Cisco C1000-24P-4X-L: What Are Its Strengths? PoE Budget, 10G Uplinks, and Licensing Explained

​​Core Specifications and Design​​

The ​​Cisco C1000-24P-4X-L​​ is a Layer 2+ managed switch tailored for mid-sized enterprises requiring high Power over Ethernet (PoE) capacity and multi-gigabit uplinks. It features ​​24x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports​​ and ​​4x 10G SFP+ uplinks​​, bundled with a ​​Network Advantage license​​ for advanced feature access.

​​Key Technical Advantages​​

• ​​PoE+ Capacity​​: Delivers ​​380W total PoE budget​​, supporting up to ​​30W per port​​ for demanding devices like PTZ cameras, Wi-Fi 6 APs, and digital signage.
• ​​High-Speed Uplinks​​: ​​4x 10G SFP+ ports​​ enable backbone connectivity to core switches or servers, reducing latency for bandwidth-heavy applications.
• ​​Layer 2+ Features​​: Includes ​​static routing, QoS prioritization​​, and ​​MACsec encryption​​ for secure inter-VLAN communication.
• ​​Energy Efficiency​​: ​​IEEE 802.3az (EEE)​​ compliance reduces power consumption by up to 70% during low-traffic periods.

​​Targeted Use Cases​​

• ​​Healthcare​​: Powers IP-based medical devices (e.g., patient monitors) while ensuring HIPAA-compliant network segmentation.
• ​​Education​​: Supports high-density classroom deployments with simultaneous connections to laptops, projectors, and IoT sensors.
• ​​Retail​​: Drives PoE-heavy setups like digital kiosks, inventory scanners, and surveillance systems.

​​Installation and Compatibility​​

• ​​Stacking Limitations​​: Unlike Catalyst 9200/9300 switches, the C1000 series does not support stacking—plan uplinks carefully for scalability.
• ​​Management Tools​​: Configurable via ​​Cisco DNA Center​​ or CLI, with ​​RADIUS/TACACS+​​ integration for centralized authentication.
• ​​Hardware Redundancy​​: Optional ​​C1000-PWR-715WAC-RPS​​ power supply for failover support in critical environments.

​​Licensing and Purchasing Insights​​

The included ​​Network Advantage license​​ unlocks features like advanced ACLs and dynamic routing (static only). For procurement, ​​the C1000-24P-4X-L is available through itmall.sale​​, often at lower costs than Cisco’s MSRP, with occasional bundles including SFP+ transceivers or mounting kits.

​​Addressing Critical User Concerns​​

​​Q: Can it handle 30W PoE on all 24 ports simultaneously?​​
No—the total PoE budget is 380W. Deploying 24x 30W devices would require 720W, exceeding capacity. Prioritize high-power ports for critical devices.

​​Q: Is Layer 3 dynamic routing supported?​​
No—static routing only. For OSPF or BGP, consider Catalyst 9200L with LAN Base licensing.

​​Q: Does the “L” in the model name indicate a region lock?​​
No—the “L” denotes the included Network Advantage license. The switch is globally deployable but verify local voltage compatibility.

​​Final Assessment​​

The C1000-24P-4X-L shines in environments where PoE density and 10G uplinks are non-negotiable, but its lack of stacking and dynamic routing may frustrate growing networks. For businesses with stable device counts and a focus on PoE-driven ROI, it’s a compelling choice—just ensure your power budget aligns with operational demands.