Cisco C9500-32QC-A | Catalyst 9500 32-Port 40/100G QSFP28 Switch, Network Advantage

Q: What licensing is included with the C9500-32QC-A?
A: This model includes Cisco Network Advantage licensing, which provides advanced Layer 3 routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP), SD-Access automation, MACsec 256-bit encryption, encrypted traffic analytics, and full integration with Cisco DNA Center for policy-based automation and assurance.

Q: Can the QSFP28 ports support both 40G and 100G speeds?
A: Yes, each of the 32 QSFP28 ports natively supports both 40G and 100G connectivity. The switch can operate as 32x 40G or 16x 100G, depending on the optics installed. Breakout cables also allow configurations like 4x10G or 4x25G per port for increased flexibility.

Q: What power supply options are available for this switch?
A: The C9500-32QC-A supports AC power supplies C9K-PWR-650WAC-R, C9K-PWR-650WACL-R, or DC power supply C9K-PWR-930WDC-R. The switch requires power supplies to be ordered separately and supports dual redundant, hot-swappable power supplies for high availability deployments.

Q: Does this switch support stacking?
A: Yes, the C9500-32QC-A supports Cisco StackWise Virtual technology, allowing up to eight switches to operate as a single logical unit. This simplifies management, provides seamless redundancy, and enables high-bandwidth inter-switch connectivity for scalable enterprise networks.

Q: What deployment scenarios is the C9500-32QC-A best suited for?
A: This switch is ideal for enterprise campus core and aggregation layers, as well as data center environments requiring high-density 40G/100G connectivity. It excels in scalable, high-performance networks with advanced security requirements, SD-Access deployments, and applications needing low latency and wire-speed forwarding.