In-Depth Cisco Catalyst C9300L-48P-4X-E Datasheet and Pricing Guide for Enterprise Network Architects

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst C9300L-48P-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 the Cisco Catalyst 9300L Series, this model delivers advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 features, robust security, and flexible Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) capabilities, making it an ideal choice for organizations seeking scalable, secure, and resilient network infrastructure.

Engineered for digital transformation initiatives, the C9300L-48P-4X-E supports up to 48 full PoE+ ports with a total power budget sufficient to power a wide range of endpoint devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras. The integrated 4 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports provide high-bandwidth connectivity to aggregation or core layers, ensuring low latency and high throughput for mission-critical applications.

This switch is powered by Cisco IOS XE, a modular operating system that enables programmability, automation, and enhanced security features. The C9300L-48P-4X-E is also fully compatible with Cisco DNA Center for centralized network management and analytics, enabling IT teams to optimize network performance and reduce operational complexity.

2. Product Specifications

Hardware Specifications

The Cisco Catalyst C9300L-48P-4X-E is a fixed-configuration switch with the following key hardware specifications:

• Ports: 48 x 1G Ethernet ports with PoE+ (802.3at) support
• Uplink Interfaces: 4 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports for high-speed uplinks
• Switching Capacity: 176 Gbps switching fabric
• Forwarding Rate: Up to 130.95 Mpps (million packets per second)
• PoE Power Budget: 740W total PoE power budget to support connected devices
• Stacking: Supports Cisco StackWise-160 technology with up to 8 switches per stack
• Dimensions: 1RU form factor, 44.5 cm (17.5 in) width, 44.5 cm (17.5 in) depth, 4.45 cm (1.75 in) height
• Weight: Approximately 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs)
• Power Supply: Dual redundant, hot-swappable power supplies (optional)
• Cooling: Front-to-back airflow with redundant fans

Software and Protocol Support

The C9300L-48P-4X-E runs Cisco IOS XE Software, providing a rich feature set for enterprise networking:

• Layer 2 Features: VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid STP (RSTP), Multiple STP (MSTP), EtherChannel, Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)
• Layer 3 Features: Static routing, Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), VRF-lite
• Security: 802.1X Network Access Control, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), IP Source Guard, DHCP Snooping, Control Plane Policing (CoPP), MACsec encryption support
• Quality of Service (QoS): Advanced QoS features including classification, marking, policing, shaping, and queuing
• Management: Cisco DNA Center integration, Cisco Prime Infrastructure, SNMP v3, NETCONF, RESTCONF, and streaming telemetry
• Automation: Support for Python scripting, Cisco Embedded Event Manager (EEM), and programmability via APIs

Environmental and Compliance Specifications

The C9300L-48P-4X-E is designed for enterprise environments with the following environmental specifications:

• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
• Storage Temperature: -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F)
• Humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing
• Altitude: Up to 3000 meters (9842 feet)
• Certifications: UL, CE, FCC Class A, RoHS compliant

3. Features and Benefits

Advanced Security and Network Segmentation

Security is paramount in today’s enterprise networks, and the Cisco Catalyst C9300L-48P-4X-E delivers comprehensive security features to protect network integrity and data confidentiality. The switch supports IEEE 802.1X for port-based access control, enabling dynamic authentication of devices before granting network access. Dynamic ARP Inspection and IP Source Guard prevent