What Is the Cisco Catalyst C9200-24PB-A=?

The ​​Cisco Catalyst C9200-24PB-A=​​ is a ​​24-port Layer 3 stackable switch​​ optimized for environments requiring ​​PoE++ (802.3bt) power delivery​​, designed to support next-generation devices like Wi-Fi 6E access points, AI-powered cameras, and industrial IoT hubs. Cisco.com classifies it under the Catalyst 9200 Series, with upgrades over the 24P-A model, including a ​​1.1kW total PoE budget​​, ​​4x 10G SFP+ uplinks​​, and ​​Cisco UADP 3.0 ASIC​​ for traffic prioritization. It aims to future-proof networks against rising power and bandwidth demands.

Key Technical Advancements

• ​​PoE++ Capacity​​: Delivers ​​60W per port​​ (up to 24 ports) via ​​IEEE 802.3bt​​, powering devices like ​​pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras​​ and ​​5G small cells​​.
• ​​Enhanced Scalability​​: ​​StackWise-320​​ allows ​​8 switches​​ to operate as a single entity, providing ​​320 Gbps stack bandwidth​​ for high-throughput environments.
• ​​Security Hardening​​: ​​Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA)​​ identifies encrypted threats, while ​​System Guard Root-of-Trust​​ verifies firmware integrity.
• ​​Energy Efficiency​​: ​​EnergyWise management​​ dynamically adjusts power allocation based on real-time device needs, reducing operational costs by up to 30%.

Practical Use Cases for the 24PB-A=

Cisco.com highlights these deployments:

• ​​Smart Offices​​: Simultaneously powers ​​LED lighting systems​​, ​​4K conference room systems​​, and ​​occupancy sensors​​ on a single switch.
• ​​Healthcare​​: Supports ​​ultrasound machines​​, ​​patient vital monitors​​, and ​​mobile nursing stations​​ without power cabling overhead.
• ​​Retail​​: Centralizes power for ​​interactive kiosks​​, ​​digital signage​​, and facial recognition systems in large-format stores.

Addressing Critical User Questions

​​Q: How many PoE++ devices can run at full power simultaneously?​​
A: With a ​​1.1kW budget​​, the switch can fully power ​​18x 60W devices​​ (e.g., PTZ cameras) or mix high/low-power endpoints like APs and sensors.

​​Q: Does it support both PoE+ (30W) and PoE++ (60W) devices?​​
A: Yes. The switch auto-negotiates power per port, allowing hybrid deployments of PoE, PoE+, and PoE++ devices.

​​Q: What happens during a power supply failure?​​
A: ​​Redundant, hot-swappable 1100W power supplies​​ ensure continuous PoE delivery, critical for surveillance or medical systems.

​​Q: Is this compatible with Cisco SD-Access?​​
A: Yes. Integration with ​​Cisco DNA Center​​ enables automated segmentation and policy-based traffic management.

Cost vs. Future-Proofing

While the 24PB-A= costs ​​~40% more​​ than the 24P-A model, its ​​1.1kW PoE capacity​​ eliminates the need for midspans or upgrades as high-power devices proliferate. For enterprises with ​​100+ PoE++ endpoints​​, consolidating power and data reduces infrastructure costs by ​​25–35%​​ over five years.

For verified deployments, “C9200-24PB-A=” is available at IT Mall, offering Cisco-certified units with extended 5-year warranties.

Strategic Considerations

The C9200-24PB-A= is not merely an incremental upgrade—it’s a hedge against the exponential growth of power-hungry devices. Organizations sticking to lower PoE budgets risk stranded investments when upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 or industrial IoT systems requiring 60W+ per device. While the upfront cost is steep, the operational flexibility and scalability it unlocks make it indispensable for sectors like healthcare and smart building management, where downtime translates to safety or financial risks. Delaying adoption could force costly forklift upgrades within two years, making this Catalyst model a proactive necessity rather than a discretionary purchase.