The Cisco Catalyst C8300-2N2S-4T2X is the flagship 2RU edge router for large enterprise branches. Replacing the ISR 4451, it features massive expandability (2 SM, 2 NIM), dual 10G SFP+ uplinks, and an astonishing 5 Gbps of secure SD-WAN throughput.
Quick Specs:
· Integrated Ports: 4x 1G (RJ-45) + 2x 10G (SFP+)
· Module Slots: 2x SM, 2x NIM, 1x PIM
· Memory / Storage: 8 GB RAM / 8 GB Flash
· Throughput: Up to 5 Gbps (SD-WAN IPsec)
· Power: Dual Redundant Power Supplies
· Form Factor: 2RU Rack-mountable
Comprehensive Product Overview
The Cisco Catalyst C8300-2N2S-4T2X Edge Platform is the ultimate routing solution for large-scale enterprise branches, regional aggregation hubs, and Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Purpose-built to handle the intense bandwidth requirements of modern multi-cloud architectures and 5G networks, this platform is the designated next-generation successor to the industry-standard Cisco ISR 4451. Housed in a robust 2-Rack-Unit (2RU) chassis, the C8300-2N2S-4T2X is powered by an advanced multi-core x86 CPU and custom crypto-acceleration silicon. It delivers an unprecedented level of integration, allowing businesses to consolidate secure routing, 10-Gigabit switching, Unified Threat Defense (UTD) firewalls, and edge computing into a single, highly resilient SD-WAN appliance managed centrally via Cisco vManage.
Comprehensive Product Overview
10-Gigabit Core Connectivity: Eliminate branch bottlenecks. The “2X” signifies two integrated 10G SFP+ ports, providing ultra-high-speed fiber uplinks directly to your core network or ISP, making it ideal for bandwidth-intensive environments like universities and hospitals.
Massive 5 Gbps SD-WAN Performance: Leverage custom Cisco silicon to achieve up to 5 Gbps of hardware-accelerated IPsec VPN throughput. Ensure flawless performance for Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), Microsoft 365, and real-time unified communications.
Ultimate Expandability (2 SM + 2 NIM): This router offers unmatched hardware flexibility. With two massive Service Module (SM) slots and two Network Interface Module (NIM) slots, you can easily integrate dozens of PoE+ LAN ports, legacy voice interfaces, or Cisco UCS-E server blades for edge computing.
Built-in 5G Readiness: Stay connected when fiber cuts occur. The dedicated Pluggable Interface Module (PIM) slot allows you to insert advanced 4G LTE or 5G cellular modules for ultra-fast, automatic WAN failover.
Branch-in-a-Box Consolidation: With the ability to run containerized applications (Cisco Edge Compute) and enterprise-grade Layer 7 application firewalls (IPS/IDS, URL filtering) natively on the router, you can drastically reduce the hardware footprint in your IT closets.
Technical Specifications
Specification
Details for C8300-2N2S-4T2X
Product Series
Cisco Catalyst 8300 Series Edge Platforms
Integrated WAN/LAN Ports
6 Total: 4 x 1G RJ-45 (Copper) + 2 x 10G SFP+ (Fiber)
Large Enterprise Hubs & Regional HQs: The perfect secure gateway for massive branch offices with 500+ users, requiring dual 10G uplinks and 5 Gbps of encrypted SD-WAN throughput to securely access corporate data centers.
Total IT Consolidation: Utilize the two SM slots to install high-density 24-port switch modules and virtual machine (VM) hosting modules, replacing standalone switches, firewalls, and local branch servers with one 2RU device.
High-Availability Hospital/Campus Networks: Deploy with dual redundant power supplies and a 5G cellular PIM module to guarantee that life-critical data and communication networks maintain 100% uptime under all circumstances.
Supported Accessories & Expansion Modules
Maximize your router’s ROI and capabilities with these official Cisco expansion modules: SM-N-24T-P: 24-port Gigabit Ethernet Switch Service Module (with PoE+) to act as a local access switch. P-5GS6-GL: Cisco 5G Sub-6 GHz PIM for high-bandwidth cellular WAN backup. NIM-1MFT-T1/E1: 1-port Multiflex Trunk Voice/Data NIM for legacy telecom. PWR-CC1-250WAC: 250W AC Power Supply (Order a second unit for active/standby power redundancy). MEM-C8300-16GB / 32GB: RAM upgrades to support massive routing tables, Cisco UTD security features, or ThousandEyes network monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What does “2N2S-4T2X” mean in the model number?
A1: This designation reveals the router’s hardware capacity: 2N = 2 NIM slots. 2S = 2 Service Module (SM) slots. 4T = 4x 1G Copper (RJ45) ports. 2X = 2x 10G Fiber (SFP+) ports.
Q2: Is the C8300-2N2S-4T2X the direct replacement for the Cisco ISR 4451?
A2: Yes. Cisco designed this 2RU platform to directly replace the legacy ISR 4451. It offers the same slot capacity but delivers drastically higher IPsec throughput (5 Gbps vs 1.2 Gbps), native 10G uplinks, and cloud-first SD-WAN architecture.
Q3: Are the 10G SFP+ ports backwards compatible with 1G SFP transceivers?
A3: Yes. The two “2X” 10G SFP+ ports natively support backwards compatibility. You can insert standard 1G SFP fiber transceivers if your core network or ISP handoff is not yet ready for 10-Gigabit speeds.
Q4: Do I need a Cisco DNA Smart License to operate this router?
A4: Yes. All Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms require a Cisco DNA software subscription (Essentials, Advantage, or Premier). The license defines your SD-WAN controller access, advanced security features, and permitted WAN bandwidth tier.
Q5: Can I reuse my old modules from the ISR 4000 series?
A5: In most cases, yes. The Catalyst 8300 series provides excellent investment protection and is highly backwards compatible with a wide array of existing NIMs and SM-X modules used in the ISR 4000 series. Please verify specific module compatibility via Cisco’s hardware matrix.
