Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC SD-WAN Edge Platform

The Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC provides high-performance edge connectivity for enterprise WAN and cloud-edge designs. With high-speed SD-WAN support and hot-swappable PSUs, it helps keep aggregated traffic predictable and services available in hubs, data centres and large sites.

Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC SD-WAN Edge Platform

Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC Key Platform Specifications

  • Primary Use Case: Edge
  • Form Factor: 1U
  • Maximum Port Speed: 40G
  • Routing Capacity (Gbps): 400
  • FIB / Forwarding Table Size: 4M
Starting from: £30715.00 Ex. VAT
SKU C8500-12X4QC Categories , , , Brand:
View all models in this series: Catalyst 8500 Series

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Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC Overview

As cloud traffic, encrypted sessions and centralised services grow across hubs and large sites, WAN edge platforms need to carry more throughput without adding operational friction.

High-Capacity Edge for Demanding WAN Designs

The Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC is built for SD-WAN and WAN edge deployments in data centres and large sites where upstream aggregation, cloud on-ramps and carrier hand-offs share the same platform. It combines 12×1/10GE, 3×40GE and 2×40/100GE interfaces for high-speed connectivity at the edge.

Designed to Keep Routing and Services Consolidated

Powered by the Cisco QFP on the Catalyst 8500 platform, it gives infrastructure teams a practical way to keep routing and security services aligned on one edge device. SD-WAN support suits designs that need predictable transport across branch, cloud and data-centre paths.

Operational Headroom for Busy Production Environments

With hot-swappable PSUs, the platform is intended for environments that value maintenance flexibility and continuity. The result is clearer control of high-volume traffic, better separation of edge roles and more room for growth without forcing a redesign.

If you are planning a WAN edge refresh or a higher-capacity SD-WAN design, our team can help assess where the Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC fits best.

Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC Key Features​

Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC is an enterprise networking platform for branch and WAN deployments, delivering a unified operational foundation for secure connectivity, scale, and consistent service delivery.

Secure WAN Edge Scaling

Branch and WAN Alignment
The platform is designed for enterprise edge deployments that need a consistent architecture across branch and wide area network environments.

High-Density Connectivity
Built-in 12×1/10GE, 3x40GE, and 2×40/100GE ports support aggregation and uplink capacity within a single system.

Unified IOS-XE Platform
IOS-XE provides a common operating and management platform for standardized deployment and operational consistency.

SD-WAN Ready Design
Native SD-WAN support enables the platform to participate in controlled, policy-driven wide area network designs.

Operational Control And Resilience

Centralized Policy Control
The platform supports operational control through a common management model suited to distributed enterprise networking.

Service Continuity Architecture
Its edge-oriented design supports resilient network operations for sites that depend on steady application connectivity.

Lifecycle Consistency
A single IOS-XE environment helps standardize day-to-day operations across deployments and service changes.

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When you need to connect branch and WAN environments without added operational complexity, our Cisco experts can help define the right Catalyst C8500 deployment model.

Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC Technical Specifications

Full specifications for this model are listed below.

Additional information

Product Family

Cisco Catalyst
Product Series

8500
Deployment

Enterprise
Primary Use Case

Edge
Product Tier

Specialist
Operating System

Form Factor

Routing ASIC Architecture

System Memory

Built-in Ports

16
Maximum Interfaces

Maximum WAN Ports

Port Types Supported

Supported Interface Speeds

Maximum Port Speed

40G
Routing Capacity (Gbps)

Forwarding Rate (Mpps)

FIB / Forwarding Table Size

Routing Protocols

MPLS Support

Segment Routing Support

VRF Support

L3VPN Support

SD-WAN Support

Power Redundancy

Hot-swappable PSUs
Chassis Redundancy

Evaluating whether this is the right fit for your environment?

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Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC Deployment Scenarios

The Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC is a high-capacity WAN edge platform for SD-WAN hubs, data-centre edges and large sites moving encrypted traffic between branches, cloud services and central applications. It fits aggregation roles where higher-speed 40 and 100G connectivity is part of the design.

Data Centre WAN Aggregation

At colocation and data-centre edge routers, teams need to terminate branch and cloud traffic without the WAN edge becoming the bottleneck. The C8500-12X4QC adds headroom for busy aggregation points and cleaner fault isolation during change windows.

Service Edge and PoP Routing

Telecoms operators use this platform at PoPs where multiple handoffs, backhaul paths and managed-service connections converge. Its capacity suits service edges that must keep customer, operational and platform traffic separated while leaving room for growth.

Regulated Branch WAN Edge

Finance teams need encrypted connectivity for payments, voice, user services and cloud access at branch and office edges. This model supports those sites when local routing, auditability and predictable throughput matter more than a basic internet breakout appliance.

Cloud and Lab Connectivity for Engineering Teams

Software development organisations can place it at cloud and lab edges carrying CI/CD pipelines, virtualisation traffic and remote developer sessions. It helps keep build services, test environments and shared platforms responsive when many teams depend on the same link.

Media Production and Content Transfer Hubs

For media facilities handling large file movement, remote production and collaboration traffic, the C8500-12X4QC provides the WAN edge capacity needed to keep deadlines on track. It is a practical choice where transport delays affect delivery windows.

Planning a Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC Deployment?

Our team can help design and deploy the Cisco Catalyst C8500-12X4QC for data-centre aggregation, telecoms PoPs, regulated branches, engineering hubs and media workflows, with support for sizing, rollout planning and operational handover.

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Tailored recommendations for your infrastructure

Below you’ll find alternative models, suitable software and services that pair with this solution – helping you to avoid compatibility issues, reduce support overhead and deploy with confidence.

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