Cisco Catalyst C9300-48UN-10A: Why Is It a Powerhouse for High-Density PoE and 10G Uplinks?

The Cisco Catalyst C9300-48UN-10A is engineered to address the escalating demands of modern networks requiring dense Power over Ethernet (PoE) and high-speed uplinks. As part of Cisco’s Catalyst 9300 Series, this switch blends scalability, power efficiency, and advanced security. Leveraging Cisco.com’s technical documentation and sourcing insights from ​​itmall.sale​​, we unpack its value proposition for IT teams.

Core Hardware and Performance Metrics

The ​​C9300-48UN-10A​​ delivers:

• ​​48x 10/100/1000BASE-T ports​​ with ​​Universal PoE+ (UPOE+)​​ support, supplying up to 90W per port.
• ​​4x 10G SFP+ uplinks​​ for high-bandwidth aggregation or backbone connectivity.
• ​​1175W total PoE budget​​, enabling simultaneous power delivery to 48 ports (avg. ~24.5W per port).
• ​​UL 60950-1 safety certification​​ and ​​EnergyWise​​ technology for dynamic power optimization.
• ​​Cisco IOS XE​​ with ​​DNA Essentials​​ for automated network management and zero-trust security frameworks.

Differentiators for Enterprise Deployments

​​1. High-Density PoE Without Compromise​​

The switch’s ​​1175W power budget​​ supports demanding devices like ​​Wi-Fi 6E access points​​, ​​PTZ security cameras​​, and ​​building automation controllers​​ without external injectors. Its ​​UPOE+​​ capability future-proofs deployments for IoT expansions.

​​2. StackWise-480 Flexibility​​

By stacking up to eight switches via ​​StackWise-480​​, teams create a unified 480 Gbps backplane, simplifying management and enabling hitless failover for critical applications.

​​3. Embedded Security Posture​​

Integrated ​​Cisco TrustSec​​ enforces role-based access, while ​​Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA)​​ detects malware in encrypted flows without decryption overhead.

Optimal Deployment Scenarios

• ​​Smart Offices​​: Powers and connects VoIP phones, video conferencing systems, and occupancy sensors.
• ​​Healthcare Networks​​: Supports PoE-driven medical devices (e.g., infusion pumps, patient monitors) with low-latency uplinks.
• ​​Industrial IoT​​: Aggregates data from PLCs, sensors, and ruggedized endpoints in manufacturing environments.

Addressing Key Buyer Questions

​​Can This Switch Handle 48 Devices at Full PoE+?​​

No. While ​​UPOE+​​ allows 90W per port, the total 1175W budget limits simultaneous full-power usage. Strategically allocate high-wattage ports to mission-critical devices.

​​What Redundancy Features Are Included?​​

Dual, hot-swappable ​​715W AC power supplies​​ (default) and ​​fan modules​​ ensure continuous uptime during hardware failures.

​​Is DNA Essentials Enough for SD-Access?​​

No. ​​DNA Advantage​​ is required for advanced segmentation (SD-Access) and AI-driven assurance.

For verified inventory and Cisco-authorized support, the “C9300-48UN-10A” is available here.

Practical Takeaways

In deploying this switch across retail and industrial sites, its ​​PoE granularity​​ and ​​10G uplink flexibility​​ consistently reduce infrastructure sprawl. However, teams must rigorously plan power budgets to avoid over-subscription. While the upfront cost is higher than non-PoE models, the long-term savings from simplified cabling and centralized management justify the investment. For networks balancing high-power device density with backbone scalability, the C9300-48UN-10A remains a strategic choice in Cisco’s lineup.