What Is the Cisco C9300L-48T-4X-EDU? Education-Focused Licensing, 10G Uplinks, and Campus Use Cases



​Overview of the Cisco C9300L-48T-4X-EDU​

The Cisco C9300L-48T-4X-EDU is a ​​non-PoE, high-density Layer 3 switch​​ tailored for educational institutions and large campus networks. Part of the Catalyst 9300L series, it combines cost-effective licensing, 10G uplink scalability, and simplified management to support environments like classrooms, research labs, and administrative offices.


​Core Technical Specifications​

  • ​Port Configuration​​: 48 x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports, 4 x 10G SFP+ uplinks.
  • ​Performance​​: ​​220 Gbps switching capacity​​ with ​​Cisco DNA Essentials licensing​​ pre-installed for basic automation and network visibility.
  • ​Scalability​​: Supports ​​StackWise®-320​​, enabling stacking of up to 8 switches with 320 Gbps bandwidth for unified traffic handling.
  • ​Energy Efficiency​​: Built with ​​Cisco’s UADP ASIC​​ to reduce power consumption by up to 25% compared to older models.

​Key User Concerns Addressed​

​Q: What makes the “EDU” model unique?​
The switch includes ​​Education-specific licensing​​, offering discounted access to Cisco DNA features for qualifying academic institutions. This reduces long-term software costs for schools and universities.

​Q: Are the 10G uplinks necessary for campus networks?​
Yes. The four 10G SFP+ ports ensure seamless connectivity to core networks or network-attached storage (NAS) devices, critical for handling large research datasets or video-based learning platforms.


​C9300L-48T-4X-EDU vs. Standard Models​

Unlike the C9300L-48T-4G-A (which has 1G uplinks), this model ​​prioritizes high-speed backbone connectivity​​ with 10G uplinks, making it better suited for multi-building campuses. The “EDU” licensing also differentiates it from commercial variants, providing cost savings for eligible organizations.


​Licensing and Deployment Tips​

The switch ships with ​​Cisco DNA Essentials for Education​​, covering foundational security and automation features. Upgrades to ​​DNA Advantage for Education​​ unlock advanced analytics and policy enforcement, though most schools find Essentials sufficient for basic needs.

For procurement, visit the “C9300L-48T-4X-EDU” at itmall.sale, which specializes in Cisco education solutions with verified academic pricing.


​Insights from Campus Network Deployments​

Having worked with K-12 and university IT teams, the C9300L-48T-4X-EDU’s ​​10G uplinks and EDU licensing​​ address two pain points: budget constraints and bandwidth demands. While its lack of PoE limits IoT flexibility, most academic environments prioritize wired connectivity for desktops and servers. For schools planning hybrid learning infrastructures, this switch strikes a pragmatic balance—just ensure fiber compatibility for the 10G uplinks to avoid last-mile bottlenecks.

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