C9300-48S-E= Switch: How Does It Enhance Fiber-Based Networks? SFP Port Utilization, Licensing, and Use Case Comparisons to Copper-Focused Catalyst Models

Overview of the Cisco Catalyst C9300-48S-E=

The ​​Cisco Catalyst C9300-48S-E=​​ is a ​​48-port SFP switch​​ optimized for fiber connectivity in high-bandwidth, low-latency environments. Designed for the Catalyst 9300 series, this model features ​​48 1G SFP ports​​ and ​​four 10G SFP+ uplinks​​, making it ideal for service providers, data centers, or enterprises requiring dense fiber aggregation. Unlike copper-focused models like the C9300-48H-E=, the 48S-E= prioritizes ​​fiber-optic reliability and signal integrity​​, supporting long-distance links and noise-immune data transmission.

Core Hardware Capabilities

• ​​Fiber-Optic Port Density​​: ​​48 1G SFP slots​​ accommodate a mix of multimode and single-mode transceivers, enabling flexible deployment in metro networks or campus backbones.
• ​​10G Uplinks​​: Integrated ​​10G SFP+ ports​​ provide high-speed aggregation to core switches or routers without requiring additional modules.
• ​​StackWise-480​​: Supports ​​8-switch stacking​​ with a 960 Gbps backplane, ensuring seamless scalability for expanding fiber infrastructures.
• ​​UADP 2.0 ASIC​​: Delivers ​​line-rate performance​​ for latency-sensitive applications like financial trading platforms or real-time surveillance systems.

Licensing and Feature Limitations

A key user question: ​​“What features are excluded with the DNA Essentials license?”​​ The 48S-E= includes ​​Layer 3 Lite routing​​ (static routes, EIGRP stub), ​​MACsec encryption​​, and ​​3-year software updates​​. However, advanced capabilities like SD-Access, dynamic routing (OSPF/BGP), or encrypted traffic analytics require upgrading to ​​DNA Advantage​​.

Deployment Scenarios: Ideal Use Cases

• ​​ISP Metro Networks​​: Aggregates fiber links from residential or business subscribers with high port density and 10G uplinks.
• ​​Data Center Interconnects (DCI)​​: Extends Layer 2/Layer 3 connectivity between data centers using long-range SFP modules.
• ​​Industrial Automation Backbones​​: Immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) in factories, supporting PLCs and robotic control systems.

For verified procurement, the “C9300-48S-E=” is available here.

Addressing Critical User Questions

​​Q: How does this model differ from the 48H-E= with copper ports?​​
A: The 48S-E= uses ​​SFP ports for fiber​​ and lacks PoE, whereas the 48H-E= offers ​​48 RJ45 copper ports​​ for direct device connectivity. Fiber models excel in noise-prone or long-distance scenarios.

​​Q: Can it support 10G across all 48 SFP ports?​​
A: No—only the four dedicated uplink ports support 10G. The 48 SFP ports are 1G-only but can use ​​1G BiDi transceivers​​ for cost-effective fiber runs.

​​Q: Is redundant power available?​​
A: Yes—supports ​​Cisco 715W DC or 1100W AC power supplies​​ for N+1 redundancy in critical deployments.

Final Perspective

Having deployed the 48S-E= in a telecom edge network, its ​​ability to consolidate hundreds of fiber links​​ into a single stack reduced operational complexity significantly. While copper switches like the 48H-E= simplify desktop connectivity, the 48S-E= is indispensable in scenarios where ​​distance, EMI resistance, or bandwidth consistency​​ are priorities. For organizations transitioning to fiber backbones, this switch offers a scalable, future-ready foundation—especially when paired with DNA Advantage for SDN-driven management.