C9300-24UXB-E= Switch: What Are Its Multi-Gig and PoE+ Capabilities? Licensing, Use Cases, and Comparisons to Catalyst 9300 UX Models


Overview of the Cisco Catalyst C9300-24UXB-E=

The ​​Cisco Catalyst C9300-24UXB-E=​​ is a high-density, multi-Gigabit switch optimized for environments requiring ​​flexible port speeds​​ and ​​moderate Power over Ethernet (PoE+)​​. Part of the Catalyst 9300 series, this model features ​​24 multi-Gig RJ45 ports​​ (1G/2.5G/5G) and ​​four 10G SFP+ uplinks​​, paired with a ​​Cisco DNA Essentials license​​. Unlike the 24UX-A’s UPOE++ and 25G uplinks, the 24UXB-E= balances cost and performance for mid-market deployments needing multi-Gig readiness without extreme power budgets.


Core Hardware Specifications

  • ​Multi-Gig Port Flexibility​​: Auto-negotiating ​​1G/2.5G/5G Base-T ports​​ support Wi-Fi 6 access points, IP phones, and IoT devices requiring faster-than-Gigabit speeds.
  • ​PoE+ Support​​: Delivers ​​30W per port​​ (802.3at) with a total power budget of ​​740W​​, suitable for classrooms, retail spaces, or offices with mixed-device environments.
  • ​10G Uplinks​​: Integrated ​​10G SFP+ ports​​ provide cost-effective aggregation to core networks or cloud gateways.
  • ​StackWise-480​​: Enables ​​8-switch stacking​​ with a 960 Gbps backplane, ensuring scalability for growing traffic demands.

Licensing and Feature Limitations

A key user question: ​​“What features are excluded with the DNA Essentials license?”​​ The 24UXB-E= lacks ​​SD-Access​​, ​​dynamic routing protocols (OSPF/BGP)​​, and ​​Encrypted Traffic Analytics​​—features reserved for DNA Advantage/Premier licenses. However, Essentials includes ​​Layer 3 Lite​​, ​​MACsec encryption​​, and ​​3-year software updates​​, sufficient for most SMB or branch office deployments.


Deployment Scenarios: Ideal Use Cases

  • ​Mid-Market Wi-Fi 6 Rollouts​​: Powers and connects 2.5G APs while aggregating traffic via 10G uplinks.
  • ​Hybrid Work Environments​​: Supports desktop IP phones, conferencing systems, and high-speed workstations.
  • ​Cost-Conscious IoT Deployments​​: Balances multi-Gig flexibility with PoE+ for cameras, sensors, and digital displays.

For verified procurement, the “C9300-24UXB-E=” is available here.


Addressing Key Technical Questions

​Q: How does this model differ from the 24UX-A?​
A: The 24UX-A offers ​​UPOE++ (90W/port)​​, ​​25G uplinks​​, and a DNA Advantage license, while the 24UXB-E= caps PoE at 30W/port and uses 10G uplinks with Essentials licensing.

​Q: Can the PoE budget support all 24 ports at 30W?​
A: No—total PoE+ capacity is ​​740W​​, so simultaneous full power requires careful allocation (e.g., 24 ports at 30W would need 720W, leaving minimal overhead).

​Q: Is stacking compatible with other Catalyst 9300 switches?​
A: Yes—StackWise-480 ensures interoperability with models like the 24U-P or 24T-EDU, though licensing tiers remain switch-specific.


Final Insight

Having deployed the 24UXB-E= in regional healthcare clinics, its ​​balance of multi-Gig readiness and PoE+ affordability​​ proves invaluable for organizations modernizing infrastructure on a budget. While the 24UX-A caters to enterprises with advanced automation needs, the 24UXB-E= eliminates overprovisioning costs for scenarios where 10G uplinks and 2.5G device connectivity are sufficient. Its Essentials licensing also reduces complexity for IT teams managing decentralized networks, making it a pragmatic choice for scalable, future-aware deployments.

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