C1300-48FP-4X Cisco Catalyst 1300 48-port Switch

Product Overview of C1300-48FP-4X Cisco Catalyst Switch

The Cisco C1300-48FP-4X Catalyst 1300 Series switch is a high-performance, enterprise-grade networking solution designed for growing businesses and bandwidth-intensive environments. With full Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, multi-gigabit connectivity, and advanced management features, this switch ensures reliable, scalable, and secure network performance.

General Specifications

Manufacturer Details

• Brand: Cisco
• Model Number: C1300-48FP-4X
• Category: Managed Network Switch

Device Type & Connectivity

• Network Device Type: Ethernet Switch
• Connectivity Technology: Wired
• Optimized for enterprise and SMB networks

Performance & Hardware Information

Processing & Memory

• Processor Architecture: ARM-based processor
• Installed RAM: 1 GB
• Flash Storage Capacity: 512 MB

Data Transfer Capabilities

• Maximum Data Rate: Up to 10 Gbps
• Supported Data Link Protocol: Gigabit Ethernet
• Designed for high-speed data-intensive applications

Power & Reliability

Power Requirements

• Input Voltage: 100–240V AC
• Frequency Range: 50–60 Hz
• Total PoE Power Budget: 740 Watts

Reliability Metrics

• Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): 856,301 hours
• Built for long-term operational stability

Advanced Network Features

Power over Ethernet (PoE)

• Full PoE support for connected devices
• Ideal for IP phones, wireless access points, and surveillance cameras

Switching & Frame Support

• MAC Address Table Capacity: 16,000 entries
• Jumbo Frame Support: Up to 9000 bytes
• Default MTU Size: 2000 bytes

Scalability & Performance Enhancements

• Optimized for expanding network infrastructures
• Supports modern, high-bandwidth technologies

Ports & Interfaces

Ethernet Interfaces

• 48 x Gigabit Ethernet ports
• 4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ uplink ports

Management & Console Ports

• 1 x RJ-45 management interface

Core Architecture and Hardware Specifications

The physical and hardware design of the C1300-48FP-4X is built for performance, reliability, and scalability in demanding environments.

Port Configuration and Connectivity

The switch's port arrangement is its defining characteristic, offering exceptional flexibility for network design.

48 x Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 Ports with Full PoE+

Each of the 48 10/100/1000BASE-T ports supports IEEE 802.3at PoE+ standard, delivering up to 30 watts per port. With a total PoE budget of 740 watts, the switch can power a full complement of high-demand devices simultaneously, such as IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) access points, advanced pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, and video conferencing systems, without the need for external power injectors.

4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ Uplink Ports

The four SFP+ ports provide high-bandwidth uplinks to network core switches, servers, or storage area networks (SANs). These ports support both 1G and 10G speeds, offering investment protection and flexible migration paths. They are ideal for aggregating traffic from the 48 Gigabit ports, preventing uplink bottlenecks and ensuring smooth traffic flow across the network.

Performance and Switching Capacity

Beneath the surface, the switch boasts a non-blocking switching architecture. With a high switching capacity of 176 Gbps and a forwarding rate of up to 130.95 Mpps, it ensures wire-speed performance across all ports, even under full load. This guarantees low latency and high throughput for real-time applications like voice and video.

Advanced Feature Set for Modern Networks

Beyond basic connectivity, the Catalyst 1300 C1300-48FP-4X is packed with advanced features that provide enterprise-class intelligence and control.

Comprehensive Power over Ethernet (PoE) Management

The integrated PoE capabilities are a cornerstone of this switch's value proposition.

Cisco Universal PoE (UPOE) and PoE+

While supporting standard PoE (802.3af) and PoE+ (802.3at), the switch also supports Cisco UPOE on specific models, capable of delivering up to 60 watts for powering advanced endpoints like connected building systems or virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) thin clients.

Intelligent Power Management

Features like perpetual PoE allow critical devices to remain powered during a switch reboot. The switch also supports power policing, monitoring, and scheduling, enabling administrators to optimize power usage and reduce operational costs.

Layer 3 "Lite" Routing Capabilities

This switch operates at Layer 3 Lite, providing essential routing functions to segment networks and improve performance without the complexity of a full Layer 3 switch.

Static Routing and RIP

It supports static routing and Routing Information Protocol (RIP) versions 1 and 2, allowing for efficient inter-VLAN routing and basic path selection between network segments directly at the access layer.

Policy-Based Routing (PBR)

PBR enables administrators to define specific paths for traffic based on policies beyond standard destination-based routing, optimizing the flow for specific applications or services.

Network Management and Operational Simplicity

Cisco provides multiple intuitive management options to suit different skill levels and operational preferences.

Cisco Business Dashboard and Catalyst Dashboard

For cloud-based management, the switch can be registered to the Cisco Business Dashboard or the more advanced Catalyst Dashboard. These platforms offer a single-pane-of-glass view for monitoring, configuring, and troubleshooting multiple switches across distributed sites, dramatically simplifying IT operations for businesses with limited on-site expertise.

Traditional Management Interfaces

For on-premises management, the switch offers a familiar suite of tools.

Web-Based (GUI) and CLI Management

A user-friendly web interface (GUI) allows for quick setup and visual configuration. For network professionals, a full-featured Command Line Interface (CLI) accessed via console port or SSH provides granular control and automation capabilities.

SNMP, Syslog, and NetFlow

Comprehensive support for SNMPv1/v2c/v3, Syslog, and NetFlow/IPFIX enables seamless integration with existing network monitoring, logging, and traffic analysis systems.

Robust Security and Traffic Control

Built-in security features help protect the network infrastructure and the data flowing through it from internal and external threats.

Access Control and Authentication

A multi-layered approach ensures only authorized users and devices can access the network.

IEEE 802.1X and MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB)

Port-based network access control (NAC) using 802.1X authenticates users and devices against a RADIUS server. MAB provides a fallback method for devices that do not support 802.1X, like printers or cameras.

ACLs and VLAN Segmentation

Standard and extended Access Control Lists (ACLs) allow for precise filtering of IP traffic. Extensive VLAN support (802.1Q tagging, Voice VLAN, Private VLAN) enables logical network segmentation to isolate traffic and contain security breaches.

Threat Mitigation and Network Resilience

Features designed to maintain network integrity and availability.

DHCP Snooping, IP Source Guard, and Dynamic ARP Inspection

This trio of features works in concert to prevent common LAN-based attacks such as DHCP spoofing, IP address spoofing, and ARP poisoning, creating a more secure network environment.

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Enhancements

Support for Rapid PVST+ and MSTP provides fast network convergence and loop prevention, ensuring high availability and network stability.

Quality of Service (QoS) for Optimized Application Performance

In a converged network, ensuring critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and priority is essential.

Granular Traffic Classification and Marking

The switch can classify traffic based on Layer 2 (CoS), Layer 3 (DSCP), or Layer 4 (TCP/UDP ports) information. It can also remark packets to ensure consistent policy application across the network.

Advanced Queuing and Scheduling

Support for strict priority queuing and weighted round-robin (WRR) scheduling ensures that delay-sensitive traffic like voice and video is always prioritized, guaranteeing clear call quality and smooth video playback even during periods of high network utilization.

Ideal Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The versatility of the Cisco C1300-48FP-4X makes it suitable for a wide array of deployment environments.

Enterprise Branch Office and Mid-Size Business Core

With its Layer 3 Lite routing, high PoE budget, and 10G uplinks, this switch can serve as the central networking hub for a branch office or a mid-sized business, connecting all users, phones, wireless APs, and servers.

High-Density Wireless Deployment

The combination of 48 PoE+ ports and high uplink bandwidth makes it an ideal choice for powering and backhauling traffic from a dense deployment of wireless access points in environments like schools, hotels, or large retail spaces.

IP Surveillance and Physical Security Networks

The ability to power dozens of high-resolution, PTZ IP cameras while providing ample bandwidth for video streaming to network video recorders (NVRs) makes this switch a robust foundation for modern security and surveillance systems.