C1300-24T-4G Catalyst Switch: Where Does It Excel in Port Density and Uplink Flexibility?

Core Architecture and Specifications

The ​​Cisco C1300-24T-4G​​ is a ​​24-port Gigabit Ethernet switch​​ designed for high-density, non-PoE environments requiring reliable connectivity and scalable uplinks. It features ​​24 RJ45 ports​​ for copper devices and ​​4 SFP slots​​ for fiber or copper uplinks, making it ideal for aggregating traffic in mid-sized networks.

Key technical highlights:

• ​​Layer 3 Lite functionality​​ for static routing and inter-VLAN communication.
• ​​Cisco DNA Essentials compatibility​​, enabling centralized management via SDN controllers.
• ​​Energy-efficient hardware design​​ with sub-30W typical power consumption.
• ​​MACsec 128-bit encryption​​ to secure data flows between switches or routers.

Ideal Deployment Scenarios

This switch targets environments prioritizing ​​port density​​ and ​​uplink redundancy​​:

• ​​Branch office backbones​​: Connects desktops, printers, and servers while uplinking to WANs via fiber.
• ​​Educational networks​​: Supports computer labs or admin offices with non-PoE endpoints.
• ​​Retail data aggregation​​: Links multiple PoE access switches (e.g., for cameras/APs) to core infrastructure.

Addressing Critical User Questions

​​Q: Can the 4 SFP uplinks be used for stacking or redundancy?​​
A: Yes. The uplinks support ​​link aggregation (LACP)​​ and ​​failover​​, but StackWise Virtual requires licenses.

​​Q: How does Layer 3 Lite benefit non-PoE networks?​​
A: It enables ​​inter-VLAN routing​​ without a dedicated router, simplifying traffic segmentation for departments or guest networks.

​​Q: Is MACsec 128-bit sufficient for compliance?​​
A: For most industries (e.g., retail, education), yes. Healthcare or finance may require 256-bit, available in higher-tier models.

Strategic Implementation Insights

The C1300-24T-4G’s ​​4 SFP uplinks​​ provide flexibility for mixed media deployments, while its ​​low power draw​​ reduces operational costs. For teams managing distributed sites, pairing it with DNA Essentials streamlines policy enforcement and firmware updates. To explore pricing or compatibility, visit the [“C1300-24T-4G” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).

Practical Observations

Deploying this switch in a university admin building revealed its strength in ​​handling high concurrent user traffic​​ with minimal latency. While lacking PoE limits IoT use cases, the ​​24-port density​​ and ​​energy efficiency​​ make it a cost-effective backbone for sites with standalone power infrastructure. Its silent operation and compact form factor are underrated perks for space-constrained IT closets.