Cisco Catalyst 9300 vs 9500
The Catalyst 9300 is Cisco's stackable enterprise access switch, while the Catalyst 9500 is a fixed-configuration core and aggregation switch. Choose the 9300 for wiring closets that need PoE and stacking; choose the 9500 for a high-bandwidth Layer 3 core.
Cisco Catalyst 9300
Stackable 1RU access-layer switch with PoE+/UPOE, mGig, and StackWise-480.
- Up to 8 switches per stack via StackWise-480 (480 Gbps)
- PoE+, UPOE, and mGig (multigigabit) port options
- Modular uplinks: 1G/10G/25G/40G
- UADP 2.0 ASIC with full DNA/IOS XE feature set
Cisco Catalyst 9500
Fixed-configuration 10/25/40/100G core and aggregation switch with StackWise Virtual.
- Up to 6.4 Tbps switching capacity, up to 2 Bpps forwarding
- Native 10G/25G/40G/100G fiber interfaces
- StackWise Virtual for two-node redundancy
- UADP ASIC, purpose-built for core/aggregation
Cisco Catalyst 9300 vs Cisco Catalyst 9500: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Catalyst 9300 | Cisco Catalyst 9500 |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Stackable access layer | Fixed core / aggregation |
| Form factor | 1RU fixed, stackable | 1RU/2RU fixed |
| Switching capacity | Up to ~1 Tbps (stackable) | Up to 6.4 Tbps |
| Port media | Copper RJ45 (1G/mGig) + UPOE | Fiber 10G/25G/40G/100G |
| PoE | PoE+/UPOE up to 1100W budget | No PoE (core switch) |
| Uplinks | Modular 1G/10G/25G/40G | Native 10G/25G/40G/100G |
| Stacking | StackWise-480, up to 8 units | StackWise Virtual (2 nodes) |
| ASIC | UADP 2.0 | UADP (high-performance) |
| Software | Cisco IOS XE | Cisco IOS XE |
| Typical use | Wiring closet / access | Campus core / distribution |
| Warranty | Enhanced Limited Lifetime | Enhanced Limited Lifetime |
Choose Cisco Catalyst 9300 if
Choose the Catalyst 9300 when you are connecting end users, IP phones, APs, and cameras and need PoE/UPOE, mGig copper ports, and the flexibility to stack up to eight units in a closet.
Choose Cisco Catalyst 9500 if
Choose the Catalyst 9500 when you need a Layer 3 core or aggregation switch with dense 10/25/40/100G fiber, very high switching capacity, and StackWise Virtual redundancy rather than PoE access ports.
Verdict
These switches solve different problems, so it is rarely either/or. In most campus designs the Catalyst 9300 lives in the access layer and the Catalyst 9500 sits in the core or aggregation layer above it. Size the 9300 for port and PoE density and the 9500 for uplink bandwidth and routing throughput.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Catalyst 9500 just a bigger 9300?
No. The 9300 is a stackable PoE access switch with copper ports, while the 9500 is a fixed core/aggregation switch built around high-density fiber interfaces and much higher switching capacity. They target different layers of the network.
Can a Catalyst 9300 and 9500 work together?
Yes, and they commonly do. A typical design uses 9300 access stacks uplinked to a 9500 core or distribution pair running StackWise Virtual.
Does the Catalyst 9500 support PoE?
No. The 9500 is a core/aggregation switch with fiber interfaces and does not provide Power over Ethernet. Use the 9300 where you need to power phones, APs, or cameras.
Which has more bandwidth?
The 9500, by a wide margin. It scales to 6.4 Tbps of switching capacity versus roughly 1 Tbps of stackable bandwidth on the 9300.
More Switching comparisons
Specs are for planning and may change; Uniqcli confirms the current Cisco bill of materials and pricing on your quote. Cisco, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki, and Firepower are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Uniqcli LLC is an independent authorized Cisco partner.