Cisco Catalyst C9500-32QC-E 32-Port 40G QSFP+ Data Switch, 16x100G QSFP28, Network Essentials
The Cisco Catalyst C9500-32QC-E is a 32-port 40G Layer 3 managed switch with 16x 100G QSFP28 ports. It supports MACsec-256 and routed access, with Network Essentials.
Overview
The Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series is Cisco's fixed-configuration core and aggregation platform for the enterprise campus, which Cisco positions for placement in the campus core, with an operational choice of Cisco Catalyst Center or Cisco Meraki cloud monitoring. The C9500-32QC is the 32-port 40 Gigabit Ethernet configuration, built on the Cisco UADP 3.0 ASIC, and is configurable as 32 ports of 40G or 16 ports of 100G from the same baseboard. The C9500-32QC-E is that configuration at the Network Essentials tier. Network Essentials covers Layer 2 and routed access, which is what separates it from the otherwise-identical C9500-32QC-A: Advantage adds full dynamic routing and policy-based segmentation, and it is the only tier that enables Cisco StackWise Virtual. Redundant Platinum-rated power supplies and field-replaceable fans keep it serviceable in an always-on core.
Technical Details
The Cisco Catalyst C9500-32QC-E is a Layer 3 managed 1U rackmount aggregation switch with 32 QSFP+ ports running 40 Gigabit Ethernet, or 16 ports at 100 Gigabit Ethernet and all ports on the baseboard and no separate uplink module, running Cisco IOS XE with the perpetual Network Essentials license. Switching capacity is 3,200 Gbps and forwarding rate is 1,000 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 C9500-32QC-E suits campus core and distribution layers that aggregate downstream access switches over 32 QSFP+ ports running 40 Gigabit Ethernet, or 16 ports at 100 Gigabit Ethernet. The Network Essentials license fits sites that need Layer 2 and routed access such as RIP, EIGRP Stub, and OSPF for up to 1,000 routes, without the advanced routing and segmentation of the Advantage tier.
Not suitable if:
- you need full dynamic routing such as BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, or IS-IS, or policy-based segmentation such as VRF, VXLAN, LISP, or SGT, since these require the Network Advantage tier
- you need Cisco StackWise Virtual, since it is available only at the Network Advantage tier
- 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 a hardened or extended-temperature switch, since this is a standard 1U rackmount model rated for 32 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit
C9500-32QC-E Specifications
| Class & Licensing | |
|---|---|
| License Tier | Network Essentials |
| License Detail / MTBF | Network Essentials; MTBF 307,200 hours |
| Ports & Uplinks | |
| Port Speed | 40G |
| Uplink Configuration | No dedicated uplinks; 32 x 40G QSFP+ or 16 x 100G QSFP28 |
| Performance & Scale | |
| Stacking | No |
| Switching Capacity | Up to 3,200 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | Up to 1,000 Mpps |
| MAC Table | Up to 82,000 |
| IPv4 Routes | Up to 256,000 indirect + direct |
| Hardware & Memory | |
| DRAM | 16 GB |
| ASIC | UADP 3.0 |
| Flash | 16 GB |
| Power & Thermal | |
| Power Input / PSU | C9K-PWR-650WAC-R / C9K-PWR-650WACL-R (AC) or C9K-PWR-930WDC-R (DC); 90 to 264 VAC |
| Redundant PSU | Yes - dual 1+1 redundant (AC or DC) |
| Cooling | Field-replaceable C9K-T1-FANTRAY, up to 4 variable-speed fans |
| Physical & Environmental | |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 1.7 x 17.5 x 18.0 in (4.4 x 44.5 x 45.7 cm) |
| Weight | 21.9 lbs (9.9 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 | RIP, EIGRP Stub, OSPF (up to 1,000 routes), PBR, VRRP, PIM Stub Multicast (up to 1,000 routes) |
Part Number Decode
- C9500 — C9500 is the platform prefix, identifying the Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series of fixed-configuration core and aggregation switches.
- 32 — 32 is the port count, indicating 32 ports on the baseboard.
- QC — QC is the port-type marker, indicating ports that run as 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ or, at reduced port count, 100 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP28.
- E — E is the license suffix for the perpetual Network Essentials tier.
C9500-32QC-E Accessories
| Stacking accessories | |
|---|---|
| C9500- ACCKITH -19I= | Accessory Kit for Cisco Catalyst 9500X Switch - 19" rack mount |
| C9500- ACCKITH -23I= | Accessory Kit for Cisco Catalyst 9500X Switch - 23" rack mount |
| C9500- 4PTHKIT= | Extension rails and brackets for four-point mounting for Cisco Catalyst 9500X Switch |
| C9K-F1-SSD-240G | Cisco pluggable SSD storage 240 GB |
| C9K-F1-SSD-480G | Cisco pluggable SSD storage 480 GB |
| C9K-F1-SSD-960G | Cisco pluggable SSD storage 960 GB |
| Power Supplies | |
| C9K-PWR-650WAC-R | 650W AC Power Supply |
| C9KPWR650WACL-R | 650W AC Power Supply |
| C9K-PWR-930WDC-R | 930W DC Power Supply |
| Licenses | |
| C9500-DNA-E-3Y | Catalyst 9500 NW and Cisco DNA Essentials. license (3Y) for 24Q, 40X, 32C, 32QC, 48Y4C SKU |
| C9500-DNA-E-5Y | Catalyst 9500 NW and Cisco DNA Essentials. license (5Y) for 24Q, 40X, 32C, 32QC, 48Y4C SKU |
| C9500-DNA-E-7Y | Catalyst 9500 NW and Cisco DNA Essentials. license (7Y) for 24Q, 40X, 32C, 32QC, 48Y4C SKU |
| C9500-DNA-A-3Y | Catalyst 9500 NW and Cisco DNA Advantage license (3Y) for 24Q, 40X, 32C, 32QC, 48Y4C SKU |
| C9500-DNA-A-5Y | Catalyst 9500 NW and Cisco DNA Advantage license (5Y) for 24Q, 40X, 32C, 32QC, 48Y4C SKU |
| C9500-DNA-A-7Y | Catalyst 9500 NW and Cisco DNA Advantage license (7Y) |
FAQ
Does the Cisco Catalyst C9500-32QC-E support PoE?
No. The Cisco Catalyst C9500-32QC-E 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 C9500-32QC-E use?
The Cisco Catalyst C9500-32QC-E provides 32 ports of 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+, or 16 ports of 100 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP28. These are quad SFP slots and do not accept SFP or SFP+ optics directly. 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 C9500-32QC-E be stacked?
The Cisco Catalyst C9500-32QC-E does not form a StackWise data-plane stack of the kind used on the Catalyst 9200 or 9300 Series, and it does not support Cisco StackWise Virtual at its license tier. StackWise Virtual, which pairs two chassis into one logical switch for high availability, requires Network Advantage. The C9500-32QC-A is the equivalent Advantage model and supports it.
What is the difference between the C9500-32QC-A and the C9500-32QC-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 C9500-32QC-E 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.
Is the Cisco Catalyst C9500-32QC-E end of life?
No. Cisco has not published an End-of-Sale or End-of-Life hardware notice for the Cisco Catalyst C9500-32QC-E, and it remains an actively available product. Cisco has published hardware end-of-life bulletins for other members of the Catalyst 9500 Series, covering the C9500-12Q, C9500-24Q, C9500-40X, and C9500-16X and their bundles, but the C9500-32QC is not among them. The other Catalyst 9500 notices cover IOS XE software releases and license offers rather than switch hardware.
What condition is the Cisco Catalyst C9500-32QC-E sold in, and what warranty applies?
The Cisco Catalyst C9500-32QC-E is sold new and factory-sealed. It is covered by a Network Devices Inc. one-year warranty and a 30-day return policy.
