C1300-48MGP-4X Cisco Catalyst L3 Managed 48X 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ Rack Mountable POE+ Switch.

Product Overview of Cisco C1300-48MGP-4X Catalyst L3 Switch

The Cisco Catalyst 1300-48MGP-4X is a high-performance managed network switch engineered for modern enterprise and business environments. Designed for scalability and reliability, this rack-mountable Layer 3 switch delivers advanced routing, security, and Power over Ethernet capabilities to support growing network demands.

General Specifications

• Brand: Cisco
• Model Number: C1300-48MGP-4X
• Switch Type: Managed Layer 3 Switch
• Total Ports: 48 Ethernet Ports
• Form Factor: Rack-mountable
• Switching Technology: 10 Gigabit Ethernet
• Stackable: Yes, up to 8 units

Port Configuration & Connectivity

High-Speed Ethernet Interfaces

• 48 x 100/1000/2.5G/5G/10G RJ-45 PoE+ ports
• 4 x 10G SFP+ uplink ports
• 1 x RJ-45 console port
• 1 x USB-C console port

Power over Ethernet (PoE+)

• PoE+ support for connected devices
• Total PoE power budget: 370W
• Ideal for IP phones, wireless access points, and surveillance cameras

Performance & Switching Capacity

Enterprise-Grade Throughput

• Switching capacity up to 224 Gbps
• Forwarding rate of 166.65 Mpps (64-byte packets)
• MAC address table supports up to 16,000 entries
• Jumbo frame support up to 9000 bytes

Advanced Network Capacity

VLAN & Aggregation Support

• Up to 4093 VLAN IDs
• 8 Link Aggregation Groups (LAG)
• 8 ports per aggregation group
• Private VLAN and protocol-based VLAN support

Routing & Multicast Capabilities

• Static IPv4 routes: up to 990
• IPv4 interfaces: 128
• IGMP multicast groups: 2000
• Support for IPv4 and IPv6 dual stack

Routing Protocols & Layer 3 Features

• RIP v2 and static IP routing
• Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
• IGMP v2/v3 and MLD v1/v2
• MSTP, RSTP, STP, PVST+, and RPVST+

Security, QoS & Traffic Management

Network Security Features

• Access Control Lists (ACLs) with up to 1024 rules
• Port security and MAC-based authentication
• ARP inspection and IP source guard
• DoS attack protection and storm control

Quality of Service (QoS)

• 8 priority queues per port
• DSCP-based Class of Service
• Traffic shaping and congestion control
• Optimized iSCSI and voice traffic handling

Hardware & System Resources

Internal Components

• Processor: ARM-based CPU running at 1.4 GHz
• System Memory: 1 GB DDR4 SDRAM
• Flash Storage: 512 MB
• Cooling: 1 internal fan

Status & Indicators

• System status LED
• PoE activity indicator
• Link, activity, and speed LEDs

Standards & Compliance

Industry Certifications

• IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, 802.3ae
• IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging
• IEEE 802.1X authentication
• IEEE 802.3af/at PoE standards
• IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet

Core Architecture and Hardware Specifications

The physical and architectural design of the Cisco C1300-48MGP-4X is tailored for performance and versatility in constrained spaces. Understanding its hardware blueprint is key to evaluating its fit for your network environment.

Port Density and Configuration: The 48-Port Foundation

The "48MGP-4X" designation reveals the switch's core connectivity proposition. It provides a balanced array of ports designed to handle diverse device types and connectivity requirements seamlessly.

Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Ports

The switch features 48 Multi-Gigabit Ethernet ports. Unlike standard Gigabit ports, these ports offer flexible speed configurations, typically supporting 100Mbps, 1Gbps, 2.5Gbps, and in some iterations, 5Gbps auto-negotiation. This future-proofs your investment, allowing you to connect higher-speed access points, IP phones, and workstations without needing an immediate infrastructure overhaul.

Power over Ethernet (PoE/PoE+) Capabilities

These 48 ports are not just for data; they are fully Power over Ethernet (PoE/PoE+) enabled. This means the switch can deliver both electrical power and data over a single Ethernet cable to a wide range of devices, simplifying cabling, reducing clutter, and eliminating the need for localized power adapters.

Uplink Flexibility with the 4X SFP+ Ports

Beyond the access ports, the "4X" represents four dedicated 10 Gigabit SFP+ uplink ports. These fiber or copper uplink ports provide high-bandwidth, low-latency connections to your network core, aggregation layer, or servers. This prevents bottlenecks and ensures smooth traffic flow from the access layer to the rest of your network, supporting data-intensive applications and network growth.

Form Factor and Deployment

Designed as a standard 1U rack-mountable unit, the switch integrates neatly into existing server racks, wiring closets, or network cabinets. Its compact design maximizes port density per rack unit, conserving valuable space while providing extensive connectivity. Built with commercial-grade components, it is engineered for continuous operation in typical office environments.

Advanced Managed Switching Features

As a fully managed switch, the C1300-48MGP-4X provides granular control over network traffic, security, and performance, setting it apart from unmanaged or smart switches.

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Lite Functionality

This switch operates at both Layer 2 (data link) and offers Layer 3 "lite" or static routing capabilities. This means it can perform basic IP routing between VLANs, enabling network segmentation and inter-VLAN communication without necessarily requiring a dedicated router for internal traffic. This enhances network efficiency and reduces latency for local traffic.

Comprehensive Quality of Service (QoS)

To ensure optimal performance for voice, video, and critical data applications, the switch employs sophisticated QoS mechanisms. It can classify, prioritize, and queue traffic based on parameters like IP address, port, or 802.1p class of service (CoS) tags. This guarantees that real-time traffic like VoIP calls or video conferencing receives the bandwidth and low latency it requires, even during periods of high network congestion.

Robust Security Posture

Network security is built into the fabric of this Catalyst switch. It offers a suite of features to protect against unauthorized access and internal threats.

Access Control Lists (ACLs) and Port Security

Administrators can define ACLs to permit or deny traffic based on IP addresses, MAC addresses, and protocol types. Port security features allow the locking of switch ports to specific MAC addresses, preventing unauthorized devices from connecting to the network.

Network Access Control with 802.1X

The switch supports IEEE 802.1X authentication, facilitating identity-based network access. Devices and users must be authenticated via a RADIUS server before being granted network access, significantly enhancing security, especially in dynamic or guest-enabled environments.

Secure Management

Management access is secured through SSH (Secure Shell) and SNMPv3 for encrypted CLI and monitoring sessions, respectively. HTTPS provides a secure web interface. Additionally, features like DHCP snooping, IP Source Guard, and Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) help prevent man-in-the-middle attacks and IP address spoofing.

Power over Ethernet: Enabling a Converged Network

The integrated PoE/PoE+ functionality is a transformative feature, turning the switch into a centralized power hub for a vast ecosystem of network devices.

PoE Budget and Device Support

The switch includes a substantial internal power supply dedicated to PoE, with a total power budget typically in the range of 740 watts or more. This budget is intelligently managed across all 48 ports. It can power a mixed array of devices, from lower-power requirements like VoIP phones and sensors to higher-demand devices like PTZ cameras, video phones, and most critically, wireless access points.

Simplifying Wireless Deployments

This switch is an ideal partner for modern, high-performance Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E access points, which often require more power than standard PoE (802.3af) can provide. The Multi-Gigabit ports deliver both the necessary power (via PoE+) and the increased 2.5Gbps backhaul bandwidth these advanced APs need to support multi-gigabit wireless speeds, creating a truly high-performance access layer.

Unified Physical Infrastructure

By converging data and power cables, organizations dramatically reduce installation time and cost. There's no need for electricians to run power outlets to every ceiling mount for an AP or every desk for a phone. This unified approach simplifies adds, moves, and changes, offering unparalleled operational flexibility.

Software and Management Ecosystem

Cisco provides multiple pathways to configure, monitor, and maintain the C1300-48MGP-4X, catering to different skill levels and operational preferences.

Cisco Business Mobile App and Web Interface

For simplicity, the switch can be set up initially using the intuitive Cisco Business mobile app. For day-to-day management, a user-friendly web-based graphical interface (GUI) offers wizards and dashboards for configuring VLANs, QoS, PoE, and security settings without requiring deep CLI knowledge.

Cisco IOS Command-Line Interface (CLI)

For network professionals, the switch runs a familiar Cisco IOS software image accessible via a full-featured CLI. This allows for granular configuration, scripting for automation, and integration into existing network management practices common in larger Cisco environments.

Cloud Management Ready

While traditionally managed on-premise, many Catalyst 1300 switches offer options or pathways for cloud-based monitoring and management through platforms like Cisco Meraki. This provides centralized visibility, simplified template-based deployment, and analytics across distributed sites from a single pane of glass.

Ideal Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The specific combination of high-density Multi-Gigabit PoE, 10G uplinks, and managed intelligence makes this switch exceptionally suited for several key environments.

Modern, High-Density Workspace

In office buildings or campuses, it can connect a vast array of devices: powered phones, desktop computers, video conferencing systems, and wireless access points, all while providing the bandwidth and prioritization needed for collaboration tools like Cisco Webex or Microsoft Teams.

Advanced Security and Surveillance Deployments

For security operations, the switch can power and connect numerous high-resolution, pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) IP cameras over long distances via fiber uplinks. Its QoS ensures surveillance video streams are prioritized, and its security features help protect the network from compromise through connected cameras.

Retail and Hospitality Environments

In retail, it supports point-of-sale systems, digital signage, inventory scanners, and customer Wi-Fi. In hospitality, it manages in-room entertainment, VoIP phones, property management systems, and guest internet access, all with appropriate segmentation and security.

Small to Medium Business Core

For an SMB, this single switch can often serve as the core of the entire network, handling inter-VLAN routing, connecting servers via 10G links, and providing power and connectivity to all access layer devices, consolidating functionality into a reliable, manageable unit.