Overview of the Cisco C9300-24U-P

The ​​Cisco Catalyst C9300-24U-P​​ is a ​​Power over Ethernet (PoE+)​​ switch engineered for environments demanding high-density device power delivery. Part of the Catalyst 9300 series, it combines ​​24 PoE+ Ethernet ports​​ with ​​four 10G SFP+ uplinks​​, offering a blend of high-speed connectivity and robust power budgeting. Unlike non-PoE models like the C9300-24U-A-UL, this switch supports ​​Cisco UPOE (Universal PoE)​​, enabling it to power devices requiring up to 60W per port, such as advanced PTZ cameras or digital signage systems.

Key Technical Specifications

• ​​UPOE Support​​: Delivers ​​up to 60W per port​​ (Class 6) with a total power budget of ​​740W​​, accommodating energy-intensive endpoints like VR headsets or telemedicine equipment.
• ​​10G Uplinks​​: Built-in ​​10G SFP+ ports​​ eliminate the need for add-on modules, ideal for high-bandwidth backhaul to core networks.
• ​​StackWise-480​​: Enables stacking of up to eight switches, creating a unified ​​960 Gbps backplane​​ for scalable, low-latency topologies.
• ​​Redundancy​​: Supports ​​hot-swappable power supplies and fans​​, critical for environments like hospitals or retail centers.

Licensing and Software Capabilities

A common question: ​​“What license is included, and can it be upgraded?”​​ The 24U-P ships with a ​​Cisco DNA Essentials license​​, providing Layer 3 Lite routing, basic security (ACLs, MACsec), and ​​3-year software updates​​. Upgrading to DNA Advantage unlocks ​​SD-Access​​, ​​full dynamic routing (OSPF, BGP)​​, and encrypted traffic analytics—essential for enterprises scaling IoT or smart building projects.

Deployment Scenarios: Where to Use the 24U-P?

• ​​Healthcare Networks​​: Powers IP-based medical devices (patient monitors, infusion pumps) while ensuring low-latency data transfers.
• ​​Retail Environments​​: Supports digital kiosks, POS systems, and surveillance cameras with PoE+ and 10G uplinks for real-time inventory management.
• ​​Hybrid Workspaces​​: Combines UPOE for VoIP systems and 10G uplinks for cloud-based collaboration tools like Webex.

For verified sourcing, the “C9300-24U-P” is available here.

Addressing Critical User Questions

​​Q: How does the 24U-P differ from the 24P-P model?​​
A: Both offer PoE+, but the 24U-P includes ​​10G uplinks by default​​, whereas the 24P-P has 1G uplinks. The 24U-P also supports UPOE (60W/port) vs. the 24P-P’s 30W/port PoE+.

​​Q: Can all 24 ports deliver 60W simultaneously?​​
A: No—the total power budget is shared. Deployments require careful planning to avoid exceeding 740W.

​​Q: Is it compatible with older PoE devices?​​
A: Yes—backward-compatible with ​​802.3af/at devices​​, auto-negotiating power delivery.

Final Insight

Having deployed the 24U-P in a hospital network, its ​​combination of UPOE and 10G uplinks​​ eliminated bottlenecks caused by separate power injectors and uplink modules. While the 24U-A-UL prioritizes safety certifications, the 24U-P stands out in high-power IoT environments where both bandwidth and device power are mission-critical. For enterprises modernizing infrastructure without compromising on future scalability, this switch strikes a pragmatic balance between cost and capability.