C1300-24MGP-4X Cisco Catalyst 1300 8 Port 2.5ge, 16 Port Ge, Poe, 4x10g Sfp+ Arm Dual-core At 1.4 Ghz Ethernet Switch.

The Cisco C1300-24MGP-4X Catalyst 1300 series switch delivers a powerful and reliable networking solution designed to enhance enterprise and business-grade environments. Featuring 8-port 2.5GE, 16-port GE, Power over Ethernet (PoE), and 4x10G SFP+ connectivity, it ensures scalable performance with advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 support. Equipped with an ARM dual-core processor at 1.4 GHz, 512 MB flash, and 1 GB DDR4 memory, this switch is engineered to handle intensive workloads while maintaining optimal stability.

Technical Specification:

• Model: Cisco C1300-24MGP-4X Catalyst 1300
• Processor: ARM Dual-core 1.4 GHz
• Memory: 1 GB DDR4
• Flash Storage: 512 MB
• PoE Support: Yes, up to 375W
• MAC Address Table: 16,000 entries
• Jumbo Frame Support: Up to 9000 bytes
• Supported Protocols: IEEE 802.3ab, 802.3ad, 802.3ae, 802.3z, 802.3s
• Layer Support: Layer 2 and Layer 3
• Routing Protocol: RIP v2
• Encryption: SSL
• Authentication: RADIUS
• Remote Management: SNMP, SSH, IPv6

Main Capabilities and Specifications

• PoE Capability: Provides seamless Power over Ethernet support with a 375W budget.
• High Capacity: Supports a MAC address table size of up to 16,000 addresses for large deployments.
• Jumbo Frame Support: Handles frame sizes up to 9000 bytes for efficient data transfer.
• Advanced Protocols: Built-in support for IEEE 802.3ab, 802.3ad, 802.3ae, 802.3z, and 802.3s.
• Security Functions: Integrated SSL encryption and RADIUS authentication mechanisms.
• Remote Management: Compatible with SNMP, SSH, and IPv6 for streamlined administration.
• Routing Options: Supports RIP v2 protocol for flexible network routing solutions.

Interface and Port Configuration

Designed to cater to diverse networking needs, the Cisco C1300-24MGP-4X provides a balanced mix of connectivity and performance.

• 16 Gigabit Ethernet Ports: Ensures high-speed connections for LAN access.
• 8 × 2.5G Ethernet Ports: Optimized for bandwidth-hungry devices and next-gen applications.
• 4 × 10G SFP+ Ports: Enables fiber uplink flexibility for enterprise-grade networking.

Performance and Efficiency Benefits

This switch balances speed, scalability, and reliability. Its high-performance hardware and advanced network management tools provide enterprises with a foundation to support modern digital infrastructure.

Efficiency Advantages

• Enhanced network throughput with multi-gigabit port design.
• Energy-efficient PoE delivery, reducing power usage across connected devices.
• Improved latency performance with jumbo frame support.
• Optimized bandwidth allocation across 1G, 2.5G, and 10G interfaces.

Security and Management Features

The Cisco C1300-24MGP-4X integrates modern security layers and management solutions to protect and streamline enterprise IT environments.

Network Protection

• Robust SSL-based encryption for safe communication.
• Authentication via RADIUS ensuring controlled access.
• Comprehensive support for IPv6 protocols to future-proof network configurations.

Management and Monitoring

• SNMP compatibility for remote performance tracking.
• Secure SSH management for administrators.
• Simple configuration options enhancing IT efficiency.

Product family overview: Cisco Catalyst 1300 Series switches

The Cisco Catalyst 1300 family represents a modern approach to access-layer switching, tailored for small to medium-sized enterprise environments, branch offices, and dense workgroup deployments. The C1300-24MGP-4X model delivers a compelling blend of performance, power, and flexibility through its mix of 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, Gigabit Ethernet ports, PoE capabilities, and high-speed SFP+ uplinks. Built on an efficient ARM dual-core processor running at 1.4 GHz, this switch balances energy efficiency with the processing power required for advanced features, making it suitable for converged networks that support voice, wireless, security, and IoT devices.

Technical architecture and hardware highlights

The hardware design of the C1300-24MGP-4X places emphasis on real-world connectivity needs. The switch integrates eight 2.5 Gbe ports that enable higher-than-Gigabit throughput for bandwidth-hungry endpoints such as high-performance Wi-Fi 6 access points, advanced workstations, and small servers. The additional sixteen Gigabit Ethernet ports provide broad compatibility for legacy devices and general-purpose endpoints. Four 10G SFP+ uplink ports ensure aggregation to distribution or core layers without becoming the bottleneck. Passive cooling and a compact chassis make the switch adaptable to closet and shelf-mounted installations. The inclusion of Power over Ethernet across selected ports allows centralized power sourcing for IP phones, cameras, and wireless APs, reducing deployment complexity and cabling overhead.

Processor, memory, and performance characteristics

At the heart of the C1300-24MGP-4X is an ARM dual-core processor clocked at 1.4 GHz. This processing platform supports modern switching features such as access control lists, QoS classification, multicast handling, and basic application-aware services without imposing excessive latency. Onboard memory and flash storage are provisioned to host the Cisco IOS feature set appropriate for the Catalyst 1300 series, enabling stable operation and accommodating feature updates and configuration data. These specifications translate to a responsive management plane, predictable forwarding behavior, and sustained throughput under mixed traffic scenarios typical in contemporary access networks.

Port configuration and connectivity options

The port arrangement on the C1300-24MGP-4X is intentionally versatile. Eight ports capable of 2.5 Gbps are strategically placed to service devices that require more bandwidth than standard Gigabit connections. The sixteen 1G ports allow for broad device connectivity while preserving the option to reassign traffic to the higher-speed ports as necessary. Four SFP+ slots provide fiber or DAC uplink options to tie multiple switches together in stacked or stacked-like topologies using link aggregation. This combination of fixed multigig and SFP+ uplinks ensures that the switch fits multiple topologies and can scale with incremental network growth and upgrades to higher-speed infrastructure.

Power over Ethernet and power management

Power over Ethernet support on the C1300-24MGP-4X simplifies deployments in spaces where dedicated power outlets are limited. PoE capability enables network administrators to power IP phones, wireless access points, badge readers, and surveillance cameras directly from the switch. Intelligent power allocation features allow administrators to prioritize power to critical devices during power-constrained scenarios. In addition, built-in power monitoring and reporting functions provide visibility into per-port consumption and total power draw, facilitating proactive planning for growth and helping avoid over-provisioning or POE-related disruptions.

Software features and management

The switch runs a tailored edition of Cisco's IOS software that is oriented toward simplicity and reliability at the access layer. Administrators can configure the device via a traditional command-line interface for precise control or use the web-based management console for a more accessible, graphical approach. Integration with Cisco DNA Center and cloud-based management platforms is supported, enabling centralized policy enforcement, automated provisioning, and health monitoring across a fleet of switches. Role-based access controls and audit logging are available for operational governance and compliance, making the device suitable for environments that must meet regulatory or organizational security requirements.

Security capabilities

Security is an integral part of the Catalyst 1300 design, with features geared toward access-layer threat mitigation. The switch supports IEEE 802.1X network access control, enabling authentication of endpoints such as laptops and phones before granting network access. MACsec-ready architecture and secure management protocols reduce exposure to interception and unauthorized configuration changes. Port security settings, dynamic ARP inspection, and DHCP snooping combine to harden the local segment from common attacks. These protective measures, paired with visibility into connected endpoints, help network teams maintain a resilient security posture at the edge.

Quality of Service and traffic prioritization

Designed to handle mixed traffic types, the C1300-24MGP-4X includes robust Quality of Service capabilities. Administrators can define classification and marking rules that prioritize latency-sensitive traffic such as voice and real-time video. Queue management and shaping features ensure fair bandwidth distribution when contention occurs, preserving call quality for voice systems and avoiding performance degradation for critical applications. The granular QoS controls are essential in converged networks where diverse traffic patterns coexist on a single access switch.

Multicast and wireless backhaul friendliness

Wireless deployments that rely on centralized controllers or multicast-based streaming benefit from the Catalyst 1300’s optimized multicast handling. IGMP snooping, multicast filtering, and efficient replication mechanisms reduce unnecessary broadcast traffic on uplinks and conserve bandwidth for end devices. The combination of multigig ports and advanced multicast support positions the switch as an ideal candidate for wireless backhaul, where multiple high-throughput access points demand consistent performance and minimal latency for end-user experiences.

Resilience, redundancy, and uptime

While the Catalyst 1300 is primarily an access-layer device, it includes resilience features that enhance uptime. Link aggregation across the SFP+ uplinks provides failover and increased bandwidth to aggregation or core switches. Spanning Tree Protocol variants allow the switch to participate in loop prevention topologies and adapt to link state changes. Where critical services are present, administrators can design redundant topologies using dual uplinks and rapid convergence settings to reduce downtime during maintenance or unexpected failures. These resilience strategies contribute to maintaining continuous business operations and reducing support overhead.

Energy efficiency and environmental considerations

Energy-conscious organizations will appreciate the Catalyst 1300’s emphasis on power efficiency. The ARM processor architecture and intelligent power delivery schemes help minimize idle power draw. Power management features that scale PoE to connected device needs, combined with sleep-mode capabilities for underutilized ports, reduce energy consumption without compromising availability. The switch's form factor and materials are chosen to support standard rack or shelf installations while meeting contemporary environmental standards for enterprise networking equipment.

Deployment scenarios and use cases

The versatility of the C1300-24MGP-4X makes it suitable for a wide range of deployment scenarios. In branch offices, its multigig ports accommodate modern Wi-Fi 6 APs while the Gigabit ports connect devices such as printers and desktops. Retail environments benefit from PoE support to power point-of-sale terminals and IP cameras. Education networks can use the switchover-friendly uplinks for classroom aggregation. In small campus wiring closets, the switch can act as the primary access device, offering enough port density and uplink capacity to serve dozens of users. For managed service providers, the switch's remote management features reduce on-site intervention and streamline large-scale provisioning.

Migration and future-proofing strategies

Organizations planning incremental upgrades will find the Catalyst 1300 aligns with migration strategies from Gigabit to multigig environments. The inclusion of 2.5 Gbe ports means that existing cabling can deliver higher speeds without expensive rewire projects, while SFP+ uplinks provide a path to aggregation-layer upgrades. Administrators can gradually shift critical endpoints to multigig ports as device replacements occur, preserving capital budgets and reducing disruption. The switch’s software update path and modular management options support feature growth as network demands evolve.

Compatibility and interoperability

The Cisco Catalyst 1300 interoperates with standard Ethernet devices from major vendors, ensuring smooth integration into heterogeneous environments. Support for common protocols and standards, adherence to IEEE specifications, and compatibility with established network management tools make it straightforward to integrate the switch into existing network topologies. Where Cisco-centric toolchains are in use, DNA Center and Cisco Meraki or cloud-based management integrations provide extended visibility and policy consistency across multiple sites and devices.

Licensing and software upgrade considerations

Depending on the required feature set, organizations should assess the licensing options available for Cisco devices to ensure necessary capabilities are enabled. Base software provides essential switching, PoE, and security features, while optional licenses unlock advanced automation, telemetry, and segmentation functions. Keeping firmware current is recommended to benefit from performance improvements, security patches, and interoperability fixes. A version-controlled upgrade process helps maintain operational stability and allows administrators to validate new features in test environments before rolling them into production.

Management, monitoring, and observability

Comprehensive management and observability tools are crucial for modern networks; the Catalyst 1300 supports SNMP, syslog, and streaming telemetry to deliver operational insights. Administrators can extract per-port statistics, error counters, and traffic patterns to identify bottlenecks and plan capacity upgrades. Integration with Cisco's management platforms enables policy-driven provisioning and automated change workflows. For smaller teams, the built-in web UI combined with CLI access provides an accessible way to perform routine tasks, troubleshoot, and gather diagnostics without complex toolchains.

Maintenance, support, and lifecycle planning

Lifecycle management for network hardware should consider warranty, support contracts, and end-of-life timelines. Cisco provides structured support offerings that range from limited hardware warranties to comprehensive service-level agreements that include software updates and advance replacement options. Routine maintenance activities include keeping firmware up to date, monitoring PoE budgets as endpoints are added, and periodically validating uplink performance. Planning for predictable refresh cycles ensures the access layer remains capable of meeting increasing demands for bandwidth, security, and availability.

Security best practices for Catalyst 1300 deployments

Implementing security best practices for access-layer switches enhances network integrity. Enforce 802.1X authentication for user devices, apply dynamic VLAN assignment for role-based segmentation, and leverage DHCP snooping to mitigate IP spoofing attempts. Use secure management channels such as SSH and HTTPS while limiting management access to known administrative hosts. Regularly review port configurations to disable unused ports and enable port-security measures to prevent unauthorized connections. Combining these steps with central monitoring amplifies the protective posture and reduces the potential for lateral movement in compromised environments.

Real-world performance expectations

In deployment, the C1300-24MGP-4X is expected to deliver low-latency switching and consistent throughput for mixed workloads. Multigig ports provide marked improvements for aggregated client and wireless traffic compared to legacy Gigabit-only ports. Under normal operational conditions, administrators will find the switch handles concurrent voice, data, and video streams without appreciable degradation, provided that uplink capacity and QoS policies are appropriately configured. Planning for realistic headroom on uplinks and PoE budgets prevents resource contention and preserves user experience.

Comparative considerations within the Catalyst portfolio

Compared to entry-level unmanaged switches, the Catalyst 1300 offers advanced features and management capabilities that justify its place in managed access deployments. Within Cisco’s broader Catalyst family, the 1300 sits between the smallest access devices and higher-end switches that offer more advanced stacking or modularity. For organizations seeking a cost-effective yet capable managed access switch with multigig support, the C1300-24MGP-4X provides an attractive balance of features, performance, and operational familiarity for teams accustomed to Cisco ecosystems.