C9300LM-48T-4Y-E Switch: How Does It Deliver Scalability for High-Density Enterprise Networks? Features, Licensing, and Use Cases

Core Specifications and Target Applications

The ​​C9300LM-48T-4Y-E​​ is a ​​modular Cisco Catalyst 9300LM Series switch​​ designed for ​​high-density, non-PoE enterprise environments​​ requiring ​​high-speed uplinks​​ and ​​Layer 3 capabilities​​. It features ​​48x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports​​ and ​​4x 25G SFP28 uplinks​​, making it ideal for data centers, large office backbones, or any deployment prioritizing ​​wired connectivity​​ and ​​scalable backbone bandwidth​​. The ​​“E”​​ suffix denotes ​​Cisco DNA Essentials licensing​​, providing foundational security, automation, and Layer 3 Lite functionality.

Key Technical Features

• ​​High-Speed Uplinks​​: The ​​4x 25G SFP28 ports​​ support ​​100G aggregate throughput​​ via port channels, ensuring seamless integration into 25G/40G/100G core networks.
• ​​StackWise-320 Compatibility​​: Stack up to 8 switches for a unified ​​640Gbps backplane​​ and simplified management.
• ​​Layer 3 Lite Functionality​​: Supports ​​OSPF​​, ​​EIGRP​​, and ​​static routing​​ for efficient traffic management in mid-sized networks.
• ​​Cisco DNA Center Integration​​: Enables ​​SD-Access​​ for automated network segmentation and policy enforcement.
• ​​Enhanced Security​​: Includes ​​Cisco TrustSec​​ for role-based access control and ​​MACsec encryption​​ on uplinks.

Addressing Critical User Concerns

​​Q: Can the 25G uplinks handle backbone traffic in large campuses?​​

A: Absolutely. With ​​LACP aggregation​​, the 4x25G ports deliver ​​100G throughput​​, sufficient for most enterprise data centers or campus cores. For future-proofing, the switch supports ​​40G/100G upgrades​​ via Cisco Network Modules.

​​Q: Is this switch suitable for dynamic routing environments?​​

A: Yes, but with limitations. The ​​Essentials licensing​​ supports ​​OSPF and EIGRP​​, making it suitable for mid-sized networks. For large-scale BGP deployments, consider Catalyst 9500/9600 switches.

Ideal Deployment Scenarios

• ​​Enterprise Office Networks​​: Connects desktops, VoIP systems (with external PoE injectors), and conferencing gear with low-latency uplinks.
• ​​Data Center Edge​​: Aggregates server traffic with ​​25G uplinks​​, bridging access-layer devices to high-speed cores.
• ​​Retail and Hospitality​​: Links POS systems, inventory databases, and guest Wi-Fi controllers without PoE overhead.

Procurement and Licensing

For organizations requiring verified hardware with Cisco’s Limited Lifetime warranty, the C9300LM-48T-4Y-E is available through Cisco’s authorized partner. ​​DNA Essentials licensing​​ covers basic automation and security, while upgrades to ​​Advantage​​ unlock advanced features like ​​Encrypted Traffic Analytics​​ and ​​API-driven orchestration​​.

Field-Tested Perspective

Deploying Catalyst 9300LM switches in large enterprise backbones revealed the ​​C9300LM-48T-4Y-E​​’s strength in ​​balancing port density with uplink scalability​​. Its ​​25G uplinks​​ eliminate bottlenecks common in legacy Gigabit switches, while ​​StackWise-320​​ simplifies scaling for growing networks. However, the lack of PoE may necessitate external injectors for IoT or AP deployments—a trade-off for organizations prioritizing pure data performance. For enterprises eyeing future 40G/100G cores, this switch’s modularity offers a cost-effective migration path, provided initial uplink capacity aligns with projected growth.