C-NIM-8T - 8-Port 1G RJ45 LAN/WAN NIM with MACsec | Cisco
MPN: C-NIM-8T ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1850 | $1,850.00 |
| 5 | $1780 | $8,900.00 |
| 10 | $1695 | $16,950.00 |
| 25 | $1620 | $40,500.00 |
| 50 | $1550 | $77,500.00 |
C-NIM-8T Overview
A Network Interface Module (NIM) is a hot-swappable line-module form factor used in Cisco enterprise routers to add copper, fiber, or service-module connectivity to a chassis. The C-NIM-8T belongs to the copper Gigabit Ethernet NIM family, which itself falls under router expansion modules, edge router accessories, and finally networking hardware. NIMs differ from older EHWIC and SM slots by supporting higher per-port throughput and richer service offload, including hardware-accelerated MACsec encryption on every port.
Key features of the C-NIM-8T include eight auto-negotiating 10/100/1000Base-T RJ-45 ports, hardware-accelerated IEEE 802.1AE MACsec on all ports with line-rate performance, Layer 2 switching with VLAN, STP, and EtherChannel support, and configurable Layer 3 routing on ports 6 and 7 for WAN use. It also supports Cisco IOS XE management, hot-swappable insertion into a Catalyst 8000 NIM slot, and a separate per-VLAN STP instance for traffic isolation. The module draws power from the host chassis and is managed through the same IOS XE CLI as the router.
Architecturally, the C-NIM-8T integrates an onboard switch ASIC and a MACsec engine. All eight ports share Layer 2 switching, while the last two ports can be reconfigured as routed Layer 3 WAN interfaces with MACsec, allowing branch sites to terminate encrypted WAN circuits on the same module that aggregates LAN access. This dual-mode design removes the need for a separate WAN NIM in many Catalyst 8300 deployments and supports IEEE 802.1Q VLANs, 802.1D/802.1w/802.1s STP, 802.3ad LACP, and 802.1X port authentication.
Typical applications include branch-office LAN aggregation on Catalyst 8300 routers, WAN termination with line-rate MACsec encryption on ports 6 and 7, secure SD-WAN edge connectivity, replacement of legacy ISR 4000 NIM-ES2 modules during hardware refresh, and small-site Layer 2/3 access consolidation. It is widely deployed in retail, healthcare, and finance branch networks that need encrypted WAN plus LAN switching from a single appliance.
When deploying the C-NIM-8T, confirm that the host chassis runs a compatible IOS XE release, leave at least one free NIM slot for serviceability, and provision separate VLANs for LAN and WAN traffic. For new installations, plan MACsec key infrastructure (MKA / IKEv2) before enabling encryption on ports 6 and 7.
This page synthesizes Cisco datasheet facts, verified distributor pricing, drop-in module alternatives, and practical deployment notes not collected in a single place elsewhere.
Drop-in alternatives for C-NIM-8T — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
C-NIM-8M
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
C-NIM-4X
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
NIM-ES2-8
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
NIM-ES2-4
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
C-NIM-8T Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Module Type | Network Interface Module (NIM) |
| Port Count | 8 × RJ-45 |
| Port Speed | 10M / 100M / 1G (auto-negotiating) |
| Interface Standard | 1000Base-T (Gigabit Ethernet) |
| Cabling Media | Twisted-pair copper (Cat5e / Cat6) |
| Layer 2 Switching | Yes (VLAN, STP, EtherChannel) |
| Layer 3 Routing | Yes, on ports 6 and 7 (WAN-capable) |
| MACsec Encryption | IEEE 802.1AE, hardware-accelerated, line-rate |
| Compatible Chassis | Catalyst 8200, 8200L, 8300 Series |
| PoE Support | No (no inline power) |
| Form Factor | Single NIM slot |
| Hot-Swappable | Yes |
| Management | Cisco IOS XE |
| Spanning Tree | Separate STP instance per VLAN |
| Mounting Type | Internal router module (host chassis) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Intended Replacement For | ISR 4000 NIM-ES2 family |
C-NIM-8T Interfaces & Connectors
C-NIM-8T exposes the following interfaces and connectors as published by the manufacturer: Power Input. Expansion header pinout, connector pin numbering, and electrical limits are defined in the manufacturer documentation.
| Power Input | No (no inline power) |
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Power & Thermal Characteristics
| Power Input | No (no inline power) |
Power input and thermal parameters for C-NIM-8T as published by the manufacturer.
Typical Applications
C-NIM-8T is suitable for 6 applications: Branch Office LAN Switching, Encrypted WAN Termination, ISR 4000 Hardware Refresh, Retail Branch Aggregation, Healthcare Clinic Connectivity, Small Site Secure SD-WAN Edge.
Branch Office LAN Switching
The C-NIM-8T consolidates 8 × Gigabit copper access ports inside a Catalyst 8300 router, eliminating a separate access switch in small branch sites. With full Layer 2 features (VLAN, STP, EtherChannel, 802.1X) and hardware-accelerated MACsec on every port, it directly connects desktops, APs, and IP phones over Cat5e/Cat6. The eight auto-negotiating 10/100/1000Base-T ports deliver line-rate non-blocking throughput per port, simplifying branch wiring and reducing capital expense versus deploying a standalone Catalyst 1000/9200 switch with its own power and uplink.
Recommended
Encrypted WAN Termination
Ports 6 and 7 on the C-NIM-8T are configurable as Layer 3 routed WAN interfaces with line-rate IEEE 802.1AE MACsec, allowing the same module that aggregates LAN traffic to terminate encrypted WAN circuits. Compared with a separate MACsec WAN NIM, the C-NIM-8T saves one slot, simplifies cabling, and reduces the number of devices under management. Hardware-accelerated MACsec preserves throughput at 1 Gbps, suitable for SD-WAN underlay, MPLS replacement, and ISP Ethernet handoffs in retail and healthcare branches.
Recommended
ISR 4000 Hardware Refresh
The C-NIM-8T is positioned by Cisco as the next-generation replacement for the ISR 4000 NIM-ES2 family with full Layer 2 feature parity plus new Layer 2 features. Branches running EOL ISR 4451/4431 routers can migrate to Catalyst 8300 or 8200 Series, drop in a C-NIM-8T, and preserve their existing access-layer VLAN, STP, and EtherChannel configurations. The migration reduces technical debt and extends lifecycle support without redesigning the access topology, while gaining MACsec hardware acceleration.
Recommended
Retail Branch Aggregation
Retail chains use the C-NIM-8T inside Catalyst 8300 stores to aggregate POS terminals, digital signage, IP cameras, and wireless APs on a single managed switch fabric. The eight copper ports eliminate a separate retail switch, while ports 6 and 7 carry encrypted MACsec uplinks back to the data center or SD-WAN gateway. Compared with deploying a stand-alone switch plus a router, the C-NIM-8T reduces physical footprint, simplifies PCI-DSS segmentation with per-VLAN STP, and centralizes management under IOS XE.
Recommended
Healthcare Clinic Connectivity
Healthcare clinics deploy the C-NIM-8T inside Catalyst 8300 routers to connect EHR workstations, medical imaging devices, and clinical wireless on a HIPAA-segmented network. The eight copper ports support VLAN-based segmentation of clinical versus administrative traffic, while ports 6 and 7 provide MACsec-encrypted WAN links to the hospital core. Hardware MACsec protects PHI in transit without the latency of software encryption, and IOS XE management integrates with Cisco ISE for 802.1X endpoint authentication.
Recommended
Small Site Secure SD-WAN Edge
Small SD-WAN sites use the C-NIM-8T as a single-module L2/L3 + encrypted WAN solution inside a Catalyst 8300 edge platform. Six ports aggregate LAN traffic, while ports 6 and 7 form a redundant MACsec-protected WAN pair to two transport providers. Compared with separate switch and WAN modules, the C-NIM-8T halves slot usage, simplifies SD-WAN underlay design, and provides hardware MACsec at line rate, which is critical when running Viptela or Meraki SD-WAN overlays over MPLS replacement circuits.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for C-NIM-8T — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | C-NIM-8M | C-NIM-4X | NIM-ES2-8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Cisco | Cisco | Cisco | Cisco |
| Package / Form Factor | NIM (single-slot) for Catalyst 8000 | NIM (single-slot) for Catalyst 8000 | NIM (single-slot) for Catalyst 8000 | NIM for ISR 4000 chassis |
| Port Count | 8 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
| Port Media | RJ-45 copper | SFP fiber | SFP+ fiber | RJ-45 copper |
| Port Speed | 10M / 100M / 1G | 100M / 1G (SFP-dependent) | 1G / 10G | 10M / 100M / 1G |
| Layer 3 Routing | Yes, ports 6 and 7 (WAN) | Yes, configurable | Yes, configurable | Switch-only on ISR 4000 |
| IEEE 802.1AE MACsec | Yes, all ports, line-rate | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| PoE Support | No | No | No | No |
| Host Chassis | Catalyst 8200 / 8200L / 8300 | Catalyst 8200 / 8200L / 8300 | Catalyst 8200 / 8200L / 8300 | ISR 4000 |
Key Differentiators
- Layer 3 routing on ports 6 and 7 plus full Layer 2 on all eight (vs C-NIM-8M)
- Eight copper 1G ports in one NIM slot (vs C-NIM-4X)
- Next-generation NIM form factor for Catalyst 8000 (vs NIM-ES2-8)
Design Notes
The C-NIM-8T only installs in Catalyst 8200 / 8200L / 8300 NIM slots. Do not attempt insertion into ISR 4000 EHWIC or SM bays; the form factor is mechanically incompatible even though the older NIM-ES2 family is the functional predecessor. Confirm the host router has an unused NIM slot and a compatible IOS XE release before commissioning the module.
The C-NIM-8T draws all power from the host Catalyst 8000 chassis via the NIM backplane; no external PSU is required. Plan chassis power budget to leave headroom for an additional NIM and PoE downstream devices. Total module power consumption is modest (single-digit watts) but should be accounted for in the chassis' supply sizing.
Place the C-NIM-8T in an accessible NIM slot to ease fiber/copper patching and future removal. When pairing with C-NIM-8M or C-NIM-4X, dedicate adjacent slots for fiber uplinks and reserve one free NIM slot for serviceability. Label each RJ-45 port on the chassis faceplate with VLAN ID and role (LAN vs WAN) to avoid mis-cabling after MACsec is enabled on ports 6 and 7.
Use Cat5e or Cat6 twisted-pair cabling rated for 1 Gigabit Ethernet on all eight RJ-45 ports; stay within the 100-meter cable spec. For MACsec-protected WAN ports (6 and 7), provision MKA pre-shared keys or IKEv2 certificates through Cisco ISE or the router's local keychain before enabling encryption to prevent link flaps during initial deployment.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH compliant per Cisco product collateral. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a networking module, not an automotive IC. Conflict-minerals statement available through Cisco's corporate compliance portal.
