-20X6C High-performance WAN aggregation and SD-WAN edge | C8650-G2 High-scale data center WAN aggregation |
| Routing and WAN performance | ||
| Configurable Ethernet Ports | C8500-20X6C 20 x 1/10G SFP+ plus 6 x 40/100G QSFP28 | C8650-G2 20x 1/10GE (SFP+) 6x 40/100GE (QSFP28) |
| Configurable Ethernet Port Count | C8500-20X6C 26 | C8650-G2 26 |
| Integrated LAN Switch Ports | C8500-20X6C Not applicable | C8650-G2 Not applicable |
| Integrated LAN Port CountDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not applicable | C8650-G2 0 |
| Flex Ports (Configurable LAN/WAN)Different | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 Not applicable |
| Flex Port CountDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 0 |
| Built-in 1GE PortsDifferent | C8500-20X6C 20 | C8650-G2 Not listed |
| Built-in 10GE PortsDifferent | C8500-20X6C 20 | C8650-G2 Not listed |
| Expansion SlotsDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not applicable | C8650-G2 Fixed platform; no NIM or SM slots |
| NIM Slots | C8500-20X6C 0 | C8650-G2 0 |
| SM-X Slots | C8500-20X6C 0 | C8650-G2 0 |
| Cellular Connectivity / PIMDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 Not applicable |
| Integrated DSLDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 Not applicable |
| Service Module SupportDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not applicable | C8650-G2 Not listed |
| Ports and interfaces | ||
| Management Ports | C8500-20X6C 1 x RJ-45 management Ethernet port | C8650-G2 1 x RJ-45 out-of-band management |
| Console Ports | C8500-20X6C 1 x RJ-45 console plus 1 x Micro-USB Type-B console | C8650-G2 1 x RJ-45 console; 1 x micro-USB console |
| Performance and scale | ||
| Aggregate Licensed ThroughputDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not published by Cisco | C8650-G2 Not listed |
| Autonomous IPv4 Forwarding (1400-byte)Different | C8500-20X6C Up to 500 Gbps | C8650-G2 Not listed |
| Forwarding Throughput (512-byte)Different | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 Up to 540 Gbps |
| SD-WAN IPsec Throughput (1400-byte)Different | C8500-20X6C Up to 350 Gbps | C8650-G2 Not listed |
| SD-WAN Throughput (512-byte)Different | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 Up to 80 Gbps Up to 80 Gbps; 512-byte packets; IPsec, QoS, deep packet inspection and Flexible NetFlow enabled |
| SD-WAN IPsec Throughput (IMIX)Different | C8500-20X6C Up to 100 Gbps | C8650-G2 Not listed |
| Autonomous IPsec Throughput (1400-byte)Different | C8500-20X6C Up to 400 Gbps | C8650-G2 Not listed |
| IPsec Throughput (512-byte)Different | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 Up to 225 Gbps |
| SD-WAN Overlay TunnelsDifferent | C8500-20X6C Up to 10,000 | C8650-G2 12,000 |
| IPsec TunnelsDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 Not published by Cisco |
| NAT Sessions | C8500-20X6C 32,000,000 | C8650-G2 32,000,000 |
| IPv4 RoutesDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 16,000,000 |
| IPv6 RoutesDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 16,000,000 |
| IPv4 ACLsDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 4,000 |
| IPv4 ACEsDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 380,000 |
| VRF InstancesDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 8,000 |
| Configuration, licensing and management | ||
| Routing ProtocolsDifferent | C8500-20X6C Static routing, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, IS-IS, MPLS and VRF | C8650-G2 Not listed |
| SD-WAN SupportDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 Supported |
| Management ModelDifferent | C8500-20X6C Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager or Cisco IOS XE CLI, NETCONF/RESTCONF and SNMP | C8650-G2 Not listed |
| LicensingDifferent | C8500-20X6C Cisco Smart Licensing | C8650-G2 Platform-class licensing; no bandwidth tiers; HSEC not required |
| Required SubscriptionDifferent | C8500-20X6C Cisco DNA subscription required for SD-WAN deployments | C8650-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 | C8500-20X6C 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A host ports | C8650-G2 Not published by Cisco |
| Memory and software | ||
| Default DRAM | C8500-20X6C 64 GB | C8650-G2 64 GB |
| Maximum DRAMDifferent | C8500-20X6C 64 GB | C8650-G2 Not published by Cisco |
| Storage | C8500-20X6C 480 GB | C8650-G2 480 GB 480 GB (default) |
| Operating SystemDifferent | C8500-20X6C Cisco IOS XE autonomous or SD-WAN software | C8650-G2 Cisco IOS XE |
| Minimum Software ReleaseDifferent | C8500-20X6C Cisco IOS XE 17.10.1 | C8650-G2 Cisco IOS XE 26.1.2 |
| Minimum SD-WAN Manager ReleaseDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager 26.1.2 |
| PoE and power | ||
| Integrated PoE Support | C8500-20X6C Not supported | C8650-G2 Not supported |
| Default PoE BudgetDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not applicable | C8650-G2 0 W |
| PoE Budget with Required Power OptionDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 Not applicable |
| Default Power SupplyDifferent | C8500-20X6C Three AC or DC power supplies | C8650-G2 Not published by Cisco |
| Power Supply OptionsDifferent | C8500-20X6C Not listed | C8650-G2 1100W AC 950W DC |
| Power RedundancyDifferent | C8500-20X6C N+1 standard; N+2 with a fourth supply | C8650-G2 N+2 power redundancy |
| Physical and environmental | ||
| Dimensions (H × W × D)Different | C8500-20X6C 132.59 × 438.15 × 681.99 mm | C8650-G2 132.588 × 438.15 × 681.99 mm |
| WeightDifferent | C8500-20X6C 35.15 kg | C8650-G2 35.153 kg 77.5 lb (35.15 kg) (4x AC) 75 lb (34.02 k) (3x AC) |
| Operating Temperature | C8500-20X6C 0 to 40 °C | C8650-G2 0 to 40 °C 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C) |
| Storage TemperatureDifferent | C8500-20X6C -40 to 70 °C | C8650-G2 -40 to 65.556 °C |
| Storage Humidity | C8500-20X6C 5% to 95% | C8650-G2 5% to 95% |
| Operating Humidity | C8500-20X6C 10% to 85% | C8650-G2 10% to 85% |
| Operating Altitude | C8500-20X6C -152–3,048 m | C8650-G2 -152–3,048 m |
| MTBFDifferent | C8500-20X6C 241,225 hours | C8650-G2 Not listed |
| WarrantyDifferent | C8500-20X6C Cisco 1-year limited hardware warranty | C8650-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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