C1300-48T-4X Catalyst Switch: Why 48 Ports and 10G Uplinks Matter for Scalable Networks

Core Hardware and Performance Specs

The ​​Cisco C1300-48T-4X​​ is a ​​48-port Gigabit Ethernet switch​​ engineered for environments requiring high port density and multi-gig uplink flexibility. It features ​​48 RJ45 copper ports​​ (10/100/1000BASE-T) and ​​4 10G SFP+ uplinks​​, making it ideal for aggregating traffic in campus networks or mid-sized data centers.

Key technical differentiators include:

• ​​Layer 3 Lite routing​​ for inter-VLAN communication and static routes.
• ​​Cisco StackWise Virtual​​ support, allowing up to 8 switches to operate as a single logical unit.
• ​​Deep buffers (12MB)​​ to minimize packet loss during traffic spikes.
• ​​MACsec 256-bit encryption​​ on all ports for full traffic confidentiality.

Target Environments and Use Scenarios

This switch addresses three critical networking needs:

• ​​High-density office floors​​: Connects desktops, IP phones, and conferencing systems while uplinking to core switches at 10G speeds.
• ​​Light-duty data centers​​: Aggregates server traffic with ​​4x10G uplinks​​ and provides basic Layer 3 segmentation.
• ​​Education backbones​​: Secures student/faculty traffic via MACsec while handling high concurrent user loads.

Answering Key Deployment Questions

​​Q: Can the 10G uplinks be used for stacking or only uplinking?​​
A: Yes. The SFP+ ports support ​​10G stacking​​ via StackWise Virtual or standard uplinking to core routers.

​​Q: How does Layer 3 Lite benefit non-PoE networks?​​
A: It eliminates the need for a separate router to manage traffic between VLANs (e.g., segregating HR, IT, and guest networks).

​​Q: Is MACsec 256-bit practical for everyday use?​​
A: Absolutely. Hardware-based encryption imposes no performance penalty, making it viable for encrypted backups, VoIP, and database syncs.

Purchasing and Operational Considerations

With a ​​370W power supply​​ and fanless design, the C1300-48T-4X suits noise-sensitive environments like libraries or clinics. The ​​48-port density​​ reduces the need for additional access switches in growing networks. For purchase inquiries or compatibility checks, see the [“C1300-48T-4X” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).

Field-Tested Insights

In a recent deployment for a legal firm, the C1300-48T-4X’s ​​MACsec encryption​​ proved invaluable for securing sensitive client data across 120+ endpoints. While lacking PoE limits IoT use cases, the ​​10G uplinks​​ and ​​StackWise Virtual​​ simplified scaling from 2 to 8 floors without rearchitecting the core. For enterprises needing future-proof copper aggregation, this switch strikes a rare balance between budget and enterprise-grade features.