Uplinks are where used-switch quotes most often go wrong, because an uplink is three separate purchases that people treat as one: the network module that provides the cages, the transceiver that goes in a cage, and the cable or fibre between them. A decommissioned switch frequently arrives with all three stripped out, and none of them is implied by the switch SKU.
Everything below is platform capability from Cisco’s published data sheets. It is not a statement about what any particular unit includes — that is confirmed when we quote.
First question: fixed or modular?
Some Catalyst models have their uplinks built in and some take a field-replaceable module. This cannot be changed later, so it is a design decision rather than a configuration one.
| Catalyst 9200L | Fixed. Cisco lists 4x 1G or 4x 1/10G fixed uplinks depending on SKU. |
|---|---|
| Catalyst 9200 | Modular uplink options with field-replaceable network modules. |
| Catalyst 9300L | Fixed. 4x 10G/1G fixed uplinks. |
| Catalyst 9300 / 9300X | Modular. Network modules are ordered separately. |
| Catalyst 9500 | Uplinks are part of the fixed configuration of each model. |
Modules Cisco lists for the 9300 family
- C9300X-NM-8Y — 8x 25G/10G/1G.
- C9300X-NM-2C — 2x 100G/40G.
- C9300-NM-2Q — 2x 40G.
On the 9500, the uplinks come with the model: Cisco lists C9500-24Y4C as 24x 1/10/25G plus 4x 40/100G uplinks, and C9500-48Y4C as 48 ports plus 4x 40/100G. The 9500X models go further, to 40/100/200/400G. On the Nexus 9300 platform the pattern is similar — for example 48x 1/10-Gbps SFP+ with 6x 40-Gbps QSFP+ on the N9372PX, and up to 12x 40-Gbps QSFP+ on the N9396PX.
Form factors, plainly
The cage determines what you can plug in:
- SFP — 1G.
- SFP+ — 10G. Accepts 1G SFP in most cases, which is why a 10G uplink is often the safer buy.
- SFP28 — 25G, and the reason a module listed as “25G/10G/1G” can step down.
- QSFP+ — 40G.
- QSFP28 — 100G, and usually able to run at 40G.
Beyond the cage, a transceiver is also specified by reach and media — short-reach multimode, long-reach single-mode, and the various BASE-T copper options. The distance between the two ends decides this, and it is worth confirming before ordering rather than after.
Compatibility: check it against Cisco, not against a price list
Cisco publishes an Optics Compatibility Matrix at tmgmatrix.cisco.com, which is the authoritative place to confirm that a given transceiver is supported on a given platform and software release. Use it before you commit to a part number.
Two things to be aware of on the secondary market. First, transceivers are coded, and a module coded for one vendor’s equipment is not automatically accepted by another’s. Second, software release matters as much as hardware — support for a particular optic can depend on the version running on the switch. Tell us whether you need Cisco-coded optics specifically and we will confirm what can be supplied with the units quoted.
What is routinely missing from used stock
None of the following is implied by a switch model number, and all of them are commonly absent from decommissioned equipment:
- The uplink network module itself.
- Transceivers in the uplink cages.
- DAC or AOC cables, and fibre patch leads.
- Stacking modules and stacking cables.
- The second power supply — which on a PoE switch also changes the power budget. See PoE on Cisco switches.
This is not a criticism of used hardware; it is simply what a quote has to pin down. Ask for it explicitly and it gets quoted explicitly.
What a quote confirms
Individual networking products are not listed on this site. Availability of any particular model is confirmed by quote rather than published here, so the fastest route is to request a quote. Our sales engineers will confirm, for the specific units offered: which uplink module is fitted or can be supplied, which transceivers are included, the coding on those transceivers, and whether cables are part of the quote.
What to tell us
- Uplink speed — 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G or 100G.
- How many uplinks — and whether they need to be the same speed.
- Distance and media — the run length, and whether it is multimode, single-mode or copper.
- Coding — whether Cisco-coded optics are required.
- What it connects to — the device at the far end, which often decides the answer.
- Cables — whether DAC, AOC or patch leads should be included.
- Quantity — and whether it is a one-off or a repeat requirement.
Put the technical detail in the Quote Details field and the volume in Estimated Quantity.
Related: the 9200 vs 9300 vs 9500 comparison and the Cisco Nexus range. See all ranges on the networking hub. Networking equipment bought through a TekBoost quote carries our standard 3-year warranty — buying by quote rather than from an online listing makes no difference to cover — subject to the terms, exclusions and conditions on that page. Manufacturer warranty, software licensing and support entitlements are separate and are not included.