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Cisco Catalyst 9500 Switch - A Fixed Chassis Core Switch

Today I am going to talk about the Cisco Catalyst 9500 Fixed Chassis which is introduced by Cisco for the Core in the Campus or enterprise network design. Before we start with the Cisco Catalyst 9500 Fixed Chassis, Cisco introduces Cisco catalyst 9300 Switch which will be used in the Access Layer of the Campus network and Cisco Catalyst 9400 Switch- a modular chassis which can either be used in the distribution or Access layer or in small campuses you can use Cisco catalyst 9400 in the core as well.

Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series switches are the industry’s first purpose-built 40-Gbps switches targeted for the enterprise campus, delivering exceptional table scales and buffering for enterprise applications. The platform offers non-blocking 40-Gbps Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable (QSFP) and 10-Gbps (SFP+) switches with granular port densities that meet diverse campus needs. 


The Cisco Catalyst 9500 supports advanced routing and infrastructure services, SD-Access border capabilities and network system virtualization with StackWise virtual technology, which are critical for its placement in the campus core. 

Fig 1.1- Next Generation Switching Platform- Cisco Catalyst 9000

The platform also supports all the foundational high-availability capabilities like patching, Graceful Insertion and Removal (GIR), Nonstop Forwarding with Stateful Switchover (NSF/SSO), redundant platinum-rated power supplies and fans. 

Features of Cisco Catalyst 9500 Switch:
  • Ease of Serviceability with Blue Beacons on each component
  • High Density 100 G Switch at the core Layer
  • Open IOS-XE with UDAP 2.0
  • Encrypted traffic analytics
  • UPOE switches with high capability 
  • Support to IOT devices like IP cameras, Smart Lighting
  • Fully Automated with the DNA Center controller
  • Developed for SDA infrastructure Core in fabric infrastructure.
  • Support for the VXLAN and LISP protocol for routed access ports
  • On-Box Python scripted available
  • Fully integrated by NETCONF/YANG models
  • Inventory Management Efficiency with Built-in RFID
  • Wireless Console Access with Bluetooth
  • Ergonomic Design with Industry standard Icons