C9400X-SUP-2XL - 480G Catalyst 9400 Supervisor 2XL | Cisco
MPN: C9400X-SUP-2XL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $16950 | $16,950.00 |
| 10 | $16500 | $165,000.00 |
| 50 | $15950 | $797,500.00 |
| 100 | $15400 | $1,540,000.00 |
| 500 | $14500 | $7,250,000.00 |
C9400X-SUP-2XL Overview
A supervisor engine (Sup) is the control-plane and data-plane brain of a modular chassis switch: it hosts the routing engine, switching ASICs, management ports, and uplink interfaces that interconnect the chassis to the campus core, aggregation layer, or data-center spine. The Catalyst 9400 supervisor family spans from the legacy C9400-SUP-1/1XL/1XL-Y (80 Gbps per slot) to the latest C9400X-SUP-2/2XL, with the 2XL SKU providing the highest available per-slot bandwidth and is the only supervisor that delivers 480 Gbps to every slot on the C9404R, C9407R, and C9410R chassis regardless of chassis size.
Key features include 480 Gbps per-slot bandwidth, 9.6 Tbps switching capacity, four SFP28 uplinks (ports 1-4, 25G capable) plus four QSFP28 uplinks (ports 5-8, 40G/100G capable), 8 GB DRAM with 240 GB SSD storage (C9400-SSD-240GB required for the 2XL), MPLS support, VRF-aware services, software-defined access capabilities, redundant supervisor support with stateful switchover (SSO), and enterprise-class security features including MACsec and TrustSec.
The C9400X-SUP-2XL uses Cisco's programmable switching ASIC architecture combined with a multi-core CPU complex running IOS XE, supporting advanced Layer 2/3 forwarding, segment routing, EVPN, and application-aware Quality of Service. Hot-swappable supervisor slots allow in-service replacements and upgrades from the original C9400-SUP-1/1XL without chassis replacement.
Typical deployments include enterprise campus core, aggregation layer, and high-density distribution switches for hybrid workforces, multi-site networks, and software-defined access (SD-Access) fabrics where the Catalyst 9400 is positioned as the core/aggregation chassis.
When sizing systems, note that the C9400-SSD-240GB is required for the 2XL SKU and that mixed-chassis deployments require C9400X-SUP-2 or 2XL supervisors when five specific line-card SKUs are present. Five line cards require this supervisor regardless of chassis choice.
Drop-in alternatives for C9400X-SUP-2XL — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with C9400X-SUP-2XL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Per-Slot Bandwidth, Platform, Product Type, Storage.
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No drop-in alternatives available for this product.
Request AlternativesC9400X-SUP-2XL Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | Supervisor Engine Module |
| Platform | Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series (C9404R / C9407R / C9410R) |
| Per-Slot Bandwidth | 480 Gbps |
| Switching Capacity | 9.6 Tbps |
| Uplink Ports | 4x SFP28 (1-4, 25G capable) + 4x QSFP28 (5-8, 40G/100G) |
| Total Uplink Speed | Up to 4x 100G (400 Gbps full-duplex) |
| Uplink Speed Options | 1G / 10G / 25G (SFP+) / 40G / 100G via optics |
| DRAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 240 GB SSD (C9400-SSD-240GB, required) |
| Redundancy | Dual supervisor with Stateful Switchover (SSO) |
| Hot-swappable | Yes |
| M.2 SSD Slot | Yes |
| Supported Chassis | C9404R, C9407R, C9410R |
| Operating System | Cisco IOS XE |
| Advanced Services | MPLS, VRF, Segment Routing, EVPN, MACsec, TrustSec, SD-Access |
| Form Factor | Catalyst 9400 Supervisor Slot Module |
C9400X-SUP-2XL Interfaces & Connectors
No manufacturer-published interface list is available for C9400X-SUP-2XL. Refer to the manufacturer documentation for connector and header details.
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Typical Applications
C9400X-SUP-2XL is suitable for 6 applications: Enterprise Campus Core, Aggregation Layer / Distribution Block, Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) Fabric, Multi-Site Data Center Edge, High-Density Wireless Backbone, Industrial / IoT Campus Aggregation.
Enterprise Campus Core
The Cisco C9400X-SUP-2XL anchors the campus core of large enterprise networks, terminating 10G/25G access-layer uplinks from distribution blocks and forwarding northbound toward the data center or WAN edge. Its 480 Gbps per-slot fabric eliminates headroom bottlenecks when stacking Catalyst 9400 chassis in a StackWise Virtual or MLAG topology, and the 9.6 Tbps system capacity keeps routed multicast, OSPF/BGP convergence, and policy-based QoS services running at line rate. The 2XL's MACsec-256 support on all uplink ports also enables encrypted core-to-data-center links without requiring external encryptors, while SSO redundancy lets one supervisor perform an IOS XE software upgrade while the other carries production traffic.
Recommended
Aggregation Layer / Distribution Block
The C9400X-SUP-2XL is positioned as the aggregation supervisor for Catalyst 9400 chassis serving as distribution blocks between access switches and the campus core. The 9.6 Tbps switching fabric supports dozens of downlink ports converging at 10G/25G on access cards while pushing uplinks at 40G or 100G QSFP28 to the core. Segment-routing, VRF-lite, and EVPN VXLAN services run at line rate, which is critical when the aggregation layer terminates SD-Access fabric edges and applies Group-Based Policy across thousands of endpoints. Hardware-based MACsec and TrustSec SGT tagging offload CPU overhead, freeing the supervisor's CPU for control-plane convergence.
Recommended
Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) Fabric
The C9400X-SUP-2XL is one of Cisco's preferred supervisors for SD-Access fabric-edge and fabric-border nodes because its 480 Gbps per-slot fabric sustains LISP, VXLAN, and Cisco TrustSec overhead without oversubscription. When deployed as a fabric border, the 2XL can terminate VXLAN tunnels from fabric edges, perform host-tracking-database lookups, and route between virtual networks with VRF-aware services at line rate. The 4x 100G QSFP28 uplinks provide ample southbound capacity for hundreds of fabric-edge switches. For fabric-control-plane separation, the supervisor's dual-CPU architecture running IOS XE 17.x supports DNA Center integration, Assurance telemetry streaming, and Encrypted Traffic Analytics.
Recommended
Multi-Site Data Center Edge
For multi-site enterprises using the Catalyst 9400 as a collapsed data-center edge / campus core, the C9400X-SUP-2XL provides the 4x 100G QSFP28 uplinks needed to terminate dedicated DCI links into a dedicated data-center fabric such as Nexus 9000. The 480 Gbps per-slot bandwidth and 8 GB DRAM headroom handle east-west firewall and load-balancer hairpin traffic between server VLANs while routing north-south to the data center. TrustSec SGT tagging and MACsec-256 on uplinks allow micro-segmented server-VLAN traffic to traverse the campus without traversing a separate firewall, reducing latency by 30-50 microseconds per hop.
Recommended
High-Density Wireless Backbone
Universities, hospitals, and large retail campuses deploy the C9400X-SUP-2XL as the supervisor for AP-controller aggregation because it supports full 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E) and 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) access-point backhauls at multi-gigabit speeds without oversubscription. The 9.6 Tbps switching capacity sustains hundreds of Wi-Fi 7 APs each carrying 5-10 Gbps of aggregate traffic, and the supervisor's hardware QoS preserves CAPWAP tunnel integrity under bursty traffic. When paired with C9400X-LC-48UX mGig UPOE+ line cards, the chassis can power and backhaul over 380 Wi-Fi 7 APs simultaneously on a single C9410R chassis, an order of magnitude beyond what SUP-1XL-class supervisors can support.
Recommended
Industrial / IoT Campus Aggregation
Manufacturing plants and utilities deploying industrial automation often use the Catalyst 9400 with the C9400X-SUP-2XL as the supervisor at the industrial DMZ because the 2XL's hardware-based MACsec and CIPsec protect OT/IT boundary traffic without external crypto accelerators. PoE+ on compatible line cards powers industrial sensors, IP cameras, and ruggedized Wi-Fi APs, while the supervisor's segmented routing isolates OT traffic into dedicated VRFs to prevent IT-side outages from reaching critical control loops. The 480 Gbps per-slot ceiling is roughly 6x the bandwidth required for typical industrial IoT aggregation, providing 20-year headroom.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for C9400X-SUP-2XL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | C9400X-SUP-2 | C9400X-SUP-2XL-RF | C9400-SUP-1XL-Y | C9400-SUP-1XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Cisco | Cisco | Cisco | Cisco | Cisco |
| Package / Form Factor | Catalyst 9400 Supervisor Slot Module | Catalyst 9400 Supervisor Slot Module - same | Catalyst 9400 Supervisor Slot Module - same | Catalyst 9400 Supervisor Slot Module - same | Catalyst 9400 Supervisor Slot Module - same |
| Uplink Ports | 4x SFP28 + 4x QSFP28 | 4x SFP28 + 4x QSFP28 | 4x SFP28 + 4x QSFP28 | 25G uplink option | 1/10/40G option |
| Chassis Support | C9404R / C9407R / C9410R | C9404R / C9407R / C9410R | C9404R / C9407R / C9410R | C9404R / C9407R / C9410R | C9404R / C9407R / C9410R |
| Required SSD | C9400-SSD-240GB | C9400-SSD-240GB | C9400-SSD-240GB | Optional / 240GB by default | Optional / 240GB by default |
| Generation | X-series (latest) | X-series | X-series (refurb) | Previous generation | Previous generation |
Key Differentiators
- Highest per-slot bandwidth in the Catalyst 9400 supervisor family (vs C9400-SUP-1XL)
- Only supervisor that drives 480 Gbps to every slot of every Catalyst 9400 chassis (vs C9400X-SUP-2)
- 8 GB DRAM headroom for routing tables and policy ACLs (vs C9400-SUP-1XL-Y)
Design Notes
Estimated: Each C9400X-SUP-2XL consumes approximately 120-180 W under typical load from the chassis backplane; verify chassis-supply sizing with the Cisco Power Calculator before adding a redundant supervisor. The C9410R ships with two 3000 W AC supplies for redundancy, but a fully populated chassis with two 2XL supervisors and 8 high-power PoE+ line cards can push total draw to 9-10 kW - a 4-supply 3000 W configuration is then required. Always budget at least 250 W per supervisor slot when sizing the initial deployment.
The C9400-SSD-240GB is mandatory for the C9400X-SUP-2XL and must be ordered separately if not bundled; without it the supervisor will not boot to operational state per Cisco community confirmation. Also note that five specific line cards require C9400X-SUP-2 or 2XL supervisors regardless of chassis, so a SUP-1XL-to-2XL migration may require coordinated line-card upgrades rather than supervisor-only replacement. Always validate the chassis supervisor/line-card compatibility matrix before placing the migration order.
Estimated: With a 10-slot C9410R chassis fully populated with two C9400X-SUP-2XL supervisors and eight 240 W PoE+ line cards, the chassis fan-tray assembly (C9410-FAN-EXT) dissipates roughly 5-6 kW via forced-air cooling. Verify data-center cooling capacity at 1.5x nameplate power to leave thermal headroom for line-card transceivers and ambient-temperature excursions above 35 C. Cisco's installation note recommends chassis inlet air below 35 C / 95 F to remain within MTBF derating curves.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Cisco product collateral. AES-Q100 not applicable - this is a networking module, not an automotive IC. Cisco publishes conflict-minerals compliance statements annually for all hardware SKUs.
