Overview of the C9300L-24P-4G-EDU

The ​​Cisco C9300L-24P-4G-EDU​​ is a ​​Catalyst 9300L Series​​ switch optimized for ​​education-sector networks​​. It combines ​​24x PoE+ Ethernet ports​​ with ​​4x 1G SFP uplinks​​, offering a balance of power delivery and cost efficiency for classrooms, labs, and administrative offices. The ​​-EDU​​ designation reflects its bundled ​​Education Advantage Licensing​​, which includes tailored security and management tools for academic environments.

Core Technical Specifications

• ​​Ports​​: 24x 10/100/1000BASE-T PoE+ ports + 4x 1G SFP uplinks.
• ​​PoE Budget​​: ​​370W total​​, delivering ​​up to 30W per port​​ for devices like IP phones, wireless APs, and interactive displays.
• ​​Software​​: Includes ​​Cisco DNA Essentials​​ for basic automation and ​​Cisco Umbrella SIG​​ for DNS-layer security.
• ​​Scalability​​: Supports ​​StackWise-160​​ for stacking up to four switches.

Key Differentiators for Education

Unlike the standard C9300L-24P-4G, the EDU variant offers:

• ​​Pre-loaded education-specific policies​​: Blocks high-risk categories (e.g., gaming, adult content) without third-party filters.
• ​​Cost-optimized licensing​​: Education Advantage licenses are ​​30-40% cheaper​​ than commercial equivalents.
• ​​Device density prioritization​​: Optimized for high numbers of low-bandwidth endpoints (e.g., student tablets, BYOD connections).

Ideal Deployment Scenarios

• ​​Classroom Networks​​: Powers smart boards, document cameras, and student device charging stations.
• ​​Library/Campus Wi-Fi​​: Supports dense AP deployments for study areas and outdoor commons.
• ​​Administrative Offices​​: Secures VoIP systems and shared printers with integrated threat defense.

Addressing Common Concerns

​​Q: Can this switch handle video-heavy applications like remote learning?​​
A: While the 1G uplinks suffice for 50-100 concurrent Zoom sessions, consider 10G models (e.g., C9300-24UX) for 4K streaming or VR labs.

​​Q: Is the EDU licensing transferable to non-academic use?​​
A: No—Cisco restricts EDU licenses to verified educational institutions. Commercial entities need standard DNA Essentials.

​​Q: What’s the upgrade path if our school grows?​​
A: Stack additional C9300L-EDU switches or migrate to Catalyst 9300 Series with StackWise-480 for higher throughput.

Availability and Pricing

The C9300L-24P-4G-EDU is available through itmall.sale, which offers academic verification support and volume discounts for schools.

Final Perspective

The C9300L-24P-4G-EDU is a pragmatic choice for budget-constrained schools—but only if their needs stay within its PoE and uplink limits. While its education-focused licensing adds value, the lack of mGig or 10G uplinks risks obsolescence as AV tech advances. For districts planning hybrid learning infrastructures, pairing this with a few 10G core switches might strike the right balance between cost and readiness. It’s not future-proof, but for K-12 or community colleges, it’s a solid “today” solution.