Cisco C1117-4P: Why Choose This Industrial-Grade Switch? PoE Capabilities, Rugged Design, and Use Cases

​​Product Overview and Target Applications​​

The ​​Cisco C1117-4P​​ is a compact, ruggedized switch designed for industrial and outdoor environments requiring reliable Power over Ethernet (PoE) in harsh conditions. Part of the Cisco Catalyst 1100 Series, it combines ​​4x PoE+ ports​​, ​​Gigabit Ethernet connectivity​​, and a hardened enclosure to support critical infrastructure in sectors like manufacturing, transportation, and smart cities.

​​Key Technical Specifications​​

• ​​Port Configuration​​: ​​4x 10/100/1000BASE-T PoE+ ports​​ (30W per port) + ​​4x non-PoE Gigabit Ethernet ports​​ for mixed-device deployments.
• ​​PoE Budget​​: ​​120W total​​—sufficient to power IP cameras, wireless APs, or sensors without external injectors.
• ​​Durability​​: ​​IP67-rated​​ for dust/water resistance and operates in ​​-40°C to 75°C​​ temperatures.
• ​​Certifications​​: Complies with ​​IEC 61850-3​​ for electrical substations and ​​EN 50121-4​​ for railway applications.

​​Primary Use Cases​​

• ​​Industrial IoT​​: Connects and powers machinery sensors, PLCs, and safety systems in factories.
• ​​Outdoor Surveillance​​: Deploys in traffic control systems or perimeter security with PoE cameras.
• ​​Transportation Networks​​: Supports onboard Wi-Fi and passenger information systems in buses/trains.

​​Installation and Management​​

• ​​Mounting Options​​: DIN rail, wall, or pole mounting with included brackets.
• ​​Management Tools​​: Managed via ​​Cisco DNA Center​​ or CLI for VLANs, QoS, and port security.
• ​​Redundancy​​: Supports ​​Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)​​ for failover in mission-critical setups.

​​Licensing and Purchasing​​

The C1117-4P includes a ​​Network Essentials license​​ for basic Layer 2 features. ​​Purchase the C1117-4P directly from itmall.sale​​, where it’s often bundled with DIN rail kits or extended warranties. Pricing reflects its industrial focus, typically 25–35% higher than non-rugged C1000 models.

​​Addressing Critical User Questions​​

​​Q: Can it deliver 30W PoE on all 4 ports simultaneously?​​
Yes—the 120W total budget allows full 30W per port across all 4 PoE+ ports.

​​Q: Is Layer 3 routing supported?​​
No—this is a Layer 2 switch. For dynamic routing, consider Catalyst 9300 series with appropriate licensing.

​​Q: How does it differ from the C1111-8PLTEEA?​​
The C1117-4P lacks LTE failover but offers higher durability (IP67 vs. IP52) and industrial certifications.

​​Final Perspective​​

The C1117-4P excels in environments where dust, water, or temperature extremes would cripple standard switches. However, its limited port count and lack of Layer 3 features make it a niche tool—perfect for hardened PoE deployments but overkill for basic office setups. For teams managing outdoor or industrial IoT, it’s a workhorse worth the premium; for others, a C1000-8P may suffice.