Cisco C1300-48T-4X Catalyst 48 Ports Managed Rack-mountable Switch.

Product Overview

The Cisco C1300-48T-4X Catalyst Switch is a high-performance, enterprise-grade managed network switch designed for scalable and secure business networks. Built for reliability and flexibility, this rack-mountable Layer 3 switch delivers advanced routing, switching, and security capabilities for growing IT environments.

General Specifications

• Brand: Cisco
• Model: C1300-48T-4X
• Device Type: Managed Layer 3 Ethernet Switch
• Form Factor: Rack-mountable
• Switch Subtype: Gigabit Ethernet
• Stacking Support: Up to 8 units

Port Configuration & Connectivity

Ethernet & Uplink Ports

• 48 x 10/100/1000Base-T RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet ports
• 4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ uplink interfaces

Management Interfaces

• 1 x RJ-45 console port
• 1 x USB-C console port

Performance & Switching Capacity

High-Speed Data Processing

• Forwarding Rate: Up to 130.94 Mpps (64-byte packets)
• Switching Bandwidth: 176 Gbps
• Packet Buffer Memory: 3 MB

Traffic Handling & Optimization

• Jumbo Frame support up to 9000 bytes
• MAC Address Table: 16,000 entries
• 8 Priority Queues for advanced QoS

Network Capacity & Scalability

VLAN, Routing & Aggregation

• VLAN IDs supported: Up to 4093
• Link Aggregation Groups: 8
• Link Aggregation Ports: 8
• IPv4 Static Routes: Up to 990
• IPv4 Interfaces: 128

Spanning Tree & Multicast

• MSTP Instances: 8
• RPVST+ Instances: 126
• IGMP Multicast Groups: 2000

Advanced Routing & Protocol Support

Routing Protocols

• STP, RSTP, MSTP
• Static IP Routing & Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
• RIP v2, CIDR
• IPv4 and IPv6 Dual Stack

Multicast & Discovery Protocols

• IGMP v1/v2/v3, MLD, MLDv2
• Bonjour, NDP, Router Advertisement Guard

Security & Authentication Features

Access Control & Protection

• ACL support with up to 1024 rules
• Port Security & MAC Address Authentication
• DHCP Snooping, IP Source Guard, Dynamic ARP Inspection
• DoS and Broadcast/Multicast/Unicast Storm Control

Authentication & Encryption

• RADIUS and TACACS+ authentication
• SSL and MD5 encryption algorithms
• Secure Boot Integrity and Chip Guard

Hardware & System Resources

Internal Components

• Processor: ARM-based 1.4 GHz CPU
• System Memory: 1 GB DDR4 SDRAM
• Flash Storage: 512 MB

Status & Indicators

• LED indicators for system, link, activity, and speed

Power & Energy Efficiency

Power Specifications

• Internal power supply
• AC Input: 100–240V, 50–60 Hz

Energy-Saving Technologies

• Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE)
• Eco-friendly power button
• Time-based port operation and cable length detection

Standards & Compliance

• IEEE 802.1Q, 802.1X, 802.1P
• IEEE 802.3, 802.3ab, 802.3ae, 802.3az
• IEEE 802.1D, 802.1W, 802.1S
• IEEE 802.3ad (LACP)

Core Architecture and Performance

At its heart, the C1300-48T-4X is built for high-performance, non-blocking switching. Its architecture is optimized to handle substantial traffic loads without becoming a bottleneck, ensuring smooth data flow across the network.

Switch Fabric and Forwarding Capacity

The switch features a high-performance switching fabric that delivers wire-speed performance across all ports simultaneously. With a substantial forwarding rate measured in millions of packets per second (Mpps), it can efficiently manage traffic from 48 connected devices, preventing congestion and minimizing latency for time-sensitive applications. This capability is critical in environments where network performance directly impacts business operations and user productivity.

Port Configuration: Versatility and Uplink Capabilities

The defining characteristic of this model is its comprehensive port arrangement, designed for maximum connectivity and future growth.

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

These copper Ethernet ports provide Gigabit connectivity to a wide array of devices, including desktop computers, IP phones, wireless access points, network printers, and servers. Auto-negotiation and auto-MDI/MDIX functionality simplify deployment by automatically selecting the optimal speed and duplex mode, while eliminating the need for crossover cables.

4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ Uplink Ports

This is a critical differentiator. The four 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports offer immense flexibility for high-speed uplinks. They can be used to:

Connect to a core switch or router at multi-gigabit speeds, providing ample bandwidth aggregation.Employ fiber optic SFP+ modules for long-distance backbone connections between buildings or floors.
Utilize copper SFP+ modules for short-range, high-speed server connections.
Create resilient link aggregation groups (LAGs) for both increased throughput and redundancy.

Rack-Mountable Design and Power Efficiency

Housed in a standard 1RU (rack unit) form factor, the switch is engineered for professional installation in 19-inch equipment racks, server rooms, or wiring closets. It features intelligent power management capabilities, such as Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), which reduces power consumption during periods of low data activity, contributing to lower operational costs and a smaller environmental footprint.

Advanced Management and Security Features

As a fully managed switch, the Catalyst 1300-48T-4X provides granular control over the network, enabling administrators to optimize performance, enhance security, and troubleshoot issues proactively.

Comprehensive Management Interfaces

Network administrators have multiple avenues for configuration and monitoring:

Cisco Business Dashboard: A cloud-based management platform that provides a single-pane-of-glass view for centralized management of multiple switches, simplifying deployment and monitoring across distributed locations.
Command-Line Interface (CLI): Offers powerful, granular control for experienced network professionals, supporting automation and scripting for consistent configuration.
Web-based Management GUI: An intuitive, browser-based interface that allows for easy setup and day-to-day management without requiring deep CLI expertise.
SNMP (v1, v2c, v3): Enables integration with enterprise network management systems (NMS) for comprehensive monitoring and alerting.

Robust Layer 3 Routing Capabilities

Beyond simple Layer 2 switching, this switch supports static routing and Routing Information Protocol (RIP). This allows it to perform inter-VLAN routing, efficiently directing traffic between different IP subnets within the organization without requiring a dedicated router for internal traffic, thus reducing network complexity and potential bottlenecks.

Enterprise-Grade Security Suite

Security is embedded at multiple levels to protect the network infrastructure and the data traversing it.

Access Control and Authentication

The switch supports IEEE 802.1X port-based authentication, working in concert with a RADIUS server to validate users and devices before granting network access. MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB) provides a fallback method for devices that cannot support 802.1X. It also offers ACLs (Access Control Lists) for precise control over traffic flows based on IP addresses, protocols, and ports.

Network Segmentation and Threat Containment

Support for a large number of VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) allows logical segmentation of the network—separating guest traffic, employee departments, or IoT devices to limit broadcast domains and contain potential security breaches. DHCP snooping helps prevent rogue DHCP server attacks, while IP Source Guard mitigates IP address spoofing.

Secure Management Access

All management access channels are secured. SSHv2 and TLS/SSL encryption protect CLI and web management sessions from eavesdropping. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) allows assignment of specific administrative privileges to different IT staff members.

Resiliency and High Availability Features

Network uptime is paramount. The C1300-48T-4X includes several features designed to maximize availability and ensure business continuity.

Link Aggregation and Redundancy

Support for Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) and static EtherChannel allows bundling of multiple physical ports into a single logical link. This provides increased bandwidth and inherent redundancy; if one port in the bundle fails, traffic is automatically redistributed across the remaining links with minimal disruption.

Spanning Tree Protocols

Robust support for Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid STP (RSTP), and Multiple STP (MSTP) prevents network loops in redundant topologies while enabling fast convergence to restore connectivity in the event of a link failure, typically within seconds.

Quality of Service (QoS) for Optimized Performance

Advanced QoS features ensure that critical business applications receive the bandwidth and priority they require.

Traffic Classification and Prioritization

The switch can classify traffic based on Layer 2 (802.1p CoS), Layer 3 (DSCP), or Layer 4 (TCP/UDP ports) information. It supports multiple queues per port, allowing high-priority traffic like voice over IP (VoIP) or video conferencing to be prioritized over less time-sensitive data transfers. This minimizes jitter and latency, guaranteeing clear voice calls and smooth video streams.

Rate Limiting and Policing

Ingress and egress rate limiting (policing and shaping) allow administrators to control the bandwidth consumed by specific applications or users, preventing any single source from monopolizing network resources.

Ideal Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The high port density, 10G uplinks, and advanced feature set of the C1300-48T-4X make it exceptionally well-suited for several key environments.

Medium-Sized Business Core or Distribution Layer

As the main network switch for a growing company, it can connect all end-user devices, servers, and wireless controllers while using its 10G SFP+ ports for high-speed connectivity to storage arrays or as an uplink to the internet router/firewall.

Enterprise Branch Office or Remote Site

Provides a secure, managed, and high-performance local network at a remote location. Its Layer 3 routing capabilities allow it to handle local inter-VLAN traffic, reducing the load on the WAN link back to headquarters. Centralized cloud management via Cisco Business Dashboard is a significant advantage for IT teams managing numerous remote sites.

High-Density Wireless Deployment Support

With Power over Ethernet (PoE) models available in the same series, this non-PoE 48T-4X often works in tandem, connecting to PoE switches that power access points, while itself serving as an aggregation point. Its 10G uplinks are perfect for backhauling traffic from dozens of Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E access points without creating a bottleneck.

Video Surveillance and Physical Security Networks

The switch can reliably connect a large number of high-resolution IP cameras. Advanced QoS ensures video feeds are transmitted with minimal latency and packet loss, while VLANs can isolate the surveillance network from the primary data network for enhanced security.

Comparison and Considerations Within the Catalyst 1300 Family

Understanding where the C1300-48T-4X fits within the broader Catalyst 1300 series is crucial for making an informed purchasing decision.

Port Density and Type Variations

The series includes models with 24 and 48 ports. The "48T" designation specifies 48 copper RJ-45 ports. Other models may have "48P" indicating 48 PoE+ ports, or "24T" for 24 copper ports. The "4X" suffix is key, denoting the four 10G SFP+ uplinks, a feature not present on all models.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) vs. Non-PoE Models

The C1300-48T-4X is a non-PoE switch. It provides data connectivity only. For deployments requiring power to devices like access points, IP phones, or cameras, the Catalyst 1300 series offers PoE+ models (e.g., C1300-48P-4X) that can deliver up to 30W per port, with a total power budget sufficient for most high-power devices. The choice depends entirely on the endpoint devices in your network.

Software Licensing and Feature Sets

The Catalyst 1300 Series typically comes with a standardized license that includes the full suite of Layer 3 and security features, avoiding the complexity of tiered licensing models. It is essential to verify the specific software version and any potential subscription services for cloud management features to ensure long-term operability and support.

Integration and Ecosystem Compatibility

As a Cisco product, the Catalyst 1300-48T-4X benefits from deep integration within the broader Cisco ecosystem, simplifying operations and enhancing functionality.

Cisco DNA Center Integration

For businesses invested in the Cisco Digital Network Architecture (DNA), certain models can be managed by DNA Center, enabling intent-based networking, advanced automation, and assurance features for a more proactive network management experience.

Unified Wireless Network Integration

The switch works seamlessly with Cisco Catalyst and Meraki wireless access points and WLAN controllers. Features like Auto Smartports can automatically detect and apply optimal configuration profiles (e.g., for an access point or IP phone) when a device is connected, streamlining deployment.