Is Cisco Catalyst 4500 Still Worth It? EoL, Features, and Upgrades

Introduction – Cisco Catalyst 4500 in 2025

For over two decades, the Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series has been one of the most trusted modular enterprise switches in Cisco’s portfolio. Deployed widely in campus distribution and enterprise core networks, the 4500 earned a reputation for rock-solid reliability and scalability.

However, as of 2025, the Catalyst 4500 family has officially reached End-of-Life (EoL) and will reach End-of-Support (EoS) in December 2026. Cisco has shifted its focus to newer, high-performance modular platforms under the Catalyst 9000 family, specifically the 9400, 9500, and 9600 series.

In this article, the Network-Switch.com (NS) engineering team reviews the legacy of the Catalyst 4500, its technical strengths, and what modern alternatives you should consider when planning your next network refresh.

Overview

What is the Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series?

The Catalyst 4500 was introduced in 1999 as a mid-range modular chassis switch and quickly became a cornerstone for enterprise campus networks. Over the years, it evolved through multiple iterations - including the 4500-E and 4500-X models - powered by different supervisor engines such as Sup6E, Sup7E, Sup8E, and Sup9E.

Key Characteristics:

Modular Chassis Design: 3-, 6-, and 10-slot configurations for flexible scalability.
Supervisor Engines: Provided centralized management and redundancy options.
Versatile Roles: Operated as both a distribution-layer and core-layer switch.
Operating Systems: Supported both traditional IOS and later Cisco IOS XE on newer supervisors.

Use Cases:

Campus network distribution
Large enterprise access aggregation
Government, finance, and educational backbone networks

The Catalyst 4500 was Cisco’s bridge between fixed-configuration access switches and modular enterprise cores — balancing flexibility and power.

Lifecycle – Cisco Catalyst 4500 End-of-Life Timeline

Lifecycle Stage	Date	Description
Initial Release	1999	Launch of first-generation Catalyst 4500 modular chassis
End-of-Sale (4500-X)	December 30, 2021	Final sales closure for last 4500 variants
End-of-Support (EoS)	December 31, 2026	End of Cisco TAC and software support

EoL Implications:

No further IOS XE or software enhancements after 2026.
Limited TAC support and hardware RMA options.
Spare parts availability will decrease.
Running 4500 in production may cause compliance and security exposure.

While the hardware can still operate reliably, the lack of future updates makes continued use in enterprise production environments increasingly risky.

Technical Overview – Key Features and Capabilities

Hardware Architecture:

Chassis Options: 3-slot, 6-slot, and 10-slot modular enclosures.
Supervisor Engines:Sup6E – classic IOS Sup7E/Sup8E – IOS XE capable Sup9E – high-performance 4500E support
Switching Capacity: Up to 848 Gbps (depending on chassis and supervisor).
Redundancy: Dual supervisors and hot-swappable power modules.
PoE/PoE+: Full PoE+ across access modules for IP phones and APs.

Software and Networking Features:

Layer 2/3 Routing: OSPF, EIGRP, VRF-Lite, Policy-Based Routing.
Virtual Switching System (VSS): Two chassis can operate as a single logical switch.
Security: ACLs, 802.1X, TrustSec, and MACsec (Sup8E/9E).
QoS & NetFlow: Intelligent traffic prioritization and monitoring.
IOS XE (Supervisor 8E/9E): Introduced modular programmability and automation capabilities.

Catalyst 4500 represented a true modular platform, offering high uptime, advanced redundancy, and flexibility for growing enterprise networks.

Is Cisco Catalyst 4500 Still Worth it in 2025?

Advantages:

Proven reliability in mission-critical enterprise environments.
Modular scalability and easy maintenance.
High port density and excellent uptime.
Backward compatibility with existing IOS XE-based networks.

Limitations:

Fully deprecated platform with no new features or support after 2026.
Power-intensive and physically bulky.
Limited uplink bandwidth (no 25G/40G/100G).
Incompatible with Cisco SD-Access and modern automation tools.
Lacks the energy efficiency of current-generation hardware.

NS Engineers’ Verdict: “The Catalyst 4500 remains an engineering icon - dependable, modular, and well-built. But by 2025, its EoL status and outdated architecture make it unsuitable for modern enterprise production. Cisco’s 9400, 9500, and 9600 series now deliver the same modular stability with modern speed and security.”

Why Cisco Replaced the 4500 Series?

Cisco retired the Catalyst 4500 family as part of its strategy to unify enterprise switching under the Catalyst 9000 architecture. This next-generation lineup brings higher bandwidth, integrated security, and full software-defined network automation under Cisco DNA Center.

Major Improvements in the 9000 Family:

Support for 25G/40G/100G and beyond.
Modular backplanes up to 9.6–25.6 Tbps.
Integrated telemetry, automation, and policy-based management.
Enhanced TrustSec and MACsec-256 encryption.
Unified IOS XE platform for all Catalyst models.

Evolution Path:

Catalyst 4500 → Catalyst 9400 (modular) → Catalyst 9500 / 9600 (core)

Each new generation builds upon the 4500’s legacy with enhanced programmability, power efficiency, and multi-gigabit scalability.

Recommended Upgrades – Modern Replacements for Cisco Catalyst 4500

Primary Replacement – Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series

Direct successor to the 4500, designed for enterprise modular access and distribution.
Performance: Up to 9.6 Tbps switching capacity.
Scalability: 7-slot and 10-slot chassis options.
Software: Full IOS XE with DNA Center integration and SD-Access.
Redundancy: Dual supervisors and power modules for nonstop operation.
Security: TrustSec, MACsec, and Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA).
Ideal for large campus networks and modular aggregation.

Alternative High-End Replacements

Series	Target Environment	Key Highlights
Cisco Catalyst 9500	Enterprise Core / Aggregation	Fixed-core switch supporting 40G/100G, StackWise Virtual, and SD-Core integration.
Cisco Catalyst 9600	Large Enterprise Core	Modular chassis design up to 25.6 Tbps, 400G-ready, advanced redundancy, full automation.

Other Options:

Catalyst 9300: For smaller enterprise access upgrades with fixed configurations.
Juniper EX4600 / HPE Aruba 8400: Competing modular enterprise alternatives.

NS Recommendation: For organizations currently relying on Catalyst 4500 infrastructure, the Catalyst 9400 is the most direct successor. For high-performance core networks, upgrade to 9500 or 9600 to achieve full SD-Access and long-term scalability.

Comparison – Catalyst 4500 vs 9400 vs 9500 vs 9600

Feature	Catalyst 4500	Catalyst 9400	Catalyst 9500	Catalyst 9600
Architecture	Modular chassis	Modular chassis	Fixed-core	Modular chassis
Software Platform	IOS / IOS XE	IOS XE	IOS XE	IOS XE
Performance	Up to 848 Gbps	Up to 9.6 Tbps	Up to 6.4 Tbps	Up to 25.6 Tbps
Uplink Options	1G / 10G	25G / 40G / 100G	40G / 100G	40G / 100G / 400G
PoE Support	PoE+	UPOE / UPOE+	N/A (core switch)	N/A (core switch)
DNA Center Support	Partial	Full SD-Access	Full SD-Core	Full SD-Core
Target Use	Distribution / Core	Modular Access / Distribution	Core / Aggregation	Enterprise Core

The 9400 continues the 4500’s modular design philosophy, while the 9500 and 9600 extend Cisco’s capabilities to full SD-Core automation and terabit-level throughput.

FAQs – Cisco Catalyst 4500 EoL and Upgrade Path

Q1: When did the Cisco Catalyst 4500 reach End-of-Life?
A: The last models were discontinued in December 2021, with Cisco support ending December 2026.

Q2: Can I still use the 4500 in production?
A: Yes, but not recommended. Security risks, lack of updates, and compliance concerns outweigh its reliability.

Q3: What is the best replacement for Catalyst 4500?
A: The Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series is the official modular successor.

Q4: Should I upgrade to 9500 or 9600 instead?
A: Yes, if your 4500 functions as a core or high-performance distribution switch.

Q5: Does Catalyst 4500 support Cisco DNA Center?
A: Only basic monitoring; no automation or SD-Access integration.

Q6: What OS does it run?
A: Older models run IOS; newer supervisors (Sup8E/9E) support IOS XE.

Q7: Is the 4500 still useful for labs or training?
A: Yes, it’s a great choice for CCIE or enterprise network simulation environments.

Q8: What’s the long-term Cisco upgrade roadmap?
A: Move to 9400 for modular deployments or 9500/9600 for core and aggregation upgrades.

Summary

The Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series defined modular switching for more than twenty years. Its durability and scalability earned it a place in countless enterprise networks worldwide. But by 2025, it is time to move forward.

Still valuable for labs and legacy scenarios.
Support ending in 2026 with limited parts availability.
Recommended upgrades: Catalyst 9400 for modular enterprise access/distribution. Catalyst 9500 for fixed-core enterprise aggregation. Catalyst 9600 for large-scale enterprise core networks.

NS engineers recommend transitioning from the 4500 to the 9400/9500/9600 series for better performance, enhanced security, and future-ready network automation.

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