Cisco Catalyst C9300-48UXM-A Datasheet and Pricing: Expert Technical Overview of the Enterprise-Grade 48-Port Multigigabit Switch

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst C9300-48UXM-A is a flagship model within Cisco’s Catalyst 9300 Series, designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern enterprise networks. As a next-generation stackable access switch, the C9300-48UXM-A delivers unparalleled performance, security, and scalability for converged wired and wireless environments. It is engineered to support high-density multigigabit Ethernet connectivity, enabling seamless integration of IoT devices, high-performance wireless access points, and bandwidth-intensive applications.

Built on Cisco’s Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) 2.0 ASIC, the C9300-48UXM-A offers advanced programmability, enhanced security features, and superior traffic management capabilities. This model is tailored for organizations requiring robust Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching, with comprehensive support for advanced routing protocols, Quality of Service (QoS), and network segmentation.

The “48UXM” designation indicates 48 ports of multigigabit Ethernet (1G/2.5G/5G/10G) with full Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) and Universal Power over Ethernet (UPOE) support, making it ideal for powering next-gen wireless access points, IP phones, and video endpoints without additional power infrastructure.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Hardware Architecture

The Cisco Catalyst C9300-48UXM-A is built on the UADP 2.0 ASIC, which provides hardware-based programmability and enhanced packet processing capabilities. The switch chassis supports a modular design with field-replaceable power supplies and fans, ensuring high availability and ease of maintenance.

Key hardware specifications include:

• Ports: 48 x Multigigabit Ethernet (1G/2.5G/5G/10G) RJ-45 ports
• Uplink Modules: Supports 4 x 10G SFP+ or 4 x 25G SFP28 uplinks (modular uplink slot)
• PoE/UPOE Power Budget: Up to 1440W total PoE power budget, supporting UPOE (60W per port)
• Switching Capacity: 480 Gbps full-duplex switching capacity
• Forwarding Rate: Up to 360 Mpps (million packets per second)
• Stacking: Cisco StackWise-480 technology supporting up to 8 switches in a stack with 480 Gbps stack bandwidth
• Memory: 8 GB DRAM, 4 GB flash memory
• Dimensions: 1RU form factor, 44.5 cm (17.5 in) width, 43.5 cm (17.1 in) depth, 4.4 cm (1.7 in) height
• Weight: Approximately 8.5 kg (18.7 lbs)

2.2 Software and Protocol Support

The C9300-48UXM-A runs Cisco IOS XE Software, providing a rich feature set for enterprise networking:

• Advanced Layer 2 switching: VLANs, Private VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid PVST+, MSTP
• Layer 3 routing: OSPFv2/v3, EIGRP, BGP, IS-IS, VRF-lite, static routing
• Security: 802.1X authentication, MACsec encryption, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), IP Source Guard, TrustSec integration
• Quality of Service (QoS): Hierarchical QoS, traffic shaping, policing, classification, and marking
• Network segmentation: VXLAN support, Flexible NetFlow, and segment routing
• Automation and programmability: NETCONF, RESTCONF, Cisco DNA Center integration, Python scripting, and model-driven telemetry

2.3 Power and Environmental Specifications

The C9300-48UXM-A supports redundant power supplies (optional) and features energy-efficient technologies:

• Input voltage: 100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz
• Power consumption: Maximum 1500W (with full PoE load)
• Operating temperature: 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
• Storage temperature: -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F)
• Humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing
• Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) support

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 High-Density Multigigabit Ethernet Connectivity

The C9300-48UXM-A’s 48 multigigabit ports support speeds from 1G to 10G over existing Cat5e/Cat6 cabling, enabling enterprises to leverage existing infrastructure while delivering higher bandwidth to end devices. This capability is critical for supporting the latest Wi-Fi 6/6E access points, which require multigigabit uplinks to maximize throughput.