Catalyst 9500-32QC cannot break out 40G QSFP+ ports to 4x10G
1
The poster wanted to use a 40G QSFP+ to 4x10G SFP+ DAC breakout cable on a Cisco Catalyst 9500-32QC-E running IOS XE 17.6.4 (Bengaluru). The 'hw-module breakout' command is rejected; in global configuration only 'hw-module slot' and 'hw-module subslot' are offered. The switch is not running StackWise Virtual. 'show interfaces status' detects the cable type and reports 40G, but the port cannot be split into four 10G interfaces.
- Hardware: Cisco Catalyst 9500-32QC-E (C9500-32QC)
- Transceivers: 40G QSFP+ to 4x10G SFP+ DAC breakout cable (brand unspecified)
- Form factor: QSFP+, SFP+, DAC
Symptoms / messages:
'hw-module breakout' command not available
breakout cable detected at 40G but cannot be split into 4x10G
Comments 3
Accepted answer from the poster's TAC case: the Catalyst 9500-32QC has no breakout capability at all, being designed as a core/distribution switch rather than an edge device.
A respondent quoted the Catalyst 9300 guide: breakout is only supported on the C9300-NM-2Q uplink module via 'hw-module breakout module <slot> port <range> switch <num>', which does not apply to the 9500.
Another noted that Cisco documentation carries separate breakout notes for the 9500 series, without giving specifics.