The Cisco Catalyst C9300-48P-E is a high-density, stackable enterprise switch built for intent-based networking. Featuring 48 Gigabit PoE+ ports and modular uplinks, it reliably powers Wi-Fi 6 and IP cameras while delivering 480Gbps stacking resiliency and automated management.
Quick Specs:
· Ports: 48 x 1G Base-T (PoE+)
· Uplinks: Modular (Requires Network Module)
· PoE Budget: 437W (Via 715W Default Power Supply)
· Software: Network Essentials
· Stacking: StackWise-480 (480 Gbps)
· Form Factor: 1RU Rack-mountable
Comprehensive Product Overview
The Cisco Catalyst C9300-48P-E is a flagship component of Cisco’s lead enterprise stacking switching platform. Purpose-built for security, IoT, and high-density mobility, this 48-port switch acts as a powerful foundational block for Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access). Powered by an advanced x86 CPU architecture, 8GB of memory, and the UADP 2.0 ASIC, it delivers unparalleled performance and programmability.
Designed for large-scale enterprise deployments, the C9300-48P-E provides Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) to dozens of endpoints simultaneously, significantly reducing wiring costs. Combined with its future-proof modular uplink design—allowing network engineers to effortlessly swap between 1G, 10G, 25G, and 40G uplinks—it ensures your network infrastructure remains agile and scalable for years to come.
Key Features & Business Benefits
High-Density PoE+ Capacity: Delivers high-speed Gigabit connectivity and up to 30W of power per port (IEEE 802.3at) across 48 ports. Ideal for powering numerous Wi-Fi 6 Access Points, VoIP phones, and PTZ security cameras from a single 1RU device.
Modular Uplink Flexibility: The switch chassis features an empty network module slot. Customize your fiber connections by installing an optional uplink module (e.g., 8x 10G or 2x 40G) to match your core network’s bandwidth demands without replacing the entire switch.
Unrivaled StackWise-480 Architecture: Connect up to 8 switches into a single logical virtual chassis. With a massive 480 Gbps of dedicated stacking bandwidth, it ensures zero-bottleneck data flow and highly resilient Non-Stop Forwarding/Stateful Switchover (NSF/SSO).
Enterprise-Grade Security: Defend your network with built-in hardware capabilities including MACsec AES-256 encryption, Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA), Secure Boot, and Cisco TrustSec for identity-based micro-segmentation.
Technical Specifications
Specification
Details for C9300-48P-E
Product Series
Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series
Downlink Ports
48 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet with Full PoE+ (802.3at)
Large-Scale Campus Access: Provide reliable power and data to 48 employee workstations, VoIP phones, and networked devices on large corporate floors while simplifying management via Cisco DNA Center.
Dense Wi-Fi 6 & IoT Deployments: Supply robust PoE+ power to high-throughput wireless access points and IoT sensors in hospitals, universities, and smart buildings.
High-Availability Converged Networks: Utilize dual power supplies and StackWise-480 technology to guarantee 24/7 uptime for mission-critical enterprise departments.
Please Note: The C9300-48P-E does not come with built-in uplink ports. You must purchase a Network Module (NM) separately. C9300-NM-8X=: 8 x 10G SFP+ Network Module (Highly recommended for 48-port data aggregation) C9300-NM-4G=: 4 x 1G SFP Network Module STACK-T1-50CM=: Cisco StackWise-480 Stacking Cable (50 cm) PWR-C1-715WAC=: 715W AC Secondary Power Supply (For N+1 Redundancy) PWR-C1-1100WAC=: 1100W AC Power Supply (Upgrade if a larger total PoE budget is required)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the PoE power budget for the C9300-48P-E?
A1: The switch ships with a default 715W power supply (PWR-C1-715WAC), which provides a PoE budget of 437W. Because a 48-port chassis consumes slightly more base power than a 24-port chassis, this budget is sufficient for standard IP phones. If you plan to deploy high-draw Wi-Fi 6 APs across all 48 ports, we highly recommend adding a secondary power supply or upgrading to the 1100W power supply (PWR-C1-1100WAC).
Q2: Does this switch include SFP fiber ports?
A2: No. The Catalyst 9300 series utilizes a modular uplink architecture. The switch has 48 copper ports and an empty expansion slot. You must purchase a Cisco Network Module (e.g., C9300-NM-8X) to add SFP/SFP+ connectivity.
Q3: What makes the C9300-48P-E superior to the C9200L-48P-4X-E?
A3: The Catalyst 9300 series offers enterprise-grade performance advantages, including an x86 CPU with 8GB RAM, modular (swappable) uplinks instead of fixed ports, a massive 480 Gbps stacking bandwidth (compared to 80 Gbps on the 9200L), and support for third-party application hosting (Docker containers).
Q4: What routing features does the Network Essentials license provide?
A4: The Network Essentials (-E) license covers foundational Layer 3 routing including OSPF for routed access (OSPF stub), RIP, and static routing. For advanced routing protocols (BGP, full OSPF, VRF), an upgrade to the Network Advantage license is required.
Q5: Are the power supplies and fans field-replaceable?
A5: Yes. The C9300-48P-E features field-replaceable units (FRU) for both the power supplies and the modular cooling fans. You can replace them or add a secondary power supply without shutting down the switch.
