C1300-48T-4G Cisco Catalyst 48 Port Managed Switch

Cisco Catalyst C1300-48T-4G Managed Gigabit Ethernet Switch

The Cisco Catalyst C1300-48T-4G is a high-performance, enterprise-grade Ethernet switch designed for modern business networks. Built for reliability, scalability, and advanced traffic management, this switch delivers robust Layer 3 capabilities, flexible uplink options, and seamless integration into existing infrastructures.

General Product Details

Manufacturer & Brand

• Brand: Cisco
• Manufacturer: Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Product Line: Catalyst
• Series: 1300
• Model: C1300-48T-4G

Switch Type

• Managed Ethernet Switch
• Designed for scalable and secure network deployments

Ports & Connectivity Options

Network Interfaces

• Total network ports: 54 Gigabit Ethernet ports
• RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
• Uplink port support for high-speed backbone connections

Expansion & Modular Design

• Modular architecture for flexible upgrades
• 4 integrated Gigabit Ethernet expansion slots
• Shared SFP slots for versatile network configurations

Management & Network Protocols

Advanced Manageability

• Fully manageable switch for centralized network control
• Optimized for monitoring, configuration, and performance tuning

Layer Support

• Layer 3 switching capabilities
• Improved traffic routing and network segmentation

Media Types & Performance

Supported Network Technologies

• 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet
• 1000Base-X fiber connectivity

Compatible Media

• Twisted pair cabling
• Optical fiber connections

Product Highlights

• Advanced managed Gigabit Ethernet switch for enterprise and SMB environments
• High port density with multiple uplink and expansion options
• Layer 3 switching support for efficient network routing
• Fanless design for silent operation and energy efficiency
• Rack-mountable 1U form factor for data centers and network closets

Cisco Catalyst 1300 Series: The Compact Powerhouse

The Cisco Catalyst 1300 Series represents a significant leap forward in managed switching for small to medium-sized businesses, distributed enterprise branches, and modern school networks. Designed to deliver robust, enterprise-class features in a fanless, silent, and compact form factor, this series bridges the gap between unmanaged simplicity and complex, expensive chassis-based systems. The Cisco C1300-48T-4G Catalyst 1300-48T-4G model, in particular, stands out as the high-density workhorse of the lineup, offering an exceptional blend of 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting a vast array of devices, complemented by 4 dedicated Gigabit SFP uplink ports for high-speed, flexible network aggregation and backbone connectivity.

Core Architecture and Performance

At the heart of the Catalyst 1300-48T-4G is a purpose-built ASIC and CPU architecture engineered for wire-speed Layer 2 switching. This ensures that all 52 ports can operate at full duplex Gigabit speeds simultaneously without packet loss or increased latency, a critical requirement for bandwidth-intensive applications like video conferencing, virtual desktops, and real-time data backups. The switch leverages a non-blocking switching fabric, guaranteeing consistent performance even under maximum load.

Switch Fabric and Forwarding Capacity

The internal switching fabric is designed to handle massive data flows. With a high aggregate bandwidth, the switch can manage inter-VLAN routing and uplink traffic without creating bottlenecks. Its high packet forwarding rate (measured in millions of packets per second - Mpps) ensures that even small packet sizes, typical in voice and control traffic, are processed with utmost efficiency, maintaining network responsiveness.

Buffer Memory Management

To handle microbursts and temporary congestion—common in converged data, voice, and video networks—the C1300-48T-4G is equipped with deep packet buffers. This intelligent buffering mechanism prioritizes traffic per IEEE standards, preventing tail drops and ensuring smoother performance for delay-sensitive applications during peak usage periods.

Port Configuration and Connectivity: Unmatched Density and Flexibility

The "48T-4G" designation is key to understanding this switch's connectivity prowess. It provides a future-ready foundation for growing network demands.

48 x 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 Ports

These copper ports offer auto-negotiation and auto-MDI/MDIX, simplifying cabling by working seamlessly with both straight-through and crossover cables. They deliver up to 30 watts per port (with 370W total power budget) using IEEE 802.3at/af PoE+, enabling the simultaneous powering of a wide range of devices:

IP Phones and Video Conferencing Systems: Create a unified voice and collaboration infrastructure.
Wireless Access Points (802.11ac/Wi-Fi 6): Build a pervasive, high-speed wireless network without separate power supplies.
IP Surveillance Cameras: Deploy security systems with centralized power and data over a single Cat5e/6 cable, even in remote ceiling or outdoor locations.
PoE Lighting, Sensors, and Digital Signage: Support the growing ecosystem of IoT and smart building devices.

4 x 1G SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) Uplink Ports

This is a critical differentiator. The four dedicated SFP slots provide unparalleled uplink flexibility and redundancy:

Fiber Connectivity: Use SFP modules to connect over multimode (MMF) or single-mode fiber (SMF) for long-distance backbone links (up to kilometers), electrically isolate buildings, or connect to a service provider's network.
Copper Uplinks: Employ SFP-to-RJ45 transceivers for additional Gigabit copper connections, useful for server links or aggregating other switches.
Link Aggregation: Combine multiple SFP uplinks using Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) to create a high-bandwidth, resilient trunk (e.g., 2Gbps or 4Gbps) to a core switch or router, preventing uplink bottlenecks.
Redundancy: Configure one SFP link as a passive backup for another, ensuring immediate failover if the primary uplink fails.

Advanced Layer 2 and Security Features for a Managed Network

As a fully managed switch, the C1300-48T-4G provides comprehensive control, visibility, and security far beyond basic connectivity.

VLAN and Network Segmentation

Implement IEEE 802.1Q VLANs to logically segment the network, separating traffic for different departments (e.g., Finance, Guest Wi-Fi, Production), enhancing security and performance. Support for Voice VLANs simplifies the deployment of IP telephony by automatically prioritizing and segregating voice traffic.

Protocol Support: STP, RSTP, and MSTP

Prevent network loops and ensure path redundancy with Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) variants. Rapid STP (RSTP) offers much faster convergence, while Multiple STP (MSTP) allows for efficient load balancing across multiple VLANs.

Robust Security Suite

The switch incorporates a multi-layered security approach to protect the network edge.

Port Security: Limit MAC addresses per port, blocking unauthorized devices.
802.1X Network Access Control: Integrate with RADIUS servers for user and device authentication before granting network access.
ACLs (Access Control Lists): Create granular security policies based on IP addresses, MAC addresses, and TCP/UDP ports to permit or deny traffic.
DHCP Snooping: Prevent rogue DHCP servers from distributing incorrect IP addresses.
IP Source Guard: Dynamically filter traffic based on DHCP snooping binding tables, preventing IP spoofing attacks.
Storm Control: Suppress broadcast, multicast, or unicast traffic storms that can degrade network performance.

Quality of Service (QoS) for Optimized Application Performance

In a converged network, not all traffic is equal. The Catalyst 1300-48T-4G provides sophisticated traffic classification and prioritization mechanisms.

Queuing and Scheduling

With support for multiple egress queues per port, the switch can place delay-sensitive traffic like voice and video into a strict-priority queue. This queue is always serviced first, guaranteeing low latency and jitter. Weighted Round Robin (WRR) scheduling manages bandwidth allocation for other traffic classes (e.g., business applications, web browsing).

Simplified Management and Deployment

Cisco offers multiple intuitive management options suitable for IT generalists and networking professionals alike.

Cisco Business Dashboard (Cloud-Based)

For multi-site deployments, the cloud-based Cisco Business Dashboard provides a single pane of glass for visibility, configuration, and monitoring of all Cisco Business and Catalyst 1000/1300 switches across locations. It simplifies firmware updates, configuration backups, and provides health and security alerts.

Web User Interface (GUI)

The built-in, intuitive web GUI allows for quick setup without command-line knowledge. Wizards guide users through initial setup, VLAN creation, and PoE configuration. The dashboard offers real-time port status, traffic graphs, and system performance metrics.

Command Line Interface (CLI)

For advanced configuration and automation, the switch features a industry-standard CLI, familiar to network engineers. It supports SSH and SNMPv3 for secure, encrypted management access and integration with network management systems like Cisco Prime or third-party SNMP tools.

Smartport Macros and Auto Configuration

Smartport macros allow administrators to apply a pre-defined set of configurations (security, QoS, VLAN) to a port with a single command, based on the type of device connected (e.g., "ip-phone," "access-point," "printer"). This enforces consistent policies and dramatically reduces configuration time.

Resilience and Reliability Features

Network uptime is paramount. The C1300-48T-4G is designed for continuous operation.

Hardware Design

The fanless, solid-state design eliminates a common point of failure, ensures silent operation for office or classroom environments, and reduces power consumption. Robust component selection and rigorous testing ensure high Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF).

Software and Configuration Resilience

Dual Firmware Images: The switch maintains two firmware images, allowing for safe rollback if an update encounters issues.
Configuration Backup/Restore: Easily back up running configurations to a TFTP server or local PC.
Loop Protection: Additional mechanisms to detect and block accidental wiring loops at the edge.

Ideal Deployment Scenarios for the Catalyst 1300-48T-4G

This switch is uniquely suited for environments requiring high-density access with reliable, flexible uplinks.

Medium-Sized Business Core/ Aggregation

Serve as the main networking workhorse for an office of 50-200 users, aggregating traffic from multiple floors or departments and providing a powerful, fiber-ready uplink to the internet router or WAN.

Branch Office and Retail Backbone

Deploy in remote branches to connect a large number of PoE devices (phones, APs, cameras) and use the SFP ports for a high-speed, secure VPN or MPLS link back to corporate headquarters over fiber or long-range copper.

Education and Campus Networks

Perfect for computer labs, library networks, or administrative buildings where a high concentration of wired connections for PCs, printers, and wireless backhaul is needed, with silent operation being a key benefit.

Surveillance and Physical Security Deployments

Act as a centralized aggregation point for a large number of PoE+ IP cameras. The deep buffers and QoS ensure smooth, uninterrupted video feeds to the Network Video Recorder (NVR), while SFP ports can connect to a central security operations center.