C9300L-48T-4X-A Cisco 48 Ports Switch

Overview of Cisco High-Performance Stackable Switch

The Cisco Catalyst 9300L series represents the evolution of one of the most extensively deployed stackable network platforms in enterprise environments. Engineered for modern networking demands, these switches are ideal for secure connectivity, cloud integration, and Internet of Things (IoT) convergence. With fixed modules, the 9300L variants deliver the performance and flexibility of the Catalyst 9300 series while simplifying deployment.

Product Description

• Brand: Cisco
• Part Number: C9300L-48T-4X-A 
• Product Line: Catalyst  
• Product Series:9300
• Product Type: Ethernet Switch

Technical Specifications

• Expansion Slots: 4 Total
• Stack Port Feature: Yes
• Media Types: Twisted Pair, Optical Fiber
• Total Network Ports: 48
• Redundant Power Supply: Yes
• Expansion Slot Type: SFP+
• Power Source: Power Supply
• Supported Layer: Layer 3
• SFP+ Slots: 4
• Modular Design: Yes
• Uplink Port: Yes
• Shared SFP Slot: No
• Manageable: Yes
• Supported Ethernet Technologies: Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet

Port and Slot Details

• Network Ports: 48 x Gigabit Ethernet
• Uplink Ports: 4 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet

Physical Dimensions

• Dimensions: 1.73 x 17.5 x 11.3 inches

Outline of Cisco C9300L-48T-4X-A Manageable Switch  

The Cisco C9300L-48T-4X-A 48 Ports Manageable Switch represents a premium solution in enterprise networking, designed to deliver exceptional performance, scalability, and reliability. Built to handle intensive networking environments, this switch provides 48 high-speed Ethernet ports with advanced management capabilities. As part of the Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series, it integrates seamlessly into modern network infrastructures, supporting advanced routing, switching, and security functionalities.

High-Performance Connectivity for Enterprise Networks

The C9300L-48T-4X-A model provides robust connectivity options suitable for medium to large-scale enterprise networks. Its 48 Ethernet ports ensure that multiple devices, servers, and access points can operate simultaneously without performance degradation. The inclusion of 4 dedicated 10-Gigabit uplink ports allows for high-speed connections to core network devices, enabling rapid data transfers and reduced latency. This combination of high port density and uplink flexibility makes it ideal for organizations with growing network demands.

Advanced Network Management Capabilities

One of the most significant advantages of the Cisco C9300L-48T-4X-A is its advanced network management functionality. Equipped with Cisco DNA Center compatibility, this switch enables centralized network management, simplified automation, and advanced analytics. Network administrators can monitor performance, identify potential bottlenecks, and deploy configurations across multiple devices from a single interface. The device supports Layer 2 and Layer 3 routing, VLAN segmentation, and advanced Quality of Service (QoS) configurations, ensuring efficient network traffic management for critical applications.

Security Features for Modern Networks

In today’s environment, network security is paramount. The Cisco C9300L-48T-4X-A incorporates multiple layers of security features to protect sensitive data and maintain network integrity. It includes support for IEEE 802.1X authentication, enabling secure access control for users and devices. Network segmentation is facilitated through advanced VLAN and private VLAN capabilities, while access control lists (ACLs) allow administrators to define detailed policies for traffic flow. Furthermore, the switch supports Secure Boot and runtime defenses against malicious attacks, ensuring the network remains resilient against emerging threats.

Role-Based Access Control and Threat Protection

The switch’s security architecture supports role-based access control, which allows administrators to assign varying levels of access to users based on their roles within the organization. This ensures that sensitive network functions are restricted to authorized personnel only. In addition, features like Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) and IP Source Guard provide protection against common network attacks, including spoofing and man-in-the-middle attempts. Regular firmware updates and Cisco’s integrated security policies ensure the switch remains protected against evolving vulnerabilities.

Enhanced Power Management and Efficiency

Energy efficiency is another key feature of the Cisco C9300L-48T-4X-A. The switch supports Cisco EnergyWise technology, which allows network administrators to monitor and manage power consumption across connected devices. This capability ensures that energy usage is optimized without compromising performance. Additionally, the switch’s modular power supply and intelligent power allocation reduce operational costs, making it an eco-friendly choice for enterprises focused on sustainability and efficiency.

Scalability and Network Flexibility

The C9300L-48T-4X-A is designed with future growth in mind. Its architecture supports stacking technology, enabling multiple switches to function as a single logical unit. This stacking capability simplifies network expansion, reduces management complexity, and improves redundancy. As organizations grow, they can easily add new switches to the stack without significant reconfiguration, ensuring seamless scaling of the network infrastructure.

Stacking Technology for Seamless Expansion

Cisco StackWise technology allows up to eight switches to operate as a single entity, sharing configuration, routing, and management resources. This approach eliminates the need for manual intervention when expanding network capacity, and it provides increased resiliency through redundant links. The high-speed stacking bandwidth ensures minimal latency between switches, making it suitable for environments that require rapid data processing, such as data centers, campus networks, and high-demand office setups.

Flexible Uplink and Port Configurations

The C9300L-48T-4X-A switch offers unmatched flexibility through its uplink options and configurable ports. Each 10-Gigabit uplink can connect to core routers, distribution switches, or high-performance servers, ensuring optimal network throughput. Administrators can dynamically assign ports to VLANs, configure link aggregation, and manage port security policies to meet the unique demands of their organization. This flexibility allows enterprises to adapt the network to evolving business requirements without replacing existing hardware.

Support for Converged Networks

Modern enterprises increasingly require convergence of data, voice, and video traffic over a single network. The Cisco C9300L-48T-4X-A is fully capable of supporting converged networks, including Voice over IP (VoIP) and IP-based video conferencing systems. The switch’s advanced QoS features ensure that latency-sensitive traffic receives priority, minimizing delays and improving user experience. Additionally, Power over Ethernet (PoE) support allows devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, and cameras to be powered directly through the switch, simplifying deployment and cabling.

Reliability and Redundancy for Mission-Critical Environments

Reliability is a core consideration in enterprise networking, and the Cisco C9300L-48T-4X-A excels in this area. It is engineered to provide continuous operation with minimal downtime, ensuring that business-critical applications remain available at all times. The switch supports redundant power supplies and fans, allowing hardware components to continue functioning in the event of a failure. This level of redundancy is essential for organizations that cannot afford network interruptions.

Continuous Operation with Redundant Components

The C9300L-48T-4X-A features dual power supply options, which provide uninterrupted operation even if one power module fails. Hot-swappable components, including fans and modules, allow for maintenance without shutting down the switch. This design ensures high availability, which is critical for data centers, financial institutions, healthcare facilities, and other organizations where network downtime can lead to significant operational and financial losses.

Advanced Reliability Features

Beyond hardware redundancy, the switch integrates advanced software mechanisms to enhance reliability. Features such as Smart Install, ERSPAN, and Network Plug and Play simplify deployment, configuration, and monitoring while reducing the likelihood of misconfigurations. The IOS XE operating system provides robust support for protocol redundancy, dynamic routing, and link failover, further contributing to network stability and uninterrupted service delivery.

Integration with Cisco Networking Ecosystem

The Cisco C9300L-48T-4X-A is designed to integrate seamlessly with the broader Cisco networking ecosystem. Its compatibility with Cisco DNA Center, Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), and other Cisco security and management platforms enables unified management and comprehensive policy enforcement. This integration streamlines network operations, simplifies troubleshooting, and enhances overall security posture.

Compatibility with Cisco DNA Center

By leveraging Cisco DNA Center, administrators can deploy automated provisioning, apply consistent configurations, and gain end-to-end visibility into the network. This centralized platform enables predictive analytics, helping IT teams anticipate network issues before they impact operations. Through this integration, enterprises benefit from reduced operational complexity, increased agility, and improved service quality.

Unified Security and Policy Enforcement

Integration with Cisco Identity Services Engine allows the C9300L-48T-4X-A to enforce security policies consistently across all network segments. Devices are automatically authenticated, segmented, and monitored according to organizational policies, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. The switch supports secure segmentation for different user groups, IoT devices, and critical systems, ensuring that the network remains compliant with internal and regulatory requirements.

Enhanced Visibility and Troubleshooting

Integration with Cisco’s management tools provides granular visibility into network traffic, user behavior, and device activity. Administrators can identify bottlenecks, monitor performance trends, and receive alerts for anomalies. This visibility facilitates faster troubleshooting, reducing downtime and ensuring that mission-critical services remain uninterrupted. Real-time telemetry and analytics empower IT teams to optimize the network for performance, reliability, and security simultaneously.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The Cisco C9300L-48T-4X-A is suitable for a wide range of deployment scenarios, from campus networks to data centers. Its flexibility, high port density, and advanced features allow it to meet the demands of diverse industries, including healthcare, finance, education, and enterprise IT environments. Whether deployed at the access layer to connect end-user devices or as part of a core distribution network, this switch provides unmatched reliability and performance.

Campus and Enterprise Network Deployment

In campus networks, the C9300L-48T-4X-A serves as a robust access switch, connecting endpoints such as workstations, IP phones, and wireless access points. Its advanced QoS and PoE support ensure optimal performance for latency-sensitive applications like voice and video. VLAN support and security features allow network segmentation for staff, students, or guests, providing both flexibility and security in multi-user environments.

Data Center and High-Demand Applications

In data center environments, the switch supports high-performance uplinks, redundant architecture, and advanced routing capabilities. It can serve as a distribution or aggregation switch, connecting servers, storage systems, and core routers while maintaining low latency and high throughput. Its ability to handle large volumes of traffic and provide real-time analytics makes it an ideal solution for organizations with demanding application requirements.

Support for Internet of Things (IoT) Networks

The growing prevalence of IoT devices in enterprise environments necessitates robust, secure networking solutions. The C9300L-48T-4X-A can manage large numbers of connected IoT devices, providing automated policy enforcement, secure segmentation, and efficient traffic management. Its PoE capabilities allow IoT sensors, cameras, and other devices to operate without additional power infrastructure, simplifying deployment and reducing costs.

Technical Specifications and Performance Metrics

The Cisco C9300L-48T-4X-A is engineered to deliver exceptional performance through its technical specifications. The switch supports wire-speed switching on all 48 ports, ensuring low latency and high throughput for all connected devices. Its forwarding capacity and switching bandwidth are designed to handle high volumes of concurrent traffic, making it suitable for demanding enterprise applications. Advanced features such as link aggregation, redundancy protocols, and multicast optimization further enhance performance and reliability.

Port and Interface Specifications

The switch provides 48 fixed Ethernet ports supporting 1G connectivity and 4 dedicated 10-Gigabit uplink ports. All ports are fully manageable, allowing administrators to configure speed, duplex, and VLAN membership. Port security features and PoE capabilities enable secure, energy-efficient operation, supporting a wide range of connected devices including IP phones, cameras, and wireless access points. The switch also supports Layer 2 and Layer 3 interfaces for flexible routing and segmentation.

Performance and Forwarding Capacity

The C9300L-48T-4X-A delivers a switching capacity sufficient for high-density networks with demanding traffic patterns. Its low-latency architecture ensures rapid packet forwarding, supporting real-time applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, and cloud services. Advanced traffic management and QoS mechanisms prioritize mission-critical traffic, minimizing delay and packet loss. The switch’s internal hardware and software optimizations allow it to maintain performance even under maximum load conditions.