Overview of DS-C48T-48ETK9PRM

The ​​DS-C48T-48ETK9PRM​​ is a Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switch bundle optimized for high-density enterprise access layer deployments. Combining a 48-port Gigabit Ethernet switch with advanced licensing, this model supports Power over Ethernet (PoE+), SD-Access, and automated threat containment. Its “PRM” suffix denotes a ​​Perpetual Right-to-Use (RTU) license​​ for DNA Essentials, making it ideal for organizations prioritizing long-term network policy management over subscription models.

Key Hardware and Software Specifications

• ​​Port Configuration​​: 48x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ45 ports + 4x 1G/10G SFP+ uplinks
• ​​PoE Budget​​: ​​740W total​​ (30W per port via PoE+, 15.4W for PoE)
• ​​Switching Capacity​​: 176 Gbps (non-blocking)
• ​​Security Features​​:
  • ​​Cisco TrustSec​​: SGA tagging, MACsec encryption
  • ​​ISE Integration​​: Automated device profiling and policy enforcement
• ​​Licenses Included​​: DNA Essentials (perpetual), 3-year Cisco Support

Why Choose DS-C48T-48ETK9PRM?

​​Bold advantages​​ over comparable Catalyst switches:

• ​​PoE Scalability​​: Simultaneously power 48 IP phones, 802.11ax APs, or IoT sensors.
• ​​Zero-Touch Deployment​​: Pre-staged with Cisco DNA Center templates for rapid site rollouts.
• ​​Energy Efficiency​​: EnergyWise mode reduces idle port power by up to 75%.

Compatibility and Integration

​​Supported Cisco Ecosystems​​:

• ​​Wireless​​: Catalyst 9800 WLCs, CBW Access Points
• ​​SD-Access​​: Integration with DNA Center 2.2.2+ for fabric provisioning
• ​​Security​​: Umbrella, Stealthwatch for encrypted traffic analytics (ETA)

​​Software Requirements​​:

• IOS XE 17.6.1 or later for SD-Access 2.0
• Cisco DNA Center 2.3.3 for policy abstraction

Core Use Cases

1. ​​Hybrid Work Enablement​​: Deploy in office floors to support UC phones, video conferencing systems, and hot-desking setups.
2. ​​Retail IoT Backbone​​: Connect POS terminals, digital signage, and inventory RFID readers.
3. ​​K-12 Education​​: Power classroom APs and surveillance cameras while segmenting student/administrator traffic via SDA.

Addressing Common Deployment Concerns

​​Q: Can the PoE budget support 30W devices on all ports?​​
A: No. With 740W total, only ​​24 ports​​ can deliver full 30W PoE+ (24x30W=720W). Remaining ports operate at 15.4W.

​​Q: Is DNA Essentials sufficient for SD-WAN management?​​
A: No. DNA Essentials covers basic SD-Access. For SD-WAN, upgrade to DNA Advantage.

​​Q: Does it support multi-gigabit (2.5G/5G) speeds?​​
A: No. For multi-gig, consider Catalyst 9200L-48PXG models.

​​Q: How does “PRM” licensing differ from subscription?​​
A: PRM grants perpetual access to DNA Essentials features without recurring fees. Subscriptions include software updates and TAC support.

Purchasing and Validation

The DS-C48T-48ETK9PRM is available through authorized partners like itmall.sale. Verify authenticity using Cisco’s ​​Serial Number Lookup Tool​​—counterfeit units often lack valid Smart Account registration.

Lessons from Field Deployments

In a recent university campus upgrade, the DS-C48T-48ETK9PRM’s PoE+ budget proved critical for powering 200+ Aruba APs during peak lecture hours. However, teams often overlook ​​inrush current​​ when connecting high-density device clusters—a single rack of 48 PTZ cameras tripped OCP (Over-Current Protection) until we staggered boot sequences via EEM scripts. Another tip: Disable CDP on ports facing IoT devices to prevent MAC flooding attacks. While the switch’s 1G uplinks suffice for most access layer needs, pairing it with a Catalyst 9500 as a collapsed core creates bottlenecks during backup storms—10G uplinks are non-negotiable for media-rich environments.