Cisco Catalyst C9300L-24P-4X-E Datasheet and Pricing Guide: Expert Technical Overview and Enterprise Network Solutions

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst 9300L-24P-4X-E is a high-performance, stackable enterprise-class access layer switch designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern campus networks. As part of Cisco’s renowned Catalyst 9300 Series, the 9300L variant offers a cost-optimized solution without compromising on the advanced features and robust hardware architecture that define Cisco’s flagship switching portfolio.

Engineered for digital transformation initiatives, the C9300L-24P-4X-E supports advanced security, automation, and analytics capabilities, making it ideal for organizations seeking scalable, secure, and resilient network infrastructure. This model features 24 Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) ports and 4 fixed 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks, enabling seamless connectivity for high-density wireless access points, IP phones, and IoT devices.

The “E” in the model number denotes the Enhanced software image, which includes advanced Layer 3 routing protocols and features, empowering network architects to deploy complex routing topologies and optimize traffic flows within campus environments.

2. Product Specifications

Hardware Architecture

The Cisco Catalyst C9300L-24P-4X-E is built on Cisco’s Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) 2.0 ASIC, delivering wire-speed forwarding and advanced programmability. The switch chassis supports a fixed configuration with 24 RJ-45 10/100/1000 Mbps PoE+ ports and 4 fixed 10 Gigabit SFP+ uplink ports, providing a total switching capacity of 160 Gbps.

The device supports Cisco StackWise-160 technology, allowing up to eight switches to be stacked with a unified data and control plane, simplifying management and increasing redundancy. The stack bandwidth of 160 Gbps ensures low latency and high throughput for demanding applications.

Port and Interface Details

• 24 x 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-45 ports with PoE+ (up to 30W per port)
• 4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ uplink ports (fixed)
• Console port: RJ-45 and USB Type-B for out-of-band management
• USB Type-A port for external storage and configuration

Performance and Capacity

The switch delivers a forwarding rate of up to 95.2 Mpps (million packets per second) and supports a MAC address table size of 32,768 entries. The IPv4 and IPv6 routing tables can hold up to 16,000 routes each, supporting complex Layer 3 deployments.

The device supports up to 64,000 IPv4 and IPv6 unicast routes with Cisco DNA Essentials or Advantage licenses, enabling scalable routing in large campus networks.

Power and Environmental Specifications

The C9300L-24P-4X-E supports redundant power supplies (sold separately) and features an internal power supply rated at 715W, sufficient to power all PoE+ devices connected simultaneously. The switch supports Cisco EnergyWise technology for power management and efficiency.

Operating temperature ranges from 0°C to 45°C, with a relative humidity tolerance of 10% to 90% non-condensing, making it suitable for standard data center and wiring closet environments.

Software and Licensing

The “E” software image includes advanced Layer 3 features such as OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and multicast routing protocols. The switch runs Cisco IOS XE, a modular operating system that supports programmability via NETCONF, RESTCONF, and streaming telemetry.

Cisco DNA subscriptions can be applied to enable automation, assurance, and security features, including Cisco Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA), Software-Defined Access (SD-Access), and Cisco TrustSec.

3. Features and Benefits

Advanced Security Features

Security is paramount in enterprise networks, and the C9300L-24P-4X-E integrates multiple layers of protection. It supports Cisco TrustSec for role-based access control, MACsec encryption on all ports for data confidentiality, and segmentation via Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF).

The switch also supports Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), IP Source Guard, and DHCP Snooping to prevent common Layer 2 attacks. Integration with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) enables centralized policy enforcement and device profiling.

High Availability and Resiliency

The StackWise-160 technology enables resilient stacking with sub-10ms failover times, ensuring minimal network disruption. The switch supports redundant power supplies and fans, hot-swappable components, and Stateful Switchover (SSO) for nonstop forwarding.

In addition, Cisco’s Flexible NetFlow and Embedded Event Manager (EEM) provide proactive monitoring and automated remediation capabilities.

Scalability and Performance

With 24 PoE+ ports delivering up to 30W each, the C9300L-24P-4X-E can power a wide range of devices including high-performance wireless access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones. The 4 fixed 10G upl