Introduction to DS-C9396V-48EVK9P

The ​​DS-C9396V-48EVK9P​​ is a Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series ​​48-port PoE+ switch​​ designed for enterprise access-layer deployments requiring high-density Power over Ethernet, advanced security, and intent-based networking. Part of the Catalyst 9300V platform, it supports multi-gigabit speeds, SD-Access, and cloud-scale manageability. The “48EVK9P” designation indicates ​​48 Enhanced Virtualization ports​​ with K9-grade encryption and a perpetual software license.

Key Technical Specifications

• ​​Port Configuration​​:
  • 48x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ45 ports (PoE+)
  • 4x 1G/10G SFP+ uplinks (support StackWise-480)
  • 2x 40G QSFP+ ports (optional breakout to 4x10G)
• ​​PoE Budget​​: ​​1.5 kW total​​ (30W per port on all 48 ports)
• ​​Switching Capacity​​: 176 Gbps (non-blocking)
• ​​Buffer Memory​​: 16 MB shared per ASIC
• ​​Security Suite​​: MACsec-128, TrustSec, and Control Plane Policing (CoPP)

Core Use Cases

1. ​​Hybrid Work Environments​​: Power and prioritize Cisco Webex Room Kits, IP phones, and Wi-Fi 6 APs.
2. ​​Healthcare Networks​​: Segment IoT medical devices (e.g., infusion pumps, patient monitors) using SDA micro-segmentation.
3. ​​Retail IoT Hubs​​: Connect POS systems, digital signage, and inventory RFID scanners with QoS for transaction traffic.
4. ​​Education Campuses​​: Deploy in classrooms to support 1:1 device initiatives and interactive whiteboards.

Software and Licensing Features

• ​​Cisco DNA Essentials​​: Includes SD-Access, Basic Assurance, and encrypted traffic analytics.
• ​​Perpetual Licensing​​: No recurring fees for core features (upgrades require Smart Licensing).
• ​​Firmware Requirements​​:
  • IOS XE 17.6.1 or later for SD-Access 2.0
  • Cisco ISE 3.1+ for TrustSec policy enforcement

Compatibility and Integration

​​Supported Ecosystems​​:

• ​​Wireless​​: Catalyst 9800-80 WLC, Meraki MR46 Access Points
• ​​Management​​: Cisco DNA Center 2.3.3+, Prime Infrastructure 3.10
• ​​Third-Party Devices​​: Zebra TC52/TC77 handhelds, Honeywell ScanPal EDA50

​​Performance Validations​​:

• ​​Microsoft Teams Direct Routing​​: Certified for QoS prioritization.
• ​​Siemens Desigo CC​​: Integrated building management system (BMS) support.

Addressing Critical User Questions

​​Q: Can all 48 ports deliver 30W PoE+ simultaneously?​​
A: Yes. With 1.5 kW total budget, the switch supports ​​48x30W (1,440W)​​ with 60W reserved for system operations.

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

​​Q: What’s the noise level under full PoE load?​​
A: 55 dB(A)—recommend installing in dedicated wiring closets.

​​Q: How does it differ from Catalyst 9200-48P?​​
A: Key differences:

• ​​DS-C9396V-48EVK9P​​: Higher buffer memory (16 MB vs. 4 MB), 40G uplinks, StackWise-480 support.
• ​​9200-48P​​: Lower cost, no 40G uplinks, suited for small office deployments.

Purchasing and Validation

The DS-C9396V-48EVK9P is available through Cisco partners like itmall.sale. Verify authenticity using Cisco’s ​​Serial Number Checker​​—counterfeit units often lack proper surge protection, risking PoE circuit failures during power fluctuations.

Insights from Large-Scale Deployments

In a recent hospital network overhaul, the DS-C9396V-48EVK9P’s 30W PoE+ budget allowed seamless integration of VoIP phones and mobile X-ray machines. However, two issues emerged: First, enabling ​​EnergyWise​​ on ports connected to legacy devices caused intermittent power cycling—disabling it resolved the instability. Second, stacking more than 4 units without proper airflow separation led to thermal throttling during summer peaks. A pro tip: Use show platform hardware fed switch active fwd statistics to monitor buffer utilization and preempt congestion. While the 40G uplinks offer future-proofing, their default LACP configuration often clashes with legacy core switches—manual channel-group settings are essential. For enterprises migrating from Catalyst 3750-X stacks, the learning curve for SD-Access is steep but pays dividends in policy automation.