Overview of the Cisco C9300-24T-EDU

The ​​Cisco Catalyst C9300-24T-EDU​​ is a specialized variant of the Catalyst 9300 series designed for ​​education-sector networks​​, balancing cost efficiency with enterprise-grade performance. This model includes ​​24 Gigabit Ethernet ports​​, ​​four 10G SFP+ uplinks​​, and a ​​pre-bundled Cisco DNA Essentials license​​ optimized for K-12 and higher education IT environments. Unlike standard Catalyst switches, the EDU SKU emphasizes ​​simplified licensing​​ and ​​scalability​​ for budget-conscious institutions managing high-density student and faculty devices.

Hardware and Core Features

• ​​10G Uplink Capacity​​: Pre-configured ​​10G SFP+ ports​​ support high-bandwidth backhaul to district data centers or cloud resources, critical for digital learning tools and LMS platforms.
• ​​StackWise-480​​: Enables ​​8-switch stacking​​ with a 960 Gbps backplane, allowing schools to grow networks incrementally without overprovisioning.
• ​​Energy Efficiency​​: Uses ​​Cisco UADP 2.0 ASIC​​ to maintain line-rate performance while minimizing power consumption—key for aging campus electrical systems.
• ​​Non-PoE Design​​: Unlike the 24P-P model, the 24T-EDU focuses on data aggregation, making it ideal for labs, admin offices, and wired classrooms.

Licensing and Cost Considerations for Education

A central user question: ​​“What licensing advantages does the EDU SKU offer?”​​ The DNA Essentials license includes ​​Layer 3 Lite routing​​, ​​basic security (ACLs, MACsec)​​, and ​​3-year software updates​​—sufficient for most educational use cases. Crucially, Cisco provides ​​discounted upgrade paths​​ to DNA Advantage for institutions needing SD-Access or encrypted traffic analytics.

Deployment Scenarios in Education

• ​​Classroom Networks​​: Supports high-density Chromebooks, PCs, and smartboards with reliable, low-latency connectivity.
• ​​Administrative Backbones​​: 10G uplinks handle bandwidth-heavy tasks like video surveillance and district-wide data backups.
• ​​Hybrid Learning Environments​​: Integrates with Cisco DNA Center for centralized management of on-prem and cloud-based resources.

For verified procurement, the “C9300-24T-EDU” is available here.

Addressing Key User Concerns

​​Q: How does the 24T-EDU differ from the standard 24T-10A?​​
A: The 24T-10A includes a DNA Advantage license and targets enterprises needing SD-Access, while the EDU model offers Essentials licensing with ​​education-specific pricing and support​​.

​​Q: Can this switch support Wi-Fi 6 access points?​​
A: Yes—though lacking PoE, the 24T-EDU can aggregate traffic from PoE switches or injectors powering Wi-Fi 6/6E APs in lecture halls or dormitories.

​​Q: Is redundant power available?​​
A: Yes—supports ​​Cisco’s 715W DC or 1100W AC power modules​​ for N+1 redundancy in server rooms or media centers.

Final Perspective

Having worked with school districts transitioning to 1:1 device programs, the C9300-24T-EDU’s ​​balance of upfront affordability and scalability​​ addresses a critical pain point. While PoE models like the 24P-P suit IoT-heavy deployments, the EDU variant eliminates licensing complexity for IT teams managing tight budgets. Its 10G uplinks ensure readiness for emerging edtech tools, making it a pragmatic backbone for future-proof—yet fiscally responsible—campus networks.