Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Network Module — 8-Port 10G SFP+

Elevate your enterprise backbone with the Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Network Module, an essential upgrade for core and distribution layers that demand dense, dependable 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. This module packs eight high-performance SFP+ ports into a compact footprint, enabling scalable uplinks, flexible fiber options, and seamless integration with Cisco’s proven security and management features. Built to maximize uptime and minimize total cost of ownership, it supports a wide range of standard SFP modules, empowering you to tailor optics to your distance, cabling, and budget requirements while preserving the reliability and simplicity that come with Cisco IOS XE-based platforms.

Whether you’re refreshing an aging spine-leaf fabric, expanding a data center aggregation path, or future-proofing a campus network, this 8-port 10G SFP+ module delivers the versatility you need without forcing you into a single transceiver vendor. Its SFP+ interfaces are designed for plug-and-play deployment with selected Cisco optics or third-party SFP/SFP+ modules that meet your performance and warranty considerations. With 10GBase-X technology underpinning each port, you enjoy predictable, line-rate throughput, enabling latency-sensitive applications, virtualization, storage, and clustering to run cleanly alongside traditional data traffic. The result is a flexible, scalable, and cost-efficient way to grow your network capacity as demands rise.

Durability and ease of maintenance are baked into the design. The module is built for hot-swappable operation within compatible Catalyst 9500 chassis, meaning you can upgrade or replace components with minimal disruption to ongoing services. This aligns with modern network practices that emphasize reduced downtime, faster recovery, and simplified patching and capacity planning. By consolidating uplink density into a single, modular card, network engineers gain greater control over cabling layouts, airflow management, and fault isolation, all while preserving centralized control through Cisco DNA Center and IOS XE policy enforcement.

• Eight 10G SFP+ ports provide high-density uplinks for core or distribution layers, enabling dense fabrics and scalable, predictable performance.
• Support for a broad range of standard SFP/SFP+ optics allows flexible dependency on distance, fiber type, and budget, without locking you into a single vendor.
• 10GBase-X technology enables up to 10 Gbps per port with reliable, low-latency data transfer suitable for virtualization, storage, and high-traffic interconnects.
• Hot-swappable design minimizes downtime during installation or maintenance, allowing quick swap-outs without powering down the chassis where supported.
• Designed for seamless integration with the Cisco Catalyst 9500 series, ensuring consistent management, security policies, and performance characteristics across the network.

Technical Details of Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Network Module

• Ports: Eight 10-Gigabit SFP+ ports for high-density uplinks and flexible fiber connectivity.
• Transceiver compatibility: Supports standard SFP and SFP+ optics, enabling versatile optics choices to meet distance and budget requirements.
• Performance: Up to 10 Gbps per port (aggregate bandwidth up to 80 Gbps across all ports) with low latency for enterprise-grade applications.
• Interface type: SFP+ interfaces with duplex LC connectors, compatible with a wide range of fiber types and distances determined by chosen transceivers.
• Form factor and compatibility: A Network Module designed for Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series chassis, ensuring full interoperability and centralized policy management.
• Reliability and maintenance: Hot-swappable design within supported chassis to minimize downtime during upgrades or service actions.

how to install Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Network Module

• Power down or ensure hot-swappable capability is supported in your Catalyst 9500 chassis before installation, and observe proper electrostatic discharge precautions.
• Open the chassis panel and align the module with the correct slot, ensuring the guides engage the backplane properly before seating.
• Gently slide the module into the slot until it seats firmly; do not force the component, and verify that the port LEDs indicate a healthy link status after insertion.
• Secure the module with any retention hardware or cage screws as required by the chassis design, ensuring firm but not overtightened mounting.
• Connect the SFP/SFP+ transceivers and attach fiber or copper cables according to your network plan and transceiver specifications; follow distance and management guidelines for your optics.
• Power on or allow hot-swappable action if supported; access the Cisco IOS XE interface to confirm module detection, port status, and basic health indicators, and perform initial configuration for VLANs, link aggregation, and security policies as needed.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the port count and data rate? A: It provides eight 10G SFP+ ports, delivering up to 10 Gbps per port with flexible optics options for diverse distance requirements.
• Q: Are standard SFP/SFP+ transceivers supported? A: Yes. The module is designed to work with standard SFP and SFP+ optics, enabling you to select optics that best fit your distance, budget, and performance goals.
• Q: Is the module hot-swappable? A: Yes. The design supports hot-swapping in compatible Catalyst 9500 chassis, allowing maintenance or upgrades with minimal downtime.
• Q: Which devices is this module compatible with? A: It is built for the Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series chassis and is intended to extend uplink density and flexibility within that platform’s ecosystem.
• Q: Do I need special firmware or configuration to use this module? A: Basic detection and port status are typically automatic, but optimal performance and security features are achieved by running the appropriate IOS XE version and applying recommended configurations for VLANs, LACP, and policy enforcement.