Cisco C-NIM-8T | 8-Port Gigabit Module, Layer 2/3, MACsec, Catalyst

Q: Which Cisco platforms support the C-NIM-8T module?
A: The C-NIM-8T is supported on Cisco Catalyst 8200, 8200L, and 8300 Series edge platforms. It installs in NIM slots only and is not compatible with the SM-NIM carrier adapter. Cisco IOS XE software is required for operation.

Q: Can all eight ports be used as Layer 3 routed interfaces?
A: No. Ports 1-6 operate as Layer 2 switched interfaces, while ports 7 and 8 can be configured as native Layer 3 WAN ports with full feature parity to the router's embedded WAN interfaces. This provides flexibility for mixed LAN/WAN deployments.

Q: Does the C-NIM-8T support Power over Ethernet?
A: No, the C-NIM-8T does not provide PoE capability. It offers 10/100/1000BASE-T copper connectivity only. For PoE requirements with similar port density, consider the C-NIM-8M which supports UPoE+ on 2.5G multigigabit ports.

Q: What security features does this module support?
A: The C-NIM-8T supports IEEE 802.1AE MACsec encryption for secure Layer 2 communications. It also integrates with Cisco SD-WAN solutions and supports standard security protocols including 802.1X authentication and VLAN segmentation through its Layer 2 switching capabilities.

Q: How does the C-NIM-8T compare to the legacy NIM-ES2 modules?
A: The C-NIM-8T is designed as a direct replacement for the ISR 4000 Series NIM-ES2 switch module family with full feature parity for Layer 2 switching. It provides enhanced security through MACsec support, improved performance, and compatibility with modern Catalyst 8000 Series platforms.