C1300-24XT Cisco 24 Ports 10GBPS Ethernet Switch.

Cisco C1300-24XT Product Outline

The Cisco C1300-24XT is a high-performance, rack-mountable network switch designed for modern enterprise networks. With robust 10 Gbps data transfer capabilities and support for both Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionalities, this switch ensures reliable and efficient network performance.

General Specifications

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: C1300-24XT
• Device Type: Network Switch
• Form Factor: Rack-mountable
• Connectivity: Wired Ethernet

Key Features

• Data Speed: 10 Gbps
• Network Protocol: Gigabit Ethernet
• Processor Type: ARM-based
• RAM Capacity: 1 GB
• Flash Memory: 512 MB
• Supported Standards: IEEE 802.3az, IEEE 802.1ad, IEEE 802.1x, IEEE 802.3af/at
• Power Supply: 100-240V, 50-60 Hz
• Media Layers Supported: Layer 2 and Layer 3
• Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): 945,878 hours
• Management Features: Full CLI support for advanced configuration and text-based management

Networking Capabilities

• PoE Support: Not available
• MAC Address Table Size: 16,000 entries
• Jumbo Frame Support: Up to 9000 bytes
• Remote Management Protocols: SNMP, HTTP, HTTPS, TFTP, DHCP
• Routing Protocols: IPv4, IPv6, CIDR
• Authentication Methods: RADIUS and TACACS

Interface & Connectivity Options

• 20 x 10 Gigabit Copper Ports
• 4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ Ports
• 1 x Gigabit Management Port
• Standard RJ-45 Console Port
• USB Type-C Port

Architectural Design and Core Hardware Specifications

At the heart of the C1300-24XT is a purpose-built hardware architecture that balances raw throughput with operational efficiency. This switch is engineered for deployments where reliable, high-speed connectivity is non-negotiable.

Port Configuration and Uplink Capabilities

The port configuration of the C1300-24XT is meticulously planned for versatility and future-proofing. It provides a balanced mix of standard and high-speed interfaces to cater to diverse network roles.

24 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet Ports

These RJ45 ports operate at 10/100/1000 Mbps, providing Power over Ethernet (PoE+) capability on select models. This allows for the direct powering of a wide array of devices such as wireless access points, IP phones, and surveillance cameras, simplifying cabling and reducing the need for additional power infrastructure. Auto-negotiation and auto-MDI/MDIX features ensure hassle-free deployment and connectivity.

4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ Uplink Ports

This is a defining feature of the "XT" model. The four 10 Gigabit SFP+ (Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus) ports provide high-bandwidth uplinks to network cores, servers, or storage area networks. They enable essential aggregation, preventing bottlenecks and ensuring smooth traffic flow between switches and to critical resources. The use of SFP+ optics offers flexibility in media choice (fiber or DAC cables) for connections ranging from short-range data center racks to longer-distance building-to-building links.

Performance and Switching Capacity

The switch is built with a high-performance switching fabric that delivers wire-speed performance across all ports simultaneously. With a switching capacity of up to 128 Gbps and a forwarding rate of up to 95 Mpps (Million packets per second), the C1300-24XT can handle the intense traffic loads generated by modern applications, ensuring low latency and minimal jitter for real-time services like voice and video.

Advanced Software Features and Network Intelligence

Beyond hardware, the true power of the Catalyst 1300 series lies in its comprehensive software suite, which brings sophisticated network management, security, and automation within reach of organizations without dedicated networking teams.

Cisco Business Dashboard and Simplified Management

The switch can be fully managed via the cloud-based Cisco Business Dashboard. This centralized platform provides a single-pane-of-glass view for monitoring, configuring, and troubleshooting multiple switches across different locations. Features include:

Zero-Touch Deployment: Pre-configure switches and ship them to remote sites for plug-and-play installation.
Automated Updates: Schedule and push firmware updates to all devices simultaneously, ensuring consistency and security.
Health and Performance Monitoring: Gain insights into network performance, client connectivity, and potential issues through intuitive dashboards and alerts.

Comprehensive Security Framework

Network security is multi-layered on the C1300-24XT, protecting both the infrastructure and the data traversing it.

Access Control and Authentication

Leverages IEEE 802.1X, MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB), and Web Authentication to control device access to the network. Integration with RADIUS servers allows for centralized policy management based on user or device identity.

Threat Mitigation and Segmentation

Features like DHCP snooping, IP Source Guard, and Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) work in concert to prevent common Layer 2 attacks such as IP/MAC address spoofing and ARP poisoning. Support for VLANs (up to 4094) enables logical network segmentation, isolating traffic for departments, guests, or IoT devices to contain breaches and improve performance.

Secure Management

Management access is secured via SSHv2, SNMPv3, and HTTPS/SSL, with role-based access control (RBAC) ensuring administrators have only the privileges they need.

Quality of Service (QoS) for Optimized Application Delivery

The switch supports advanced QoS features to prioritize critical business applications. It can classify traffic based on Layer 2 (CoS), Layer 3 (DSCP), or Layer 4 (TCP/UDP ports) information. Through weighted tail drop (WTD) and strict priority queuing, time-sensitive traffic like VoIP or video conferencing can be guaranteed low latency and jitter, even during periods of network congestion.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The flexibility and power of the Cisco C1300-24XT make it an ideal solution for a variety of networking environments.

Core for Small to Medium-Sized Business Networks

As the central switching platform for an SMB, the C1300-24XT connects all end-user devices, servers, and wireless infrastructure. Its 10G SFP+ uplinks can be used to connect to a high-speed internet gateway or a NAS/SAN device, providing fast access to shared resources and cloud applications. PoE+ capabilities power a full suite of collaboration and security devices.

Branch Office or Remote Site Aggregation

In a distributed enterprise, this switch can serve as the aggregation point for a remote office. It consolidates connectivity from multiple access switches (or acts as the sole switch for smaller branches) and uses its 10G ports for a high-speed, reliable WAN backhaul connection to the corporate data center or headquarters over fiber optic links.

Backbone for Video Surveillance and IoT Networks

The combination of high density, PoE+, and robust QoS makes this switch perfect for deploying modern IP-based physical security systems. It can power dozens of high-resolution IP cameras while dedicating bandwidth for smooth, real-time video feeds to network video recorders (NVRs). Similarly, it can form the backbone for IoT deployments in smart buildings, retail, or healthcare, segmenting and securing sensor and device traffic.

Resilience and High Availability Features

Network uptime is critical. The C1300-24XT incorporates several features to maximize reliability and ensure continuous operation.

Stacking with Cisco FlexStack

Up to 8 switches in the Catalyst 1300 series can be stacked together using standard Ethernet cables or dedicated stacking modules (model dependent), creating a single, logical management entity. This simplifies management and provides high availability through:

Single IP Management: The entire stack is configured and monitored as one unit.
Cross-Stack EtherChannel: Allows for link aggregation across multiple physical switches in the stack, increasing bandwidth and providing redundancy.
Hitless Failover: In a hardware or software failure, traffic is rerouted within the stack with minimal disruption.

Redundant Power Systems

Select models support an external redundant power supply (RPS). This allows the switch to connect to a backup power unit, providing power redundancy in case the switch's internal power supply fails, a crucial feature for mission-critical deployments.

Network Recovery Protocols

Support for standards-based protocols like IEEE 802.1w Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and IEEE 802.1s Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) ensures the network can quickly recover from link failures, preventing loops and maintaining connectivity.

Scalability and Future-Proofing Your Investment

Investing in the C1300-24XT is an investment in a network designed to grow. Its architecture is built to accommodate evolving business needs.

Bandwidth Headroom for Growth

The abundant 10G uplink capacity ensures the network backbone will not become a bottleneck as internal server traffic, backup workloads, and internet bandwidth requirements increase over time. The high switching capacity supports the addition of more devices and more data-intensive applications.

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) Ready

The Catalyst 1300 series supports Cisco's Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) fundamentals through DNA Center compatibility. This provides a path to an intent-based network, enabling automated policy enforcement, enhanced security segmentation, and simplified network operations as organizational needs become more complex.

Ecosystem Integration

The switch seamlessly integrates with the broader Cisco ecosystem, including Meraki cloud management (via integration points), Cisco Umbrella for cloud security, and other Catalyst series switches. This ensures a cohesive, interoperable network environment that is easier to secure and manage holistically.

Choosing the Right Model: Understanding the Series Variants

The Catalyst 1300 series includes several models tailored for specific needs. Understanding these variants helps in selecting the perfect switch for a given application.

Catalyst 1300 Fixed Configuration Series

This series includes models with 8, 24, or 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, with or without PoE+, and with or without 10G uplinks. The "XT" designation, as in C1300-24XT, specifically denotes models equipped with built-in 10 Gigabit SFP+ uplink ports, making them the performance leaders of the series for aggregation roles.

PoE Budget Considerations

For deployments requiring Power over Ethernet, it is crucial to examine the total PoE power budget (e.g., 195W, 370W, 740W) of the specific model. The C1300-24XT-XX (where XX denotes the PoE budget) must be selected to ensure it can deliver adequate power to all connected devices, such as PTZ cameras, access points with multiple radios, or digital signage.

Managed vs. Smart Managed Features

The Catalyst 1300 series is a fully managed switch, offering CLI, web GUI, and API access for granular control. This distinguishes it from "smart managed" or "web-managed" switches, providing a significantly deeper feature set for routing, security, and traffic management that professionals require for business-critical networks.