Cisco C9300L-24T-4X-10E: Why Is It Optimized for High-Speed Uplinks in Non-PoE Networks?

​​Technical Architecture and Core Capabilities​​

The ​​Cisco Catalyst C9300L-24T-4X-10E​​ is a ​​24-port Gigabit Ethernet access switch​​ designed for environments prioritizing high-speed uplinks over Power over Ethernet (PoE). It features 24 RJ45 ports (1GBase-T) for data connectivity and ​​four 10G SFP+ uplinks​​ for low-latency backbone or core network integration. Running ​​Cisco IOS XE Lite​​, it supports Layer 3 Lite routing, automated network management via ​​Cisco DNA Center​​, and basic security protocols like ACLs and port security.

​​Key Features for Bandwidth-Intensive Deployments​​

• ​​10G Uplink Scalability​​: The four SFP+ ports enable ​​40G aggregate uplink capacity​​ (4x10G), ideal for connecting to high-performance servers, storage, or aggregation switches.
• ​​StackWise-80 Flexibility​​: Stack up to eight switches with ​​80 Gbps stacking bandwidth​​, creating a unified management domain for simplified operations.
• ​​Pre-Licensed Essentials Tier​​: The “10E” suffix includes a perpetual ​​Essentials License​​, covering static routing, QoS, and basic network segmentation out-of-the-box.

​​Addressing Core User Concerns​​

​​Q: Can this switch support PoE devices if needed in the future?​​
No. The 24T-4X-10E lacks PoE capabilities. However, it can be ​​stacked with PoE-enabled Catalyst 9300L switches​​ (e.g., 24P models) to create a hybrid PoE/non-PoE system.

​​Q: Is it suitable for small data center edge deployments?​​
Yes. The 10G uplinks reduce bottlenecks when connecting to hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) or NAS/SAN systems, while Layer 3 Lite ensures efficient inter-VLAN routing.

​​Ideal Deployment Scenarios​​

• ​​Small data center edge​​: Aggregates traffic from servers or hypervisors with low-latency 10G uplinks.
• ​​Media editing studios​​: Handles large video file transfers between workstations and shared storage arrays.
• ​​Corporate office networks​​: Connects non-PoE devices like desktops, printers, and conference room displays while uplinking to core switches at 10G speeds.

​​Procurement Strategy​​

For SMBs and enterprises seeking ​​high-speed connectivity without PoE overhead​​, the “C9300L-24T-4X-10E” is available at IT Mall. Their refurbished units include Cisco-verified hardware, full software licenses, and a 1-year warranty, offering 40-60% savings over new purchases.

​​Field-Tested Observations​​

Deploying this switch in a video production startup revealed its ​​thermal efficiency and near-silent operation​​, critical for noise-sensitive editing suites. While the lack of PoE limits its use case, the ​​10G uplinks’ reliability and StackWise-80 simplicity​​ make it a strategic choice for teams scaling bandwidth without overinvesting in PoE infrastructure. For mixed environments, pairing it with a PoE switch in a stack ensures flexibility as needs evolve. Always prioritize uplink redundancy when connecting mission-critical storage systems.