The best keeps getting better.
While we recognize that we cannot predict the future, we understand that we can plan for the unknown by building flexibility into both our hardware and software. This was the design philosophy behind the Cisco Catalyst 9000 family and likely why it has been so successful. With the modular Cisco IOS XE and the programmable UADP ASIC as its foundation, combined with the automation and assurance of Cisco DNA Center and SD-Access, Catalyst 9000 switches open the door for IT to shift focus from reactive analysis to predictive analytics, from using hands-on CLI-based, box-by-box interaction to network-wide automation and assurance.
There have been many highlights and headlines about the Catalyst 9000 product family and its meteoric rise since it was launched in June 2017:
This is not by accident. And the positive headlines are not likely to stop. Key innovations like multigigabit technology, 90W UPOE+, Encrypted Traffic Analytics, and onboard app hosting help our customers solve the issues they have today while preparing for the unknown that they will confront in the future.
Constantly learning, constantly evolving, constantly getting better.
The Catalyst 9000 portfolio has filled out over the last two years now with switching options that neatly covers nearly all our legacy Catalyst offerings – offering superior performance and advanced features that make the Catalyst 9000 family leaders in the industry.
As we get into a steady rhythm of innovation, we will be making quarterly announcements to highlight new hardware and software additions to the Catalyst 9000 switching portfolio.
This quarter there are several new models, line cards and features that will be offered.
The lineup of Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series switches includes five new additions. Three new models supporting deep buffering for lossless rich multi-media content delivery and analytics. Another two new models support 90W UPOE+ for next generation IoT deployments. We are also announcing the addition of Cisco multigigabit technology and redundant supervisors in StackWise Virtual mode to the Catalyst 9600 Series. We’ll also come out with the addition of 90W UPOE+, native Docker containers and app hosting on the Catalyst 9400 Series.
New Catalyst 9000 hardware
90W UPOE+ for Catalyst 9300/9400 Series – Provides higher power for a broad range of digital building solutions – Two future Catalyst 9300 Series models: C9300-24H, C9300-48H – One Catalyst 9400 Series line card: C9400-LC-48H
Higher scale for Catalyst 9300 Series – Doubles scale of MAC, routing, multicast QoS, ACL tables with double packet buffer to address the requirements of rich multi-media lossless content delivery and large routing tables – Three models: C9300–24UB, C9300-24UXB, C9300-48UB
Catalyst 9600 Series – mGig line card extending wired interfaces to higher density platforms; C9600-LC-48X
New Catalyst software features – IOS XE 17.1
Catalyst 9000 switches – MACsec encryption over EoMPLS provides Layer 2 hop-by-hop encryption and integrity in a L2VPN deployment. *not available on Catalyst 9300 fixed uplink models (C9300L) or Catalyst 9200 Series (C9200 or C9200L)
Catalyst 9300 Series – Stacking up to 12 modular uplink model chassis (C9300) for larger ports count seen as single logical unit for easier management and control – Embedded wire sensor acts like a client on the switch for enhanced assurance capabilities – Cisco Umbrella cloud security support for DNS and IP layer enforcement, intelligent proxy, and command and control callback blocking
Catalyst 9400 Series – App hosting and native Docker™ engine support enables building custom and “bring your own” applications without additional packaging.
Catalyst 9600 Series – Quad supervisor support for virtual stack for greater redundancy
(Click to view the Cisco Catalyst 9000 Family Switches)
According to the recent Cisco 2020 Global Networking Trends Report maximizing IT’s business value is the top networking priority of those surveyed. This tells us that CIO’s are finally realizing that their network is no longer merely a cost of doing business but a key to doing business, if not the life-blood of an organization. We understand and we are committed to continually improving, enhancing and simplifying our solutions even as the pace of change continues to rapidly evolve.
Over the next few weeks I will continue the discussion on what many of these new features can mean to you, your network and your users.
Source: blogs.cisco.com
