Cisco Catalyst 8200 Series Routers – Secure, Scalable Edge Platforms

The Cisco Catalyst 8200 Series routers deliver a powerful, integrated edge networking solution for small and midsize enterprise branch offices.

Built on Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN software and powered by high-performance multicore processors, these Cisco integrated routers combine secure SD-WAN, advanced routing, and on-box security services in a compact 1 RU form factor.

With support for SASE-compliant cloud security, container-based NGFW, and flexible interface options, the Catalyst 8200 Series addresses the demands of modern enterprise-grade wired routers, enabling zero-touch provisioning, dynamic core allocation, and scalable performance up to 1 Gbps IPsec throughput.

Models Overview

Specifications

Feature	C8200-1N-4T	C8200L-1N-4T
CPU & DRAM	8-core Intel x86, 8 GB DRAM (expandable to 32 GB)	4-core Intel x86, 4 GB DRAM (expandable to 32 GB)
IPsec VPN Acceleration	Up to 1 Gbps	Up to 500 Mbps
SD-WAN Overlay Tunnels	Scales to 2,500 tunnels	Scales to 1,500 tunnels
Built-in WAN Ports	4× 1 GbE WAN (2 SFP + 2 RJ-45)	4× 1 GbE WAN (2 SFP + 2 RJ-45)
Onboard Flash & M.2 Storage	8 GB flash + 16 GB M.2 (upgradable to 600 GB NVMe)	8 GB flash; M.2 optional (up to 600 GB NVMe)
Form Factor & Slots	1 RU; 1 NIM + 1 PIM	1 RU; 1 NIM + 1 PIM
Integrated Security Services	NGFW, IPS/IDS, AMP, URLF, SIG (container-based optional)	SASE-compliant cloud security only
Power Supply	Fixed AC; optional PoE via NIM	Fixed AC; no PoE option
Software	Cisco IOS XE 17.4.1 (min)	Cisco IOS XE 17.5.1 (min)

Core Features

High-Performance Multicore ProcessorsC8200-1N-4T: 8-core CPU with 8 GB DRAM; C8200L-1N-4T: 4-core CPU with 4 GB DRAM Dynamic core allocation repurposes unused cores for forwarding or container services
C8200-1N-4T: 8-core CPU with 8 GB DRAM; C8200L-1N-4T: 4-core CPU with 4 GB DRAM
Dynamic core allocation repurposes unused cores for forwarding or container services
Embedded IPsec VPN AccelerationHardware-based cryptography delivers up to 1 Gbps IPsec on C8200-1N-4T, 500 Mbps on C8200L-1N-4T Supports SSL acceleration for secure remote access
Hardware-based cryptography delivers up to 1 Gbps IPsec on C8200-1N-4T, 500 Mbps on C8200L-1N-4T
Supports SSL acceleration for secure remote access
Integrated SD-WAN & SD-RoutingCisco Catalyst SD-WAN services with policy-driven overlay tunnels Scales to 2,500 tunnels for C8200-1N-4T, 1,500 for C8200L-1N-4T
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN services with policy-driven overlay tunnels
Scales to 2,500 tunnels for C8200-1N-4T, 1,500 for C8200L-1N-4T
On-Box Security & SASE ComplianceNGFW, IPS/IDS, Advanced Malware Protection, URL Filtering, and Cisco Umbrella SIG Container-based security apps on C8200-1N-4T; cloud-based only on C8200L-1N-4T
NGFW, IPS/IDS, Advanced Malware Protection, URL Filtering, and Cisco Umbrella SIG
Container-based security apps on C8200-1N-4T; cloud-based only on C8200L-1N-4T
Flexible Interface OptionsFour built-in 1 GbE WAN ports (2 SFP, 2 RJ-45) plus NIM/PIM slots for expansion USB and M.2 storage options for logging, containers, and OS images
Four built-in 1 GbE WAN ports (2 SFP, 2 RJ-45) plus NIM/PIM slots for expansion
USB and M.2 storage options for logging, containers, and OS images
Trustworthy Solutions 2.0Secure Boot, Secure Unique Device Identification (SUDI), hardware root of trust Ensures platform integrity from factory to runtime
Secure Boot, Secure Unique Device Identification (SUDI), hardware root of trust
Ensures platform integrity from factory to runtime
Zero-Touch Provisioning & AutomationPowered by Cisco IOS XE’s programmable API architecture for large-scale automation Integrates with Cisco DNA Center and Catalyst SD-WAN Manager
Powered by Cisco IOS XE’s programmable API architecture for large-scale automation
Integrates with Cisco DNA Center and Catalyst SD-WAN Manager

Competitor Comparison

Feature	Cisco Catalyst 8200-1N-4T	Fortinet FortiGate 60F	Juniper SRX300
CPU & DRAM	8-core x86, 8 GB (up to 32 GB)	SoC4 + SPU, 1 GB DRAM	1× RISC CPU, 4 GB DRAM
IPsec VPN Throughput	Up to 1 Gbps	Up to 6.5 Gbps	Up to 336 Mbps
SD-WAN Capabilities	Policy-driven overlay, 2,500 tunnels	Secure SD-WAN via FortiOS	Integrated, AI-driven SD-WAN
Integrated Security	NGFW, IPS/IDS, AMP, URLF, SIG	NGFW, IPS, application control	NGFW, IPS, UI-driven security policies
Form Factor	1 RU rack-mountable	Desktop, fanless	Desktop
Interface Expansion	NIM & PIM slots	USB, Wi-Fi (FortiWiFi variant)	No modular slots
Management Platform	Cisco DNA Center, SD-WAN Manager	FortiManager, FortiCloud	Juniper Mist, Junos Space

Technical Guides

Site Survey & Placement
Perform an RF and network assessment to determine optimal rack-mount locations, link budgets, and module requirements.
Core Allocation ModesService-Plane Heavy: Balanced CPU allocation for containerized services (default on C8200-1N-4T). Data-Plane Heavy: Maximizes forwarding performance by dedicating cores to data plane. Switch with platform hardware multicore data-plane command.
Service-Plane Heavy: Balanced CPU allocation for containerized services (default on C8200-1N-4T).
Data-Plane Heavy: Maximizes forwarding performance by dedicating cores to data plane. Switch with platform hardware multicore data-plane command.
Security Configuration
security ngfw security profile global policy url-filtering enable malware-defense enable exit
SD-WAN Setup
sdwan overlay name branch-overlay interface GigabitEthernet0/0/0 color biz-internet vpn id 1 exit
Memory & Storage UpgradesDRAM: Add MEM-C8200-16GB or MEM-C8200-32GB modules Storage: Upgrade M.2 USB SSD to 32 GB or M.2 NVMe SED to 600 GB
DRAM: Add MEM-C8200-16GB or MEM-C8200-32GB modules
Storage: Upgrade M.2 USB SSD to 32 GB or M.2 NVMe SED to 600 GB
Firmware Maintenance
Use Cisco DNA Center or request platform software package install for zero-impact rolling upgrades on IOS XE 17.x.

CLI Configuration

Enable SD-WAN Feature

configure terminal

sdwan

Create an SD-WAN Overlay

configure terminal

sdwan

overlay name branch-overlay

vpn id 1

Configure WAN Interfaces for Color-Based Routing

configure terminal

interface GigabitEthernet0/0/0

description Internet-Link

sdwan transport interface color biz-internet

no shutdown

exit

interface GigabitEthernet0/0/1

description MPLS-Link

sdwan transport interface color biz-mpls

no shutdown

Set Up IPsec VPN Profile

configure terminal

crypto ikev2 proposal ipsec-prop

encryption aes-gcm

integrity sha256

group 14

exit

crypto ipsec profile sdwan-ipsec

set ikev2 ipsec-prop

exit

Apply IPsec Profile to Tunnel

configure terminal

interface Tunnel0

ip address 10.1.1.1 255.255.255.252

tunnel source GigabitEthernet0/0/0

tunnel destination 203.0.113.2

tunnel mode ipsec ipv4

tunnel protection ipsec profile sdwan-ipsec

Enable NGFW and Security Policies

configure terminal

security ngfw

exit

configure terminal

policy-map type inspect SASE-POLICY

class type inspect HTTP

signature exception default

Real Case Studies and Scenarios

Retail Branch Deployment
A national retailer deployed 150× C8200L-1N-4T routers across 100 small-format stores. Zero-touch provisioning cut rollout time by 60%, while SD-WAN delivered sub-50 ms failover between MPLS and broadband links.
Healthcare Clinic Network
A multi-site clinic leveraged C8200-1N-4T’s containerized NGFW to run Cisco Umbrella SIG and Cisco Secure Malware Analytics onsite. They achieved 1 Gbps IPsec throughput for telemedicine services, ensuring HIPAA-compliant data security.
Manufacturing Facility WAN Modernization
An automotive parts supplier integrated C8200-1N-4T routers with Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, consolidating 200 remote sites. Dynamic core allocation reduced CPU usage by 30% when container services were idle, maximizing throughput during production-line data bursts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between C8200 and C8200L models?
C8200-1N-4T features an 8-core CPU with container-based on-box security and 1 Gbps IPsec acceleration; C8200L-1N-4T uses a 4-core CPU, cloud-based SASE security only, 500 Mbps IPsec.
How many SD-WAN overlay tunnels can I configure?
Up to 2,500 tunnels on C8200-1N-4T and 1,500 on C8200L-1N-4T for secure, policy-driven overlay connectivity.
Which IOS XE release is required?
Minimum versions: 17.4.1 for C8200-1N-4T and 17.5.1 for C8200L-1N-4T.
Can I upgrade the DRAM and flash storage?
Yes—DRAM can be expanded to 32 GB; M.2 USB SSD can be upgraded to 600 GB NVMe for logging and container apps.
What power options are supported?
Both models include a fixed AC power supply. PoE is optional on C8200-1N-4T via a PoE NIM module.
How do I provision zero-touch?
Integrate with Cisco DNA Center or Catalyst SD-WAN Manager; include a site-specific PnP image and the devices self-provision upon network connection.
What on-box security services are available?
Container-based NGFW, IPS/IDS, AMP, URL filtering, and Cisco Umbrella SIG on C8200-1N-4T; cloud-SASE only on C8200L-1N-4T.

Conclusion

The Cisco Catalyst 8200 Series routers provide a comprehensive wired router solution for branch and edge deployments, uniting SD-WAN, advanced IOS XE routing, and integrated security in a compact, enterprise-grade platform.

With dynamic core allocation, container-based NGFW, and SASE-compliant options, these routers empower IT teams to deliver secure, high-performance connectivity while simplifying management and accelerating time to service.

Whether upgrading existing infrastructure or deploying new branch offices, the Catalyst 8200 Series offers unmatched flexibility, scalability, and security for modern enterprise networks.

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