C9300-48T-A Switch: What Advantages Does It Offer with DNA Advantage? Feature Comparison, Licensing, and Use Cases vs. Essentials-Licensed Catalyst Models

Overview of the Cisco Catalyst C9300-48T-A

The ​​Cisco Catalyst C9300-48T-A​​ is a high-performance, enterprise-grade switch designed for networks prioritizing ​​software-defined automation​​ and ​​advanced security​​. Featuring ​​48 Gigabit Ethernet ports​​, ​​four 10G SFP+ uplinks​​, and a ​​pre-installed Cisco DNA Advantage license​​, this model targets organizations needing scalable SD-WAN, dynamic routing, and AI-driven network analytics. Unlike Essentials-licensed models like the C9300-48H-E=, the 48T-A provides out-of-the-box access to Cisco’s full SD-Access suite, making it ideal for complex campus or branch deployments.

Core Hardware and Performance Capabilities

• ​​10G Uplink Readiness​​: Built-in ​​10G SFP+ ports​​ eliminate the need for add-on modules, ensuring immediate high-bandwidth connectivity to core networks or cloud gateways.
• ​​StackWise-480 Technology​​: Supports ​​8-switch stacking​​ with a 960 Gbps backplane, enabling seamless scalability for traffic-intensive applications like video conferencing or IoT data aggregation.
• ​​UADP 2.0 ASIC​​: Delivers ​​line-rate throughput​​ even with resource-intensive features like QoS, ACLs, and MACsec encryption enabled.
• ​​Non-PoE Focus​​: Optimized for data aggregation, reducing power costs in environments where endpoints are self-powered (e.g., servers, workstations).

DNA Advantage Licensing: Key Benefits

A critical differentiator is the ​​pre-bundled DNA Advantage license​​, which unlocks:

• ​​SD-Access​​: Enables zero-trust security, policy-based automation, and micro-segmentation.
• ​​Dynamic Routing​​: Full support for ​​OSPF, BGP, and EIGRP​​, ideal for multi-site enterprises.
• ​​Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA)​​: Identifies threats in encrypted flows without decryption.
• ​​Cisco DNA Center Integration​​: Simplifies network provisioning, monitoring, and troubleshooting.

Deployment Scenarios: Where to Use the 48T-A?

• ​​Enterprise Campus Core​​: Manages high-density user traffic while integrating with SD-WAN for hybrid cloud access.
• ​​Distributed Branch Offices​​: Combines dynamic routing with SD-Access to enforce consistent security policies across locations.
• ​​AI-Ready Networks​​: Leverages DNA Center’s machine learning for predictive analytics and anomaly detection.

For verified sourcing, the “C9300-48T-A” is available here.

Addressing Key User Questions

​​Q: How does the 48T-A differ from the 48H-E= model?​​
A: The 48H-E= ships with a ​​DNA Essentials license​​ (limited to Layer 3 Lite and basic security), while the 48T-A includes DNA Advantage for SD-Access, dynamic routing, and advanced analytics. Both share identical hardware specs.

​​Q: Can Essentials-licensed switches be upgraded to DNA Advantage?​​
A: Yes—Cisco offers ​​flexible license upgrades​​, but the 48T-A reduces long-term costs by bundling Advantage upfront.

​​Q: Is redundant power supported?​​
A: Yes—supports ​​hot-swappable 715W DC or 1100W AC power supplies​​ for N+1 redundancy in critical setups.

Final Insight

Having integrated the 48T-A into a multinational retail network, its ​​pre-configured DNA Advantage tools​​ accelerated SD-WAN deployment by months compared to Essentials-licensed alternatives. For enterprises balancing automation demands with security complexity, this switch eliminates the “license upgrade treadmill” while future-proofing infrastructure. While PoE models like the 48P-E= suit IoT-heavy environments, the 48T-A’s focus on software-defined agility makes it a cornerstone for modern, intent-based networking.