Network switch Cisco C9500-32QC-A — Managed L2/L3, 32x QSFP+, 100GbE, 64 Tbps switching capacity, 84k MAC, rack-mount

Cisco C9500-32QC-A is a managed L2/L3 enterprise switch with 32 QSFP+ ports designed for 100 Gigabit Ethernet optical modules. Built for rack mounting, the switch delivers a nonblocking switching fabric with a stated switching capacity of 64,000 Gbit/s (64 Tbps) and supports a MAC address table up to 84,000 entries. The product is part of the Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series, a purpose-built fixed core and aggregation platform that uses an x86 CPU and is intended for campus core, data center aggregation and other high-throughput network environments.

Advantages

The Cisco C9500-32QC-A provides high-density 100GbE connectivity across 32 QSFP+ ports and full-duplex operation to support high-bandwidth traffic. Its large switching capacity and MAC table scale are suitable for environments requiring extensive MAC and routing table entries. The platform supports enterprise-grade resiliency and serviceability features typical of the Catalyst 9500 Series, including a modern CPU architecture, substantial memory and storage resources, and design intended for integration into redundant, high-availability network topologies.

Suitable for

• Data center aggregation and spine/top-of-rack consolidation
• Campus core and distribution layer switching
• High-throughput network links and server uplinks using 100GbE optics
• Environments requiring large MAC tables and high switching capacity

Key specifications

• Port count and type: 32 QSFP+ ports suitable for 100GbE optical modules
• Switching capacity: 64,000 Gbit/s (64 Tbps)
• MAC address table size: up to 84,000 entries
• Form factor: rack-mountable fixed switch
• CPU and memory class: x86-based CPU platform with multi-core processor and substantial DDR memory and internal storage (platform-class resources)
• Layer support: managed Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching and routing features

How to use

Install the Cisco C9500-32QC-A into a standard equipment rack using the supplied rack-mount kit and ensure proper airflow and power redundancy according to site guidelines. Populate the QSFP+ ports with compatible 100GbE optical transceivers or direct-attach cables and connect to upstream or downstream devices. Configure VLANs, routing protocols and any required high-availability or virtualization features via the device management interface or an automation tool, following Cisco configuration best practices and your network design. Monitor port status, MAC learning and switching performance through the switch management system and integrate into existing network monitoring and orchestration frameworks as needed.

Usage recommendations

Use compatible Cisco or Cisco-supported 100GbE optics and QSFP+ modules, verify cooling and power redundancy in rack installations, and plan addressing, VLANs and routing to make use of the switch’s L2/L3 capabilities. For deployments requiring high availability, combine the switch with redundant power and fan modules and follow Catalyst 9500 Series deployment guides for clustering, virtualization and routing protocol configuration.