In-Depth Technical Analysis and Pricing of Cisco Catalyst C9200L-24T-4G-E Switch

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst C9200L-24T-4G-E is a member of Cisco’s renowned Catalyst 9200 Series, designed to deliver enterprise-class access switching with advanced security, high availability, and simplified management. Positioned as a cost-effective, high-performance Layer 2/3 access switch, the C9200L-24T-4G-E is engineered to meet the rigorous demands of modern campus networks, branch offices, and mid-sized enterprise environments.

This model features 24 fixed 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports and 4 fixed 1G SFP uplink ports, providing flexible connectivity options for diverse network topologies. The “L” in the model number denotes the “Lite” version of the Catalyst 9200 series, optimized for customers seeking a balance between performance and cost-efficiency without compromising Cisco’s hallmark reliability and security.

The C9200L-24T-4G-E supports Cisco IOS XE software, enabling advanced programmability, automation, and security features. It is designed to integrate seamlessly with Cisco DNA Center for centralized network management and analytics, facilitating intent-based networking and simplified operations.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Hardware Architecture

The Cisco Catalyst C9200L-24T-4G-E is built on a fixed-configuration chassis with a compact form factor suitable for rack mounting in standard 19-inch racks. The switch dimensions are approximately 1.73 x 17.5 x 15.5 inches (H x W x D), and it weighs around 5.5 kg, making it suitable for both centralized wiring closets and distributed access deployments.

The device is powered by a dual-core CPU architecture running at 1.2 GHz, supported by 4 GB of DRAM and 4 GB of flash memory. This hardware foundation supports Cisco IOS XE’s modular operating system, enabling high availability and software resilience.

2.2 Port and Interface Details

The switch provides 24 fixed 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-45 ports supporting PoE/PoE+ capabilities (depending on the specific power budget and configuration). These ports support auto-negotiation, auto-MDIX, and are capable of full-duplex operation.

For uplink connectivity, the C9200L-24T-4G-E includes 4 fixed 1 Gigabit SFP ports, allowing for fiber or copper SFP modules to be installed, providing flexible uplink options to aggregation or core layers. The uplink ports support 1000BASE-SX/LX/LH and 1000BASE-T SFP modules.

2.3 Performance and Switching Capacity

The switch delivers a switching capacity of 128 Gbps with a forwarding rate of up to 95.23 Mpps (million packets per second). This throughput ensures wire-speed performance across all ports simultaneously, supporting high-density user environments and bandwidth-intensive applications.

The MAC address table supports up to 32,000 entries, and the switch supports up to 16,000 IPv4 and IPv6 routes, enabling robust Layer 3 routing capabilities for enterprise networks.

2.4 Power and Environmental Specifications

The C9200L-24T-4G-E supports an internal fixed power supply with a maximum power consumption of approximately 60W (without PoE). When PoE is enabled, the power budget depends on the specific model variant and power supply configuration.

Operating temperature ranges from 0°C to 45°C, with storage temperature from -40°C to 70°C. The device supports standard operating humidity levels of 10% to 90% non-condensing.

2.5 Software and Protocol Support

Running Cisco IOS XE, the switch supports a comprehensive suite of Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols including:

• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid STP (RSTP), Multiple STP (MSTP)
• VLANs and Private VLANs
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) snooping
• Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP)
• Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)
• IPv4 and IPv6 static routing, OSPF, EIGRP, and RIP
• Access Control Lists (ACLs) for security enforcement
• Quality of Service (QoS) for traffic prioritization

Additionally, the switch supports advanced security features such as 802.1X port-based authentication, MACsec encryption (hardware dependent), and TrustSec integration.

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 Enterprise-Grade Security

Security is paramount in modern networks, and the C9200L-24T-4G-E incorporates multiple layers of protection. The switch supports Cisco TrustSec for scalable segmentation and policy enforcement, mitigating lateral threats within the network. 802.1X authentication ensures that only authorized devices gain access, while DHCP snooping and Dynamic ARP Inspection prevent common Layer 2 attacks.

3.2 High Availability and Resiliency

Designed for mission-critical environments, the switch supports StackWise-160