In-Depth Cisco Catalyst C9300X-24Y-A Datasheet and Pricing Analysis for Enterprise Networks

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst C9300X-24Y-A is a flagship model within Cisco’s Catalyst 9300X series, designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern enterprise campus networks. As part of Cisco’s next-generation stackable access switches, the C9300X-24Y-A delivers high-performance Layer 3 switching, advanced security, and extensive programmability, making it an ideal choice for organizations seeking scalable, resilient, and secure network infrastructure.

Engineered for digital transformation initiatives, the C9300X-24Y-A supports Cisco’s intent-based networking architecture, enabling automation, analytics, and policy-driven management. This switch is optimized for high-density 10/25 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, providing future-proof bandwidth capabilities to support bandwidth-intensive applications such as video conferencing, cloud services, and IoT deployments.

The “24Y” in the model number denotes 24 ports of 10/25 Gigabit Ethernet with multigigabit capabilities, while the “A” suffix indicates the inclusion of Cisco’s Advanced Enterprise licensing, unlocking a comprehensive suite of Layer 3 routing protocols and advanced features. This model is a cornerstone for enterprises aiming to build a secure, scalable, and high-throughput campus network fabric.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Hardware Architecture

The Cisco Catalyst C9300X-24Y-A is built on Cisco’s Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) 2.0 ASIC, which provides hardware-accelerated forwarding and advanced telemetry capabilities. The switch chassis supports a fixed configuration with 24 multigigabit Ethernet ports capable of 1G, 2.5G, 5G, and 10G speeds, and 4 fixed 10G SFP+ uplink ports for high-speed aggregation.

The device supports modular power supplies with redundant power options and field-replaceable fans, ensuring high availability and operational continuity in mission-critical environments. The switch’s compact 1RU form factor is optimized for rack-mount deployments in data centers and wiring closets.

2.2 Port and Interface Details

• 24 x 10/25 Gigabit Ethernet multigigabit ports (RJ-45) supporting IEEE 802.3bz (2.5G/5G) and 10GBASE-T
• 4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ uplink ports (fixed)
• StackWise-480 technology supporting up to 480 Gbps stack bandwidth
• USB Type-A and Type-B ports for console and storage

2.3 Performance and Capacity

The C9300X-24Y-A delivers a switching capacity of up to 480 Gbps and a forwarding rate of approximately 356.8 Mpps (million packets per second). It supports up to 64,000 MAC addresses and 32,000 IPv4/IPv6 routes, enabling large-scale enterprise deployments with extensive endpoint connectivity.

The device supports advanced Layer 3 routing protocols including OSPFv2/v3, EIGRP, BGP, and IS-IS, with hardware-based routing acceleration to minimize latency and maximize throughput.

2.4 Software and Licensing

The “A” in the model number signifies the Advanced Enterprise licensing tier, which includes:

• Full Layer 3 routing capabilities (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, IS-IS)
• Advanced security features such as Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) and MACsec encryption
• Flexible NetFlow for detailed traffic analytics
• Programmability via Cisco DNA Center and Cisco IOS XE automation APIs
• Support for Cisco SD-Access fabric integration

The switch runs Cisco IOS XE, a modular operating system that supports in-service software upgrades (ISSU), high availability features, and extensive programmability through RESTCONF, NETCONF, and gRPC.

2.5 Power and Environmental Specifications

The C9300X-24Y-A supports dual redundant power supplies with options for AC or DC input. It features energy-efficient design compliant with IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet standards. Operating temperature ranges from 0°C to 45°C, with storage temperature from -40°C to 70°C.

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 High-Density Multigigabit Connectivity

The 24 multigigabit ports on the C9300X-24Y-A enable seamless support for emerging high-bandwidth devices such as wireless access points, IP cameras, and IoT sensors without requiring additional cabling infrastructure upgrades. This flexibility reduces total cost of ownership (TCO) while future-proofing the network.

3.2 Advanced Layer 3 Routing and Scalability

With full Layer 3 routing support enabled by the Advanced Enterprise license, the switch can handle complex routing topologies and dynamic network environments. Hardware-accelerated routing ensures low latency and high throughput, critical for latency-sensitive applications.

3.3 StackWise-480 Technology for Resiliency and Scalability

Cisco’s StackWise-480 technology allows up to eight switches to be interconnected and managed as a single logical unit