C9500-NM-8X - Cisco Catalyst 9500 8 x 10GE Network Module

Cisco C9500-NM-8X — Catalyst 9500 8-Port 1/10G SFP/SFP+ Network Module

What it is

C9500-NM-8X is a Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series network module that adds 8 × SFP/SFP+ uplink ports to supported Catalyst 9500 switches.

Each port supports 1 Gigabit or 10 Gigabit Ethernet, giving you flexible fiber uplinks for distribution, core, aggregation, and high-speed switch-to-switch connectivity.

Why buyers pick C9500-NM-8X (plain English)

Eight extra uplinks: Adds eight fiber-capable ports to supported Catalyst 9500 switches.

1G or 10G flexibility: The same module can support both 1GbE SFP and 10GbE SFP+ optics.

Line-rate operation: All ports on the module operate at line rate, making it suitable for high-bandwidth enterprise networks.

Supports standard Cisco optics: Works with supported SFP and SFP+ transceivers for multimode, single-mode, DAC, and other compatible media types.

Field-replaceable design: The module is removable and can be installed or replaced without changing the entire switch.

60-second spec box (C9500-NM-8X)

Ports

• 8 × SFP/SFP+ ports
• Optical or DAC uplink interfaces

Supported speeds

• 1 Gigabit Ethernet
• 10 Gigabit Ethernet
• Speed depends on installed transceiver

Interface type

• SFP for 1GbE
• SFP+ for 10GbE
• Supports compatible Cisco transceivers and cables

Performance

• Line-rate operation on all ports
• Up to 10Gbps per port
• Up to 80Gbps aggregate one-way port bandwidth

Compatibility

• Supported on:
  • Cisco Catalyst C9500-16X
  • Cisco Catalyst C9500-40X
• Not supported on Catalyst 9500 high-performance models
• Not supported on Catalyst 9500X models

Module features

• Field-replaceable
• OIR capable
• Automatically powered when inserted
• Cisco hardware authentication support

Typical optics / cabling

• 1G SFP transceivers
• 10G SFP+ transceivers
• Multimode fiber
• Single-mode fiber
• Direct Attach Copper (DAC)
• Active Optical Cable options where supported

Where it fits (and when to choose something else)

Perfect for:

• C9500-16X deployments
• C9500-40X deployments
• Distribution-layer uplinks
• Core connectivity
• 1G-to-10G migration projects
• High-density fiber connections
• Switch-to-switch backbone links

Choose something else if:

• You need 40G uplinks → choose C9500-NM-2Q
• You need 25G or 100G → use a newer Catalyst 9500 high-performance model with native high-speed interfaces
• You have a Catalyst 9500X → this module is not compatible
• You only need a couple of uplinks → a switch with native fixed uplinks may be more appropriate

TL;DR

C9500-NM-8X is a Cisco Catalyst 9500 network module with 8 × SFP/SFP+ ports supporting 1GbE or 10GbE, designed specifically for the C9500-16X and C9500-40X and providing line-rate fiber uplink connectivity.