Is the Cisco Catalyst 4500 Still Worth Considering? EoL Status, Features, and Upgrade Advice for 2025

Introduction – Cisco Catalyst 4500 in 2025

For more than twenty years, the Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series has served as a dependable modular enterprise switch in Cisco’s portfolio. Deployed extensively across campus distribution and enterprise core networks, it established a legacy of robust reliability and scalability.

By 2025, however, the Catalyst 4500 family has officially reached End-of-Life (EoL), with End-of-Support (EoS) set for December 2026. Cisco has redirected its focus toward newer, high-performance modular platforms in the Catalyst 9000 series, notably the 9400, 9500, and 9600 models.

In this article, the telecomate.com engineering team evaluates the Catalyst 4500’s heritage, its technical advantages, and contemporary alternatives to ponder for your next network upgrade.

Overview​

What is the Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series?

Launched in 1999, the Catalyst 4500 debuted as a mid-range modular chassis switch and soon became a staple for enterprise campus networks. It progressed through several generations—including the 4500-E and 4500-X versions—powered by supervisor engines like Sup6E, Sup7E, Sup8E, and Sup9E.

Key Characteristics:​

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

Use Cases:​

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

The Catalyst 4500 acted as Cisco’s bridge between fixed-configuration access switches and modular enterprise cores, balancing adaptability with performance.

Lifecycle – Cisco Catalyst 4500 End-of-Life Timeline

EoL Implications:​

• No further IOS XE or software enhancements post-2026.
• Limited TAC support and hardware RMA options.
• Spare parts availability will decline.
• Operating 4500 in production may raise compliance and security risks.

While the hardware can still function reliably, the absence of future updates makes prolonged use in enterprise environments increasingly hazardous.

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 (varies by 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 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.

The Catalyst 4500 delivered a genuine modular platform, providing high uptime, advanced redundancy, and flexibility for expanding enterprise networks.

Is Cisco Catalyst 4500 Still Worth it in 2025?​

Advantages:​

• Proven reliability in mission-critical enterprise environments.
• Modular scalability and straightforward maintenance.
• High port density and exceptional 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 (lacks 25G/40G/100G).
• Incompatible with Cisco SD-Access and modern automation tools.
• Lacks the energy efficiency of current-generation hardware.

telecomate.com Engineers’ Verdict:​ “The Catalyst 4500 remains an engineering icon—dependable, modular, and well-built. But by 2025, its EoL status and outdated architecture render it unfit for modern enterprise production. Cisco’s 9400, 9500, and 9600 series now offer the same modular stability with contemporary speed and security.”

Why Cisco Replaced the 4500 Series?​

Cisco phased out the Catalyst 4500 family to consolidate enterprise switching under the Catalyst 9000 architecture. This next-generation lineup delivers higher bandwidth, integrated security, and full software-defined network automation via 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 advances the 4500’s legacy with better 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, tailored 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​

Other Options:​

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

telecomate.com Recommendation:​ For organizations currently using Catalyst 4500 infrastructure, the Catalyst 9400 is the most straightforward 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​

The 9400 continues the 4500’s modular design approach, while the 9500 and 9600 expand Cisco’s offerings with 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 final models were discontinued in December 2021, with Cisco support ending in December 2026.

Q2: Can I still use the 4500 in production?​

A: Yes, but it is not advised. Security vulnerabilities, lack of updates, and compliance issues 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 serves as a core or high-performance distribution switch.

Q5: Does Catalyst 4500 support Cisco DNA Center?​

A: Only basic monitoring; it lacks automation or SD-Access integration.

Q6: What OS does it run?​

A: Older models use IOS; newer supervisors (Sup8E/9E) support IOS XE.

Q7: Is the 4500 still useful for labs or training?​

A: Yes, it remains an excellent option for CCIE or enterprise network simulation environments.

Q8: What’s the long-term Cisco upgrade roadmap?​

A: Transition to 9400 for modular deployments or 9500/9600 for core and aggregation upgrades.

Summary​

The Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series shaped modular switching for over two decades. Its resilience and scalability secured its role in numerous enterprise networks globally. But by 2025, it is time to advance.

• Still valuable for labs and legacy scenarios.
• Support ends in 2026 with diminishing 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.

telecomate.com engineers advocate migrating from the 4500 to the 9400/9500/9600 series for superior performance, stronger security, and future-ready network automation.