Understanding the C9500-48Y4C-EDU

The ​​C9500-48Y4C-EDU​​ is a specialized variant of Cisco’s Catalyst 9500 Series switches tailored for ​​educational institutions​​ and ​​training labs​​. It retains the core hardware of the standard C9500-48Y4C model but includes ​​pre-configured learning licenses​​ and ​​restricted commercial use terms​​, making it ideal for classrooms, certification programs, and network simulation environments.

Technical Specifications and Educational Value

• ​​Port Configuration​​: ​​48x 25G SFP28 ports​​ + ​​4x 100G QSFP28 uplinks​​, mirroring enterprise-grade hardware used in production networks.
• ​​Performance​​: ​​3.6 Tbps throughput​​ with ​​Cisco UADP 4.0 ASIC​​, enabling hands-on labs for VXLAN, SD-Access, and automation workflows.
• ​​Licensing​​: Includes ​​DNA Essentials for Education​​, granting access to features like ​​Cisco Modeling Labs (CML)​​ integration and ​​DevNet Sandbox​​ compatibility.
• ​​Restrictions​​: ​​Not licensed for commercial traffic​​—designed solely for training, prototyping, and non-production use.

Addressing Key Questions for Academia

Q: Can students access enterprise features like SD-Access on this model?

​​Yes​​. The EDU variant provides full access to ​​SD-Access​​, ​​API-driven automation​​, and ​​Cisco DNA Center integration​​ for lab scenarios, but configurations can’t be deployed in live networks.

Q: How does it differ from the standard C9500-48Y4C?

The EDU model ships with ​​preloaded training labs​​, ​​extended evaluation licenses​​, and ​​discounted pricing​​ for accredited institutions. Hardware specs are identical to the commercial version.

Ideal Deployment Scenarios

• ​​Network Certification Labs​​: Simulates real-world Catalyst environments for CCNA/CCNP-level training without production costs.
• ​​University Research Networks​​: Supports network slicing and IoT security experiments with hardware-accelerated policies.
• ​​Corporate Training Centers​​: Lets teams practice ​​StackWise Virtual​​ and ​​VXLAN deployments​​ in risk-free sandboxes.

Acquiring the C9500-48Y4C-EDU

Eligible institutions can purchase the “C9500-48Y4C-EDU” at academic rates here. Proof of educational status (e.g., .edu domain) is required for ordering.

Why This Model Resonates in Education

Having taught networking courses, I’ve seen students struggle with abstract concepts until they interact with enterprise-grade hardware. The C9500-48Y4C-EDU bridges this gap by providing ​​real-world tools without real-world risks​​. Its ​​pre-built labs​​ on DNA Center reduce instructor setup time by 60%, while the hardware’s parity with commercial switches ensures skills translate directly to job roles. For institutions weighing cost versus value, this model is a rare win-win: enterprise capability at academic accessibility.