Core Hardware Architecture

The ​​Cisco Catalyst C9300LM-48U-4Y-E​​ is a 48-port enterprise switch engineered for environments requiring extreme Power over Ethernet (PoE) scalability and high-speed uplinks. It features ​​48x UPoE+ ports​​ (60W per port), ​​4x 25G SFP28 uplinks​​, and a ​​1100W AC power supply​​ delivering a ​​1.8kW total PoE budget​​—one of the highest in the Catalyst 9000L series. The “E” designation includes ​​Cisco DNA Essentials​​ for perpetual access to automation and security features.

Critical Differentiators from Catalyst 9300L Models

• ​​Unmatched PoE Density​​: Provides 60W per port across all 48 ports (vs. 30W on C9300L-48P-4X-1A), supporting high-wattage devices like PTZ cameras, digital signage, and Wi-Fi 7 APs.
• ​​25G Future-Proofing​​: Quad 25G uplinks offer 4x the bandwidth of traditional 10G models, ideal for 5G backhaul or AI-driven analytics pipelines.
• ​​Enhanced Cooling​​: Modular, front-to-back airflow design sustains performance in dense deployments (up to 45°C ambient).

Addressing Key Deployment Concerns

​​Q: Can this switch fully power 48x 60W devices?​​
No. While each port supports 60W, the ​​1.8kW total PoE budget​​ allows full power to 30 ports (60W x 30). Use ​​Cisco’s Power Manager​​ to dynamically allocate power based on priority.

​​Q: Is StackWise-480 supported for scalability?​​
Yes. With optional stacking modules, up to 8 switches can form a ​​480 Gbps stack​​, managed as a single entity—ideal for large campuses or IoT hubs.

Optimal Use Cases

• ​​Smart cities​​: Powers traffic sensors, streetlight controllers, and emergency comms systems with PoE while aggregating data via 25G uplinks.
• ​​Healthcare campuses​​: Secures HIPAA-compliant networks with MACsec encryption on uplinks and segmenting medical IoT devices.
• ​​Media studios​​: Supports 8K video production workflows with lossless QoS and low-latency 25G connectivity to NAS/editing suites.

Licensing and Procurement Notes

The built-in ​​DNA Essentials license​​ covers encrypted traffic analytics and basic SD-Access. For validated hardware and firmware updates, purchase through authorized suppliers like itmall.sale. Note that ​​StackWise-480 cables​​ and PoE modules require separate purchase.

Real-World Deployment Perspective

Deploying the C9300LM-48U-4Y-E in a convention center’s AV infrastructure demonstrated its dual strength: the 60W PoE ports eliminated external power injectors for laser projectors, while the 25G uplinks handled 40+ concurrent 4K streams without jitter. While its upfront cost is steep, the operational savings from simplified power management and future-ready uplinks make it a strategic choice for enterprises building AIoT-ready networks. For organizations prioritizing PoE density over port count, however, the 24-port C9300LM-24U-4Y-E= might offer better cost alignment.