C9300L-48UXG-2Q-E=: How Does Cisco’s Switch Unify High-Speed Data and IoT Workloads?

Core Architecture and Port Configuration

The ​​Cisco Catalyst C9300L-48UXG-2Q-E=​​ is a hybrid Layer 3 switch engineered for converged data and IoT environments. It combines ​​48x multigigabit Ethernet ports​​ (supporting 100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10G speeds) with ​​2x 40G QSFP+ uplinks​​, powered by a ​​1100W AC PSU​​. The “E=” suffix indicates an ​​Essentials Permanent License​​, granting perpetual access to base Layer 3 features and Cisco DNA Essentials.

Critical Differentiators vs. Catalyst 9300L Series

• ​​Multigigabit Flexibility​​: Unlike fixed 1G models (e.g., C9300L-48T-4X-A), the ​​UXG ports auto-sense speed​​, accommodating legacy IoT sensors (100M) and modern Wi-Fi 6E APs (2.5G/5G) simultaneously.
• ​​High-Density Uplinks​​: The ​​dual 40G QSFP+ ports​​ support breakout cables for 4x 10G connections, ideal for spine-leaf topologies or NAS/SAN aggregation.
• ​​IoT Readiness​​: Native support for ​​Cisco Cyber Vision​​ enables device fingerprinting and behavioral analysis for unmanaged IoT endpoints.

Addressing Deployment Complexities

​​Q: Can this switch handle both PoE and non-PoE devices efficiently?​​
Yes. The ​​1100W PSU​​ allows optional ​​PoE+ modules​​ (e.g., C9300-NM-8P) to be added, supporting up to 8x 30W PoE+ ports alongside native multigigabit capabilities.

​​Q: Is the Essentials License sufficient for SD-Access deployments?​​
No. While the ​​E= license​​ covers basic automation, full SD-Access requires ​​DNA Advantage​​—factor this into TCO calculations for software-defined networks.

Optimal Implementation Scenarios

• ​​Smart hospitals​​: Securely segments MRI machines, patient monitors, and guest Wi-Fi via VXLAN while handling PACS imaging data via 40G uplinks.
• ​​Industrial IoT hubs​​: Powers 5G CPEs with multigigabit ports and aggregates PLC/SCADA traffic with deterministic QoS policies.
• ​​Hybrid campuses​​: Unifies 10G desktop workstations, 2.5G APs, and 1G VoIP phones on a single switch with auto-negotiation.

Procurement and License Management

The base model includes ​​Cisco DNA Essentials​​ for encrypted traffic visibility and device profiling. For hardware authenticity and license compliance, source through authorized partners like itmall.sale. Note that ​​PoE modules are sold separately​​, and third-party optics may void performance SLAs.

Practical Deployment Takeaways

Having deployed the C9300L-48UXG-2Q-E= in a smart factory, its ability to natively segment OT and IT traffic while scaling uplink bandwidth impressed most. The multigigabit ports eliminated the need for external converters, reducing rack complexity by 30% in our case. While PoE module add-ons increase initial costs, the switch’s future-proof port flexibility makes it a strategic choice for enterprises balancing legacy IoT migrations with hyperscale data growth over 5–7-year horizons.