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2 Introducing Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series Switches

Introducing Cisco Catalyst 9000 Platforms

This topic provides an introduction to the Cisco Catalyst 9000 platforms, Software Defined Access (SD-Access), and unique
features that are launching a new era of networking.

Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches are the next generation in the Cisco Catalyst family of enterprise LAN access, aggregation,
and core switches. They form the foundational building block for Cisco DNA and for an entirely new era of networking. In 2017,
the Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches were recognized as CRNs 2017 Overall Network Product of the Year. Every year CRN
awards “Product of the Year” for a variety IT-related technology categories specifically looking for products that solve important
problems for customers.

Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches are the first purpose-built platforms that are designed to take advantage of Cisco SD-
Access. As a significant addition to the “DNA-ready” portfolio, the Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series delivers high performance and
functionality, plus exceptional power delivery scale with the industry’s highest density of Cisco Universal Power Over Ethernet
(UPOE) ports. These switches extend Cisco networking leadership with breakthrough innovations in security, mobility, the
Internet of Things (IoT), and the cloud. The Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series is also the first in the line to offer more flexible licensing
options. New subscription-based software licenses mean you can purchase the features and capabilities you need.
Like its predecessor, Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches use the strengths of the Cisco UADP programmable ASIC. With the
new Cisco UADP 2.0, the Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series Switches deliver twice the performance with comparable pricing while
adding a host of new features and functionality. The Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches also run Cisco IOS XE—a modern
operating system that supports model-driven programmability, streaming telemetry, and patching.

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Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series Switches Meet Modern Network Trends and
Requirements

An explosive growth of network use is underway, which has some estimating that over half of the world’s population now has
Internet access and spends approximately 11 hours daily online. And that number is growing. By 2020, it is expected that 50
billion devices will be connecting and Internet usage will similarly grow. This growth coupled with the changing threat landscape
introduces a new set of security challenges. Enterprises must secure their assets from advanced persistent threats where
perimeter security is proving to be insufficient.

Cisco understands these trends and is leading the way with Cisco DNA. Cisco is ushering into a new era of networking with the
new Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches, Cisco SD-Access, and Network Data Platform (NDP), which deliver the core principles
of Cisco DNA.

Cisco Catalyst 9000 Family Built on Common Attributes

For the first time in the history of Cisco Catalyst products, Cisco is bringing convergence to enterprise switches with the Cisco
Catalyst 9000 Series switches. The Cisco Catalyst 9000 family is built with a common ASIC, UADP 2.0, and uses Cisco IOS XE

release 16—which is an open programmable and a modern operating system. These common attributes enable operational
simplicity and an updated user experience.
The Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches are also based on the x86-based CPU, which enables hosting 3rd party applications.
The x86-based architecture helps with hosting containers and applications designed for x86 systems. It opens up the doors for
IoT and cloud applications.

The common architecture and converged portfolio across the different network layers provide numerous customer benefits:

• One common binary image for Cisco Catalyst 9300, 9000 Series, and 9500.

• Common design and optimized end user experience

• One qualification, validation, and certification cycle

• Easier expertise development

• Common tools and APIs across the network

The Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches simplify operations by integrating the blue beacon LED across all the switch platforms
and components. It makes chassis, fan tray, supervisor, line card, and power supply identification easier when several switches
are mounted on racks. A remote administrator can enable the LED to blink by using software control to help the local operator
quickly locate the chassis. The local operator presses the mode button to acknowledge.

The Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches also have hardware support to connect a Bluetooth dongle to the switch, enabling you
to use this wireless interface as a management port. This port functions as an IP management interface and can be used to
transfer images and configurations and for configuration and troubleshooting using the WebUI or the CLI.

Finally, the Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches also come with built-in passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on all
the components so that you have an inventory of the different components, including separated RFID tags for the supervisor, all
line-card modules, the power supplies, the fan tray, and the chassis.

Cisco Catalyst 9000 Family—Ergonomics in Product Design

Building these switches from the ground up allowed Cisco to make usability a central consideration which led to new, creative
thinking, and innovative design choices on the Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches. Pininfarnia, designers to the famed Ferrari
auto dynasty, provided design insight to ensure that the new Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches were as ergonomic and
aesthetically pleasing as possible—including the following characteristics:

• Circle pattern hex packing

• Silver (nickel)-based smooth finish

• Cisco medium gray smooth finish

• Grab area in molded plastic

• Frame: 2.5 mm

Content Review Question

Match the Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches with the correct statement.

Stackable access switch platform. Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series

Modular access switch platform. Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series

Purpose-built 40 Gigabit switch platform. Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series

Switch platform does not exist.
 Submit

Content Review Question

What is a common attribute for all Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switch models?

Same NX-OS binary image across all platforms.

Code and data are combined to optimize performance.

Blue beacon LED on every system and component.

Built-in RFID tags for managing the OS.

Submit

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