The Cisco Catalyst C9300-48T-E is a high-density, stackable enterprise switch delivering advanced security and automation. Featuring 48 Gigabit data ports and modular uplinks, it provides unparalleled performance and 480Gbps stacking bandwidth for demanding non-PoE network environments.
Quick Specs:
· Ports: 48 x 1G Base-T (Data-Only)
· Uplinks: Modular (Requires Network Module)
· Power Supply: 350W AC Default (FRU)
· Software: Network Essentials
· Stacking: StackWise-480 (480 Gbps)
· Form Factor: 1RU Rack-mountable
Comprehensive Product Overview
The Cisco Catalyst C9300-48T-E represents the pinnacle of Cisco’s premier fixed enterprise switching platform. Built for security, IoT, mobility, and cloud, this high-density 48-port switch is powered by the customized UADP 2.0 ASIC and a robust x86 CPU architecture. It serves as a highly scalable foundational building block for Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access).
Designed specifically for environments that require massive data throughput without the need for Power over Ethernet (PoE), the C9300-48T-E protects your infrastructure investment through its highly flexible modular uplink design. IT teams can seamlessly scale their core connections from 1G to 10G, 25G, or 40G simply by swapping the uplink module, ensuring your network is ready for future bandwidth demands.
Key Features & Business Benefits
High-Density Data Connectivity: Maximize rack space efficiency with 48 non-blocking Gigabit Ethernet ports in a compact 1RU chassis, perfect for connecting hundreds of standard workstations and servers.
Future-Proof Modular Uplinks: Avoid costly “rip-and-replace” upgrades. The empty network module slot allows you to customize and upgrade your fiber uplinks (e.g., 8x 10G or 2x 40G) as your enterprise network evolves.
Industry-Leading StackWise-480: Achieve ultimate network resiliency. Connect up to 8 switches to form a single logical unit with an astonishing 480 Gbps of dedicated stacking bandwidth, supporting Non-Stop Forwarding and Stateful Switchover (NSF/SSO).
Advanced Security Foundation: Fortify your data at the hardware level with MACsec AES-256 encryption, Cisco TrustSec micro-segmentation, and Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) to detect malware hidden in encrypted traffic.
Large Enterprise Access Layer: Provides high-density, secure, and easily managed wired connectivity for large office floors packed with hundreds of non-PoE desktop PCs and networked printers.
Data Center Out-of-Band (OOB) Management: With enterprise-grade deep buffers, 8GB of RAM, and x86 processing power, it is a highly reliable Top-of-Rack (ToR) switch for managing mission-critical server infrastructure.
High-Performance Campus Aggregation: Utilize the 480Gbps stacking capabilities to aggregate massive amounts of data traffic from smaller edge switches back to the network core.
Please Note: The C9300-48T-E does not feature built-in uplink ports. A Network Module (NM) must be purchased to establish uplink connections. C9300-NM-8X=: 8 x 10G SFP+ Network Module (Most popular for 48-port models) C9300-NM-4G=: 4 x 1G SFP Network Module C9300-NM-2Q=: 2 x 40G QSFP+ Network Module STACK-T1-50CM=: Cisco StackWise-480 Stacking Cable (50 cm) PWR-C1-350WAC=: 350W AC Secondary Power Supply (For Active/Standby Redundancy)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Does the C9300-48T-E come with fiber SFP ports out of the box?
A1: No. The Catalyst 9300 series utilizes a modular uplink architecture. The switch features 48 Gigabit copper ports, but the uplink slot is empty. You must purchase a Cisco Network Module (such as C9300-NM-8X or C9300-NM-4G) to connect fiber transceivers.
Q2: Can I power IP phones or Wireless Access Points with this switch?
A2: No, the C9300-48T-E is a Data-Only (Non-PoE) switch. If your deployment requires Power over Ethernet for endpoint devices, you should consider the C9300-48P-E (PoE+) or C9300-48U-E (UPOE) models.
Q3: What makes the Catalyst 9300 better than the 9200L for a 48-port data switch?
A3: The Catalyst 9300 series offers significantly higher performance. It features an x86 CPU with 8GB RAM (vs 2GB on the 9200L), modular uplinks instead of fixed ports, 480 Gbps stacking bandwidth (vs 80 Gbps), a larger MAC address table (32,000 vs 16,000), and supports higher-level MACsec-256 encryption.
Q4: How does the dual power supply system work on this switch?
A4: The C9300-48T-E comes with one default 350W AC power supply (PWR-C1-350WAC). You can install a second identical power supply in the empty rear slot. They will operate in active/standby or load-sharing mode, providing seamless power redundancy if one fails.
Q5: What routing features are supported by the Network Essentials license?
A5: The included Network Essentials (-E) perpetual license supports robust Layer 2 switching and basic Layer 3 routing, including OSPF for routed access, RIP, and Static routing. Advanced routing features like BGP and full OSPF require an upgrade to the Network Advantage license.