Cisco Catalyst C9300L-48P-4G-A Datasheet and Pricing: Expert Technical Overview and Purchase Guide

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst C9300L-48P-4G-A is a high-performance, enterprise-class stackable Layer 3 switch designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern campus and branch network infrastructures. As part of Cisco’s renowned Catalyst 9300 Series, the C9300L model offers a cost-effective, scalable solution optimized for secure, high-density Power over Ethernet (PoE) deployments. It is engineered to deliver advanced network services, robust security, and seamless integration with Cisco’s Digital Network Architecture (DNA) framework.

This switch variant, the 48-port PoE+ model with 4 x 1G SFP uplinks, is tailored for organizations requiring extensive device connectivity with reliable power delivery, such as IP phones, wireless access points, and IoT endpoints. The “L” in the model number denotes the Lite version of the Catalyst 9300 series, providing a balance between cost-efficiency and feature richness without compromising Cisco’s industry-leading performance and security standards.

Architected for enterprise campus core and distribution layers, the C9300L-48P-4G-A supports advanced Layer 3 routing protocols, flexible stacking capabilities, and comprehensive network automation features. It is an ideal choice for IT professionals seeking a future-proof switch platform that supports Cisco DNA Center orchestration, software-defined access (SD-Access), and enhanced telemetry.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Hardware Architecture

The Cisco Catalyst C9300L-48P-4G-A is built on Cisco’s Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) 2.0 ASIC, delivering wire-speed performance and hardware-based security. The switch chassis supports 48 fixed 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports with full PoE+ (Power over Ethernet Plus) capabilities, providing up to 30W per port to power connected devices.

Uplink connectivity is facilitated through 4 fixed 1G SFP ports, enabling flexible fiber or copper uplink options. The switch supports Cisco StackWise-160 technology, allowing up to eight switches to be stacked with a high-bandwidth 160 Gbps stack interconnect, simplifying management and scaling network capacity.

2.2 Performance and Capacity

The switch delivers a switching capacity of 176 Gbps and a forwarding rate of up to 130.95 Mpps (million packets per second), ensuring low latency and high throughput for demanding enterprise applications. The device supports up to 32,000 MAC addresses and 16,000 IPv4 routes, making it suitable for large-scale network environments.

The C9300L-48P-4G-A supports up to 256 VLANs and 64 Layer 3 interfaces, with advanced routing protocols including OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and PIM for multicast routing. It also supports VRF-lite for network segmentation and enhanced security.

2.3 Power and Environmental Specifications

The switch includes an internal redundant power supply with a maximum power budget of 715W dedicated to PoE+ devices. It supports Cisco EnergyWise technology for power management and energy efficiency. The device operates within a temperature range of 0°C to 45°C and complies with industry standards for noise and heat dissipation.

2.4 Software and Licensing

The C9300L-48P-4G-A runs Cisco IOS XE Software, providing modularity, programmability, and enhanced security features. It supports Cisco DNA Essentials licensing, which includes foundational automation, assurance, and security capabilities. Optional DNA Advantage licenses unlock advanced features such as software-defined access, advanced security, and analytics.

The switch supports programmability through REST APIs, NETCONF, and streaming telemetry, enabling integration with modern network management and orchestration tools.

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 Advanced Security Features

Security is paramount in the Catalyst 9300L series. The C9300L-48P-4G-A incorporates Cisco TrustSec technology for scalable identity-based access control, enabling segmentation without complex VLAN configurations. It supports MACsec encryption on all ports, providing Layer 2 data confidentiality and integrity.

Additional security features include Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), IP Source Guard, DHCP Snooping, and Control Plane Policing (CoPP), which protect against common network attacks and unauthorized access.

3.2 High Availability and Resiliency

The switch supports StackWise-160 technology, allowing multiple switches to operate as a single logical unit with unified management and redundancy. This stacking capability ensures uninterrupted network uptime and simplifies maintenance.

Dual redundant power supplies and field-replaceable fans enhance hardware availability. Software features such as Stateful Switchover (SSO) and Nonstop Forwarding (NSF) ensure minimal disruption during software upgrades or failover events.

3.3 Scalability and Flexibility

With 48 PoE+ ports and 4 SFP uplinks, the C9300L-48P-4G-A supports dense device connectivity and flexible network topologies. The switch’s support for Layer 3 routing protocols and VRF-lite enables complex network segmentation and multi-tenant environments.

Cisco DNA Center integration allows for centralized policy management, automation, and assurance, reducing operational complexity and