Cisco Catalyst 8000V Edge
Virtual routers
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What is Cisco Catalyst 8000V Edge
Cisco Catalyst 8000V Edge is a virtual router appliance that runs Cisco IOS XE to provide routing, VPN, and SD-WAN edge functions in virtualized and cloud environments. It targets network teams that need to extend enterprise WAN connectivity to public cloud, private cloud, or virtualized data centers without deploying physical routers. The product is typically used for cloud on-ramps, branch/edge virtualization, and secure site-to-site connectivity, and it integrates with Cisco’s WAN/SD-WAN management and licensing model.
IOS XE feature parity
It uses Cisco IOS XE, which aligns configuration and operational workflows with many Cisco physical edge platforms. This can reduce retraining and simplify standardization across physical and virtual WAN edges. It supports common enterprise routing and VPN capabilities expected from IOS XE-based platforms.
Cloud and virtualization deployment
It is designed to run as a virtual network function in hypervisors and cloud environments, enabling WAN edge services without dedicated hardware. This supports use cases such as cloud connectivity hubs, virtual branches, and rapid provisioning in new locations. Virtual form factor also helps with scaling by allocating compute resources as needed.
Integration with Cisco WAN operations
It fits into Cisco’s broader WAN/SD-WAN ecosystem for centralized policy, monitoring, and lifecycle operations when used with the relevant Cisco controllers and tools. This can streamline change management and compliance for organizations already operating Cisco WAN edge. It also supports Cisco’s licensing and support channels used for enterprise deployments.
Licensing and cost complexity
Cisco virtual networking products typically require software subscriptions and feature licenses that vary by throughput and capabilities. This can make cost modeling harder than some alternatives with simpler licensing. Procurement and ongoing compliance may add operational overhead.
Performance depends on host
Throughput and packet-processing performance depend on the underlying compute, virtualization settings, and cloud instance types. Achieving consistent performance may require careful sizing, CPU pinning, and platform-specific tuning. In some scenarios, a dedicated hardware edge can provide more predictable performance characteristics.
Best fit in Cisco-centric stacks
Organizations not standardized on Cisco tooling may find integration and day-2 operations less straightforward than platforms designed for heterogeneous environments. Some advanced workflows assume Cisco controllers, telemetry, and operational conventions. This can increase migration effort for teams coming from non-Cisco routing stacks.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco DNA Advantage (Catalyst 8000V) | Not published on Cisco site — contact Cisco/partner for pricing | Subscription license required for Catalyst 8000V; available as DNA Advantage SKUs (T0–T4 bandwidth tiers; term options 3Y/5Y/7Y). Includes embedded SWSS support for subscription functionality. HSEC export-license expansion (C8000V-HSEC) may apply for >250 Mbps encrypted throughput. |
| Cisco DNA Essentials (Catalyst 8000V) | Not published on Cisco site — contact Cisco/partner for pricing | Lower-tier subscription alternative (Essentials) available as DNA Essentials SKUs (T0–T4 bandwidth tiers; term options 3Y/5Y/7Y). Same mandatory DNA subscription requirement. |
| Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) via cloud marketplaces (AWS, Azure) | Not published on Cisco site — marketplace hourly rates apply (see cloud marketplace) | PAYG images (hourly-billed AMI/Marketplace images) supported for AWS and Azure; licenses embedded in image and charged hourly by marketplace. PAYG supported for autonomous and controller modes (with some mode restrictions). Cisco notes PAYG is available but does not publish marketplace hourly amounts on the Cisco product pages. |
| Bring-Your-Own-License (BYOL) | Not published on Cisco site — contact Cisco/partner for pricing | BYOL supported via Cisco Smart Licensing (Smart Account/Virtual Account). Requires managing license assignment; device throughput/feature entitlements controlled by purchased DNA subscription SKU and HSEC where applicable. |
Seller details
Cisco Systems, Inc.
San Jose, California, USA
1984
Public
https://www.cisco.com/
https://x.com/Cisco
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cisco/
