C9500-48Y4C-E Cisco Switch

The Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E is a high-performance layer 3 network switch designed for enterprises, data centers, and large-scale networks. As part of the Cisco Catalyst 9500 series, this switch provides high-speed connectivity, advanced security, and scalability to meet the demands of modern networks. With 48 ports of 25G SFP28 and 4 ports of 100G QSFP28, it ensures seamless data transmission with minimal latency. In this article, we will explore its features, advantages, applications, and technical specifications in detail.

Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E Network Switch

The Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E is a modular enterprise switch optimized for high-speed networking, automation, and security. Designed to support Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access), automation tools, and secure segmentation, this model is an excellent choice for businesses that require scalable and high-throughput networking solutions. The switch is powered by Cisco UADP 2.0 (Unified Access Data Plane) ASIC, enabling high-performance packet processing and enhanced energy efficiency.

Key Features of Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E

1. High-Speed Connectivity

   • 48 x 25G SFP28 ports for high-bandwidth connections
   • 4 x 100G QSFP28 ports for backbone and aggregation

2. Advanced Security Features

   • MACsec encryption (256-bit) for secure data transmission
   • Cisco TrustSec & Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) for network security
   • Threat detection and mitigation with built-in firewall capabilities

3. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) Ready

   • Fully compatible with Cisco DNA Center for intelligent network automation
   • Supports SD-Access for policy-based automation and segmentation

4. High Performance & Scalability

   • Switching capacity of 6.4 Tbps
   • Forwarding rate of 2.8 billion packets per second (Bpps)
   • Modular design to accommodate network growth

5. QoS & Traffic Management

   • Advanced QoS (Quality of Service) for prioritizing network traffic
   • Multicast support for video streaming and data-heavy applications

6. Energy Efficiency & Reliability

   • Built-in redundant power supply and cooling system
   • Optimized power consumption to reduce operational costs

Benefits of Using Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E

✅ High-Speed Data Transmission: With 48 ports of 25G and 4 ports of 100G, this switch provides lightning-fast data transfer speeds, making it ideal for data-intensive applications.

✅ Enterprise-Grade Security: MACsec encryption, Cisco TrustSec, and Encrypted Traffic Analytics offer top-tier security to prevent unauthorized access and cyber threats.

✅ Automation & Intelligent Network Management: Integration with Cisco DNA Center enables centralized management, automation, and monitoring, reducing manual network configurations.

✅ Scalability & Future-Proof Design: This switch supports modular expansion, allowing businesses to scale their network infrastructure as needed.

✅ Optimized for High-Density Environments: Designed for data centers and large enterprises, the C9500-48Y4C-E ensures reliable performance in high-traffic networks.

Applications of Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E

• Enterprise Networks: Ideal for large enterprises requiring secure, high-speed, and scalable networking solutions.
• Data Centers & Cloud Environments: Supports high-speed interconnectivity and redundancy for mission-critical cloud applications.
• Media & Video Streaming: Perfect for video streaming and real-time data processing due to its low-latency and high-throughput capabilities.
• Universities & Research Institutions: Essential for academic and research environments where high bandwidth and reliability are required.
• Financial & Healthcare Sectors: Ensures secure and efficient data transfer in industries with high-security requirements.

How Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E Enhances Network Performance

The Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E is designed to deliver exceptional network performance with its high-speed connectivity, intelligent traffic management, and advanced security features. Here’s how this switch optimizes network performance in enterprise and data center environments:

1. High-Speed Data Transfer with 25G & 100G Ports

The 48 x 25G SFP28 ports and 4 x 100G QSFP28 ports provide unparalleled data throughput, making it ideal for high-density environments such as data centers, cloud computing platforms, and financial institutions. These high-speed ports ensure low latency and reduced bottlenecks for mission-critical applications.

📌 Performance Impact:

• Enables faster data processing in cloud environments
• Supports high-bandwidth applications like video streaming and AI workloads
• Reduces network congestion with high-throughput switching

2. Intelligent Traffic Management & QoS Optimization

Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E comes with advanced Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities, allowing network administrators to prioritize critical applications while ensuring smooth traffic flow across the network.

📌 Performance Impact:

• Prioritizes latency-sensitive applications like VoIP and video conferencing
• Ensures bandwidth allocation for business-critical processes
• Reduces packet loss and jitter, ensuring consistent user experience

3. Cisco DNA Center & SD-Access for Network Automation

This switch is fully compatible with Cisco DNA Center, enabling AI-powered network automation and zero-touch provisioning. With Software-Defined Access (SD-Access), it allows for policy-based segmentation and simplified network management.

📌 Performance Impact:

• Reduces manual configuration errors and enhances operational efficiency
• Enables self-healing networks, where the system automatically adjusts to failures
• Improves troubleshooting speed with AI-driven network analytics

4. Advanced Security for Performance Protection

The C9500-48Y4C-E comes with built-in security features such as MACsec (256-bit encryption), Cisco TrustSec, and Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) to prevent cyber threats while maintaining network performance.

📌 Performance Impact:

• Detects and mitigates threats without affecting data flow
• Encrypts traffic without causing latency or slowdowns
• Ensures secure segmentation, preventing data breaches

5. Virtual Stacking & High Availability

With StackWise Virtual technology, multiple Cisco C9500 switches can be managed as a single logical unit, providing high availability and failover capabilities.

📌 Performance Impact:

• Increases network resiliency by preventing single points of failure
• Reduces downtime with seamless failover support
• Enables scalable expansion without interrupting services

6. Optimized Power Consumption & Efficiency

Cisco has optimized this switch for power efficiency, reducing operational costs without compromising on performance.

📌 Performance Impact:

• Lowers power consumption for eco-friendly operations
• Reduces heat generation, improving hardware longevity
• Enhances network sustainability for green data centers

C9500-48Y4C-E Technical Specifications

Conclusion

The Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E is a high-performance, secure, and scalable switch designed for enterprise networks, data centers, and high-density environments. With powerful hardware, software-defined networking support, and enterprise-grade security, it is an ideal choice for organizations looking to enhance network performance and reliability. If your business demands high-speed connectivity, intelligent automation, and advanced security, this switch is one of the best options available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What makes the Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E different from other Catalyst 9500 models?

The C9500-48Y4C-E stands out due to its 48 x 25G SFP28 ports and 4 x 100G QSFP28 uplinks, making it ideal for high-speed enterprise networks and data centers. Unlike other models in the Catalyst 9500 series, it is optimized for next-generation data processing, cloud workloads, and automation with Cisco DNA Center.

2. Can the C9500-48Y4C-E be used in a small business network?

While technically possible, this switch is designed for large-scale enterprises, data centers, and high-performance environments. Small businesses typically do not require 48 x 25G ports and 100G uplinks, making lower-tier switches (such as the Catalyst 9200 or 9300 series) a better fit.

3. Does this switch support modular expansion?

Yes, the Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E supports modular uplinks and stacking (StackWise Virtual), allowing businesses to expand their network without replacing the entire switch. This ensures scalability and future-proofing for growing networks.

4. Is the Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E suitable for cloud-based applications?

Absolutely! With its high-speed 25G and 100G connectivity, low latency, and SD-Access capabilities, this switch is ideal for cloud computing environments, ensuring fast and secure data transfers between on-premises and cloud infrastructures.

5. How does the C9500-48Y4C-E improve network security?

This switch features MACsec (256-bit encryption), Cisco TrustSec, and Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA), which help detect, prevent, and mitigate cyber threats without impacting performance. Additionally, micro-segmentation through SD-Access prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data.

6. What is the power consumption of this switch?

The Cisco C9500-48Y4C-E has a maximum power consumption of approximately 450W, depending on the workload and connected devices. It includes redundant power supplies and energy-efficient hardware to reduce operational costs.

7. Can the C9500-48Y4C-E operate in high-density environments?

Yes, this switch is built for high-density environments such as large enterprises, universities, data centers, and financial institutions. It supports high throughput, efficient traffic management, and low latency, ensuring smooth operation even under heavy workloads.

8. How does Cisco DNA Center enhance network management for this switch?

Cisco DNA Center enables AI-driven automation, network monitoring, and policy-based segmentation for the C9500-48Y4C-E. This reduces manual configurations, optimizes performance, and simplifies troubleshooting, improving overall network efficiency.

9. Does this switch support redundancy and failover protection?

Yes, the C9500-48Y4C-E features StackWise Virtual technology, which allows two switches to be managed as a single unit for high availability and failover protection. It also includes redundant power supplies and cooling systems to minimize downtime.

10. What industries benefit the most from the C9500-48Y4C-E?

This switch is best suited for industries that require high-speed, low-latency, and secure networking, such as:

• Financial institutions (high-frequency trading, secure transactions)
• Healthcare (secure data transfer, AI-driven analytics)
• Media & entertainment (4K/8K video streaming, real-time editing)
• Cloud service providers (multi-tenant, high-bandwidth applications)
• Universities & research institutions (big data processing, AI training)