Description
The Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms offer a range of benefits and features that accelerate services, enhance security, provide application visibility, and enable cloud-native agility. Here’s a summary of the key advantages:
Accelerated Services with Cisco Catalyst Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN)
– Reliably and securely connect users, devices, and branch offices across diverse WAN transport links.
– Dynamically route traffic based on real-time application and network conditions for optimal application experiences.
– Tight control over application performance, bandwidth usage, data privacy, and WAN link availability.
Application Optimization
– Ensure strong performance and meet SLAs in Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN networks, even in the presence of network issues.
– Accelerate SaaS applications with multi-cloud access and template-based configuration from the SD-WAN controller.
Multi-Layer Security
– Transition traditional and complex WAN networks to a more agile software-defined WAN with integrated security.
– Choose from on-premises and cloud-based security options available on the Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms.
Application Visibility
– Integrated with Cisco ThousandEyes internet and cloud intelligence for expanded visibility and analytics.
– Gain insights into network underlay, proactive monitoring of SD-WAN overlay, and performance measurement of SaaS applications.
– Lower Mean Time to Identification (MTTI) of issues and accelerate resolution time.
Cloud-Native Agility with Programmable Software Architecture
– Feature-rich traditional IOS XE routing stack offers flexibility, including IP routing, IPSec, QoS, firewall, NAT, NBAR, and FNF.
– Fully programmable software architecture with API support for easy configuration and wide protocol and configuration support.
– Choose between Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN and Cisco IOS XE, and switch between them as needed.
5G-Ready
– Built to support future 5G networks, with external cellular gateway modules for improved throughput and lower latency.
Compact Form Factor
– The Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms feature compact 1RU and 3RU platforms.
– Rich interface options including 1G, 10G, 40G, and 100G ports.
– Efficient third-generation QFP for high performance and port density.
In conclusion, the Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms provide accelerated services, enhanced security, application visibility, cloud-native agility, and support for future 5G networks in a compact form factor. These platforms are designed to meet the needs of modern networking environments and enable organizations to optimize their WAN connectivity and application performance.
Platforms and configurations
The C8500L-8S4X platform offers 4x 1/10GE and 8x 1GE ports.
Catalyst 8500L Edge Platform Product highlights
Product feature |
Benefits and description |
x86 Based Platform Architecture |
● Advanced flow based forwarding reduces overhead for stateful features
● Dynamic core allocation architecture that can leverage data plane cores for I/O and service plane as per-user configuration
● Higher performance routing and SD-WAN with services
|
IPsec |
● Up to 2.5X higher IPsec throughput compared to ASR1001-X/ASR1002-X, 19 Gbps (1400 bytes, clear text)
|
High Performance Control Plane |
● Intel x86 CPU with multiple cores allocated to control plane with 16 GB memory default (up to 64 GB memory) for high-speed control plane processes
|
Interface flexibility |
● Includes 1G and flexible 1G/10G interfaces
|
DRAM |
● All Catalyst 8500 Edge Platforms have 16 GB default DRAM and can be upgraded to 32 GB or 64 GB for higher scale
|
Flash storage |
● Default 16G eUSB for storage and can be upgraded 32G eUSB for additional storage on the platform
|
SSD Storage |
● Optional SSD M.2 NVMe 2TB upgrade for additional storage on the platform
|
Redundancy |
● High-efficiency dual power supplies by default for power supply redundancy
● All Catalyst 8500 Edge Platforms support software redundancy with 2 Cisco IOS processes running on a single device (IOS XE routing mode)
|
Form factor |
● Compact 1RU form factor
|
Integrated security |
● Hardware-anchored Secure Boot and Secure Unique Device Identification (SUDI) support for Plug and Play to verify the identity of the hardware and software
|
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series configurations and port density
Platform |
Description |
Max 1GE ports |
Max 10GE ports |
Max 40GE ports |
Max 100GE ports |
C8500-20X6C* |
20-port 1/10GE, |
20* |
20* |
6* |
6* |
C8500-12X4QC** |
12-port 1/10GE, |
12** |
12**, *** |
4** |
2** |
C8500-12X |
12-port 1/10GE |
12 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
C8500L-8S4X |
4-port 1/10GE, |
12 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
Maximum ports configurations for Cisco Catalyst C8500-20X6C (All ports can be enabled)
Ports type |
Configuration |
Max 1 GE |
20x1GE |
Max 10 GE |
20x10GE |
Max 40 GE + 10 GE |
6x40GE + 20x10GE |
Max 100 GE + 10 GE |
6x100GE + 20x10GE |
Max 40/100 GE + 10 GE |
6×40/100GE + 20x10GE |
Max 40/100 GE + 10 GE |
6×40/100GE + 20×1/10GE |
Maximum ports configurations for Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC
Ports type |
Configuration |
Max 1 GE |
12x1GE |
Max 10 GE ** |
12x10GE |
Max 40 GE + 10 GE |
4x40GE + 8x10GE |
Max 100 GE |
2x100GE* |
Max 100 GE + 40 GE |
1x100GE + 3x40GE |
Max 100 GE + 40 GE + 10 GE |
1x100GE + 1x40GE + 8x10GE |
Max 100 GE + 10 GE |
1x100GE + 12x10GE |
Max 10 GE + 40 GE |
12x10GE + 3x40GE |
Cisco controller mode (Catalyst SD-WAN) performance specifications
Performance attribute |
C8500-20X6C |
C8500-12X4QC |
C8500-12X |
C8500L-8S4X |
SD-WAN IPsec Throughput (1400Bytes, clear text) |
Up to 350Gbps |
UP to 96Gbps |
Up to 51Gbps |
Up to 19Gbps |
SD-WAN IPsec Throughput (IMIX*, clear text**) |
Up to 100Gbps |
Up to 31.9Gbps |
Up to 22.6Gbps |
Up to 10Gbps |
SD-WAN Overlay Tunnels scale |
8000 (10000[2]) |
8000 (10000[2]) |
8000 (10000[2]) |
6000 (8000[1]) |
Cisco Catalyst 8500L Series SD-WAN, Multi-layer security performance use cases*
Performance attribute |
C8500L-8S4X |
50% IQDF*+ 50% (DIA w. NAT + NGFW + IPS + URLF + AMP) |
Up to 5.9 Gbps |
DIA w. NAT + NGFW + IPS + URLF + AMP |
Up to 4 Gbps |
Cisco autonomous mode (non SD-WAN) performance specifications
Performance attribute |
C8500-20X6C |
C8500-12X4QC |
C8500-12X |
C8500L-8S4X |
IPv4 Forwarding Throughput (1400 bytes) |
Up to 500Gbps |
Up to 197Gbps |
Up to 118Gbps |
Up to 39Gbps |
IPsec Throughput (1400 bytes, clear text**) |
Up to 400Gbps |
Up to 135Gbps |
Up to 84Gbps |
Up to 19Gbps |
Number of IPsec SVTI Tunnels |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
Cisco autonomous mode (non SD-WAN) system scalability
Performance attribute |
C8500-20X6C |
C8500-12X4QC |
C8500-12X |
C8500L-8S4X |
Number of ACLs per system |
8000 |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
Number of IPv4 ACEs per system |
380K |
380K |
47K |
50K |
Number of IPv4 Routes |
7M w/ default 64GB (16M w/ default 64GB [1]) |
4M w/ default 16GB |
4M w/ default 16GB |
4M w/ default 16GB |
Number of IPv6 Routes |
7M w/ default 64GB (16M w/ default 64GB [1]) |
4M w/ default 16GB |
4M w/ default 16GB |
4M w/ default 16GB |
Number of Queues |
256K |
256K |
256K |
16K |
Number of NAT Sessions |
32M |
16M |
12M |
2M |
Number of Firewall Sessions |
32M |
6M |
6M |
2M |
Number of VRFs |
8000 |
8000 |
8000 |
8000 |
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series C8500-20X6C memory, storage, and accessory options
Product number |
Description |
C8500-FILTER-ASSY |
Cisco NEBs level 3 filter |
Note: MEM-C8500-64GB memory, SSD-M2SATA-480G SSD M.2 SATA 480 GB and C8500-ACCKIT3R-19 Cisco Mounting Brackets/accessory kit – 19 inches come standard as a default SKU.
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series C8500-12X and C8500-12X4QC memory, storage, and accessory options
Product number |
Description |
MEM-C8500-32GB |
Cisco C8500 32 GB memory |
MEM-C8500-64GB |
Cisco C8500 64 GB memory |
SSD-M2SATA-480G |
Cisco C8500 SSD M.2 SATA 480 GB |
C8500-ACCKIT-19 |
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Edge accessory kit – 19 inches |
C8500-ACCKIT-23 |
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Edge accessory kit – 23 inches |
C8500-4PT-KIT |
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Edge accessory kit – 4-post kit |
Cisco Catalyst 8500L Edge Platform memory, storage, and accessory options
Product number |
Description |
MEM-C8500L-32GB |
Cisco C8500L 32 GB memory |
MEM-C8500L-64GB |
Cisco C8500L 64 GB memory |
SSD-M2NVME-2T |
Cisco C8500L SSD M.2 NVMe 2TB |
C8500L-RM-19-1R |
Cisco Catalyst 8500L Edge accessory kit – 19 inches |
C8500L-RM-23-1R |
Cisco Catalyst 8500L Edge accessory kit – 23 inches |
C8500L-4PT-KIT |
Cisco Catalyst 8500L Edge accessory kit – 4-post kit |
Mechanical specifications for the Cisco Catalyst Series 8500 Edge Platforms
Part number |
C8500-20X6C |
C8500-12X4QC |
C8500-12X |
C8500L-8S4X |
||
Dimensions (H x W x D) |
26.85 in. L x |
1.73 in. x |
1.73 in. x |
1.73 in.x |
||
Rack Units (RU) |
3RU |
1RU |
1RU |
1RU |
||
Chassis weight with 2x AC power supplies and fan tray |
77.5 lbs (4x AC) 75 lbs. (3x AC) |
20.75 lbs |
20.25 lbs |
17 lbs |
||
Heat Dissipation |
3753 BTU/hr and Max 5118 BTU/hr |
1023.6 BTU/hr and Max 1706.1 BTU/hr |
682.4 BTU/hr and Max 1023.6 BTU/hr |
511 BTU/hr and Max 1057 BTU/hr |
Orderable SKUs for the Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platforms
Product number |
Product description |
L-DNA-C8500 |
Cisco C8500 subscription |
C8500-20X6C |
Cisco C8500-20X6C Edge Platform |
C8500-12X4QC |
Cisco C8500-12X4QC Edge Platform |
C8500-12X |
Cisco C8500-12X Edge Platform |
PWR-CH1-1100WAC |
Cisco C8500 1100W AC Power |
PWR-CH1-1100WAC= |
Cisco C8500 1100W AC Power, Spare |
PWR-CH1-750WACR |
Cisco C8500 750W AC Power |
PWR-CH1-750WACR= |
Cisco C8500 750W AC Power, Spare |
PWR-CH1-950WDCR |
Cisco C8500 950W DC Power |
PWR-CH1-950WDCR= |
Cisco C8500 950W DC Power, Spare |
SSD-M2SATA-480G |
Cisco C8500 SSD M.2 SATA 480GB |
SSD-M2SATA-480G= |
Cisco C8500 SSD M.2 SATA 480GB, Spare |
MEM-C8500-16GB= |
Cisco C8500 16GB Memory, Spare |
MEM-C8500-32GB |
Cisco C8500 32GB Memory |
MEM-C8500-32GB= |
Cisco C8500 32GB Memory, Spare |
MEM-C8500-64GB |
Cisco C8500 64GB Memory |
MEM-C8500-64GB= |
Cisco C8500 64GB Memory, Spare |
C8500-FAN-3R= |
Cisco C8500 Fan Tray, 3RU, Spare |
C8500-FAN-1R= |
Cisco C8500 Fan Tray, 1RU, Spare |
C8500-ACCKIT3R-19 |
Cisco C8500 Accessory Kit – 19” |
C8500-ACCKIT3R-19= |
Cisco C8500 Accessory Kit – 19”, Spare |
C8500-ACCKIT-19 |
Cisco C8500 Accessory Kit – 19” |
C8500-ACCKIT-19= |
Cisco C8500 Accessory Kit – 19”, Spare |
C8500-ACCKIT-23 |
Cisco C8500 Accessory Kit – 23” |
C8500-ACCKIT-23= |
Cisco C8500 Accessory Kit – 23”, Spare |
C8500-4PT-KIT |
Cisco C8500 Accessory Kit – 4 Post Kit |
C8500-4PT-KIT= |
Cisco C8500 Accessory Kit – 4 Post Kit, Spare |
C8500-FILTER-ASSY |
Cisco C8500 NEBs Level 3 Filter and assembly |
C8500-NEB3-FILTER= |
Cisco C8500 NEBs Level 3 Filter replacement, Spare |
C8500-RFID-3R |
Cisco C8500 RFID – 3RU |
C8500-RFID-1R |
Cisco C8500 RFID – 1RU |
Orderable SKUs for the Cisco Catalyst 8500L Edge Platform
Product number |
Product description |
L-DNA-C8500 |
Cisco C8500 subscription |
C8500L-8S4X |
Cisco C8500L-8S4X Edge Platform |
PWR-CH1-400WAC |
Cisco C8500L 400W AC Power |
PWR-CH1-400WAC= |
Cisco C8500L 400W AC Power, Spare |
PWR-CH1-400WDCR |
Cisco C8500L 400W DC Power |
PWR-CH1-400WDC= |
Cisco C8500L 400W DC Power, Spare |
PWR-CC1-400WHV |
Cisco C8500L 400W HVDC Power |
PWR-CC1-400WHV= |
Cisco C8500L 400W HVDC Power, Spare |
MEM-C8500L-16GB= |
Cisco C8500L 16GB Memory, Spare |
MEM-C8500L-32GB |
Cisco C8500L 32GB Memory |
MEM-C8500L-32GB= |
Cisco C8500L 32GB Memory, Spare |
MEM-C8500L-64GB |
Cisco C8500L 64GB Memory |
MEM-C8500L-64GB= |
Cisco C8500L 64GB Memory, Spare |
SSD-M2NVME-2T |
Cisco C8500L SSD M.2 NVMe 2TB |
SSD-M2NVME-2T= |
Cisco C8500L SSD M.2 NVMe 2TB, Spare |
C8500L-FAN-1R= |
Cisco C8500L Fan Tray, 1RU, Spare |
C8500L-RM-19-1R |
Cisco C8500L Accessory Kit – 19” |
C8500L-RM-19-1R= |
Cisco C8500L Accessory Kit – 19”, Spare |
C8500L-RM-23-1R |
Cisco C8500L Accessory Kit – 23” |
C8500L-RM-23-1R= |
Cisco C8500L Accessory Kit – 23”, Spare |
C8500L-4PT-KIT |
Cisco C8500L Accessory Kit – 4 Post Kit |
C8500L-4PT-KIT= |
Cisco C8500L Accessory Kit – 4 Post Kit, Spare |
C-RFID-1R |
Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge RFID – 1RU |
Ryker (verified owner) –
Good quality.
Samuel (verified owner) –
Good service.
Julian (verified owner) –
Good service.