The Cisco STACK-T4-3M is a 3-meter (9.84 ft) StackWise stacking cable purpose-built for Cisco Catalyst 9200 and 9200L Series switches. Using this cable, IT administrators can link up to eight switches in a physical ring topology, creating a single virtual switch with up to 160 Gbps of aggregate stack bandwidth (StackWise-160 on C9200; StackWise-80 on C9200L), a unified control and management plane, and centralized Cisco IOS XE configuration across up to 384 access ports. The 3-meter length is ideal for connecting switches across non-adjacent rack units or nearby cabinets in enterprise wiring closets and data centers. Built with copper conductors, a PVC halogen-free jacket, and Cisco proprietary stacking connectors, the cable supports hot-swap field replacement with no stack downtime. The stack uses Cisco IOS XE SSO (Stateful Switchover) to automatically elect a standby switch, ensuring continuous operation if the active switch fails. Note: Stacking adapter kit (C9200-STACK-KIT for C9200 or C9200L-STACK-KIT for C9200L) is required and sold separately. Not compatible with Cisco Catalyst 2960-X Series switches.
Cisco STACK-T4-3M - Key Features & Benefits
- 160 Gbps StackWise Stack Bandwidth: Delivers up to 160 Gbps of aggregate stack bandwidth on Catalyst 9200 Series switches via StackWise-160 architecture — creating a high-performance, non-blocking ring with a distributed data plane and single control plane across the entire stack
- Stack Up to 8 Switches — Up to 384 Ports: Connect up to eight Catalyst 9200 or 9200L Series switches in a single ring stack, scaling to a maximum of 384 access ports all managed from one interface. Mixed-model stacking supported (PoE, data, Multigigabit variants) — C9200 and C9200L cannot be mixed due to different stacking bandwidth
- 3-Meter Reach for Cross-Rack Deployments: The 9.84 ft (3.0 m) length accommodates switches across non-adjacent rack positions, multiple U-spaces, or nearby cabinets — the longest standard cable in the STACK-T4 family alongside 50CM and 1M options
- SSO Resiliency — Zero-Downtime Failover: Cisco IOS XE SSO (Stateful Switchover) continuously synchronizes switching, routing, and wireless state between the active and standby switch. If the active switch fails, the standby takes over instantly with no stack disruption
- Hot-Swappable — Add or Remove Without Downtime: Cables and switches can be added to or removed from a live running stack without disrupting network traffic or requiring a maintenance window
- Halogen-Free PVC Jacket with Cisco Proprietary Connectors: Built with halogen-free materials and copper conductors for safer enclosed-space installation; Cisco proprietary connectors with tightening screws ensure a secure, vibration-resistant connection. Spare part orderable as STACK-T4-3M=
Cisco STACK-T4-3M - Technical Specifications
- Part Number: STACK-T4-3M
- Spare Part Number: STACK-T4-3M=
- Product Type: StackWise Stacking Cable
- Cable Length: 3 meters / 9.84 ft
- Stack Technology: StackWise-160 (Catalyst 9200) • StackWise-80 (Catalyst 9200L)
- Stack Bandwidth: Up to 160 Gbps (C9200 StackWise-160)
- Max Switches per Stack: 8
- Max Port Density (stacked): 384 access ports
- Conductor Material: Copper
- Jacket: PVC, Halogen-Free
- Connectors: Cisco proprietary (both ends, identical)
- Resiliency: Cisco IOS XE SSO (Stateful Switchover)
- Hot-Swappable: Yes
- Compatible Switches: Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series • Cisco Catalyst 9200L Series
- Required Adapter Kit: C9200-STACK-KIT (C9200 SKUs) • C9200L-STACK-KIT (C9200L SKUs) — sold separately
- Not Compatible With: Cisco Catalyst 2960-X Series
- Condition: Refresh
Cisco STACK-T4-3M - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Do I need the stacking adapter kit?
Yes — the C9200-STACK-KIT (for C9200 SKUs) or C9200L-STACK-KIT (for C9200L SKUs) is required. Each kit includes two stack adapters and a 0.5M cable. The STACK-T4-3M cable is an additional or replacement cable — it does not include adapters. - Can I mix C9200 and C9200L switches in the same stack?
No. C9200 models use StackWise-160 (160 Gbps) and C9200L models use StackWise-80 (80 Gbps). The two cannot be mixed in a single stack due to the different stacking bandwidths, per Cisco's official documentation. - Is this cable compatible with Catalyst 2960-X or 9300 Series?
No. The STACK-T4 connector is specific to the Catalyst 9200 family. Catalyst 3850/3650 use STACK-T1/T2, Catalyst 9300 uses STACK-T3A/T3, and Catalyst 2960-X is not stackable with this cable. - Why choose the 3M over the 50CM or 1M cable?
The 3M cable is the right choice when switches are not rack-adjacent — for example, across multiple U-spaces, in separate rack sections, or between nearby cabinets. For switches stacked directly on top of each other (1U spacing), the 50CM or 1M cable is sufficient.