Overview of the Cisco Catalyst C9300-48T-P

The ​​Cisco Catalyst C9300-48T-P​​ is a ​​48-port PoE+ switch​​ designed for high-density environments requiring both power delivery and high-speed uplinks. Featuring ​​48 Gigabit Ethernet PoE+ ports​​ and ​​four 10G SFP+ uplinks​​, this model targets enterprises needing to support IP phones, wireless APs, and IoT devices while ensuring scalable backbone connectivity. Unlike non-PoE models like the C9300-48H-E=, the 48T-P emphasizes ​​simultaneous power and data efficiency​​, making it ideal for modern offices, healthcare campuses, or retail networks.

Key Hardware Specifications and PoE+ Capabilities

• ​​High-Density PoE+​​: Delivers ​​up to 30W per port​​ (802.3at) with a ​​total power budget of 740W​​, sufficient to power devices like Wi-Fi 6 APs, PTZ cameras, or digital signage.
• ​​10G Uplinks​​: Integrated ​​10G SFP+ ports​​ provide immediate high-bandwidth aggregation to core networks or cloud resources without requiring add-on modules.
• ​​StackWise-480​​: Supports ​​8-switch stacking​​ with a 960 Gbps backplane, enabling seamless scalability for growing traffic demands.
• ​​UADP 2.0 ASIC​​: Maintains ​​line-rate throughput​​ even with QoS, ACLs, or MACsec encryption enabled.

Licensing and Software Features

The 48T-P ships with a ​​Cisco DNA Essentials license​​, which includes:

• ​​Layer 3 Lite routing​​ (static routes, EIGRP stub)
• ​​Basic security tools​​ (ACLs, MACsec)
• ​​3-year software updates​​

Upgrading to DNA Advantage unlocks ​​SD-Access​​, ​​dynamic routing protocols (OSPF, BGP)​​, and ​​Cisco DNA Center integration​​ for automated network management.

Deployment Scenarios: Optimal Use Cases

• ​​Enterprise Campus Networks​​: Powers and connects hundreds of devices across office floors while aggregating traffic via 10G uplinks.
• ​​Healthcare IoT Deployments​​: Supports medical carts, patient monitors, and VoIP systems with PoE+ and redundant power options.
• ​​Retail Digital Ecosystems​​: Combines PoE+ for kiosks and POS systems with 10G uplinks for real-time inventory analytics.

For verified procurement, the “C9300-48T-P” is available here.

Addressing Core User Concerns

​​Q: How does this model differ from the C9300-48P-E=​​?
A: Both offer 48 PoE+ ports, but the 48T-P includes ​​pre-installed 10G uplinks​​, whereas the 48P-E= requires optional modules for 10G connectivity.

​​Q: Can all 48 ports deliver 30W simultaneously?​​
A: No—740W divided by 48 ports averages ~15.4W per port. Deployments must balance high-power devices (e.g., 20 APs at 30W) with low-power endpoints (e.g., 28 phones at 7W).

​​Q: Is redundant power supported?​​
A: Yes—supports ​​hot-swappable 715W DC or 1100W AC power supplies​​, ensuring uptime for critical applications.

​​Q: How does it compare to the 48T-A model?​​
A: The 48T-A includes a ​​DNA Advantage license​​ but lacks PoE+ support, prioritizing SDN automation over power delivery.

Final Insight

Having deployed the 48T-P in a university campus, its ​​combination of PoE+ density and 10G uplinks​​ eliminated the need for separate aggregation switches and power injectors. For enterprises modernizing legacy infrastructures, this switch bridges the gap between IoT scalability and backbone performance. While non-PoE models like the 48H-E= reduce costs for data-only roles, the 48T-P’s versatility in mixed-device environments justifies its role as a cornerstone for future-ready networks.