Connector and Cable Specifications

Connector Specifications

10/100/1000 Ports

All 10/100/1000 ports use standard RJ-45 connectors and Ethernet pinouts.

Figure 1. 10/100/1000 Port Pinouts

Module Connectors

This section describes the different SFP/QSFP/QSFP-DD module connectors used on 10G/25G/40G/100G/400G ports on the switches.

Figure 2. Duplex LC Cable Connector


Figure 3. Simplex LC Cable Connector


Figure 4. Copper SFP Module LC Connector


Console Cables

Switch Name

Supported Console Cable

Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches

USB Type A to 5-pin mini-Type B (CAB-CONSOLE-USB)

Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series High Performance Switches

The USB console port uses a USB Type A to 5-pin mini-Type B cable and a USB Type A to Type C cable. These cables are not supplied with the switch; you have to order them separately.

Figure 5. USB Type A-to-USB 5-Pin Mini-Type B Cable


The RJ-45 console port uses an 8-pin RJ-45 connection. The supplied RJ-45-to-DB-9 adapter cable is used to connect the console port of the switch to a console PC. You need to provide an RJ-45-to-DB-25 female DTE adapter if you want to connect the switch console port to a terminal.

Cables and Adapters

Cable Pinouts

Figure 6. Four Twisted-Pair Straight-Through Cable Schematic
Figure 7. Four Twisted-Pair Semi-Cross Cable Schematic
Figure 8. Two Twisted-Pair Straight-Through Cable Schematic
Figure 9. Two Twisted-Pair Crossover Cable Schematic

Identifying a Crossover Cable

To identify a crossover cable, compare the two modular ends of the cable. Hold the cable ends side-by-side, with the tab at the back. The wire connected to the pin on the outside of the left plug should be a different color from the wire connected to the pin on the inside of the right plug.
Figure 10. Identifying a Crossover Cable

Console Port Adapter Pinouts

The RS-232 console port uses an 8-pin RJ-45 connector. Use an RJ-45-to-DB-9 adapter cable to connect the switch console port to a console PC. You need to provide a RJ-45-to-DB-25 female DTE adapter to connect the switch console port to a terminal.

Table 1. Console Port Signaling with a DB-9 Adapter

Switch Console 
Port (DTE)

RJ-45-to-DB-9
Terminal Adapter

Console
Device

Signal

DB-9 Pin

Signal

TxD

2

RxD

GND

5

GND

GND

5

GND

RxD

3

TxD

Table 2. Console Port Signaling with a DB-25 Adapter

Switch Console
Port (DTE)

RJ-45-to-DB-25
Terminal Adapter

Console
Device

Signal

DB-25 Pin

Signal

TxD

3

RxD

GND

7

GND

GND

7

GND

RxD

2

TxD