C1300-24T-4G Cisco Catalyst 1300Ge 24-Port Rack Mountable Network Switch with 4x1G SFP

Cisco Catalyst 1300 Series Switch – C1300-24T-4G Overview

The Cisco C1300-24T-4G Catalyst 1300 is a robust 24-port Gigabit Ethernet switch featuring 4x1G SFP uplink ports, designed for efficient network management in enterprise and small business environments.

Main Specifications

Device Details

• Type: Network Switch
• Model: C1300-24T-4G
• Form Factor: Rack-mountable
• Data Rate: 1 Gbps
• Data Protocol: Gigabit Ethernet

Performance & Hardware

• Processor: ARM-based
• RAM: 1 GB
• Flash Storage: 512 MB
• Power Supply: Internal, 100-240V, 50-60 Hz
• Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): 2,026,793 hours

Network Capabilities

Advanced Networking Features

• MAC Address Table: 16,000 entries
• Jumbo Frame Support: Up to 9000 bytes
• Uplink Ports: 4 SFP ports

Connectivity Options

Interface Ports

• 24x RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet ports
• 4x SFP uplink slots
• 1x USB Type-C port
• 1x RJ-45 console port

Benefits of Choose Cisco C1300-24T-4G

• High-speed 1 Gbps connectivity for smooth data transmission
• Support for large MAC tables and jumbo frames for enterprise traffic
• Compact, rack-mountable design to save space
• ARM processor ensures efficient and stable operation
• Wide voltage range for versatile deployment

Unpacking the Key Specifications and Form Factor

The C1300-24T-4G is engineered for reliability and ease of deployment in standard IT environments. Its rack-mountable 1RU (1 Rack Unit) design ensures it integrates seamlessly into server closets, data racks, or network cabinets, optimizing space utilization. The switch is built with a robust metal chassis that promotes effective heat dissipation, contributing to consistent performance and longevity. The front panel is intuitively laid out, with clear LED indicators for system status, link activity, and port speed, providing at-a-glance network health monitoring.

Detailed Hardware Breakdown

Understanding the hardware components is essential for evaluating fit and performance.

Copper Port Configuration: 24 x 10/100/1000BASE-T Ports

Each of the twenty-four RJ-45 ports supports auto-negotiation for speed (10/100/1000 Mbps) and duplex, as well as Auto-MDI/MDIX, eliminating the need for crossover cables. These ports deliver the bandwidth necessary for modern data-intensive applications and are typically PoE (Power over Ethernet) capable in other models within the series, though it's crucial to verify the specific SKU as the C1300-24T-4G is a non-PoE variant.

Fiber Uplink Flexibility: 4 x 1G SFP Slots

The four SFP slots are independent and can be populated with a mix of Cisco-certified SFP modules. This allows for:

Long-Distance Connectivity: Use 1000BASE-SX (multimode) or 1000BASE-LX/LH (single-mode) fiber modules to extend the network up to kilometers, ideal for campus settings or connecting separate floors.
Electrical Uplinks: Use 1000BASE-T SFP modules for a copper-based, shielded uplink over Cat5e/6 cable, useful in environments where fiber infrastructure is not present.
Redundancy & Link Aggregation: Multiple uplinks can be bundled using Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) to create a high-bandwidth, resilient trunk connection to the network core.

Performance and Switching Capacity

With a switching capacity of 56 Gbps and a forwarding rate of up to 41.7 Mpps (million packets per second), the switch is designed to handle traffic from all ports at wire speed without congestion. This non-blocking architecture ensures that latency-sensitive applications like VoIP and video conferencing perform smoothly, even under high load.

Advanced Software Features and Management Capabilities

Beyond its physical attributes, the true value of the Cisco C1300-24T-4G lies in its comprehensive software suite. It runs Cisco's robust IOS (Internetwork Operating System), offering a deep set of Layer 2 and basic Layer 3 features that empower network administrators to optimize, secure, and troubleshoot their network with precision.

Enhanced Security and Access Control

Network security is multi-layered, starting at the access switch. The Catalyst 1300 provides a suite of tools to lock down access and control traffic.

Port Security and Network Admission Control

Administrators can enforce policies such as limiting the number of MAC addresses learned on a port (Port Security) or dynamically assigning VLANs and QoS policies based on user or device identity using 802.1X authentication. This is crucial for environments with guest networks or BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies.

Access Control Lists (ACLs) and Storm Control

Standard and extended ACLs allow for granular filtering of traffic based on IP addresses, protocols, and port numbers. Storm control features prevent broadcast, multicast, or unicast traffic storms from degrading overall switch performance, maintaining network stability.

VLANs, Quality of Service (QoS), and Traffic Management

Segmenting network traffic and prioritizing critical applications are fundamental for a professional network.

VLAN Implementation for Segmentation

The switch supports IEEE 802.1Q tagging and a large number of VLANs (up to 4094). This allows for logical segmentation of the network—separating voice, data, guest, and management traffic—which enhances security, reduces broadcast domains, and simplifies management.

Sophisticated Quality of Service (QoS)

The switch can classify, police, prioritize, and schedule traffic. It supports DiffServ-based QoS, allowing administrators to trust DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) markings from IP phones or set CoS (Class of Service) values on ingress ports. This ensures that real-time voice and video traffic are prioritized over standard web browsing or file transfers, guaranteeing a high-quality user experience.

Resiliency and High Availability Features

Network uptime is paramount. The Catalyst 1300 includes protocols designed to minimize downtime and provide fast recovery from link failures.

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Variants

Support for Rapid PVST+ (Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Plus) and MSTP (Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol) creates loop-free Layer 2 topologies while allowing for rapid convergence (sub-second) in case of a link failure, ensuring network resilience.

Link Aggregation with LACP

As mentioned, the four SFP ports are ideal for creating aggregated Ethernet channels using IEEE 802.3ad LACP. This provides increased bandwidth, load balancing, and automatic failover between the member links, creating a more robust uplink connection.

Deployment Scenarios and Ideal Use Cases

The versatility of the C1300-24T-4G makes it suitable for a wide range of deployment scenarios. Its blend of high-density copper access and flexible fiber uplinks positions it as an ideal aggregation or access layer switch in various environments.

Small to Midsize Business (SMB) Core/Aggregation Switch

For a typical SMB, this switch can act as the central networking device in the main office. The 24 copper ports connect workstations, printers, and access points, while the SFP uplinks can connect to a firewall/router for internet access or to another switch in a remote part of the building via fiber. Advanced features like VLANs and QoS allow for professional network segmentation and prioritization of business-critical applications.

Branch Office or Remote Site Connectivity

In a distributed enterprise, each branch office requires a reliable, managed switch. The C1300-24T-4G can be deployed at these sites to provide local connectivity. Its SFP ports are critical for creating a secure, high-speed WAN (Wide Area Network) backhaul connection (e.g., via a fiber hand-off or a copper Ethernet hand-off from a service provider) to the corporate headquarters. Features like ACLs and secure management help maintain corporate security policies at the edge.

Retail and Hospitality Environments

In retail, the switch can connect point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management terminals, digital signage, and customer Wi-Fi access points. The non-PoE nature of this specific model makes it suitable for locations where powered devices are connected to dedicated PoE injectors or where a separate PoE switch is used for wireless and VoIP deployments. VLANs can securely isolate the POS network from the public guest network.