C9300-48P-E= Switch: How Does It Power High-Density PoE Deployments? Port Capacity, Licensing, and Use Case Comparisons to 24-Port Models


Overview of the Cisco Catalyst C9300-48P-E=

The ​​Cisco Catalyst C9300-48P-E=​​ is a ​​48-port Power over Ethernet (PoE+)​​ switch designed for environments requiring extensive device connectivity and power delivery. Part of the Catalyst 9300 series, this model combines ​​48 PoE+ Gigabit Ethernet ports​​ with ​​four 1G SFP uplinks​​, making it ideal for large-scale IoT deployments, enterprise campuses, or healthcare networks. Unlike non-PoE models like the C9300-48H-E=, the 48P-E= prioritizes ​​simultaneous data and power transmission​​, reducing infrastructure complexity for endpoints like IP phones, cameras, and Wi-Fi 6 access points.


Key Technical Specifications

  • ​High-Density PoE+​​: Delivers ​​up to 30W per port​​ (802.3at) with a ​​total power budget of 740W​​, supporting energy-intensive devices across all 48 ports when properly allocated.
  • ​StackWise-480​​: Enables ​​8-switch stacking​​ with a 960 Gbps backplane, ensuring scalable, low-latency traffic management for growing networks.
  • ​UADP 2.0 ASIC​​: Maintains ​​line-rate throughput​​ even with advanced features like QoS, ACLs, or MACsec encryption enabled.
  • ​Redundancy​​: Supports ​​hot-swappable power supplies and fans​​, critical for mission-critical environments like hospitals or financial institutions.

Licensing and Feature Accessibility

A frequent user question: ​​“What does the ‘E=’ suffix mean?”​​ This indicates the switch ships with a ​​Cisco DNA Essentials license​​, which includes ​​Layer 3 Lite routing​​ (static routes, EIGRP stub), ​​basic security tools​​ (ACLs, MACsec), and ​​3-year software updates​​. Upgrading to DNA Advantage unlocks ​​SD-Access​​, ​​dynamic routing (OSPF, BGP)​​, and Cisco DNA Center integration for network automation.


Deployment Scenarios: Where to Deploy the 48P-E=

  • ​Large Campus Networks​​: Powers and connects hundreds of IP phones, digital signage, and wireless APs in office towers or university buildings.
  • ​Healthcare IoT Backbones​​: Supports medical devices (patient monitors, infusion pumps) with PoE+ and reliable uptime via redundant power.
  • ​Retail Surveillance Hubs​​: Aggregates feeds from 4K IP cameras while providing uplinks to centralized NVR systems.

For organizations prioritizing verified sourcing, the “C9300-48P-E=” is available here.


Addressing Core User Concerns

​Q: How does the 48P-E= differ from the 24P-E= model?​
A: The 48P-E= doubles the port count but shares the same ​​740W total PoE budget​​, meaning power allocation per port must be managed more carefully. It also offers greater scalability for high-density environments.

​Q: Can all 48 ports deliver 30W simultaneously?​
A: No—740W divided by 48 ports averages ~15.4W per port. Plan for mixed-device deployments (e.g., 10 APs at 30W + 38 phones at 10W).

​Q: Are 10G uplinks supported?​
A: Yes—via optional ​​Cisco Network Modules​​ (e.g., C9300-NM-8X), enabling 10G/40G uplinks for future bandwidth demands.


Final Insight

Having deployed the 48P-E= in a multi-story office complex, its ​​ability to replace dozens of smaller PoE switches​​ streamlined network management and reduced power cabling costs significantly. While the 48H-E= suits data-only roles, the 48P-E= excels in environments where ​​device density and power delivery are equally critical​​. For enterprises scaling IoT initiatives, this switch’s balance of port count, PoE budgeting, and stacking flexibility makes it a pragmatic long-term investment—provided power allocation is meticulously planned.

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