Cisco Catalyst Routers

View all models
Our Expertise
FAQ
Cisco logo

IT teams that need resilient WAN links, cloud access and clear control over branch traffic use Cisco Catalyst Routers to keep sites connected without adding separate appliances for every function. The range covers branch edge routing and larger aggregation roles, so networking teams can match the platform to the site’s operational load and growth plans.

Across distributed offices, depots, care sites and hub locations, these routers support secure internet access, SD-WAN failover and encrypted traffic handling on one platform. That helps teams keep applications responsive, maintain service continuity and expand connectivity without redesigning the edge each time sites, circuits or services change.

Cisco Catalyst Router Quick Specs & Key Features

  • Secure SD-WAN edge: One Cisco IOS XE platform combines internet, MPLS, cellular and cloud connectivity with encrypted routing, so branch teams can keep business traffic available across changing links with lower operational overhead.
  • Modular interface options: Expansion slots and mixed Ethernet, fibre and service-module choices let the router fit copper-heavy or 10G-capable sites, so deployment stays aligned to branch layout and room for growth is preserved.
  • Branch service consolidation: Routing, WAN termination and local services run on the same edge device, which removes separate appliances from the branch and simplifies support for cloud applications, voice and remote work.
Read more
  • Higher-capacity aggregation: Fixed Catalyst 8500 models provide stronger encrypted WAN and cloud-edge throughput with 10G, 40G or 100G handoffs, so hubs and large sites avoid bottlenecks and maintain reduced latency.
  • Platform scalability: Larger 8300 variants add more module room for WAN, voice, cellular or future interfaces, so sites can absorb service changes without early replacement and keep scaling easier.
  • Operational policy control: Centralised automation and auditable SD-WAN policy support regulated traffic separation for finance and healthcare, so access to payments, records and site applications stays easier to govern.
Steel City Consulting logo

Comparing multiple platforms? Our experts are available to help.

No commitment needed, no hard sells. Just straightforward technical guidance tailored to your infrastructure.

Talk to a Specialist
Request a quote

Find your ideal Cisco Catalyst Router

Full technical specifications are available on each product page.

Model Popularity Deployment Primary Use Case Form Factor Maximum Port Speed Routing Throughput (Gbps) FIB / Forwarding Table Size SD-WAN Support High Availability Support
Cisco Catalyst C8300-1N1S-4T2X SD-WAN Edge Router Cisco Catalyst C8300-1N1S-4T2X SD-WAN Edge Router ★ ★ ★ Enterprise Edge 1U 10G — 1M Yes — View
Cisco Catalyst C8500-20X6C SD-WAN Edge Platform Cisco Catalyst C8500-20X6C SD-WAN Edge Platform ★ ★ ★ Data Centre Edge 3U 100G — 4M Yes — View
Cisco Catalyst C8300-1N1S-6T SD-WAN Edge Router Cisco Catalyst C8300-1N1S-6T SD-WAN Edge Router ★ ★ ★ Enterprise Edge 1U 10G — 1M Yes — View
Cisco Catalyst C8300-2N2S-4T2X SD-WAN Edge Router Cisco Catalyst C8300-2N2S-4T2X SD-WAN Edge Router ★ ★ ★ Enterprise Edge 2U 10G — 1M Yes — View
Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X SD-WAN Edge Platform Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X SD-WAN Edge Platform ★ ★ ★ Enterprise Edge 1U 10G — 4M Yes — View
Cisco Catalyst C8500L-8S4X SD-WAN Edge Platform Cisco Catalyst C8500L-8S4X SD-WAN Edge Platform ★ ★ ★ Enterprise Edge 1U 10G — 4M Yes — View
Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC SD-WAN Edge Platform Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC SD-WAN Edge Platform ★ ★ ★ Enterprise Edge 1U 40G — 4M Yes — View

Cisco Catalyst Router Deployment Scenarios and Industries

Data Centres

Data centre teams need to terminate large volumes of encrypted WAN and cloud traffic without creating bottlenecks. Cisco Catalyst Routers provide edge and aggregation platforms that suit hub sites, helping keep branch, cloud and application traffic separated and easier to manage.

Finance

Finance teams need resilient, auditable connectivity for branches, offices and central sites carrying regulated applications and voice. Cisco Catalyst Routers support secure SD-WAN designs that keep links available, simplify policy control and help separate sensitive traffic from everyday office use.

Healthcare

Healthcare networks must support electronic records, telehealth, imaging access and site-to-data-centre traffic across clinics and hospitals. Cisco Catalyst Routers help create secure WAN paths with room for growth, while keeping clinical and administrative services available across variable links.

Telecoms

Telecoms operators need high-capacity edge routing for customer traffic, backhaul and managed services at hubs and data centres. Cisco Catalyst Routers support dense WAN aggregation and high-speed handoffs, helping teams keep service platforms and operational networks clearly separated.

Software Development

Software teams need secure WAN links between labs, cloud platforms, CI/CD services and distributed staff. Cisco Catalyst Routers help keep that traffic predictable and protected, giving engineering organisations a network edge that supports collaboration without slowing delivery.

Cisco Catalyst Router Management and Licensing Options

See Every WAN Path with Cisco ThousandEyes

Cisco ThousandEyes provides visibility across enterprise WANs, internet connections, cloud services and external providers. It helps teams identify where latency, packet loss or service degradation originates, reducing the time required to investigate connectivity and performance issues across distributed locations.

Explore WAN Performance Monitoring

Separate Application Issues from Network Problems

Cisco AppDynamics monitors application health and performance across public, private and multicloud environments. Combined with network-path visibility, it helps teams understand whether a poor user experience is being caused by WAN connectivity or by the application and infrastructure supporting it.

Explore Cisco AppDynamics

Design Resilient Multi-Site Routing

As a certified UK Cisco partner, Steel City Consulting assesses, designs, deploys and supports routing environments across branches, campuses, data centres and cloud connections. We help with platform selection, migration, circuit resilience, performance optimisation, maintenance and lifecycle planning.

Book a WAN Resilience Review

Designing & Supporting Cisco Catalyst Router Solutions

Backed by decades of expertise in the IT sector, our specialists support every stage of your deployment — from initial selection through to long-term lifecycle management.

  • WAN Architecture & Router Selection: We assess your locations, applications, bandwidth, connectivity, security requirements, and future growth before recommending a Cisco routing platform. Catalyst 8300 Series platforms can support branch and edge environments, while the Catalyst 8500 Series addresses higher-performance aggregation and data centre edge requirements.
  • Deployment & Router Migration: Our engineers configure, stage, and install routers before migrating circuits, routing protocols, and network services. We carefully document dependencies, change windows, and rollback plans so new routing infrastructure can be introduced while minimising disruption to users and applications.
  • SD-WAN & Multi-Site Connectivity: We design Cisco SD-WAN environments that apply consistent connectivity and application policies across branches, data centres, and cloud environments. Centralised control and application-aware routing help organisations use available WAN connections effectively while simplifying the operation of distributed networks.
Read more
  • Performance & Resilience: We configure routing, quality of service, circuit failover, and path selection around the applications and services your network must support. Where connectivity is business-critical, we design resilient WAN paths that reduce single points of failure and the risk of an isolated site.
  • Optimisation, Support & Lifecycle Planning: Steel City Consulting assesses routing performance, configuration consistency, circuit utilisation, and platform capacity to identify risks and opportunities for improvement. Ongoing support can include firmware guidance, configuration changes, capacity planning, and phased refresh recommendations as requirements evolve.
Steel City Consulting logo
Book a specialist consultation

Cisco Catalyst Router FAQ

Need a different solution?

If these options aren’t the right fit for your environment, we provide a wide portfolio of product series and solutions that may better suit your infrastructure. Explore below, or speak to our team and we’ll help you find the right match.

Ready to discuss your requirements?

Whether you know exactly what you need or you’re still evaluating options, our team is available for a no-obligation conversation.

Contact our experts today
A group discussing IT solutions
Can’t find what you’re looking for? We have more products available - just reach out to us directly! Found a better price elsewhere? Let us know - we’re happy to discuss price matching.