C9300X-48TX-A
Campus access switch
C9500-48X-A
Enterprise campus core and distribution switch
Cisco switch comparison
C9300X-48TX-A vs C9500-48X-A
A key difference between Cisco C9300X-48TX-A and C9500-48X-A is Switch Role: C9300X-48TX-A — Campus access switch; C9500-48X-A — Enterprise campus core and distribution switch. They also differ in Access / Downlink Ports (48 x 100M/1/2.5/5/10G multigigabit data RJ-45 vs 48 x 1/10G SFP+ plus fixed high-speed uplinks) and Uplink Interfaces (Modular uplink bay vs SFP+). Consider how switch role affects the deployment, then review the remaining differences before choosing the exact Product ID. The table below shows 61 specifications available for both models. Confirm licenses, accessories, power supplies and regional suffixes before ordering.
2models compared
61specs shown for every model
59differences 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.
C9300X-48TX-A
48
C9500-48X-A
40
C9300X-48TX-A
48 x 100M/1/2.5/5/10G multigigabit data RJ-45
C9500-48X-A
40 x 1/10G SFP+ plus 8 x 1/10G SFP+ network-module ports
C9300X-48TX-A
Modular uplink bay
C9500-48X-A
8 x 1/10G SFP+ (C9500-NM-8X included)
C9300X-48TX-A
100 Gbps
C9500-48X-A
Up to 40 Gbps
C9300X-48TX-A
1,760 Gbps
C9500-48X-A
Up to 960 Gbps
Buying decision
How to choose between C9300X-48TX-A and C9500-48X-A
Review the differences in this order to identify the model that best fits the intended deployment.
-
01
Ports and uplinks
Match access media, port count and speed first, then confirm that the uplink design fits the distribution layer.
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02
PoE and power
Total the power required by connected devices and verify the PoE standard, budget, power supplies and redundancy.
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03
Performance and software
Compare forwarding, stacking and scale in the intended topology, then confirm the license tier and software release.
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 | C9300X-48TX-A | C9500-48X-A |
| Product and ordering | ||
| Product Type | Cisco Catalyst 9300X Series modular-uplink stackable access switch | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series fixed core and aggregation switch |
| Form Factor | 1RU | 1RU |
| Switch Role | Campus access switch | Enterprise campus core and distribution switch |
| Network License | Network Advantage | Network Advantage |
| Configuration, licensing and management | ||
| Management Model | Cisco Catalyst Center, WebUI, CLI, NETCONF, RESTCONF and SNMP | Cisco Catalyst Center, IOS XE CLI, NETCONF/RESTCONF, SNMP and WebUI |
| Ports and interfaces | ||
| Downlink Port Count | 48 | 40 |
| Access / Downlink Ports | 48 x 100M/1/2.5/5/10G multigigabit data RJ-45 | 40 x 1/10G SFP+ plus 8 x 1/10G SFP+ network-module ports |
| Downlink Type | 10G multigigabit RJ-45 | 40 x 1/10G SFP+ |
| Uplink Interfaces | Modular uplink bay | 8 x 1/10G SFP+ (C9500-NM-8X included) |
| Maximum Uplink Speed | 100 Gbps | Up to 40 Gbps |
| Supported Network Modules | C9300X-NM-2C, C9300X-NM-4C, C9300X-NM-2Y and C9300X-NM-8M | C9500-NM-8X included; C9500-NM-2Q supported as an alternative |
| Management Ports | 1 x 10/100/1000BASE-T dedicated management port | 1 x dedicated RJ-45 management port |
| Console Ports | 1 x RJ-45; 1 x USB Mini-B console | RJ-45 and USB console ports |
| USB Ports | 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A host port | USB Type-A host and USB console |
| PoE-capable Ports | 0 | Not listed |
| Connector Types | RJ-45; SFP/SFP+/SFP28/QSFP; USB | Model-dependent SFP/SFP+/SFP28/QSFP+/QSFP28/QSFP-DD |
| Total System Ports | 52 | 48 |
| Performance and scale | ||
| Switching Capacity (Standalone) | 1,760 Gbps | Up to 960 Gbps |
| Switching Capacity (Stacked) | 2,760 Gbps | Not listed |
| Forwarding Rate (Standalone) | 1,309 Mpps | Up to 720 Mpps |
| Forwarding Rate (Stacked) | 2,232 Mpps | Not listed |
| MAC Address Scale | 32,000 | Up to 82,000 |
| IPv4 Route Scale | 39,000 | Up to 64,000 |
| IPv6 Route Scale | 19,500 | Up to 32,000 |
| Multicast Route Scale | 8,000 | Up to 32,000 |
| VLAN Scale | 4,094 | 4,094 |
| ACL Scale | 8,000 | Up to 27,000 |
| QoS Scale | 4,000 | Not listed |
| Packet Buffer | 32 MB | 16 MB |
| Jumbo Frame Size | 9,198 bytes | 9,216 bytes |
| Flexible NetFlow Entries | 128,000 | Up to 256,000 |
| Switched Virtual Interfaces | 1,000 | Not listed |
| Port Channel Support | Not listed | Up to 128 port channels |
| Switching ASIC | Not listed | Cisco UADP 2.0 XL |
| PoE and power | ||
| PoE Support | Not supported | Not supported |
| PoE Standard | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Default PoE Budget | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Maximum PoE Budget | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Default Power Supply | PWR-C1-715WAC-P | One field-replaceable AC power supply |
| Power Supply Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Power Supply Options | 350W, 715W, 1100W and supported 1900W AC/HVDC power supplies | Model-dependent AC and DC redundant power supplies |
| Maximum System Power | 315 W | Not listed |
| AC Input Voltage | 100 to 240 V | 90 to 264 V |
| DC Input Voltage | Not listed | -36 to -72 V |
| AC Input Frequency | 50 to 60 Hz | 47 to 63 Hz |
| Power Input Type | AC input; supported AC/HVDC options depend on power-supply model | AC or DC |
| Heat Dissipation | 1,075 BTU/h | Not listed |
| Power Redundancy | Dual redundant field-replaceable power supplies | 1+1 redundant hot-swappable supplies |
| Stacking and resiliency | ||
| Stacking Technology | StackWise-1T | Cisco StackWise Virtual |
| Stack Bandwidth | 1,000 Gbps | Up to 1,600 Gbps |
| Maximum Stack Members | 8 | 2 |
| StackPower | Cisco StackPower+ | Not supported |
| Fan Modules | 3 field-replaceable fans with N+1 redundancy | Field-replaceable redundant fan modules |
| Memory and software | ||
| Operating System | Cisco IOS XE | Cisco IOS XE |
| Minimum Software Release | Cisco IOS XE 17.5.1 | Model-dependent Cisco IOS XE release |
| DRAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Flash Memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| CPU | x86 CPU complex | Not listed |
| Physical and environmental | ||
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 44 × 445 × 522 mm | 44 × 445 × 567 mm |
| Weight | 6.62 kg | 11.68 kg |
| Operating Temperature | -5 to 45 °C; -5 to 40 °C | 0 to 40 °C |
| Storage Temperature | -40 to 70 °C | -20 to 65 °C |
| Storage Humidity | Not listed | 5% to 95% |
| Operating Humidity | 5% to 90% | 5% to 90% |
| Operating Altitude | Up to 3,048 m | Up to 3,000 m |
| MTBF | 206,480 hours | 277,310 hours |
| Warranty | Cisco Enhanced Limited Lifetime hardware warranty (E-LLW) | Cisco Enhanced Limited Lifetime hardware warranty |
| Acoustic Rating | LpA 45 dBA typical; 48 dBA maximum (ISO 7779/9296, 25°C) | Up to 68.3 dBA LwAd sound power |
| Environmental Compliance | RoHS compliant | RoHS compliant |
| Safety Certifications | UL/CSA 60950-1; EN/IEC 60950-1 | UL/CSA/IEC/EN 60950-1 and 62368-1 |
| EMC Certifications | FCC Part 15 Class A; EN 55032 Class A; CISPR 32 Class A | FCC Part 15 Class A, EN 55032 Class A and CISPR 32 Class A |
| Mounting | 19-inch rack mount | 19-inch rack mount |
| Airflow | Front-to-back airflow | Front-to-back; reversible airflow options on supported C9500X models |
“Not listed” means that no confirmed value is currently available for that model and parameter.
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