Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-EDU / Catalyst 9300 Series

Highlights of the Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-E

For IT professionals and network architects seeking reliable, scalable, and secure switching solutions, the Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series stands as a cornerstone of modern network infrastructure. Within this esteemed series, the Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-E model emerges as a particularly robust option, designed to deliver powerful performance and advanced features. This switch is engineered to meet the growing demands of enterprise networks, offering a blend of high-speed connectivity, robust power capabilities, and enhanced security protocols. It represents a future-proof investment for businesses looking to build a resilient and intelligent network foundation. Understanding its core functionalities and specifications is key to appreciating its role in a high-performing IT ecosystem.

Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-E: A Detailed Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst C9300L-48P-4X-E is a stackable, next-generation Layer 3 switch that forms the backbone of intent-based networks. It is part of the broader Cisco C9300L family, specifically designed with a fixed configuration to provide a balance of performance and value. The "48P" in its name signifies that it comes with 48 Ethernet ports, all of which support Power over Ethernet (PoE+), enabling them to deliver both data and electrical power to connected devices such as wireless access points, IP phones, and surveillance cameras.

The "4X" denotes the four built-in 1/10G SFP+ uplink ports, providing high-speed connectivity to the network core or to other switches, ensuring there are no bottlenecks in data flow. Finally, the "E" designation is crucial, as it indicates that this specific model includes the Network Essentials license. This license tier unlocks a set of advanced software features, including enhanced Layer 3 routing capabilities, improved security policies, and greater network management flexibility compared to the base offering. For those requiring different licensing or configurations, other variants like the Cisco C9300L-48P-4X and the Cisco C9300L-48P-4G-A also exist to meet specific operational needs.

Standout Features of the Catalyst 9300L Series

The features of the Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-E are what set it apart in a competitive market. It is built not just to connect devices but to intelligently manage network traffic and enforce security from the ground up.

A primary feature is its comprehensive PoE capability. With all 48 ports supporting PoE+, the switch can simplify deployments by eliminating the need for separate power sources for a wide array of endpoint devices, reducing cabling complexity and overall costs. The four SFP+ uplink ports offer versatile and scalable connectivity options, allowing for either 1G or 10G connections based on current requirements and providing a clear path for future bandwidth expansion.

Furthermore, being equipped with the Network Essentials license, this model supports static and dynamic routing protocols like OSPF and EIGRP, facilitating efficient traffic management across a larger network. It also includes advanced security features such as MACsec encryption, which provides hardware-based security for data flowing between devices, protecting against eavesdropping and other attacks. This combination of power, speed, and intelligence makes it an ideal choice for enterprise access layer deployments.

Key Technical Features and Specifications

Delving into the technical specifications provides a clearer picture of the switch's capabilities. For anyone reviewing a Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-E datasheet, the following key technical features would be prominently highlighted:

·       Port Configuration: 48 x 10/100/1000BASE-T PoE+ ports and 4 x 1G/10G SFP+ uplink ports.

·       Power over Ethernet: Full PoE+ support on all 48 data ports, with a total power budget designed to support energy-intensive devices.

·       Stacking Capabilities: The switch supports Cisco StackWise-320 technology, allowing multiple physical switches to be unified into a single logical unit, simplifying management and creating resilient, high-bandwidth stacking rings.

·       Software-Defined Access (SD-Access): It provides a foundational platform for intent-based networking, enabling automated policy enforcement and end-to-end segmentation.

·       Licensing: Comes pre-installed with the Network Essentials license, which activates advanced Layer 3 features and enhanced security.

·       Security: Includes features like Trustworthy Systems, with secure boot and hardware-rooted trust, along with support for MACsec 256-bit encryption.

For those with different connectivity needs, models like the Cisco C9300L-48P-4G and Cisco C9300L-48P-4G-E offer a similar port layout but with four 1G SFP uplinks instead of the multi-gigabit 10G capable SFP+ ports, providing flexibility in network design and cost considerations. The architecture of the entire Cisco C9300L-48P series is built for reliability, ensuring continuous operation and ease of management for network teams.