Infinian Technology Dealer, Distributor and Partner of Cisco Catalyst 8500 Edge Platform Series Router in India – Bangalore and Chennai for Price/Cost Call: 9739091119
The Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series is a high-performance SD-WAN edge routing platform designed for data centers, regional hubs, and large branches. It’s built to handle multigigabit throughput, cloud-first networking, and next-gen WAN aggregation — and is often seen as the successor to the ASR 1000 and ISR high-end series.

📦 Catalyst 8500 Models
| Model | Throughput | Interface Ports | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| C8500-12X4QC | Up to 20–40 Gbps+ | 12x 10GE (SFP+), 4x 40GE (QSFP+) | Most common model, flexible WAN core |
| C8500L-8S4X | Up to 10 Gbps | 8x GE SFP, 4x 10GE SFP+ | Compact, fixed, lower-cost model |
| C8500-20X6C | 100+ Gbps capable | 20x 10GE + 6x 100GE (QSFP28) | SP/core-level performance |
| C8500-12X4QC-A | “A” model = App hosting | App hosting support built-in | SD-WAN + VNF use cases |
These platforms are built from the ground up for services, with inline crypto, multi-threaded parallel processing, and per-port classification and accounting. They support MACsec, IPsec, and advanced QoS, making them a top-tier choice for organizations with demanding networking needs.
🔧 Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Performance | 10 Gbps to 200+ Gbps (model-dependent) |
| Built on | Cisco QuantumFlow Processor 3.0 (QFP 3.0) |
| Interface Options | Fixed ports + modular expandability (in C8500-12X4QC) |
| Security & SD-WAN | Full Cisco SD-WAN, advanced threat protection, Umbrella integration |
| Cloud Connectivity | Optimized for AWS, Azure, GCP, and multicloud architecture |
| High Availability | Redundant PSU, fans, carrier-grade reliability |
- Runs Cisco IOS XE with a single software image
- Supports both traditional routing and SD-WAN mode
- Fully programmable with API support for automation
- Built-in application hosting on select models (e.g., C8500-12X4QC-A)
Recommendations
- Need ultra-high throughput (100 Gbps+)? The C8500-20X6C is your go-to for scalable, energy-efficient edge aggregation.
- Balanced performance and modularity in 1RU? Choose the C8500-12X4QC—great port flexibility and strong SD-WAN throughput.
- Cost-effective small-to-medium edge? The C8500-12X or C8500L-8S4X offer solid options, with trade-offs in performance and security features.
🏢 Ideal Use Cases
- Enterprise HQs: High-throughput routing and security
- Data Centers: Aggregation and cloud edge connectivity
- Service Providers: Multi-tenant edge routing
- Campus Networks: Secure, scalable SD-WAN deployments
Advantages / What They Do Well
- Very high performance, especially for WAN-edge / cloud-edge aggregation.
- Good port flexibility: you can pick a model closer to your required link speeds; you get a mix of 1/10/40/100GE depending on model.
- Strong hardware offload via QFP 3.0 for encryption etc, which helps with low latency, higher throughput with security.
- Built for scale: supports many IPsec tunnels, many routes etc. Good for large branches, regional hubs, cloud connectivity.
- Modern management, better feature set (SD-WAN, telemetry, automation) via IOS-XE.
📍 Availability and Pricing in India
According to Infinian Technology, a Cisco distributor in India:
- C8500L-8S4X: Estimated around ₹3,50,000–₹4,50,000
- C8500-12X4QC: Typically priced between ₹5,00,000–₹6,50,000
- C8500-20X6C: May exceed ₹10,00,000 depending on configuration
These routers are available through Cisco-authorized partners in Bengaluru, Chennai, and other major cities.
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Routers in India typically range from ₹3,50,000 to ₹10,00,000+, depending on the model and configuration. These routers are enterprise-grade and sold through authorized Cisco partners.
💰 Price Breakdown by Model
According to Infinian Technology, a Cisco distributor in India:
These prices are indicative and may vary based on:
- Licensing bundles (e.g., SD-WAN, security)
- Support plans (e.g., Cisco Smart Net Total Care)
- Vendor markup and import duties
- Condition (new vs refurbished)
📦 Buying Tips
- Request a formal quote from a Infinian Technology Pvt Ltd.
- Confirm whether the price includes licensing and support.
- Ask about demo units or volume discounts for multi-site deployments.
What models are in the Cisco Catalyst 8500 series router?
According to the data sheet:
C8500-20X6C: 20 × 1/10 GE + 6 × 40/100 GE ports.
C8500-12X4QC: 12 × 1/10 GE + 2 × 40/100 GE + 2 × 40 GE.
C8500-12X: 12 × 1/10 GE ports.
Also, C8500L-8S4X: smaller/fewer-port variant (4 × 10GE + 8 × 1GE).
What are the interface and port configurations in cisco 8500 series router?
The C8500-20X6C supports 20 × 1/10GE plus 6 × 40/100GE, and all ports can be enabled simultaneously for a large bandwidth footprint.
The C8500-12X4QC supports up to 12 × 1/10GE, and 2 × 40/100GE, 2 × 40GE
The smaller C8500L-8S4X supports lower density (4 × 10GE, 8 × 1GE) but with integrated security & SD-WAN support.
What about throughput and security performance in cisco 8500 series router?
The datasheet gives some key metrics. For example:
The C8500-20X6C platform, under “maximum ports and high performance forwarding”, is rated up to ~ 500 Gbps IPv4 forwarding in one of the listings.
The smaller C8500L variant shows ~ up to ~ 5.9 Gbps in a “50% encrypted + 50% DIA w/ full security features” scenario.
Key innovation: the “third generation Quantum Flow Processor 3.0 (QFP 3.0)” ASIC which integrates forwarding and crypto hardware acceleration.
What about memory, storage, form-factor and power in cisco 8500 series router?
Memory: Default DRAM 16 GB (upgradeable to 32/64 GB) in many models.
Storage: eUSB bootflash plus optional SSD (for some models 480 GB M.2 etc) .
Form factor: The C8500-12X and C8500-12X4QC are 1RU; the C8500-20X6C is 3RU.
Interfaces: Supports 1G/10G/40G/100G depending on model.
Power supplies: AC and DC redundancy supported; the datasheet lists 750W AC, 950W DC for certain models.
Do the Catalyst 8500 routers support SD-WAN?
Yes. The product materials specify that they deliver Cisco’s secure, cloud-scale SD-WAN solution for aggregation sites.
Also the “Edge Platform” branding implies they handle WAN edge, SD-WAN, cloud connectivity and the like.
What security features are integrated in cisco 8500 series router?
Among the notable ones:
Hardware-accelerated encryption for IPsec large scale.
Support for advanced DTLS/TLS, MACsec, Secure Boot, SUDI.
Multi-layer security performance (DIA, NGFW, IPS, URL filtering) metrics listed for certain models.
Thus the device is both a high-performance router and a secure service edge platform.
How are cisco 8500 series routers managed?
The product page says they are supported under Cisco’s modern management frameworks: e.g., cloud-native tools, SD-WAN controllers (e.g., Cisco vManage), and programmability via APIs.
They support the full IOS XE software stack, programmable software architecture.
Are cisco 8500 series router cloud-ready / future-proof?
Yes—features such as 1/10/40/100 GE ports, high throughput, hardware crypto, SD-WAN, and support for newer WAN architectures indicate this platform is meant for modern, cloud-centric networking.
What about price/cost of cisco 8500 series router?
Here are summaries:
Cisco Catalyst 8500 C8500‑20X6C: Approx ₹ 66,49,657 (~ INR 66.5 lakh) in one listing.
Cisco Catalyst 8500 C8500‑12X: Approx ₹ 36,97,918 (~ INR 37 lakh) in one listing.
Cisco Catalyst 8500 C8500‑12X10GE (SYS): Approx ₹ 20,58,379 (~ INR 20.6 lakh).
Cisco Catalyst 8500L C8500L‑8S4X: Approx ₹ 7,44,761 (~ INR 7.4 lakh).
What licensing is required in cisco 8500 series router?
While exact SKUs vary by region, key licensing factors include:
SD-WAN feature licenses (for overlay, controllers, etc)
Software subscriptions (depending on DNA/SD-WAN bundles)
Support / SmartNet licensing from Cisco
Feature licenses for advanced VOIP/security if needed
The product page mentions “Powered by Cisco DNA Software” for the Catalyst 8500 Series.