What Is the Cisco C9300-48UN-EDU?

The ​​C9300-48UN-EDU​​ is a ​​48-port Multi-Gigabit UPOE+ switch​​ from Cisco’s Catalyst 9300 Series, purpose-engineered for ​​K-12 and higher education networks​​. It combines ​​scalable Layer 3 switching​​, ​​UPOE++ (90W per port)​​, and ​​education-optimized licensing​​ to support high-density classrooms, campus-wide IoT, and secure digital learning environments.

Core Technical Specifications

• ​​Port Configuration​​: ​​48 x Multi-Gig RJ45 ports​​ (1/2.5/5G) + ​​4 x 10G SFP+ uplinks​​.
• ​​UPOE++​​: Delivers ​​90W per port​​ to power ​​interactive displays, charging carts, and AV systems​​ without external injectors.
• ​​Education Licensing​​: Includes ​​Cisco DNA Essentials for Education​​, enabling ​​zero-touch provisioning​​ and ​​automated policy enforcement​​ for BYOD-heavy networks.
• ​​Security​​: ​​Cisco Umbrella Integration​​ for content filtering and ​​CIPA compliance​​, plus ​​MACsec encryption​​ for student data protection.

Why It’s Optimized for Education

• ​​Cost-Efficient Scaling​​: ​​StackWise-320​​ allows schools to daisy-chain up to 8 switches, creating a ​​single management domain​​ for sprawling campuses.
• ​​Classroom-Ready PoE​​: Simultaneously powers ​​30+ Chromebook carts, smart boards, and IP cameras​​ on one switch.
• ​​Distance Learning Support​​: ​​Adaptive QoS​​ prioritizes video conferencing (Zoom, Teams) and LMS traffic to minimize latency during hybrid classes.

Key Use Cases in Educational Institutions

• ​​Smart Classrooms​​: Powers ​​75W interactive flat panels​​, ​​document cameras​​, and ​​student device charging stations​​.
• ​​Campus-Wide Wi-Fi 6/6E​​: Supports ​​Cisco 9120/9130 APs​​ at full Multi-Gig speeds for uninterrupted BYOD connectivity.
• ​​Labs and Libraries​​: Segments traffic for ​​STEM labs​​ (VR/AR gear, 3D printers) and ​​digital media studios​​ using ​​Layer 3 VLANs​​.

How It Differs from Non-EDU Catalyst 9300 Models

Unlike the ​​C9300-48UB-E​​, which targets enterprise Multi-Gig/UPOE++ use, the ​​48UN-EDU​​ includes ​​pre-bundled education licensing​​ (saving 15-20% on DNA subscriptions) and ​​pre-configured CIPA/COPPA compliance templates​​. It also omits 25G uplinks, aligning with typical school budget and bandwidth needs.

Why Itmall.sale for Education Deployments?

Itmall.sale offers ​​EDU-specific volume discounts​​, ​​Cisco-funded E-Rate compliance support​​, and ​​on-site configuration assistance​​ for understaffed school IT teams. Their partnership with Cisco ensures ​​fast firmware updates​​ and ​​discounted Smart Net contracts​​. For procurement details, visit the C9300-48UN-EDU product page.

Final Assessment: Should Schools Prioritize the 48UN-EDU?

For districts modernizing under ​​ESSA or E-Rate funding​​, the C9300-48UN-EDU is a ​​strategic buy​​. Its balance of ​​high-power PoE​​, ​​federally compliant security​​, and ​​simplified scaling​​ addresses pain points most switches ignore. While not the cheapest option upfront, its ​​TCO over 5 years​​ (via reduced licensing and energy costs) makes it a pragmatic long-term anchor for education networks. If your district is juggling ARPA deadlines and surging device counts, delaying this investment could mean playing catch-up for years.