C9300L-48T-4G-E Cisco Catalyst 9300L 48 Ports Ethernet Switch

Product Outline of Cisco Catalyst 9300L-48T-4G-E Switch  

The Cisco Catalyst 9300L Series is engineered for modern, high-performance networks, delivering exceptional stackable solutions with Cisco StackWise technology. It ensures seamless operation with support for Nonstop Forwarding with Stateful Switchover (NSF/SSO), creating a resilient network backbone with sub-50 ms recovery times in stacked configurations. These switches are optimized for efficiency, reliability, and scalability, making them ideal for enterprise deployments.

General Specification

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number: C9300L-48T-4G-E 
• Product Type: Ethernet Switch

Technical Configuration

• Switch with 48 Ports
• Layer 3 Capability
• Stackable Design
• Rack-mountable Enclosure
• 48 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet Ports
• 4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ Uplinks

Performance Metrics

• Stacking Switching Capacity: 424 Gbps
• Switching Capacity: 104 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 77.38 Million Packets per Second (Mpps)
• Forwarding Rate with Stacking: 315.48 Mpps

Routing and Protocols

• IPv4 Routes: 32,000
• IPv6 Routes: 16,000
• Multicast Entries: 8,000
• Quality of Service (QoS) Entries: 5,120
• Access Control List (ACL) Entries: 5,120
• Routed Ports: 416
• VLANs Supported: 4,094
• Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs): 1,000

Mac Address and Frame Support

• Mac Address Table Size: 32,000 Entries
• Jumbo Frame Size: Up to 9,198 Bytes

Routing Protocols Supported

• OSPF
• RIP-1 and RIP-2
• EIGRP
• VRRP
• PIM-SM
• EIGRP for IPv6
• PIM-SSM
• Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
• RIPng
• MSTP

Memory and Storage

• RAM: 8 GB
• Flash Memory: 16 GB

Interface Details

• 48 x 1000BASE-T RJ-45 Ports
• 4 x 1000BASE-X SFP+ Uplinks

Power Requirements

• Internal Power Supply
• Hot-plug Capability
• Installed Quantity: 1 (default) / 2 (maximum)
• Power Redundancy: Optional
• Power Output: 350 Watts
• Voltage: AC 120/230 V (50 - 60 Hz)

Overview of Cisco C9300L-48T-4G-E Catalyst 9300L Series 

The Cisco C9300L-48T-4G-E Catalyst 9300L 48 Ports Ethernet Switch belongs to the enterprise-class Catalyst 9300L family, engineered to deliver consistent performance, simplified network management, and scalable connectivity for modern business environments. This switch model is designed to support high-density access layer deployments where reliability, security, and long-term flexibility are critical. Built on Cisco’s proven switching architecture, it provides a robust foundation for organizations transitioning toward digital transformation, cloud integration, and software-defined networking.

As part of the Catalyst 9000 portfolio, the Cisco C9300L-48T-4G-E emphasizes longevity and investment protection. It supports Cisco IOS XE, enabling advanced programmability, automation, and policy-based networking capabilities. This makes it particularly suitable for enterprises, educational institutions, government networks, and large-scale commercial infrastructures that demand stable performance alongside advanced control and visibility.

Positioning Within the Catalyst 9300L Product Line

The Catalyst 9300L series is a cost-optimized extension of the Catalyst 9300 family, tailored for organizations that require enterprise-grade features without unnecessary complexity. The C9300L-48T-4G-E model stands out by offering 48 fixed Gigabit Ethernet ports combined with 4 Gigabit SFP uplink interfaces, delivering balanced access and aggregation capabilities.

This model is designed for fixed uplink scenarios, making it an excellent choice for deployments where uplink requirements are well-defined and do not require modular expansion. The emphasis on fixed configuration allows for predictable performance, simplified planning, and reduced total cost of ownership while still maintaining Cisco’s hallmark reliability and feature depth.

Hardware Architecture and Build Quality

The Cisco C9300L-48T-4G-E is built with enterprise durability in mind. Its hardware design supports continuous operation in demanding environments, ensuring stability for mission-critical networks. The internal architecture is optimized for consistent throughput, low latency, and efficient traffic handling across all 48 Ethernet ports.

The switch chassis is rack-mountable and designed to integrate seamlessly into standard network racks. High-quality internal components contribute to extended operational life, reducing the risk of hardware failure and minimizing maintenance requirements. Cisco’s rigorous testing standards ensure that the switch performs reliably under sustained load.

Port Configuration and Network Density

With 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, the Cisco C9300L-48T-4G-E supports high-density device connectivity at the access layer. This configuration is ideal for connecting workstations, printers, IP phones, access points, and other networked devices in large office floors or campus environments.

The four dedicated Gigabit SFP uplink ports enable flexible fiber or copper uplink connections to distribution or core switches. This design supports redundancy, link aggregation, and optimized traffic flow, ensuring that access layer traffic is efficiently forwarded to upstream network segments.

Traffic Handling and Switching Capacity

The switching fabric of the C9300L-48T-4G-E is engineered to handle high volumes of simultaneous traffic without degradation in performance. This ensures smooth data transmission for applications such as video conferencing, cloud-based collaboration tools, and enterprise resource planning systems.

Advanced buffering mechanisms and intelligent queue management help maintain performance consistency during traffic spikes. This capability is particularly valuable in environments with fluctuating network demands, such as educational campuses or shared office spaces.

Software Capabilities and Cisco IOS XE Integration

The Cisco C9300L-48T-4G-E runs on Cisco IOS XE, a modern, modular operating system that brings programmability and automation to the access layer. IOS XE enables network administrators to deploy, manage, and troubleshoot the switch using both traditional CLI and modern API-driven approaches.

This operating system supports model-driven telemetry, RESTful APIs, and integration with Cisco DNA Center, providing enhanced visibility and centralized management. These capabilities allow organizations to move beyond manual configuration toward intent-based networking models.

Programmability and Automation Features

IOS XE programmability allows the C9300L-48T-4G-E to integrate seamlessly into automated workflows. Network engineers can leverage scripting and automation tools to deploy configurations consistently across multiple switches, reducing human error and operational overhead.

Support for standards-based automation frameworks ensures compatibility with third-party orchestration tools. This flexibility is crucial for enterprises adopting DevOps methodologies and seeking to align network operations with broader IT automation strategies.

Telemetry and Network Visibility

Streaming telemetry capabilities provide real-time insights into network performance and device health. This data can be consumed by analytics platforms to detect anomalies, predict potential issues, and optimize network resources.

Enhanced visibility helps organizations proactively manage their infrastructure, reducing downtime and improving user experience. The ability to monitor traffic patterns and device behavior in real time is a significant advantage in complex network environments.

Security Architecture and Threat Protection

Security is a core design principle of the Cisco C9300L-48T-4G-E. The switch incorporates multiple layers of protection to safeguard network access, data integrity, and device management. These features help organizations defend against both external threats and internal vulnerabilities.

Integrated security capabilities reduce the need for additional hardware appliances, simplifying network architecture while maintaining robust protection. This approach supports a comprehensive security posture at the access layer.

Access Control and Policy Enforcement

The switch supports advanced access control mechanisms, including IEEE 802.1X authentication, MAC-based authentication, and role-based access policies. These features ensure that only authorized users and devices can connect to the network.

Policy enforcement at the switch level allows granular control over network access and resource usage. This is particularly valuable in environments with diverse user roles, such as corporate offices, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities.

Integrated Threat Detection

Built-in security features help detect and mitigate common network threats such as spoofing, man-in-the-middle attacks, and unauthorized access attempts. Continuous monitoring and alerting enable faster response to potential security incidents.

The switch’s security architecture aligns with Cisco’s broader security ecosystem, allowing integration with centralized security management and monitoring platforms.

Performance Optimization and Reliability

The Cisco C9300L-48T-4G-E is designed to deliver consistent performance under sustained workloads. Its internal processing capabilities ensure that data packets are forwarded efficiently, minimizing latency and packet loss.

Reliability features are built into both hardware and software layers, supporting continuous operation in mission-critical environments. This makes the switch suitable for organizations that cannot afford network downtime.

High Availability and Redundancy

Support for link aggregation and redundant uplink configurations enhances network resilience. These features allow traffic to be rerouted automatically in the event of a link failure, maintaining connectivity for end users.

Advanced software mechanisms further contribute to high availability by enabling fast convergence and recovery during network changes or disruptions.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The Cisco C9300L-48T-4G-E is versatile enough to support a wide range of deployment scenarios. Its feature set makes it suitable for access layer roles in enterprise campuses, branch offices, and distributed networks.

The fixed uplink design and high port density simplify planning and deployment, allowing network architects to build scalable infrastructures with predictable performance characteristics.

Enterprise and Campus Networks

In large enterprise environments, the switch provides reliable access connectivity for employees, guests, and IoT devices. Its advanced security and management features support complex policy requirements and compliance standards.

Campus deployments benefit from the switch’s ability to handle high device density while maintaining consistent performance across multiple buildings or floors.

Education and Public Sector Applications

Educational institutions and public sector organizations require stable, secure, and cost-effective networking solutions. The C9300L-48T-4G-E meets these needs by combining enterprise-grade features with simplified management.

The switch supports digital learning initiatives, online collaboration, and administrative systems without compromising security or reliability.

Scalability and Future-Readiness

The Cisco C9300L-48T-4G-E is designed with future expansion in mind. While it features fixed uplinks, its software capabilities and performance headroom allow it to adapt to evolving network requirements.

Support for modern networking standards and Cisco’s ongoing software updates ensure that the switch remains relevant as technologies and business needs evolve.

Integration with Software-Defined Networking

The switch integrates seamlessly with Cisco DNA Center, enabling centralized policy management, automation, and analytics. This integration supports a transition toward software-defined access architectures.

By aligning with intent-based networking principles, the C9300L-48T-4G-E helps organizations simplify operations and improve agility.