Cisco Catalyst 9500 End of Life: Dates by SKU

Cisco Catalyst 9500 support dates

Every row names its basis. A third-party tracker date is not the vendor’s own, and “not published” means exactly that.
Milestone	Date	Basis	Source
End-of-Life Announcement Date (C9500-12Q / C9500-24Q / C9500-40X, EOL15039)	30 April 2023	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15039 (Amended, updated 8 Nov 2024): EoS/EoL Announcement for C9500 selected Switch Models C9500-12Q, C9500-24Q and C9500-40X
End-of-Sale Date: HW (C9500-12Q / -24Q / -40X, incl. C9500-48X-A/-E bundles)	30 April 2024	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15039 (Amended)
Last Ship Date: HW (C9500-12Q / -24Q / -40X)	30 July 2024	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15039 (Amended)
End of SW Maintenance Releases Date: HW (C9500-12Q / -24Q / -40X)	30 April 2025	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15039 (Amended)
End of New Service Attachment Date: HW (C9500-12Q / -24Q / -40X)	30 April 2025	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15039 (Amended)
End of Service Contract Renewal Date: HW (C9500-12Q / -24Q / -40X)	29 July 2028	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15039 (Amended)
End of Vulnerability/Security Support: HW (C9500-12Q / -24Q / -40X)	30 April 2029	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15039 (Amended)
Last Date of Support: HW (C9500-12Q / -24Q / -40X)	30 April 2029	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15039 (Amended)
End-of-Life Announcement Date (C9500-16X, C9500-NM-8X, C9500-NM-2Q, EOL15621)	30 April 2025	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15621: EoS/EoL Announcement for the Cisco C9500-16X Switch and Network Modules C9500-NM-8X and C9500-NM-2Q
End-of-Sale Date: HW (C9500-16X, C9500-24X-A/-E bundles, C9500-NM-8X/NM-2Q, PWR-C4-950WAC-R/950WDC-R PSUs, FAN-T4-R= fan, accessory kits)	30 April 2026	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15621
Last Ship Date: HW (C9500-16X family, EOL15621)	30 July 2026	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15621
End of SW Maintenance Releases Date: HW (C9500-16X family)	30 April 2027	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15621
End of New Service Attachment Date: HW (C9500-16X family)	30 April 2027	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15621
End of Service Contract Renewal Date: HW (C9500-16X family)	29 July 2030	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15621
End of Vulnerability/Security Support: HW (C9500-16X family)	30 April 2031	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15621
Last Date of Support: HW (C9500-16X family)	30 April 2031	Vendor-published	Cisco EOL15621
End-of-Sale (high-performance C9500-32C / -32QC / -48Y4C / -24Y4C)	—	Not yet announcedCisco's Catalyst 9500 EoL notice listing (checked 2026-10-08) has hardware notices only for C9500-12Q/24Q/40X (EOL15039) and C9500-16X (EOL15621). All other entries are IOS XE release or licence notices.	Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches - End-of-Life and End-of-Sale Notices

Where the Cisco Catalyst 9500 stands today

Which 9500 you own decides which table applies, because Cisco sets these dates per product ID rather than per serial number. EOL15039, announced on 30 April 2023 and amended in November 2024, covers the 40-port 10G C9500-40X, the 12-port 40G C9500-12Q, the 24-port 40G C9500-24Q and the C9500-48X-A/-E bundles. Sale ended on 30 April 2024, and End of Software Maintenance Releases and End of New Service Attachment both fell on 30 April 2025. Existing contracts can be renewed until 29 July 2028, and 30 April 2029 is both the End of Vulnerability/Security Support date and the Last Date of Support.

The C9500-16X runs on a later schedule. EOL15621, announced on 30 April 2025, ended sale on 30 April 2026 of the 16X, the C9500-24X-A/-E bundles, the C9500-NM-8X and NM-2Q network modules, the PWR-C4-950WAC-R and PWR-C4-950WDC-R power supplies, the FAN-T4-R= fan and accessory kits. For the 16X family, software maintenance releases and new contract attachment continue to 30 April 2027, renewals to 29 July 2030, and security support and the Last Date of Support to 30 April 2031. To place your own unit, read the PID from its label and find it in Table 2 of EOL15039 or EOL15621. A PID in neither table had no announced hardware end of life as of 8 October 2026; for the rest of an estate, start from the server and network end-of-life checker.

Cisco Catalyst 9500: lifecycle on one axis

Dated milestones are placed only where a source gives the date; milestones the vendor has not dated are listed beneath the axis rather than guessed. Blue = vendor-published, amber = third-party tracker, violet = derived from a vendor policy. Checked 8 October 2026.

Finding the date for your own unit

Cisco dates are set per product ID (PID), not per serial. Read the PID on the switch label and match it against Table 2 of EOL15039 (https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-9500-series-switches/c9500-12q-c9500-24q-c9500-40x-eol.html) for 12Q/24Q/40X/48X, or EOL15621 (https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-9500-series-switches/c9500-16x-switch-nm-c9500-nm-8x-nm-2q-eol.pdf) for 16X/24X, network modules, PSUs and fans. A PID in neither table (e.g. C9500-48Y4C, -32C, -32QC, -24Y4C) had no announced hardware EoL as of 2026-10-08.

What still works after Cisco support ends

For the C9500-12Q, -24Q and -40X, the last supported IOS XE release is 17.18 Extended Maintenance; 17.18.1 is the last Software Maintenance release, after which only Vulnerability and Security Support (PSIRT) continues for later 17.18 EM releases. EOL15621 names 17.18 Extended Maintenance as the last supported IOS XE release on the C9500-16X too. Software updates are a contract entitlement: for contracts created before Cisco rebranded SNTC as Cisco Support on 15 June 2025, section 2.3 ('Software Download') of the SNTC service description covers operating system updates, work-around solutions and patches to reported software problems, and later contracts follow the Cisco Support service description.

An uncovered 12Q, 24Q or 40X can no longer be added to a Cisco contract, since new service attachment closed on 30 April 2025, while a 16X or its network modules can be attached until 30 April 2027. Without a contract, you can ask Cisco TAC for a free update on an exception basis, citing the advisory URL and serial numbers; Cisco decides 'on a case-by-case basis', and such updates are typically limited to Critical- and High-severity vulnerabilities. Once each Last Date of Support passes, Cisco's PSIRT policy says it will keep accepting vulnerability reports but will not analyse, fix or disclose them, nor issue CVEs for the product. For hardware cover outside Cisco's windows, see an alternative to Cisco SmartNet.

Last software for the original models: Cisco says the last supported IOS XE release for C9500-12Q, C9500-24Q and C9500-40X is IOS XE 17.18 EM (Extended Maintenance). The last Software Maintenance release is 17.18.1; after that only Vulnerability and Security Support (PSIRT) continues for later 17.18 EM releases. (cisco.com)
C9500-16X: 'The last supported IOS XE release on C9500-16X is IOS XE 17.18 Extended Maintenance Release' (EOL15621 note). (cisco.com)
Software updates are a contract entitlement. Section 2.3 'Software Download' of Cisco's Smart Net Total Care service description covers 'Operating system updates, work-around solutions, or patches to reported Software problems'. That description applies to SNTC contracts created before 15 Jun 2025, when Cisco rebranded SNTC as 'Cisco Support'; later contracts follow the Cisco Support service description. (cisco.com)
Without a contract: customers ask Cisco TAC for a free update on an exception basis, citing the advisory URL (plus serial numbers). Cisco decides 'on a case-by-case basis', and 'Free software updates will typically be limited to Critical- and High-severity vulnerabilities.' (sec.cloudapps.cisco.com)
After the Last Date of Support (2029-04-30 for 12Q/24Q/40X; 2031-04-30 for 16X), Cisco PSIRT 'will continue to accept vulnerability reports' but 'will not analyze, fix, or disclose potential vulnerabilities', and will not issue CVEs for the product. (sec.cloudapps.cisco.com)

Vendor support you can still buy

Cisco Support (rebrand of Smart Net Total Care, effective 15 June 2025) — Cisco's service-and-support contract. For these models, eligibility is bounded by the bulletin dates in the next entries. (cisco.com)
Contract renewal only - C9500-12Q/24Q/40X (until 2028-07-29) — New service attachment closed 2025-04-30. (cisco.com)
New contract attachment - C9500-16X / NM-8X / NM-2Q (until 2027-04-30; renewals until 2030-07-29) (cisco.com)

What a maintenance contract needs to cover on the Cisco Catalyst 9500

Cisco removed the C9500-12Q, -24Q and -40X from the live Catalyst 9500 data sheet on 12 December 2024 because they are end of sale, so asset records for them should rest on the bulletin's descriptions and on the PIDs and parts installed in each unit. The C9500-16X is still documented: 16 ports of 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet on SFP/SFP+, a UADP 2.0 ASIC and up to 480 Gbps of switching capacity, and its network modules are the C9500-NM-8X (eight 1/10GE SFP/SFP+) and the C9500-NM-2Q (two 40GE QSFP+).

Cisco's current data sheet describes dual 1+1 redundant AC or DC power supplies with one shipped by default, and the 16X uses the 950W PWR-C4-950WAC-R or PWR-C4-950WDC-R, so record whether the second bay is filled. For the 16X network modules, those supplies, the FAN-T4-R= fan and the rack kits, EOL15621 states 'There is currently no replacement product available for this product', which matters for spares holding. StackWise Virtual runs two 9500s as one logical switch, so list both members on the same contract. Network third-party maintenance generally supplies fault diagnosis, replacement parts and engineers, with cover able to continue once Cisco's dates have passed.

Cisco Catalyst 9500: what to tell a maintenance provider

The hardware facts a maintenance quote is priced on, printed in the vendor's own wording from its specification documents (cited in Sources). Nothing on this plate is estimated; facts the vendor does not state are left off rather than filled in.

Cisco Catalyst 9500 hardware, from Cisco’s own specification documents
Specification	Detail	Source
Original model port configurations	C9500-40X: 40-port 10Gig switch; C9500-12Q: 12-port 40G switch; C9500-24Q: 24-port 40G switch (Cisco's product descriptions in the EoL bulletin)	cisco.com
C9500-16X	16-port 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet with SFP/SFP+, UADP 2.0 ASIC, switching capacity up to 480 Gbps	cisco.com
Network modules (C9500-16X)	C9500-NM-8X: 8-port 1/10GE SFP/SFP+; C9500-NM-2Q: 2-port 40GE QSFP+	cisco.com
Power	Dual 1+1 redundant power supplies (AC or DC); ships with one power supply by default. C9500-16X uses PWR-C4-950WAC-R / PWR-C4-950WDC-R (950W).	cisco.com
Stacking	Cisco StackWise Virtual (two switches as one logical switch; Multichassis EtherChannel across members)	cisco.com
High-performance models (no EoL announced)	1 RU, UADP 3.0: C9500-32C (32x 100GE), C9500-32QC (32x 40GE or 16x 100GE), C9500-48Y4C (48x 1/10/25GE + 4x 40/100GE uplinks), C9500-24Y4C (24x 1/10/25GE + 4x 40/100GE uplinks)	cisco.com

Extend or refresh the Cisco Catalyst 9500?

For a C9500-16X, staying put is straightforward for now: security support runs to 30 April 2031, a Cisco contract can be attached until 30 April 2027, and Cisco says remanufactured 16X units from Cisco Refresh 'may be available in limited supply' in certain countries until the Last Date of Support. The 12Q, 24Q and 40X keep security support until 30 April 2029, but their End of Software Maintenance Releases date passed on 30 April 2025 and IOS XE 17.18 EM is their last supported release, so extending them on hardware maintenance suits sites where that software already does what is needed.

The case for refresh strengthens as 2029 approaches, because after their Last Date of Support Cisco stops fixing the original three's vulnerabilities. EOL15039 names the C9500-32QC for the 12Q, the C9500-32C for the 24Q and the C9500-48Y4C for the 40X and the 48X bundles; EOL15621 names the C9500-24Y4C for every 16X and 24X bundle PID. To keep the remaining switches covered during the refresh, a quote can be requested from the maintenance coverage builder.

Cisco removed C9500-12Q/24Q/40X from the current Catalyst 9500 data sheet on 12 Dec 2024 ('Removed references to C9500-12Q/24Q/40X as the switch models are end of sale'). Specifications for those three models are no longer published in the live data sheet. (cisco.com)
EOL15621 names C9500-24Y4C as the replacement for every C9500-16X and C9500-24X bundle PID. (cisco.com)
EOL15621 also ended sale of the C9500-NM-8X / NM-2Q network modules, the PWR-C4-950WAC-R / 950WDC-R power supplies, the FAN-T4-R= fan, blanks and rack accessory kits. For each, Cisco lists 'There is currently no replacement product available for this product', which matters for spares holding. (cisco.com)
Uncovered C9500-12Q/24Q/40X units can no longer be added to a Cisco contract (End of New Service Attachment 2025-04-30). Existing contracts can be renewed until 2028-07-29. (cisco.com)
Cisco says remanufactured C9500-16X units (Cisco Refresh) 'may be available in limited supply' in certain countries, first come first served, until the Last Date of Support. (cisco.com)
Cisco's Catalyst 9500 support page lists the series status as 'Available' (series release date 20-JUN-2017). Model-specific EoL notices exist only for the original 12Q/24Q/40X and 16X switches. (cisco.com)

Cisco Catalyst 9500: what came before and what replaces it

The successor shown is the one the vendor names in its own end-of-life notice. No predecessor is shown because none could be sourced.

Keep your Cisco Catalyst 9500 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.

Cisco maintenance in detail →

Since Cisco released the series on 20 June 2017, the Catalyst 9500 has split into two lifecycles. The original 12Q, 24Q, 40X and 16X carry announced end-of-life dates, while the 1 RU, UADP 3.0 high-performance models do not: the C9500-32C (32 x 100GE), C9500-32QC (32 x 40GE or 16 x 100GE), C9500-48Y4C (48 x 1/10/25GE plus four 40/100GE uplinks) and C9500-24Y4C (24 x 1/10/25GE plus four 40/100GE uplinks). Cisco's support page still lists the series as 'Available'. For another Catalyst line, see Catalyst 9300 end of life.

Where the Cisco Catalyst 9500 sits against related models

Each bar runs from release to the milestone that marks end of support for the model as a whole. Amber bars end on a third-party tracker's date, not the vendor's. A dashed open end means no end date is published — not that support is indefinite. Component and accessory dates (a management controller, a power module) are not treated as the model's.

Look up another model in the server & network end-of-life checker, or read what third-party maintenance covers.

Questions people ask about the Cisco Catalyst 9500

Is the Cisco Catalyst 9500 end of life?

Partly. Cisco has announced end of life for the original models: the C9500-12Q, -24Q and -40X went end of sale on 30 April 2024 and are supported until 30 April 2029, and the C9500-16X went end of sale on 30 April 2026 and is supported until 30 April 2031. The high-performance C9500-32C, -32QC, -48Y4C and -24Y4C had no announced hardware end of life as of 8 October 2026.

When does Cisco stop supporting the C9500-40X?

Cisco's EOL15039 sets the Last Date of Support for the C9500-40X, and for the 12Q and 24Q, at 30 April 2029, the same day its security support ends. Existing Cisco contracts on these switches can be renewed until 29 July 2028, but an uncovered unit has not been able to join a Cisco contract since 30 April 2025.

What is the last IOS XE release for the original Catalyst 9500 models?

Cisco names IOS XE 17.18 Extended Maintenance as the last supported release for the C9500-12Q, -24Q and -40X, with 17.18.1 as the last Software Maintenance release; later 17.18 EM releases bring Vulnerability and Security Support (PSIRT) fixes only. EOL15621 also names 17.18 Extended Maintenance as the last supported IOS XE release on the C9500-16X.

What replaced the C9500-16X and C9500-40X?

EOL15621 names the C9500-24Y4C as the replacement for every C9500-16X and C9500-24X bundle PID. EOL15039 names the C9500-48Y4C for the 40X and the 48X bundles, the C9500-32QC for the 12Q and the C9500-32C for the 24Q.

Can I get third-party maintenance for a Catalyst 9500?

A quote can be requested. Third-party maintenance generally provides fault diagnosis, replacement parts and engineers, and can carry on after Cisco's dates pass. Because Cisco lists no replacement product for the 16X network modules, 950W supplies or FAN-T4-R= fan, ask how those spares will be sourced.

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.

Cisco EOL15039 (Amended, updated 8 Nov 2024): EoS/EoL Announcement for C9500 selected Switch Models C9500-12Q, C9500-24Q and C9500-40X — cisco.com
Cisco EOL15621: EoS/EoL Announcement for the Cisco C9500-16X Switch and Network Modules C9500-NM-8X and C9500-NM-2Q — cisco.com
Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches - End-of-Life and End-of-Sale Notices — cisco.com
Cisco Catalyst 9500 release — cisco.com
Cisco Support (rebrand of Smart Net Total Care, effective 15 June 2025) — cisco.com
sec.cloudapps.cisco.com — sec.cloudapps.cisco.com
cisco.com — cisco.com

Last reviewed 7 October 2026. Lifecycle dates for the Cisco Catalyst 9500 are re-verified against Cisco's own notices at each review; a date a vendor has not published is never filled in.