C1000-48FP-4X-L Cisco Catalyst 48 Managed Switch

Cisco Catalyst C1000 Series Switches

The Cisco Catalyst C1000 Series represents a cornerstone of Cisco's access-layer switching portfolio, designed to deliver robust, secure, and manageable connectivity for small to medium-sized businesses, enterprise branch offices, and campus networks. Within this acclaimed series, the Cisco Catalyst C1000-48FP-4X-L (C1000-48FP-4X-L) model stands out as a powerful, feature-rich solution tailored for environments demanding high-density Power over Ethernet (PoE) and multi-gigabit uplink capabilities. This switch category embodies a perfect blend of Cisco's enterprise-grade reliability and simplified management, making advanced networking features accessible to a broader range of organizations.

As a 48-port Ethernet switch with full PoE+ support and four multi-gigabit uplink ports, the C1000-48FP-4X-L is specifically engineered to power and connect a vast ecosystem of modern devices—from VoIP phones and wireless access points to advanced IoT sensors and surveillance cameras—while ensuring seamless aggregation and high-speed backhaul connectivity. This detailed exploration delves into the architecture, features, and applications that define this critical category of networking hardware.

Core Architecture & Hardware Specifications

The physical and hardware design of the Catalyst C1000-48FP-4X-L forms the foundation of its performance and reliability. Built with a fixed configuration, this switch is optimized for edge deployments where space, power efficiency, and port density are paramount.

Port Configuration & Interface Details

The switch's port architecture is meticulously planned to address current and future connectivity needs:

48x RJ-45 Ethernet Ports with PoE+

Each of the 48 downlink ports supports 10/100/1000 Mbps (1 Gigabit Ethernet) connectivity and provides full IEEE 802.3at PoE+ capability, delivering up to 30 watts per port. This allows for the simultaneous powering of a dense deployment of devices, such as 48 PoE+ phones or a mix of 24 dual-radio 802.11ac or Wi-Fi 6 access points alongside other powered devices, eliminating the need for separate power supplies and simplifying cabling infrastructure.

Performance & Switching Capacity

Underpinning the port configuration is a non-blocking switching fabric. The switch delivers a high aggregate switching capacity of up to 216 Gbps, ensuring that all ports can operate at wire speed simultaneously without congestion. With a forwarding rate of up to 162 million packets per second (Mpps), it efficiently handles traffic mixes typical in modern networks, including latency-sensitive voice and video, large data transfers, and bursty IoT communications.

Power Supply & PoE

The integrated power supply is designed to fully leverage the PoE capabilities. The switch offers a substantial total PoE power budget, typically 740W or more, which is intelligently managed. This ensures that connected devices receive power based on priority and availability, preventing overloads and allowing for strategic deployment of high-power devices like pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras or advanced access points.

Advanced Software Features & Capabilities

Beyond hardware, the C1000-48FP-4X-L is distinguished by its comprehensive software suite, primarily delivered through the Cisco IOS XE operating system. This provides a consistent, secure, and programmable experience.

Layer 2 & Layer 3 Switching Intelligence

The switch operates as a full Layer 2 switch with essential Layer 3 features (static routing, RIP, OSPF), enabling it to perform inter-VLAN routing and efficiently segment network traffic for security and performance. Features like IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging, Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) for port channels up to 10G, and Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) variants ensure network resilience, scalability, and optimized bandwidth utilization.

Quality of Service (QoS) & Traffic Management

To maintain voice and video quality, the switch employs sophisticated QoS mechanisms. It classifies traffic based on Layer 2 (CoS), Layer 3 (DSCP), or Layer 4 information, then queues, prioritizes, and schedules it appropriately. This ensures low latency and jitter for real-time applications, even during periods of high network utilization.

Manageability & Network Automation

Cisco DNA Center & Catalyst Center Integration

As part of the Catalyst family, this switch is fully manageable by Cisco DNA Center (now Catalyst Center), enabling zero-touch provisioning, automated software updates, network segmentation, and advanced assurance through AI-driven analytics. This centralizes management for large-scale deployments.

Web UI, CLI, and Programmability

For traditional management, it offers a familiar Cisco IOS CLI and an intuitive web-based graphical interface. Support for RESTCONF/NETCONF YANG data models and Python scripting facilitates network automation and integration with existing IT tools.

Primary Use Cases & Deployment Scenarios

The specific combination of 48 PoE+ ports and multi-gigabit uplinks makes the C1000-48FP-4X-L ideal for several key deployment scenarios.

High-Density Wireless Access Deployment

In modern offices, campuses, or hospitality venues, the proliferation of Wi-Fi 6/6E and future Wi-Fi 7 access points demands both more power and greater uplink bandwidth. This switch can power dozens of such APs and provide 2.5G or 5G uplinks to handle the aggregated wireless traffic, creating a high-performance, wirelessly enabled workspace.

Unified Communications & Collaboration Hub

It serves as an ideal backbone for UC environments, providing power and connectivity to IP phones, video conferencing systems, and digital signage. Advanced QoS guarantees crystal-clear voice and video, while the high PoE budget ensures all devices remain operational.

IoT and Smart Building Convergence

For smart buildings, the switch can connect and power a diverse array of IoT devices—access control systems, environmental sensors, lighting controllers, and surveillance cameras. Features like Flexible NetFlow provide visibility into IoT traffic patterns, and segmentation (via VLANs) isolates critical systems from general network traffic.

Enterprise Branch Office Backbone

In a branch office, this switch consolidates connectivity for all users and devices. Its Layer 3 Lite capabilities allow it to perform local routing, reducing traffic back to the headquarters. The robust security feature set protects the branch network from internal and external threats.

Comparison Within the C1000 Series & Product Family

Understanding where the C1000-48FP-4X-L fits within the broader Catalyst C1000 family is crucial for selection.

Versus Non-PoE Models (e.g., C1000-48T-4X-L): The "FP" designation indicates full PoE+ support, a critical differentiator for deployments requiring device powering.
Versus Models with 1G Uplinks: Models without "4X" typically have four 1G SFP uplinks. The 4X model's multi-gigabit (1G/2.5G/5G/10G) SFP+ uplinks offer significantly higher bandwidth headroom.
Versus 24-Port Models (e.g., C1000-24P-4X-L): The choice between 24 and 48 ports hinges on device density requirements. The 48-port model offers higher density in a single rack unit, improving scalability and reducing per-port cost in dense deployments.
LAN Base vs. Network Essentials vs. Network Advantage: The "-L" suffix denotes the "LAN Base" software tier. Higher tiers (Network Essentials, Network Advantage) unlock more advanced Layer 3 routing, security, and SD-Access features. The C1000-48FP-4X-L is also available with these software tiers for greater functionality.