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7
May

Why Migrate from Cisco 4500 switches to Cisco 9400 series switches?

Introduction

In the evolving world of technology, businesses are always looking for ways to make their systems better and more advanced. One big choice they have to make is purchasing the perfect network switches. One such critical decision involves the choice of the migration from Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series Switches to Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches, which becomes a strategic move for many enterprises.

Purpose of this Migration Guide

This document explores why companies make this switch, compares the two types, considers things like cost and whether to get a brand new or a fixed-up one, and even offers tips on where to buy them.

Understanding the Cisco 4500 Switches

The Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series is a game changer, known for its dependability and abundance of cool features. But, as technology advances, we all want more speed, better security, and cooler gadgets. Now, organizations have to figure out if they should keep their trusty old Cisco 4500 switches or switch things up and move to the newer Cisco 9400 series.

What are Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches?

Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches are the company's leading modular enterprise switching access platform, designed for security, IoT, and the cloud. These switches serve as the foundation for Cisco's leading enterprise architecture, Software-Defined Access (SD-Access). The platform provides unrivaled investment protection with its chassis architecture, which supports up to 9 Tbps of system bandwidth and unmatched power delivery for IEEE 802.3BT (60W and 90W Power over Ethernet). Across the portfolio, redundancy is now the norm. The 9400 Series provides cutting-edge High Availability with features such as uplink resiliency and N+1/N+N power supply redundancy.

Chassis Hardware

The Cisco 4500 series switches have a strong and reliable chassis hardware design. However, the Cisco 9400 switches come with a flexible and modern hardware setup, which makes things work even better for you.

Table 1. compares the chassis hardware differences between Cisco 4500 and Cisco 9400 switches.

Feature	Cisco 4500 Series	Catalyst 9400 Series
Form Factor	Modular chassis with fixed supervisor engine slots and line card slots.	Modular chassis with fixed supervisor engine slots and line card slots.
Supervisor Engine	Supports various supervisor engines like Supervisor 8-E, Supervisor 7-E, etc.	Supports Cisco Catalyst 9400 Supervisor Engine 1 (C9400-SUP-1) and Supervisor Engine 2 (C9400-SUP-2).
Switch Fabric	Fabric-enabled chassis with a centralized switch fabric (e.g., 6 Gbps or 48 Gbps).	High-performance switch fabric with a higher throughput (e.g., 480 Gbps or higher, depending on the model).
Power Supply	Supports various AC and DC power supply options, with redundant power supply capability.	Offers dual redundant power supplies with support for AC and DC power options. Higher wattage options available.
Slot Density	Varies depending on the chassis model, ranging from 3 to 10 slots.	Fixed chassis with 7 or 10 fixed slots for line cards.
Line Card Options	Supports various line cards for different interfaces, such as Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, and more.	Offers line cards with high-density 1/10/25/40/100 Gigabit Ethernet ports.
Uplink Ports	Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports available.	Higher-speed uplink ports, including 10/25/40/100 Gigabit Ethernet options.
StackWise Virtual	Not applicable.	Supports StackWise Virtual technology for virtual switching and simplified management.
Integrated Wireless Controller	Not applicable.	Some models include an integrated wireless controller for managing wireless access points.
Redundancy and Resilience	Redundant supervisor engines and power supplies for high availability.	Dual redundant supervisor engines, power supplies, and cooling fans for enhanced reliability.

Supervisor Hardware

The Cisco Catalyst 4500 Supervisor Engines are built on Cisco's UADP ASIC and x86 CPU architecture. Supervisor Engines also offer additional internal and external storage options, allowing the device to host containers and run third-party applications and scripts natively within the switch.

The hardware of the c4500 and Cisco 9400 is compared below in Table 2.

Feature	Cisco 4500 Series	Catalyst 9400 Series
Form Factor	Chassis-based modular design	Chassis-based modular design
Supervisor Engine	Various options (e.g., Supervisor 7-E, Supervisor 8-E)	Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Supervisor Engines (e.g., Supervisor 1, Supervisor 1XL)
Line Cards	Various line card options (e.g., Classic, E-Series)	Various line card options (e.g., 9400 Series Line Cards)
Switching Capacity	Up to 848 Gbps (e.g., Cisco 4510R+E)	Up to 960 Gbps (e.g., Catalyst 9404R)
Maximum PoE Power	Up to 4200W	Up to 7200W
Stackable	No (Traditionally not stackable)	Yes, StackWise Virtual for stacking up to eight switches
Uplink Ports	Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet options	1/10/25/40/100 Gigabit Ethernet options
Redundancy Options	Power Supply, Supervisor Engine, and Fan redundancy	Power Supply, Supervisor Engine, and Fan redundancy
Fabric Architecture	Shared switch fabric architecture	Centralized switch fabric architecture
Modular Power Supplies	Yes	Yes
Scalability	Limited scalability compared to newer models	Designed for higher scalability and performance

System Default Behaviors

The Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series' system default behaviors are very similar to those of the 4500E Series. Interfaces, for example, are set to Layer 2 switch port mode by default, IP routing is enabled, the management interface is assigned to a dedicated Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) instance, and so on. However, there are some distinctions.

Control Plane Policing (CoPP): CoPP is enabled on the Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series, with different traffic classes having different policing rates. These policing rates are tailored to a typical campus setting. To meet the needs of various application environments, the policing rates can be changed or disabled. CoPP is not enabled by default on the Cisco Catalyst 4500E, but the system provides a macro to create the different classes, and the user can specify the policing rate for each class.

Link-status logging is enabled by default on the Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series, and the behavior can be changed per interface in the configuration. Logging for link-status changes is disabled by default on the 4500E Series, but it can be enabled globally. See Table 3.

Feature	Cisco 4500 Series	Catalyst 9400 Series
Chassis Options	4503, 4506, 4507R, 4510R	C9404R, C9407R, C9410R, C9400-SUP1
Supervisor Engines	Supervisor Engine 7-E, 8-E, 9-E	Catalyst 9400 Series Supervisor Engines (e.g., C9400-SUP1)
Line Cards	Various line cards supported	Various line cards supported
Maximum Ports	Up to 384 Gigabit ports (with line cards)	Up to 384 Gigabit ports (with line cards)
Maximum 10/100/1000 Ports	Up to 384 Gigabit ports (with line cards)	Up to 384 Gigabit ports (with line cards)
Maximum 10 Gbps Ports	Up to 48 10 Gigabit ports	Up to 48 10 Gigabit ports
Maximum 40 Gbps Ports	Up to 12 40 Gigabit ports	Up to 12 40 Gigabit ports
Maximum 100 Gbps Ports	Up to 6 100 Gigabit ports	Up to 6 100 Gigabit ports
Power Supply Options	AC and DC options available	AC and DC options available
Redundant Power Supplies	Supported	Supported
Redundant Supervisors	Supported	Supported
Modular Slots	Yes, for line cards and modules	Yes, for line cards and modules
Stackable	No	Yes, with StackWise Virtual
Switching Capacity	Up to 848 Gbps	Up to 480 Gbps
Forwarding Rate	Up to 250 Mpps	Up to 288 Mpps
Form Factor	Rack-mountable	Rack-mountable
Hot-Swappable Modules	Yes	Yes
Integrated Wireless Support	No	Yes, with optional modules
Integrated Security Features	Yes	Yes
Virtualization Support	VSS (Virtual Switching System)	VSS (Virtual Switching System)
Software Support	Cisco IOS Software	Cisco IOS XE Software
IPv6 Support	Yes	Yes
MPLS Support	Yes	Yes

Power Redundancy

The Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series has eight power supply slots in the 9407R and 9410R models, compared to two in the 4500E Series. These eight power supply slots can be used in one of three ways:

Combined mode: This is the default setting. The system's power supply modules are all active and sharing power.

N+1 redundant mode: N is the number of active power supply modules, and there is one standby power supply module. In the event that any of the active power supply modules fails, the standby power supply takes over.

N+N redundant mode: The system is configured with an equal number of active and standby power supply modules in this mode.

Table 4. compares the power redundancy features of both Cisco 4500 switches and Cisco Catalyst 9400 switches.

Feature	Cisco Catalyst 4500	Cisco Catalyst 9400
Power Supply Redundancy	Dual, redundant power supplies	Dual, redundant power supplies
Power Supply Types	AC and DC power supply options	AC and DC power supply options
Hot Swappable Power Supplies	Yes	Yes
Power Sharing Across Supplies	No	Yes
Power Capacity (Per Supply)	Varies by model and type	Varies by model and type
Overall Power Budget	Higher capacity in some models	Higher capacity in some models
Power Stack Technology	No	Yes, through StackPower
Power Efficiency Features	Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE)	Cisco UPOE+ for higher efficiency
Power Management Features	Cisco EnergyWise	Cisco EnergyWise
Redundant Power Supply Modules	Available for certain models	Available for certain models

Specifications

Table 5. Below summarizes the specification differences between Cisco 4500 and Cisco 9400 switches below.

Feature	Cisco 4500 Series	Catalyst 9400 Series
Switch Models	Cisco 4503, 4506, 4507R, 4510R	Catalyst 9404R, 9407R, 9410R
Maximum Throughput	Up to 480 Gbps (4507R-E)	Up to 960 Gbps
Maximum Ports	Up to 384 10/100/1000 ports (4507R-E)	Up to 384 10/100/1000 ports
Uplink Modules	Supports various line cards and modules	Up to 6 line cards per chassis
Chassis Redundancy	Yes	Yes
Power Supply Options	AC and DC options available	AC and DC options available
Supervisor Engine Options	Supervisor 7-E, 7L-E, 8-E	Supervisor 1, 1XL, 2, 3, 3XL, 4, 5, 6
Modular Slots	3 to 10 slots depending on the model	4 slots for line cards
Virtual Switching System (VSS)	Supported with specific models	Not supported
StackWise Technology	StackWise Plus supported	StackWise-480 supported
Multigigabit Ethernet Support	Limited support in some models	Available in specific line cards
Network Module Support	Yes	Yes
Integrated Wireless Controller	No	Available in certain models
Redundant Power Supply Support	Yes	Yes
Network Virtualization (VRF)	Yes	Yes
Software-Defined Access (SD-Access)	Support with specific software versions	Supported
Cisco DNA Center Compatibility	Limited support	Fully supported
Energy-Efficient Design	EnergyWise support	EnergyWise support

Bandwidth Specifications

Differences between bandwidth specifications of the two series switches are mentioned below in Table 6.

Specification	Cisco Catalyst 4500	Cisco Catalyst 9400
Switch Series	Catalyst 4500 Series	Catalyst 9400 Series
Available Chassis Models	4503-E, 4506-E, 4507R-E, 4510R-E	C9404R, C9407R, C9410R, C9410R (Modular)
Maximum Bandwidth	Up to 848 Gbps (Supervisor 8-E)	Up to 960 Gbps (Supervisor 1)
Fabric Speed	48 Gbps per slot (Supervisor 8-E)	48 Gbps per slot (Supervisor 1)
Number of Slots	Up to 10 slots (4507R-E)	Up to 10 slots (C9410R)
Supervisor Engine Options	Supervisor 8-E (Standard), Supervisor 9-E	Supervisor 1 (Standard)
Uplink Module Options	Various options including 1G, 10G, 40G, 100G	Various options including 1G, 10G, 40G, 100G
Power Supply Options	AC and DC options available	AC and DC options available
Modular Uplinks	Yes (with appropriate modules)	Yes (with appropriate modules)
Multigigabit and UPOE Support	Yes (with appropriate line cards)	Yes (with appropriate line cards)
Redundancy Features	Dual Supervisor support, power supplies,	Dual Supervisor support, power supplies,
	and fan trays for high availability	and fan trays for high availability
Stacking Options	Cisco StackWise technology	Cisco StackWise Virtual technology

Software Features

Some of the features behave differently on the c9400 switches compared to the 4500 series. Following are some of these differences:

System MTU

The global command "system mtu 1500-9216>" on the Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series changes the MTU on all interfaces within the system. The global command "system mtu 1500-1552>" on the Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series sets the global baby giant MTU for all interfaces. Per-interface MTU is also supported by Cisco Catalyst 9400 and Cisco Catalyst 4500 switches. The MTU command per interface takes precedence.

Host tracking feature

Table 7. lists the differences in host tracking features between the two series switches.

Feature	Cisco 4500 Switch	Catalyst 9400 Switch
Host Tracking	Yes	Yes
Description	Host Tracking is a feature that allows the switch to dynamically track the movement of end devices (hosts) across different ports. It helps in maintaining an up-to-date record of the hosts' locations within the network. This is particularly useful for networks with mobile or dynamic users/devices.	Host Tracking is a feature that enables the switch to monitor and maintain a real-time database of connected hosts in the network. It provides information about the location and status of end devices, facilitating efficient network management and troubleshooting.
Benefits	1. Improved network security by quickly identifying the location of hosts. 2. Facilitates efficient network troubleshooting. 3. Enables dynamic VLAN assignment based on host location.	1. Enhanced security through real-time monitoring of host movements. 2. Simplifies network management by providing accurate information on connected hosts. 3. Supports dynamic VLAN assignment for seamless connectivity.
Configuration	Host Tracking is typically configured through the Command Line Interface (CLI) or the device's web-based management interface. Administrators can define tracking parameters and policies.	Configuration is done through the switch's CLI or web interface. Administrators can specify tracking settings, such as tracking methods, timers, and actions to be taken when a host is not found.
Compatibility	Compatible with Cisco IOS XE Software on Cisco 4500 Series switches.	Compatible with Cisco IOS XE Software on Catalyst 9400 Series switches.
Integration	Integrates with other security features such as port security and 802.1x for comprehensive network access control.	Seamlessly integrates with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for policy enforcement and comprehensive network access control.

Flexible NetFlow

Flexible NetFlow is supported by both the Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series and the Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series. There are a few configuration differences in addition to the scalability differences. Table 8 contains a list of them.

Feature	Cisco Catalyst 4500	Cisco Catalyst 9400
Platform Support	Supports Supervisor Engines	Supports Supervisor Modules
Software Version	Cisco IOS XE Software	Cisco IOS XE Software
NetFlow Version	Flexible NetFlow v9	Flexible NetFlow v9
Flow Record Types	Multiple predefined types	Multiple predefined types
Custom Flow Records	Yes, user-defined records	Yes, user-defined records
Flow Exporters	Multiple exporters per flow	Multiple exporters per flow
Active Timeout Settings	Yes	Yes
Inactive Timeout Settings	Yes	Yes
Flow Sampling	Yes	Yes
Security ACL Integration	Yes	Yes
Application Visibility	Yes, using NBAR	Yes, using NBAR
IPv6 Support	Yes	Yes
Hardware Acceleration	Yes, with specific modules	Yes, with specific modules
Flow Monitoring Capabilities	Yes	Yes
Integration with Other Tools	Yes, supports integration with external tools	Yes, supports integration with external tools

Quality of Service

The ASICs that power the Cisco Catalyst 4500 switches and Catalyst 9400 Series differ, the QoS behaviors differ, as described below in Table 9.

QoS Feature	Cisco Catalyst 4500	Cisco Catalyst 9400
Classification	Supports standard ACL and DSCP-based	Supports standard ACL, DSCP, and
	classification.	MPLS EXP-based classification.
Marking	Allows remarking of DSCP and CoS	Permits remarking of DSCP, CoS, and
	values.	MPLS EXP values.
Policing	Offers both ingress and egress	Provides ingress policing and
	policing options.	egress shaping capabilities.
Shaping	Supports egress shaping for both	Supports ingress and egress shaping
	multicast and unicast traffic.	with hierarchical policies.
Priority Queues	Provides multiple priority queues	Offers multiple egress queues with
	for different traffic types.	configurable scheduling algorithms.
Weighted Round Robin	Supports Weighted Round Robin	Implements Weighted Round Robin
Scheduling	(WRR) scheduling for traffic queues.	(WRR) or Deficit Weighted Round Robin
		(DWRR) scheduling.
Traffic Marking	Allows marking of traffic with	Supports traffic marking with
(DSCP/CoS)	differentiated DSCP or CoS values.	differentiated DSCP or CoS values.
Auto-QoS	Offers Auto-QoS for automatic	Supports Auto-QoS for simplified
	configuration of QoS settings.	QoS configuration.
Modular QoS CLI (MQC)	Utilizes MQC for flexible and granular	Adopts MQC for defining QoS policies
	QoS configuration.	and actions.
Port-Based QoS	Allows port-based QoS configuration	Permits port-based QoS configuration
Configuration	for simplicity.	for ease of deployment.

Where to Buy Cisco Catalyst Switches: New vs Refurbished?

When companies are getting ready to switch things up, they need to figure out if they should get brand-new gear or go for refurbished ones. New Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series Switches and c9400 come with all the newest features, a warranty, and support. This means organizations get the latest and greatest technology.

They can be a money-saving choice, especially for organizations with tight budgets. The catch is, you've got to be careful where you get them. It's super important to buy refurbished gear from trustworthy sellers to make sure it's good quality, reliable, and meets all the industry standards. When deciding between new vs refurbished gear, organizations need to think about what they really need, how much money they've got, and how much risk they're okay with.

Want to buy this series of products? please contact:

Tel: +1 (281) 747-5957 (USA)/ (+44) 800 3688 330 (UK)/ +971 4 323 8318 (UAE)
Email: [email protected] (Sales Inquiries) Or visit: Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches and Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series Switches

About Us

ORM Systems is a global IT hardware and software solution provider. Our core focus is providing authentic, reliable, and cost-effective IT hardware products along with enterprise software solutions. Our superior customer service team has built a strong correlation between our customers and suppliers. We have laid out our physical presence by having operational branches and warehouses in the UK, USA, Europe and the Middle East. We stock huge inventory globally and provide fast delivery, an absolute supply chain and logistics for our consumers all around the world, with a guarantee of meeting your standard requirements.

Final Thoughts

Migrating from Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series Switches to Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches is a strategic move motivated by the need for improved performance, advanced features, and scalability. Organizations must carefully consider factors such as performance enhancements, advanced features, cost considerations, and the choice between new and refurbished equipment as they navigate this transition.With a focus on performance, security, and scalability, the 9400 series represents a significant evolution in networking technology, providing a solid foundation for building resilient and intelligent network infrastructures.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why should I consider migrating from Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series Switches to Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches?
A. The migration offers several advantages, including enhanced performance, scalability, advanced security features, and support for the latest technologies. If your organization is experiencing growth or requires a more robust and future-proof network infrastructure, the Cisco Catalyst 9400 series is a compelling choice.

Q. Is the migration cost-effective, considering the price difference between Cisco Catalyst 4500 and 9400 Series Switches?
A. While the initial investment in the Cisco Catalyst 9400 series might be higher, organizations should consider the long-term operational savings, enhanced features, and the potential for a more secure infrastructure. Exploring refurbished options can also provide a cost-effective alternative without compromising on performance.

Q. What security features do Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches offer that the 4500 series lacks?
A. The Cisco Catalyst 9400 series introduces advanced security features to address evolving cyber threats. These include improved threat detection and mitigation capabilities, making it a more robust choice for organizations prioritizing network security.

Q. Can I purchase refurbished Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches, and how do they compare to new ones?
A. Yes, refurbished options are available and can provide a cost-effective alternative. Refurbished switches typically undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet quality standards. While new switches come with the latest features, refurbished models can still offer excellent performance and reliability.

Q. Is there a need for additional training or expertise when migrating to Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches?
A. While the basic networking knowledge remains relevant, organizations may benefit from additional training to make the most of the advanced features offered by the Cisco Catalyst 9400 series. Cisco provides training resources, and organizations can consider investing in training for their IT teams to maximize the benefits of the migration.

Q. What support and warranties are available for Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches?
A. Cisco offers various support and warranty options for their products. When purchasing, organizations should inquire about available support plans, warranty durations, and options for extended support to ensure comprehensive coverage for their network infrastructure.