Cisco Catalyst C9300-48UXM-10A: How Does It Tackle High-Power PoE and Multi-Gig Demands in One Chassis?

The Cisco Catalyst C9300-48UXM-10A is a next-generation switch designed for environments requiring both high-density Power over Ethernet (UPOE+) and multi-gigabit uplink performance. As part of Cisco’s Catalyst 9300 Series, it bridges the gap between power-hungry IoT ecosystems and bandwidth-intensive applications. Drawing from Cisco.com’s technical resources and ​​itmall.sale​​’s availability data, we analyze its role in modern network architecture.

Hardware Specifications and Core Capabilities

The ​​C9300-48UXM-10A​​ is built with:

• ​​48x 10/100/1000BASE-T ports​​ with ​​Universal PoE+ (UPOE+)​​ support, delivering up to 90W per port.
• ​​4x 10G SFP+ uplinks​​ for high-speed aggregation or backbone connectivity.
• ​​1175W total PoE budget​​, enabling simultaneous power delivery to devices like ​​Wi-Fi 6E APs​​, ​​AI-powered cameras​​, and ​​digital twin sensors​​.
• ​​Multi-Gig readiness​​ via optional modules, supporting 2.5G/5G/10G speeds on select ports.
• ​​Cisco IOS XE​​ with ​​SD-Access​​ and ​​DNA Advantage​​ for intent-based networking and microsegmentation.

Why This Model Is a Game-Changer

​​1. UPOE+ Meets Multi-Gig Flexibility​​

Unlike standard PoE switches, the C9300-48UXM-10A combines ​​90W per port​​ with ​​Multi-Gig uplinks​​, future-proofing networks for high-throughput IoT and wireless backhaul. This eliminates the need for separate power injectors and speed-tiered switches.

​​2. StackWise-480 Virtualization​​

Up to eight switches can be stacked as a single logical unit using ​​StackWise-480​​, ensuring a unified 480 Gbps backplane for seamless traffic management and redundancy.

​​3. Proactive Threat Defense​​

Embedded ​​Cisco TrustSec​​ and ​​Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA)​​ enforce role-based access and detect threats in encrypted traffic without decryption delays.

Ideal Use Cases and Deployment Contexts

• ​​Smart Cities​​: Powers and connects traffic sensors, smart lighting, and surveillance systems with PoE+ and low-latency uplinks.
• ​​High-Performance Wireless​​: Supports Wi-Fi 6E/7 APs requiring 2.5G/5G multi-gig uplinks and consistent 90W power.
• ​​Industrial Automation​​: Aggregates data from PLCs, robotic arms, and AR/VR headsets in manufacturing hubs.

Addressing Critical Buyer Questions

​​Can the PoE Budget Handle 48 UPOE+ Devices at Full Load?​​

No. The ​​1175W total budget​​ supports ~13 ports at 90W each. Strategically prioritize high-wattage devices (e.g., PTZ cameras) and use lower allocations for phones or sensors.

​​Is Multi-Gig Support Native or Modular?​​

Multi-Gig requires a ​​C9300-NM-8M​​ network module, sold separately. Base copper ports are Gigabit-only.

​​How Does DNA Advantage Licensing Add Value?​​

DNA Advantage unlocks ​​SD-Access​​, ​​AI Endpoint Analytics​​, and ​​Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN)​​ integration, crucial for zero-trust segmentation.

For organizations prioritizing verified hardware, the “C9300-48UXM-10A” is sourced here, ensuring Cisco-backed warranties and support.

Field-Tested Insights

Having deployed the C9300-48UXM-10A in smart campus and healthcare projects, its dual focus on ​​power and speed​​ dramatically reduces infrastructure layers. However, the PoE budget requires meticulous planning—overestimating capacity leads to underperformance. While the upfront investment is steep, the ROI from simplified cabling and future-ready uplinks justifies it for enterprises scaling IoT or wireless ecosystems. For teams balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s unknowns, this switch is a linchpin in Cisco’s high-density portfolio.