C8500L-8S4X
Compact high-performance WAN aggregation and SD-WAN edge
C8475-G2
Campus WAN aggregation
Cisco router comparison
C8500L-8S4X vs C8475-G2
C8500L-8S4X offers eight 1G SFP ports and four 1/10G SFP+ ports. C8475-G2 keeps the eight 1G connections, doubles the 1/10G SFP+ count to eight, and adds four 10/25G SFP28 ports. The result is twenty front-panel network interfaces on C8475-G2 versus twelve on C8500L-8S4X, with 25G available only on C8475-G2. These are fixed 1RU platforms with redundant power supplies rather than modular branch routers. C8475-G2 also starts with 32 GB of DRAM instead of 16 GB and uses Cisco's Secure Networking Processor; C8500L-8S4X uses an x86-based architecture.
2models compared
33specs shown for every model
52differences 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.
C8500L-8S4X
8 x 1G SFP plus 4 x 1/10G SFP+
C8475-G2
8 x 1 GE (SFP) 8 x 1/10 GE (SFP+) 4 x 10/25 GE (SFP28)
C8500L-8S4X
Not applicable
C8475-G2
Fixed platform; no NIM or SM slots
C8500L-8S4X
Cisco DNA subscription required for SD-WAN deployments
C8475-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
C8500L-8S4X
16 GB
C8475-G2
32 GB
C8500L-8S4X
16 GB
C8475-G2
64 GB
Buying decision
How to choose between C8500L-8S4X and C8475-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 | C8500L-8S4X | C8475-G2 |
| Product and ordering | ||
| Product TypeDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Cisco Catalyst 8500L Edge Platform | C8475-G2 Cisco 8400 Series Secure Router |
| Form Factor | C8500L-8S4X 1RU | C8475-G2 1RU |
| Router RoleDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Compact high-performance WAN aggregation and SD-WAN edge | C8475-G2 Campus WAN aggregation |
| Routing and WAN performance | ||
| Configurable Ethernet PortsDifferent | C8500L-8S4X 8 x 1G SFP plus 4 x 1/10G SFP+ | C8475-G2 8 x 1 GE (SFP) 8 x 1/10 GE (SFP+) 4 x 10/25 GE (SFP28) |
| Configurable Ethernet Port CountDifferent | C8500L-8S4X 12 | C8475-G2 20 |
| Integrated LAN Switch Ports | C8500L-8S4X Not applicable | C8475-G2 Not applicable |
| Integrated LAN Port CountDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not applicable | C8475-G2 0 |
| Flex Ports (Configurable LAN/WAN)Different | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 Not applicable |
| Flex Port CountDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 0 |
| Built-in 1GE PortsDifferent | C8500L-8S4X 12 | C8475-G2 Not listed |
| Built-in 10GE PortsDifferent | C8500L-8S4X 4 | C8475-G2 Not listed |
| Expansion SlotsDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not applicable | C8475-G2 Fixed platform; no NIM or SM slots |
| NIM Slots | C8500L-8S4X 0 | C8475-G2 0 |
| SM-X Slots | C8500L-8S4X 0 | C8475-G2 0 |
| Cellular Connectivity / PIMDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 Not applicable |
| Integrated DSLDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 Not applicable |
| Service Module SupportDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not applicable | C8475-G2 Not listed |
| Ports and interfaces | ||
| Management PortsDifferent | C8500L-8S4X 1 x 10/100/1000 RJ-45 management Ethernet port | C8475-G2 1 x RJ-45 out-of-band management |
| Console Ports | C8500L-8S4X 1 x RJ-45 console plus 1 x Micro-USB Type-B console | C8475-G2 1 x RJ-45 console; 1 x micro-USB console |
| Performance and scale | ||
| Aggregate Licensed ThroughputDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not published by Cisco | C8475-G2 Not listed |
| Autonomous IPv4 Forwarding (1400-byte)Different | C8500L-8S4X Up to 39 Gbps | C8475-G2 Not listed |
| Forwarding Throughput (512-byte)Different | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 Up to 91 Gbps |
| SD-WAN IPsec Throughput (1400-byte)Different | C8500L-8S4X Up to 19 Gbps | C8475-G2 Not listed |
| SD-WAN Throughput (512-byte)Different | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 Up to 21.7 Gbps Up to 21.7 Gbps; 512-byte packets; IPsec, QoS, deep packet inspection and Flexible NetFlow enabled |
| SD-WAN IPsec Throughput (IMIX)Different | C8500L-8S4X Up to 10 Gbps | C8475-G2 Not listed |
| Autonomous IPsec Throughput (1400-byte)Different | C8500L-8S4X Up to 19 Gbps | C8475-G2 Not listed |
| IPsec Throughput (512-byte)Different | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 Up to 45 Gbps |
| Security Throughput (EMIX)Different | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 Up to 10.9 Gbps Up to 10.9 Gbps; Cisco labels this Security EMIX without a test-feature combination |
| SD-WAN Overlay TunnelsDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Up to 8,000 | C8475-G2 Not listed |
| IPsec TunnelsDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 3,500 |
| NAT SessionsDifferent | C8500L-8S4X 2,000,000 | C8475-G2 Not published by Cisco |
| IPv4 RoutesDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 5,800,000 |
| IPv6 RoutesDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 5,800,000 |
| IPv4 ACLsDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 Not published by Cisco |
| IPv4 ACEsDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 Not published by Cisco |
| VRF InstancesDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 Not published by Cisco |
| Configuration, licensing and management | ||
| Routing ProtocolsDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Static routing, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, IS-IS, MPLS and VRF | C8475-G2 Not listed |
| SD-WAN SupportDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 Supported |
| Management ModelDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager or Cisco IOS XE CLI, NETCONF/RESTCONF and SNMP | C8475-G2 Not listed |
| LicensingDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Cisco Smart Licensing | C8475-G2 Platform-class licensing; no bandwidth tiers; HSEC not required |
| Required SubscriptionDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Cisco DNA subscription required for SD-WAN deployments | C8475-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 | C8500L-8S4X 1 x USB Type-A storage port, 1 x USB Type-C storage port, and 1 x Micro-USB console | C8475-G2 1 x USB 3.0 Type-C |
| Memory and software | ||
| Default DRAMDifferent | C8500L-8S4X 16 GB | C8475-G2 32 GB |
| Maximum DRAM | C8500L-8S4X 64 GB | C8475-G2 64 GB 64 GB; requires IOS XE 17.18.3 or later |
| StorageDifferent | C8500L-8S4X 16 GB | C8475-G2 64 GB 64 GB (default) 600 GB 2 TB |
| Operating SystemDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Cisco IOS XE autonomous or SD-WAN software | C8475-G2 Cisco IOS XE |
| Minimum Software ReleaseDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Cisco IOS XE 17.4.1a | C8475-G2 Cisco IOS XE 17.15.3 |
| Minimum SD-WAN Manager ReleaseDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager 20.15.3 |
| PoE and power | ||
| Integrated PoE Support | C8500L-8S4X Not supported | C8475-G2 Not supported |
| Default PoE BudgetDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not applicable | C8475-G2 0 W |
| PoE Budget with Required Power OptionDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 Not applicable |
| Default Power SupplyDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Dual 400W AC, DC or HVDC power supplies | C8475-G2 Not published by Cisco |
| Power Supply OptionsDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Not listed | C8475-G2 400W AC 400W DC 400W HVDC |
| Power RedundancyDifferent | C8500L-8S4X 1+1 redundant power supplies | C8475-G2 Dual redundant power supplies |
| Physical and environmental | ||
| Dimensions (H × W × D)Different | C8500L-8S4X 43.9 × 444.5 × 412.8 mm | C8475-G2 43.942 × 444.5 × 412.75 mm |
| WeightDifferent | C8500L-8S4X 7.71 kg | C8475-G2 7.031 kg 15.5 lbs; with two AC power supplies and fan tray |
| Operating Temperature | C8500L-8S4X 0 to 40 °C | C8475-G2 0 to 40 °C 32° to 104°F |
| Storage TemperatureDifferent | C8500L-8S4X -40 to 70 °C | C8475-G2 -40 to 65.556 °C |
| Storage Humidity | C8500L-8S4X 5% to 95% | C8475-G2 5% to 95% |
| Operating Humidity | C8500L-8S4X 10% to 85% | C8475-G2 10% to 85% |
| Operating Altitude | C8500L-8S4X -152–3,048 m | C8475-G2 -152–3,048 m |
| MTBFDifferent | C8500L-8S4X 240,200 hours | C8475-G2 Not listed |
| WarrantyDifferent | C8500L-8S4X Cisco 1-year limited hardware warranty | C8475-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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