Cisco IE-3500-8U3X-A – Industrial-Grade Switching with Advanced Performance

Cisco’s IE-3500-8U3X-A switch is part of the ruggedized Cisco IE3500 Series, engineered for demanding industrial IoT environments that require high-speed uplinks, resilient design, advanced security, and flexible power delivery. Built on Cisco’s robust IOS XE architecture and certified for harsh deployments, the IE-3500-8U3X-A delivers next-generation performance with 8 Gigabit PoE/PoE+/4PPoE ports and 3 modular 10-Gigabit SFP uplinks. With the Network Advantage license, organizations gain extended Layer 3 capabilities, advanced cybersecurity controls, and scalability for complex industrial networks.

Overview of Cisco IE-3500-8U3X-A

The IE-3500-8U3X-A combines rugged reliability with enterprise-level intelligence. Designed for manufacturing, utilities, transportation, smart cities, oil & gas, and outdoor digital infrastructure, this compact switch operates in extreme temperatures and delivers uninterrupted performance in mission-critical environments.

Key features include:

• 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports with PoE/PoE+/4PPoE support
• Up to 90W IEEE 802.3bt power per port (4PPoE)
• 3 modular 10-Gigabit SFP uplinks
• Network Advantage software for advanced routing and security
• Fanless, hardened design for industrial reliability
• Support for advanced industrial protocols such as CIP, PROFINET, Modbus/TCP
• Cyber-secure architecture based on Cisco TrustSec, MACsec, and ETA
• DIN-rail or wall mount flexibility

Technical Specifications of Cisco IE-3500-8U3X-A

Below are the core specifications most relevant for planning and deployment:

Hardware and Interface Specifications

• Downlink Ports: 8 × 10/100/1000 Mbps
• PoE Support: PoE, PoE+, 4PPoE (IEEE 802.3af/at/bt)
• Per-Port Power: Up to 90W on supported ports
• Total PoE Budget: Dependent on external power supply configuration
• Uplink Modules: 3 × 10G SFP or SFP+
• Modular Slot: 1 uplink module bay for 1G/10G customization

Performance

• Switching Capacity: Up to 60 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: Up to 45 Mpps
• MAC Address Table: 16,000 entries
• Latency: Sub-microsecond industrial-grade switching

Industrial Hardened Design

• Operating Temperature: –40°C to +70°C
• Ingress Protection: Designed for dusty, dirty, and vibration-heavy environments
• Compliances: IEC 61850-3, IEEE 1613, EN50121-4 (railway), Class I Div 2

Software & Security

• Network Advantage License Includes:
  • Layer 3 dynamic routing (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP)
  • VRF-Lite
  • Policy-based segmentation
  • Cisco TrustSec, MACsec
  • Industrial automation protocols
  • ETA (Encrypted Traffic Analytics)

Management

• Cisco DNA Center support
• SNMPv3, RESTCONF, NETCONF, and model-driven telemetry
• CLI or web-based GUI (WebUI)

Benefits of Deploying the IE-3500-8U3X-A

Advanced PoE/4PPoE Powering
Supports high-wattage devices such as PTZ cameras, wireless access points, sensors, lighting, digital signage, and industrial actuators.

High-Speed 10G Backbone
With three 10G SFP uplinks, the IE-3500-8U3X-A helps build scalable industrial IoT networks with improved backbone bandwidth and low latency.

Rugged for Harsh Conditions
Built to withstand vibration, electromagnetic interference, and extreme temperatures—without fans, reducing failure points.

Secure Operations Technology (OT) Environment
Network Advantage ensures cybersecurity features that protect mission-critical industrial systems from both internal and external threats.

Future-Proof Industrial Automation
Perfect for Industry 4.0, IIoT modernization, and digital transformation initiatives requiring high-performance switching and deterministic automation protocols.

Ideal Use Cases

• Smart manufacturing and robotics
• Outdoor surveillance networks
• Rail and transportation systems
• Energy substations and utilities
• Smart city infrastructure
• Oil and gas upstream/downstream networks

FAQs

What is the main difference between the IE-3500-8U3X-A and other IE3500 models?
The IE-3500-8U3X-A includes 8 PoE/PoE+/4PPoE ports and 3 × 10G SFP uplinks, making it ideal for high-power devices and high-bandwidth industrial networks.

Does the switch support IEEE 802.3bt 90W power?
Yes. The model supports 4PPoE, delivering up to 90W per port, depending on the power supply used.

Is the IE-3500-8U3X-A suitable for outdoor deployment?
Yes. Its hardened design, extended temperature support, and industrial certifications make it suitable for harsh, outdoor, and remote installations.

What software license does this model include?
It comes with Network Advantage, enabling advanced routing, segmentation, and security.

Can the uplinks be upgraded or customized?
Yes. The switch features a modular uplink slot that supports 1G or 10G SFP/SFP+ options depending on network requirements.