Catalyst 3850 support dates
| Milestone | Date | Basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| End-of-Life Announcement Date (copper / PoE / UPOE / mGig switches) | 31 October 2019 | Vendor-publishedEOL13188 - Amended (updated 11 Nov 2022). Table 2 includes WS-C3850-12X48U-* and WS-C3850-24XU-*. | End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches (EOL13188) |
| End-of-Sale Date: HW (copper / mGig) | 30 October 2020 | Vendor-published | End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches (EOL13188) |
| Last Ship Date: HW (copper / mGig) | 29 January 2021 | Vendor-published | End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches (EOL13188) |
| End of SW Maintenance Releases Date: HW (copper / mGig) | 30 October 2021 | Vendor-publishedEnd of Routine Failure Analysis and End of New Service Attachment fall on the same date | End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches (EOL13188) |
| End of Service Contract Renewal Date: HW (copper / mGig) | 28 January 2025 | Vendor-publishedAlready passed | End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches (EOL13188) |
| Last Date of Support: HW (copper / mGig) | 31 October 2025 | Vendor-publishedEnd of Vulnerability/Security Support falls on the same date. Already passed. Cisco's series page lists the 3850-24/48 T, P, U and F models, the 24PW/48PW bundles, 24XU and 12X48U under 'End-of-Support Date of 31-Oct-2025'. | End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches (EOL13188) |
| End-of-Life Announcement Date (fiber SKUs) | 30 April 2021 | Vendor-publishedEOL13873 - Amended (updated 10 Nov 2022). Table 2 covers WS-C3850-12S, 24S, 12XS, 16XS, 24XS, 32XS, 48XS and 48XS-F (-E/-S), plus the C1- and ++ variants. | End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco C3850 Fiber SKUs (EOL13873) |
| End-of-Sale Date: HW (fiber SKUs) | 30 April 2022 | Vendor-publishedLast Ship Date 30 Jul 2022. End of SW Maintenance Releases 30 Apr 2023. | End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco C3850 Fiber SKUs (EOL13873) |
| End of Service Contract Renewal Date: HW (fiber SKUs) | 29 July 2026 | Vendor-publishedAlready passed | End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco C3850 Fiber SKUs (EOL13873) |
| Last Date of Support: HW (fiber SKUs) | 30 April 2027 | Vendor-publishedEnd of Vulnerability/Security Support falls on the same date. Cisco's series page shows the series end-of-support date as 30-APR-2027 because of these SKUs. | End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco C3850 Fiber SKUs (EOL13873) |
| Last Date of Support: HW (XPS-2200 StackPower expansion system only) | 31 May 2028 | Vendor-publishedEOL14903 'Catalyst 3850 Accessories' (amended, updated 15 Dec 2022) covers only XPS-2200 and its fan modules: End-of-Sale 31 May 2023, End of Service Contract Renewal 26 Aug 2027, no replacement. | End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Accessories (EOL14903) |
Where the Catalyst 3850 stands today
The 3850's lifecycle is split by port type, which is why Cisco's own pages can look contradictory. The series page header shows an End-of-Support Date of 30-APR-2027 only because of the fibre SKUs; its Supported Models list puts the 24- and 48-port T, P, U and F models, the PW bundles, the 24XU and the 12X48U at 31-Oct-2025. For those copper and multigigabit switches (EOL13188), Cisco announced end of life on 31 October 2019, ended sales on 30 October 2020 and stopped software maintenance, routine failure analysis and new service attachment on 30 October 2021. Contract renewal closed on 28 January 2025, and support ended, together with vulnerability/security support, on 31 October 2025.
The fibre switches, WS-C3850-12S, 24S, 12XS, 16XS, 24XS, 32XS, 48XS and 48XS-F with their C1- and ++ variants, sit under EOL13873: announced 30 April 2021, end-of-sale 30 April 2022, software maintenance ended 30 April 2023, renewal closed 29 July 2026 and Last Date of Support 30 April 2027. With both renewal windows shut, no Cisco contract can now be bought or renewed for any 3850 switch. A third date, 31 May 2028, belongs only to the XPS-2200 StackPower expansion system and its fan modules (EOL14903). To place your unit, find its PID (chassis label, show version or show inventory) in the relevant bulletin's Table 2.
Cisco sets lifecycle dates per product ID (PID), not per serial number. Read the PID from the label or from 'show version' / 'show inventory'. Copper, PoE+, UPOE and multigigabit PIDs (e.g. WS-C3850-48P-S, WS-C3850-24T-L, WS-C3850-12X48U-S, WS-C3850-24XU-E) are in Table 2 of EOL13188 (https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/eos-eol-notice-c51-743072.html), with LDoS 31 Oct 2025. Fiber PIDs (WS-C3850-12S/24S/12XS/16XS/24XS/32XS/48XS/48XS-F and their C1- and ++ variants) are in EOL13873 (https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/eos-eol-notice-c51-2438804.html), with LDoS 30 Apr 2027. The Supported Models section of Cisco's series page (https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/series.html) groups models by end-of-support date.
What still works after Cisco support ends
For copper and multigigabit 3850s, Cisco's software commitments are finished: maintenance releases ended on 30 October 2021, vulnerability/security support on 31 October 2025, and Cisco has no remaining commitment to release fixes for these PIDs. PSIRT's policy for products beyond their Last Date of Support is to accept vulnerability reports without analysing, fixing or disclosing them, and without issuing CVEs. Fibre 3850s are better placed: Cisco may still release security remedies for them until 30 April 2027.
The 3850 runs the IOS XE Gibraltar 16.12.x train. The newest build in Cisco's 3850 16.12.x release notes is 16.12.14 (notes last updated 21 October 2025), of which Cisco says 'There are no new hardware or software features in this release'. Earlier, while the switches were under Cisco support, 16.12.10a was Cisco's free fix for CVE-2023-20198, a CVSS 10.0 Web UI flaw, and CVE-2023-20273; a customer with no contract could get it from TAC by giving the product serial number and the advisory URL. Cisco's generic 16.12.x bulletin (EOL13547) excludes the 3650 and 3850, so its dates do not apply; their software timelines follow the hardware bulletins.
- Copper and multigigabit 3850s: software maintenance ended on 30 Oct 2021 and vulnerability/security support ended on 31 Oct 2025. Cisco's support milestones for these PIDs have all passed, so Cisco has no remaining commitment to release fixes for them. (cisco.com)
- Fiber 3850s: software maintenance ended on 30 Apr 2023. Security remedies may still be released until 30 Apr 2027. (cisco.com)
- Past LDoS, Cisco PSIRT accepts vulnerability reports but will not analyse, fix or disclose them, and will not issue CVEs for the product. (sec.cloudapps.cisco.com)
- The 3850 runs the IOS XE Gibraltar 16.12.x train. The newest build in Cisco's 3850 16.12.x release notes is 16.12.14 (notes last updated 21 Oct 2025), and Cisco says 'There are no new hardware or software features in this release'. (cisco.com)
- Precedent while still supported: Cisco's fixed-release table for the IOS XE Web UI vulnerabilities (CVE-2023-20198, CVSS 10.0, and CVE-2023-20273) lists 16.12.10a for '16.12 (Catalyst 3650 and 3850 only)'. Cisco released it as a free software update. Customers without a contract obtain it through TAC with the product serial number and the advisory URL. (sec.cloudapps.cisco.com)
What a maintenance contract needs to cover on the Catalyst 3850
Much of a 3850 is field-replaceable, and a contract has to list it. Uplinks are optional network modules (4x1G, 2x10G, 4x10G, 8x10G or 2x40G QSFP+), except on the 48-port 10G SFP+ model, which does not support them. Each 1 RU switch has dual redundant modular supplies (PWR-C1-350WAC, 715WAC, 1100WAC or 440WDC) and three field-replaceable fans; the 48-port SFP+ model uses its own PWR-C3-750WAC-R/F supplies. PoE budgets with the default supply: 435 W on the 24P and 48P with the 715 W unit, 800 W on the 48F, 24U and 48U with 1100 W (1,900 W with a second 1100 W supply), 580 W on the 24XU and 630 W on the 12X48U.
Stacking brings two more systems into scope: StackWise-480 joins up to nine switches at 480 Gbps and StackPower shares power across up to four, though neither is supported on the 48-port SFP+ model. The contract should say whether stack cabling and any XPS-2200 units are covered. Where a stack runs the integrated wireless controller, rated for up to 100 access points and 2,000 clients per switch or stack, a replacement must be restored to that role too. Scoping hardware break-fix support for a 3850 estate is simpler with an inventory of PIDs, uplink modules and supplies for each stack.
| Specification | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | 1 rack unit (RU) | cisco.com |
| Access ports | 24- or 48-port 10/100/1000 copper models (data, PoE+, UPOE). Multigigabit models are the 24XU (24 x 100M/1/2.5/5/10G) and 12X48U (48 ports, 12 of them multigigabit). Fiber models: 12- and 24-port SFP, 12- and 24-port SFP+, and a 48-port SFP+ model with 4 fixed 40G QSFP+ uplinks. | cisco.com |
| Uplinks | Five optional field-replaceable uplink network modules: 4x1G, 2x10G, 4x10G, 8x10G, or 2x40G QSFP+. Optional uplink modules are not supported on the 48-port 10G SFP+ model. | cisco.com |
| Stacking | StackWise-480 (480 Gbps stack throughput), up to nine switches. StackPower power sharing for up to four switches. Neither is supported on the 48-port SFP+ model. | cisco.com |
| Power supplies | Dual redundant modular power supplies (PWR-C1-350WAC, PWR-C1-715WAC, PWR-C1-1100WAC, PWR-C1-440WDC) and three field-replaceable fans. The 48-port SFP+ model uses its own 750 W AC supplies (PWR-C3-750WAC-R/F). | cisco.com |
| PoE | PoE+ at up to 30 W per port and Cisco UPOE at 60 W per port. Available PoE with the default supply: 435 W on the 24P/48P (715 W PSU; one shared table row); 800 W on the 48F, 24U and 48U (1100 W PSU); 580 W on the 24XU; 630 W on the 12X48U. Adding a second 1100 W supply raises the 48F/24U/48U budget to 1,900 W. | cisco.com |
| Software and wireless | Single universal Cisco IOS XE image, licensed as LAN Base, IP Base or IP Services. The integrated wireless controller supports up to 100 access points and 2,000 wireless clients per switch or stack. | cisco.com |
| Memory | 4 GB DRAM (8 GB on the 48-port SFP+ model). 2 GB flash (4 GB on the 12- and 24-port SFP+ models, 8 GB on the 48-port SFP+ model). | cisco.com |
Extend or refresh the Catalyst 3850?
Keeping 3850s on third-party maintenance is defensible where the hardware is healthy, the switches sit in controlled segments and replacement has a date. Fibre units are the easier case: Cisco may still issue security remedies for them until 30 April 2027, so pairing a planned 2027 migration with network third-party maintenance for the hardware is coherent. Copper and multigigabit units are harder to justify for long, because since 31 October 2025 Cisco's policy is not to analyse or fix vulnerabilities reported against them.
Cisco's bulletins map copper models to the Catalyst 9300, for example WS-C3850-48P-S to C9300-48P-A and WS-C3850-12X48U-S to C9300-48UXM-A, and fibre models by port type: 12S and 24S to C9300-24S, 12XS and 16XS to C9300X-12Y, 24XS and 32XS to C9300X-24Y (one ++ variant to C9300-24S) and 48XS to C9500-48Y4C. The 9300 data sheet says 3850 network modules are supported on 9300 models, so uplink modules may carry over to modular-uplink 9300s. Cisco's C9000 Smart Switch FAQ (updated 21 September 2026) adds that the C9350 'provides an upgrade path for end-of-sale Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series models', but C9350s and 3850s do not stack together.
- Check the exact PID before stating support status. Cisco's series page gives 31-Oct-2025 for the 24/48-port T, P, U and F models, the PW bundles, 24XU and 12X48U, and 30-Apr-2027 for the fiber S, XS and XS-F models. (cisco.com)
- No Cisco contract can be bought or renewed for any 3850. Renewal closed on 28 Jan 2025 for copper/mGig (EOL13188) and on 29 Jul 2026 for fiber (EOL13873). Copper units are also past their Last Date of Support, so Cisco offers them no further support. (cisco.com)
- Cisco maps copper 3850s to Catalyst 9300 models, e.g. WS-C3850-48P-S to C9300-48P-A and WS-C3850-12X48U-S to C9300-48UXM-A. (cisco.com)
- Cisco maps fiber 3850s by port type: 12S/24S to C9300-24S; 12XS/16XS to C9300X-12Y; 24XS/32XS to C9300X-24Y (one ++ variant to C9300-24S); 48XS to C9500-48Y4C. (cisco.com)
- The Catalyst 9300 data sheet states that 'Catalyst 3850 and Catalyst 9300 network modules are supported on the Catalyst 9300 models', so existing uplink modules may carry over in a migration to modular-uplink 9300s. (cisco.com)
- Cisco's C9000 Smart Switch FAQ (updated 21 Sep 2026) says the C9350 'provides an upgrade path for end-of-sale Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series models'. It also says C9350 switches and 3850 switches do not stack together. (cisco.com)
- The generic IOS XE 16.12.x EoL bulletin (EOL13547, LDoS 28 Feb 2026) says the Catalyst 3650 and 3850 are not part of that announcement. Their software timelines follow the hardware bulletins above. (cisco.com)
- The E-LLW warranty lasts 'as long as the original customer owns the product'. On discontinuance it is limited to 5 years from the announcement of discontinuance. (cisco.com)
Keep your Catalyst 3850 covered
Tell us how many you run and when your current cover ends, and we will come back with a like-for-like maintenance quote for that estate. Your model and its support status are attached to the enquiry automatically, so there is nothing to re-type.
Related models
The 3850 sits beside the 3650 in the Catalyst 3650/3850 family and shares its IOS XE 16.12 software line, including the 16.12.10a fix, but its hardware bulletins and dates are separate; the Catalyst 3650 end of life page carries the 3650's schedule. The Catalyst 3750-X is treated here as the 3850's predecessor, an inference from the Catalyst 3xxx stackable line, not something taken from a Cisco notice. Ahead of it is the Catalyst 9300, which Cisco's bulletins name for copper 3850s (see Catalyst 9300 end of life), with most fibre models mapped to C9300 or C9300X models and the 48XS to the C9500-48Y4C.
- Catalyst 3650 end of lifeEnd-of-life announced — vendor support still available
- Catalyst 2960-X end of lifeEnd-of-life announced — vendor support still available
- Catalyst 9200 end of lifeCurrent — no end-of-life announced
- Catalyst 9300 end of lifeCurrent — no end-of-life announced
- ISR 4000 Series (ISR 4321 / 4331 / 4351) end of lifeEnd-of-life announced — vendor support still available
- Nexus 9300 (first generation: 9372PX / 9372TX / 9396PX) end of lifePast the vendor’s last date of support
Look up another model in the server & network end-of-life checker, or read what third-party maintenance covers.
Questions people ask about the Catalyst 3850
Is the Catalyst 3850 end of life?
Yes for most units. Copper, PoE+, UPOE and multigigabit 3850s passed Cisco's published Last Date of Support on 31 October 2025, so Cisco no longer supports them or fixes their vulnerabilities. The fibre SKUs (12S, 24S, 12XS, 16XS, 24XS, 32XS, 48XS and 48XS-F) remain supported until 30 April 2027.
Why does Cisco's 3850 page show end of support in 2027?
The series page header shows 30-APR-2027 because of the fibre SKUs covered by EOL13873. Its Supported Models list gives 31-Oct-2025 for the copper and multigigabit models. Check your PID against that list or the bulletins before quoting either date.
Can I renew Cisco support on a 3850?
No. Cisco's renewal window closed on 28 January 2025 for copper and multigigabit models and on 29 July 2026 for fibre models, so no Cisco contract can be bought or renewed for any 3850 switch. Hardware cover can still be arranged through third-party maintenance, which generally provides diagnosis, replacement parts and engineers, and a quote can be requested.
What is the latest IOS XE release for the 3850?
The newest build in Cisco's 3850 16.12.x release notes is 16.12.14, with the notes last updated on 21 October 2025, and Cisco states it has no new hardware or software features. For copper and multigigabit units Cisco has no remaining commitment to release fixes, while fibre units may still receive security remedies until 30 April 2027.
What replaces the Cisco 3850?
Cisco's bulletins map copper 3850s to the Catalyst 9300, for example WS-C3850-48P-S to C9300-48P-A, and fibre 3850s to C9300-24S, C9300X-12Y, C9300X-24Y or C9500-48Y4C depending on port type. Cisco also describes the C9350 as an upgrade path for end-of-sale 3850 models, though C9350 and 3850 switches do not stack together.
Sources
Every date, rule and specification above was checked against these on 8 October 2026 by an independent verification pass. Vendors revise lifecycle notices; this page is re-checked by 8 January 2027.
- End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches (EOL13188) — cisco.com
- End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco C3850 Fiber SKUs (EOL13873) — cisco.com
- End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Accessories (EOL14903) — cisco.com
- Catalyst 3850 release — cisco.com
- sec.cloudapps.cisco.com — sec.cloudapps.cisco.com
- cisco.com — cisco.com
- sec.cloudapps.cisco.com — sec.cloudapps.cisco.com
- cisco.com — cisco.com
- cisco.com — cisco.com
- cisco.com — cisco.com
- cisco.com — cisco.com
Last reviewed 7 October 2026. Lifecycle dates for the Catalyst 3850 are re-verified against Cisco's own notices at each review; a date a vendor has not published is never filled in.