C9300L-24P-4X-1A: What Makes Cisco’s Switch a Cost-Effective Powerhouse for SMB Networks?

​​Core Functionality and Design Philosophy​​

The ​​Cisco Catalyst 9300L-24P-4X-1A​​ is a ​​24-port PoE+ switch​​ designed for small-to-midsize businesses (SMBs) and branch offices requiring ​​reliable power delivery​​ and ​​10G uplink scalability​​. It provides ​​30W per port​​ across all 24 ports (total ​​740W PoE budget​​), enabling support for ​​Wi-Fi 6 access points​​, ​​pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras​​, and ​​VOIP systems​​ without power-sharing compromises. Unlike entry-level switches, it features ​​four 10G SFP+ uplinks​​ and ​​Cisco StackWise-160​​ technology, allowing stacking of up to eight switches with ​​160 Gbps backplane bandwidth​​ for simplified management.

Integration with ​​Cisco DNA Center​​ (via subscription) enables zero-touch provisioning and basic network assurance, while ​​IOS XE Software​​ ensures compatibility with advanced security and automation features.

​​Hardware Specifications and Performance​​

• ​​Port Configuration​​: 24 x PoE+ RJ-45 ports (10/100/1000 Mbps) + 4 x 10G SFP+ uplinks.
• ​​Switching Capacity​​: 128 Gbps (non-blocking).
• ​​Forwarding Rate​​: 95.2 Mpps.
• ​​Power Supply​​: 715W AC (fixed, non-redundant).
• ​​Security​​: ​​MACsec-128 encryption​​, ​​Cisco TrustSec​​ for role-based segmentation, and ​​Device Profiling​​ for IoT visibility.

The switch supports essential ​​Layer 3 routing protocols​​ (OSPF, EIGRP) and ​​QoS policies​​, making it suitable for hybrid WAN edge deployments.

​​Optimal Use Cases​​

• ​​Retail chains​​: Powers ​​digital signage​​, ​​inventory scanners​​, and ​​customer Wi-Fi​​ across multiple locations.
• ​​Healthcare clinics​​: Connects ​​IP phones​​, ​​patient monitors​​, and ​​telemedicine carts​​ with prioritized traffic.
• ​​Education​​: Supports ​​smart classroom APs​​, ​​interactive displays​​, and ​​BYOD policies​​ with bandwidth guarantees.

The ​​10G uplinks​​ future-proof networks by enabling high-speed connections to aggregation switches or firewalls, avoiding mid-life upgrades.

​​Licensing and Software Considerations​​

• ​​Cisco DNA Essentials​​: Unlocks ​​basic automation​​, ​​monitoring​​, and ​​device onboarding​​.
• ​​Cisco DNA Advantage​​ (optional): Adds ​​AI-driven insights​​, ​​SD-WAN integration​​, and ​​Encrypted Traffic Analytics​​ for threat detection.

No additional licenses are required for core switching and routing functionalities.

​​Competitive Edge Over Alternatives​​

• ​​Guaranteed PoE Budget​​: Competing switches (e.g., Aruba 2930F) use shared power pools, risking device shutdowns during peak loads.
• ​​10G Uplinks at Entry Cost​​: Most SMB-focused switches cap uplinks at 1G, creating bottlenecks for bandwidth-heavy applications.
• ​​Stacking Simplicity​​: Competing models often lack stacking capabilities, forcing manual per-device configurations.

​​Procurement and Compatibility​​

For verified hardware and Cisco support, “C9300L-24P-4X-1A” is available here. Use ​​SFP-10G-SR​​ (multimode) or ​​SFP-10G-LR​​ (single-mode) transceivers for uplink connectivity.

​​Why This Switch Matters​​

The C9300L-24P-4X-1A bridges the gap between affordability and enterprise-grade performance. While it lacks modular power supplies or 25G/40G uplinks, its ​​10G readiness​​ and ​​consistent PoE​​ make it a pragmatic choice for SMBs scaling toward smart infrastructure. For businesses wary of overinvesting in complex hardware, this switch delivers Cisco’s reliability without the premium price tag.