Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A 16-Port 10G SFP+ Data Switch, Modular Uplink Slot, Network Advantage
The Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A is a 16-port 1/10G SFP+ Layer 3 managed switch with a modular uplink slot. It supports StackWise Virtual and MACsec-256, with Network Advantage.
Overview
The Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series is Cisco's fixed-configuration core and aggregation platform, supporting advanced routing and infrastructure services such as MPLS Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPNs, Multicast VPN, and Network Address Translation, along with Cisco SD-Access capabilities and network system virtualization with Cisco StackWise Virtual that Cisco describes as critical for placement in the campus core. The C9500-16X is the 16-port 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet configuration, built on the Cisco UADP 2.0 ASIC. It ships without a network module, and is the base switch that the C9500-24X and C9500-16X-2Q bundles are built from. The C9500-16X-A is that configuration at the Network Advantage tier. Network Advantage is what separates it from the otherwise-identical C9500-16X-E: Advantage unlocks full dynamic routing and policy-based segmentation, and it is also the tier that enables Cisco StackWise Virtual, which is not available on an Essentials switch. Redundant Platinum-rated power supplies and field-replaceable fans keep it serviceable in an always-on core. Cisco names the C9500-24Y4C as the replacement product for the C9500-16X in its end-of-life bulletin.
Technical Details
The Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A is a Layer 3 managed 1U rackmount aggregation switch with 16 SFP/SFP+ ports running 1 or 10 Gigabit Ethernet and no network module installed, so no uplink ports beyond the 16 baseboard ports, running Cisco IOS XE with the perpetual Network Advantage license. Switching capacity is 480 Gbps and forwarding rate is 360 Mpps. It carries no Power over Ethernet, so every port is data-only. It is used in the campus core and distribution layer, aggregating downstream access switches and inter-switch uplinks.
Enterprise Network
Corporate Campus
Best For
The C9500-16X-A suits campus core and distribution layers that aggregate downstream access switches over 16 SFP/SFP+ ports running 1 or 10 Gigabit Ethernet. The Network Advantage license fits sites running full dynamic routing such as BGP or IS-IS, policy-based segmentation such as VRF or VXLAN, or a StackWise Virtual pair for high availability.
Not suitable if:
- you only need Layer 2 and basic routed access, since the base Network Essentials tier would be sufficient
- you need to power devices such as wireless access points, IP phones, or IP cameras, since no model in the Catalyst 9500 Series has Power over Ethernet
- you need copper RJ45 ports, since every port on this model is a fiber pluggable slot
- you need 25G or 100G access ports, since this model's SFP+ ports top out at 10 Gigabit Ethernet
- you need a hardened or extended-temperature switch, since this is a standard 1U rackmount model rated for 32 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit
C9500-16X-A Specifications
| Class & Licensing | |
|---|---|
| License Tier | Network Advantage |
| License Detail / MTBF | Network Advantage; MTBF 315,790 hours |
| Ports & Uplinks | |
| Port Speed | 1/10G |
| Uplink Configuration | None included; optional C9500-NM-8X (8 x 1/10G) or C9500-NM-2Q (2 x 40G) network module |
| Performance & Scale | |
| Stacking | StackWise Virtual |
| Switching Capacity | Up to 480 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | Up to 360 Mpps |
| MAC Table | Up to 64,000 |
| Stacking Bandwidth | StackWise Virtual link, up to 8-port EtherChannel |
| Max Stack Members | 2 |
| IPv4 Routes | Up to 64,000 indirect |
| Hardware & Memory | |
| DRAM | 16 GB |
| ASIC | UADP 2.0 |
| Flash | 16 GB |
| Power & Thermal | |
| Power Input / PSU | PWR-C4-950WAC-R (AC) or PWR-C4-950WDC-R (DC); 90 to 264 VAC |
| Redundant PSU | Yes - dual 1+1 redundant (AC or DC) |
| Cooling | Field-replaceable FAN-T4-R, up to 5 variable-speed fans |
| Physical & Environmental | |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 1.7 x 17.5 x 21.5 in (4.4 x 44.5 x 54.7 cm) |
| Weight | 23.6 lbs (10.7 kg) |
| Operating Temperature | 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C) up to altitude of 10,000 feet |
| Operating System | Cisco IOS XE |
| Software | |
| Routing Protocols | BGP, EIGRP, OSPF, IS-IS, RIP, HSRP, VRRP, PBR, PIM SM, PIM SSM, PIM-BIDIR, MSDP, BSR |
Part Number Decode
- C9500 — C9500 is the platform prefix, identifying the Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series of fixed-configuration core and aggregation switches.
- 16 — 16 is the port count, indicating 16 ports on the baseboard.
- X — X is the port-type marker, indicating 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP/SFP+ ports.
- A — A is the license suffix for the perpetual Network Advantage tier.
C9500-16X-A Accessories
| Network Modules | |
|---|---|
| C9500-NM-8X | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Network Module 8-port 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet with SFP/SFP+ |
| C9500-NM-2Q | Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Network Module 2-port 40 Gigabit Ethernet with QSFP+ |
| Stacking accessories | |
| C9500- ACCKIT-19I= | Accessory Kit for Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series - 19" rack mount |
| C9500- ACCKIT-23I= | Accessory Kit for Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series - 23" rack mount |
| C9500- 4PT-KIT= | Extension rails and brackets for four-point mounting for Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series |
| Power Supplies | |
| PWR-C4-950WAC-R | 950W AC Config 4 Power Supply front-to-back cooling |
| PWR-C4-950WDC-R | 950W DC Config 4 Power Supply front-to-back cooling |
| Licenses | |
| C9500-DNA-L-E-3Y | Catalyst 9500 NW and Cisco DNA Essentials. low port density license (3Y) for 12Q, 16X, 24Y4C SKU |
| C9500-DNA-L-E-5Y | Catalyst 9500 NW and Cisco DNA Essentials. low port density license (5Y) for 12Q, 16X, 24Y4C SKU |
| C9500-DNA-L-E-7Y | Catalyst 9500 NW and Cisco DNA Essentials. low port density license (7Y) for 12Q, 16X, 24Y4C SKU |
| C9500-DNA-L-A-3Y | Catalyst 9500 NW and Cisco DNA Advantage low port density license (3Y) for 12Q, 16X, 24Y4C SKU |
| C9500-DNA-L-A-5Y | Catalyst 9500 NW and Cisco DNA Advantage low port density license (5Y) for 12Q, 16X, 24Y4C SKU |
| C9500-DNA-L-A-7Y | Catalyst 9500 NW and Cisco DNA Advantage low port density license (7Y) for 12Q, 16X, 24Y4C SKU |
FAQ
Does the Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A support PoE?
No. The Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A carries no Power over Ethernet, and every port is data-only. No model in the Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series offers PoE of any type, so it cannot power devices such as wireless access points, IP phones, or IP cameras. The Catalyst 9500 is a core and aggregation platform, and powered devices are expected to connect to PoE access switches that uplink to it, such as the Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series.
What transceivers does the Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A use?
The Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A has 16 SFP/SFP+ ports running 1 or 10 Gigabit Ethernet. These SFP+ slots do not support 25G SFP28 optics. There are no copper RJ45 ports on this switch. Specific transceiver compatibility should be verified against the manufacturer's transceiver compatibility matrix at tmgmatrix.cisco.com. Transceivers are sold separately.
Can the Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A be stacked?
The Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A does not form a StackWise data-plane stack of the kind used on the Catalyst 9200 or 9300 Series. At the Network Advantage tier it supports Cisco StackWise Virtual, which pairs two chassis into one logical switch over a StackWise Virtual Link and carries Stateful Switchover and In-Service Software Upgrade across the pair. StackWise Virtual is a Network Advantage capability, so an Essentials switch such as the C9500-16X-E cannot form a StackWise Virtual pair.
What is the difference between the C9500-16X-A and the C9500-16X-E?
The two switches share identical hardware and differ only in license tier. The -E model ships with perpetual Network Essentials, which covers Layer 2 plus routed access such as RIP, EIGRP Stub, OSPF for up to 1,000 routes, PBR, VRRP, and PIM Stub Multicast. The -A model ships with perpetual Network Advantage, which adds full OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, IS-IS, HSRP, BSR, MSDP, and PIM SM, SSM, and BIDIR multicast; network segmentation with VRF, VXLAN, LISP, BGP-EVPN, Cisco TrustSec, SGT, and MPLS; high availability with GIR, NSF, ISSU, and Cisco StackWise Virtual; PTP; and MACsec-256. On the Catalyst 9500, Cisco StackWise Virtual is gated to Network Advantage, so the tier choice decides whether the switch can form a StackWise Virtual high-availability pair.
Does the Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A require a subscription to operate?
No. The switch runs on its included perpetual base license indefinitely. Under Cisco's ordering model, new switch orders include a term-based Cisco DNA or Cisco Catalyst software subscription of the same tier as the network license; that subscription unlocks Cisco Catalyst Center and cloud-managed features. When the subscription term ends, the switch continues operating on the perpetual base license capabilities after a reload.
What replaces the Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A?
Cisco names the C9500-24Y4C as the replacement product for the C9500-16X-A in its end-of-life bulletin EOL15621. The C9500-24Y4C is built on the Cisco UADP 3.0 ASIC and carries the same Network Essentials and Network Advantage tier structure, so the license tier of an existing deployment maps across directly. Migration options are described in Cisco's bulletin.
Is the Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A end of life?
Yes. Cisco published an End-of-Sale and End-of-Life bulletin, EOL15621, covering the C9500-16X-A. The end-of-sale date for the hardware was April 30, 2026, and the last ship date was July 30, 2026. Cisco lists the Last Date of Support as April 30, 2031, so switches under an active service contract remain supported until then. Cisco names the C9500-24Y4C as the replacement product.
What condition is the Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A sold in, and what warranty applies?
The Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X-A is sold new and factory-sealed. It is covered by a Network Devices Inc. one-year warranty and a 30-day return policy.
