​​Core Features of the C9300L-24P-4G-1E​​

The ​​Cisco Catalyst 9300L-24P-4G-1E​​ is a ​​24-port PoE+ switch​​ tailored for mid-sized enterprises and branch offices needing ​​balanced power, speed, and scalability​​. It delivers ​​30W per port​​ with a ​​740W total PoE budget​​, supporting devices like ​​Wi-Fi 6 access points​​, ​​IP cameras​​, and ​​VOIP phones​​ without oversubscription risks. Built on Cisco’s ​​StackWise-160​​ architecture, it allows stacking of up to eight switches with ​​160 Gbps stacking bandwidth​​, ensuring simplified management and redundancy for growing networks.

Key integrations include ​​Cisco DNA Essentials​​ for basic automation and ​​IOS XE Software​​ for feature parity with higher-end Catalyst models.

​​Technical Specifications and Hardware​​

• ​​Port Configuration​​: 24 x PoE+ RJ-45 ports (10/100/1000 Mbps) + 4 x 1G SFP uplinks.
• ​​Switching Capacity​​: 88 Gbps (non-blocking).
• ​​Forwarding Rate​​: 65.47 Mpps.
• ​​Power Supply​​: 715W AC (fixed, non-redundant).
• ​​Security​​: ​​MACsec-128 encryption​​, ​​Cisco TrustSec​​ for role-based access, and ​​Device Sensor​​ for endpoint visibility.

The switch supports ​​L2/L3 features​​ like OSPF, EIGRP, and VLANs, making it suitable for small to medium campus cores.

​​Targeted Use Cases​​

• ​​Branch offices​​: Powers ​​collaboration tools​​ (e.g., Webex devices) and ​​security cameras​​ with consistent 30W PoE.
• ​​Education​​: Connects ​​classroom APs​​, ​​digital whiteboards​​, and ​​student devices​​ with QoS prioritization.
• ​​Retail​​: Supports ​​POS systems​​, ​​digital signage​​, and ​​inventory scanners​​ across multiple locations.

Its ​​4 x 1G SFP uplinks​​ enable fiber connectivity for backhaul or WAN links up to 10km with compatible transceivers.

​​Licensing and Software​​

• ​​Cisco DNA Essentials​​: Enables ​​zero-touch provisioning​​ and ​​basic network analytics​​.
• ​​Cisco DNA Advantage​​ (optional): Adds ​​AI-driven insights​​, ​​SD-WAN integration​​, and ​​Encrypted Traffic Analytics​​.

No additional licenses are required for core L2/L3 functionalities, reducing upfront costs.

​​Competitive Advantages Over Alternatives​​

• ​​PoE Consistency​​: Competing switches (e.g., HPE 2930F) often share PoE budgets across ports, risking power drops during peak usage.
• ​​Stacking Scalability​​: Entry-level switches lack stacking capabilities, forcing manual per-unit management.
• ​​Future-Readiness​​: IOS XE ensures compatibility with emerging features like ​​Cisco Cyber Vision​​ for IoT security.

​​Sourcing and Compatibility Notes​​

For authentic hardware and Cisco-backed support, “C9300L-24P-4G-1E” is available here. Pair with ​​GLC-T​​ (1000BASE-T) or ​​GLC-LH-SMD​​ (10km SFP) modules based on uplink requirements.

​​Author Perspective​​

The C9300L-24P-4G-1E strikes a rare balance between affordability and enterprise-grade features. While it lacks modular uplinks and redundant power, its ​​TCO efficiency​​ for sub-500-user environments is unmatched. For businesses prioritizing reliable PoE and seamless scalability without overinvesting, this switch is the pragmatic choice in Cisco’s Catalyst lineup.