C9300L-48T-4G-E Switch: How Does It Fit in Modern Enterprise Networks? Port Density, Licensing, and Use Cases Explored

Core Specifications and Design Focus

The ​​C9300L-48T-4G-E​​ is a ​​non-PoE Catalyst 9300L Series switch​​ built for ​​high-density data environments​​ requiring robust Layer 3 capabilities. It offers ​​48x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports​​ and ​​4x 1G SFP uplinks​​, paired with ​​Cisco Essentials licensing​​ for advanced security and management. Tailored for enterprises prioritizing wired connectivity without PoE overhead, this model suits offices, data centers, and environments reliant on fiber uplinks for aggregation.

Key Technical Features

• ​​High Port Density​​: Supports up to 48x endpoints (e.g., workstations, servers, printers) with ​​wire-speed switching​​ at 176Gbps throughput.
• ​​Layer 3 Lite Functionality​​: Enables static routing, OSPF, and EIGRP for small-to-mid networks.
• ​​Cisco StackWise-320​​: Stack up to 8 units for a unified 640Gbps backplane and single-point management.
• ​​Enhanced Security​​: Includes ​​Cisco TrustSec​​ for role-based access and ​​MACsec encryption​​ on uplinks.

Addressing Critical User Concerns

​​Q: Is this switch suitable for environments without PoE needs?​​

A: Absolutely. The ​​48T-4G-E​​ eliminates PoE costs, making it ideal for server rooms, data closets, or offices with standalone power supplies for devices.

​​Q: Can the 4x 1G uplinks handle backbone traffic?​​

A: For most mid-sized networks, yes. Use ​​LACP aggregation​​ to bundle uplinks for 4Gbps throughput. For larger setups, consider models with 10G/25G uplinks.

Ideal Deployment Scenarios

• ​​Enterprise Office Networks​​: Connects desktops, VoIP phones (with external power), and conferencing systems.
• ​​Data Center Edge​​: Aggregates server traffic with reliable Layer 3 routing and VLAN segmentation.
• ​​Retail Back-End Infrastructure​​: Links POS systems, inventory databases, and non-PoE endpoints.

Procurement and Licensing Insights

The C9300L-48T-4G-E is available through Cisco’s authorized channels, including ​​itmall.sale​​, with ​​Essentials licensing​​ pre-loaded for features like Secure Shell (SSH) and SNMPv3. Upgrading to ​​Network Advantage​​ unlocks full SD-Access and API-driven automation.

Field-Tested Perspective

Having deployed the 9300L series in cost-sensitive environments, the ​​C9300L-48T-4G-E​​ excels where ​​PoE is unnecessary or centralized elsewhere​​. Its ​​Layer 3 Lite features​​ bridge the gap between basic switches and full-fledged routers, though enterprises with complex dynamic routing needs may still require Catalyst 9400/9500 models. For organizations prioritizing uncluttered, high-performance wired networks, this switch delivers reliability without the premium for unused PoE capacity. Just ensure uplink bottlenecks are preemptively addressed with aggregation or future module upgrades.