Cisco Catalyst 9300-24P-E Datasheet and Pricing Guide: Enterprise-Grade 24-Port PoE+ Switch

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst 9300-24P-E is a flagship model within Cisco’s Catalyst 9300 Series, designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern enterprise campus networks. As a member of the industry-leading Cisco Catalyst 9000 family, the C9300-24P-E delivers advanced security, high performance, and scalability in a compact 1RU form factor. This switch is engineered to support digital transformation initiatives, IoT deployments, and cloud-ready architectures by providing robust Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities, extensive Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) support, and Cisco’s innovative software features.

Targeted at medium to large enterprise networks, the C9300-24P-E is ideal for access layer deployments requiring high-density PoE+ ports to power IP phones, wireless access points, security cameras, and other endpoint devices. The switch integrates Cisco’s IOS XE operating system, enabling programmability, automation, and advanced telemetry for network administrators seeking operational efficiency and enhanced security posture.

This datasheet provides an in-depth technical analysis of the Cisco Catalyst 9300-24P-E, covering its hardware specifications, software features, and pricing considerations to assist network architects, engineers, and procurement specialists in making informed decisions.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Hardware Architecture

The Cisco Catalyst 9300-24P-E is a fixed-configuration switch housed in a 1RU chassis, optimized for high-density access deployments. It features 24 RJ-45 10/100/1000 Mbps ports with full PoE+ (802.3at) support, delivering up to 30W per port. The switch supports a total PoE power budget of up to 370W, enabling simultaneous powering of multiple high-demand devices.

In addition to the 24 PoE+ ports, the switch includes four fixed 1G SFP uplink ports for fiber or copper connectivity, facilitating flexible network topologies and high-speed aggregation. The uplinks support Cisco StackWise-480 technology, allowing stacking of up to eight switches with a combined bandwidth of 480 Gbps, simplifying management and scaling.

2.2 Performance and Forwarding Capacity

The C9300-24P-E is powered by a custom Cisco ASIC designed for wire-speed forwarding and low latency. It delivers a switching capacity of 176 Gbps and a forwarding rate of up to 154.76 Mpps (million packets per second), ensuring seamless handling of high-throughput traffic typical in enterprise environments.

The switch supports advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 features, including static routing, RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP, enabling it to function as a robust access or distribution layer device. Hardware-based MACsec encryption is supported on uplink ports, providing secure data transmission at line rate.

2.3 Memory and Storage

The device is equipped with 8 GB of DRAM and 4 GB of flash memory, providing ample resources for IOS XE software, feature sets, and configuration storage. This memory configuration supports advanced features such as Cisco DNA Center integration, software-defined access (SD-Access), and network telemetry.

2.4 Power and Cooling

The C9300-24P-E includes a redundant, field-replaceable power supply unit (PSU) with an input range of 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz. The switch supports Cisco’s EnergyWise technology for power management and efficiency. Cooling is managed via front-to-back airflow with variable-speed fans, optimized for quiet operation in office environments.

2.5 Physical and Environmental Specifications

The switch measures approximately 44.5 cm (17.5 inches) in width, 44.5 cm (17.5 inches) in depth, and 4.45 cm (1.75 inches) in height (1RU). It weighs approximately 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs). Operating temperature ranges from 0°C to 45°C, with storage temperature from -40°C to 70°C. The device complies with industry standards for electromagnetic compatibility and safety.

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 Advanced Security Features

Security is paramount in enterprise networks, and the Cisco Catalyst 9300-24P-E incorporates multiple layers of protection. It supports Cisco TrustSec for identity-based access control, enabling segmentation and policy enforcement at the hardware level. MACsec encryption on uplink ports ensures data confidentiality and integrity across the network.

The switch also integrates Cisco’s Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA), which leverages machine learning to detect threats in encrypted traffic without decryption, enhancing threat visibility while maintaining privacy.

3.2 High-Density PoE+ Support

With 24 PoE+ ports delivering up to 30W each and a total power budget of 370W, the C9300-24P-E is well-suited for powering a wide range of endpoint devices including IP phones, wireless access points, video surveillance cameras, and IoT sensors. The switch supports Cisco’s Perpetual PoE feature, which maintains power to critical devices during software upgrades or reboots.

3.3 StackWise-480 Technology

Cisco StackWise-480 technology enables up to eight Catalyst 9300 switches to be interconnected and managed as a single logical unit. This stacking capability provides high availability