C9300-48P-M Cisco Meraki Catalyst 48 Ports Manageable Switch.

Cisco C9300-48P-M Meraki Catalyst Ethernet Switch Overview

The Cisco C9300-48P-M is a high-performance, rack-mountable Layer 3 Ethernet switch designed for enterprise networks. With 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, robust PoE+ support, and advanced modular capabilities, this switch delivers reliable, scalable, and secure network performance for modern infrastructures.

Key Specifications at a Glance

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model / SKU: C9300-48P-M
• Device Type: Managed Ethernet Switch
• Port Count: 48 x 10/100/1000 Mbps (PoE+ supported)
• Form Factor: 1U Rack-mountable
• Power Consumption: 715 W with a 437 W PoE budget

Technical Features and Capabilities

Performance & Capacity

• Switching Capacity: 256 Gbps
• Stacking Bandwidth: 480 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 190.48 Mpps
• MAC Address Table Size: 32,000 entries
• Max Stack Units: 8 devices
• QoS Queues: 8 per device
• VLAN Trunking Support: Up to 4094 VLANs

Routing & Network Protocols

• Routing: OSPFv2, Static IP Routing, VRRP
• Spanning Tree: MSTP, RSTP, STP
• IGMP Support for multicast traffic management
• Remote Management: SNMP, DHCP, Syslog, IPv4 & IPv6
• Authentication: RADIUS

Advanced Features

• VLAN Support & Port Mirroring
• Broadcast Storm Control & QoS prioritization
• Firmware Upgrades & Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP)
• StackPower Technology & Hot-swappable Fans
• Network Diagnostics & Push Notifications
• Security Features: ACLs, STP Root Guard, BPDU Guard, DHCP Snooping, DAI
• Adaptive Policies, Usage Statistics, and Sticky MAC support

Connectivity & Expansion

• 48 x 1000Base-T RJ-45 PoE+ ports (30 W per port)
• 2 x Network Stack interfaces for seamless stacking
• 1 x Management port
• 1 x USB Type-A & 1 x USB Type-B console port

Power & Energy Efficiency

• Internal hot-plug power supply with optional redundancy
• Total Power Provided: 715 W
• PoE Budget: 437 W
• Voltage: AC 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz
• 80 Plus Platinum energy efficiency certified

Standards & Compliance

• IEEE 802.1Q (VLAN tagging) & 802.1P (QoS)
• IEEE 802.3ad (Link Aggregation / LACP)
• IEEE 802.1X (Port-based Authentication)
• IEEE 802.1S (Multiple Spanning Tree)
• IEEE 802.1AB (LLDP for device discovery)

Built-in Components & Indicators

• 3 high-efficiency fans, hot-swappable
• Status indicators for quick operational checks
• Robust, modular design for easy upgrades

Cisco C9300-48P-M Meraki Catalyst Ethernet Switch 48 Ports

The Cisco C9300-48P-M Meraki Catalyst Ethernet Switch 48 Ports Manageable Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000base-t Layer 3 Supported Modular 715 W Power Consumption 1152 W PoE Budget Twisted Pair PoE Ports Rack-mountable is positioned as a high-performance access and aggregation switch for modern campus, branch, and data closet deployments. This category description explores the practical benefits, architectural roles, and operational advantages of the C9300-48P-M series within enterprise networks. It emphasizes the switch’s combinational strengths: forty-eight Gigabit Ethernet ports, robust Layer 3 switching capabilities, a high PoE budget to feed devices, modular power and stacking design for resiliency, and ease of management through Cisco’s well-recognized software ecosystems. The wording targets search intent for buyers, network architects, and IT administrators looking for a reliable access switch that supports power-hungry edge devices while enabling advanced routing, security, and automation features.

Designed for Real-World Enterprise Edge Deployments

The C9300-48P-M is engineered for environments where dense port counts meet demanding power requirements. Forty-eight twisted-pair PoE-capable ports allow organizations to consolidate endpoint connectivity without compromise. The listed 1152 W PoE budget provides headroom for a mix of IP phones, wireless access points, security cameras, and other powered devices that are common in modern digital workplaces. With a modular design and a listed 715 W power consumption specification for certain operating conditions, this switch can balance the efficiency of power delivery and the need to sustain peak PoE loads. Its rack-mountable chassis aligns with standard 19-inch equipment racks, making installation straightforward in wiring closets, IDF rooms, and compact server cabinets.

High-Density Gigabit Connectivity and Flexible Port Architecture

The 10/100/1000base-T Gigabit Ethernet ports provide ubiquitous, backward-compatible connectivity for a wide range of endpoint devices. The twisted-pair ports support standard Ethernet cabling infrastructure and allow network teams to leverage existing copper plant while delivering full gigabit throughput to endpoints. The C9300-48P-M’s port density is a critical advantage in crowded access layers where space and rack units are at a premium. The consistent availability of fifty or more powered ports in typical access stacks reduces the need for additional equipment and helps simplify physical network architecture—leading to lower cabling complexity and a smaller equipment footprint.

Layer 3 Capabilities That Empower Campus and Branch Routing

Beyond Layer 2 switching, the Catalyst-class routing features enable the switch to participate actively in routed campus designs. Support for inter-VLAN routing, routing protocols, and policy-based forwarding allows the C9300-48P-M to take on distribution-layer responsibilities when required. This flexibility is particularly valuable in distributed enterprises and branch networks where the local switch must provide fast local switching, inter-VLAN routing, and resilient connectivity to upstream aggregation or WAN nodes. With integrated Layer 3 support, organizations can design flatter, more efficient networks that reduce latency between critical services and improve overall application performance.

Stacking and Modular Resiliency

Stacking capability is central to the switch’s role in delivering resilient access layer services. Cisco stackable designs allow multiple switches to operate as a single logical unit, simplifying management and enabling cross-member redundancy for both data and control planes. A properly sized stack of C9300-48P-M units can provide higher aggregate throughput, centralized configuration, and failover protections without the complexity of distributed control-plane architectures. With modular power and stack-aware firmware, administrators can perform upgrades and maintenance with minimal disruption to services, while also scaling port capacity with predictable operational procedures.

Power over Ethernet: Enabling IP Device Proliferation

Power over Ethernet is one of the most transformative features in access networking, and the C9300-48P-M’s generous 1152 W PoE budget is a strategic advantage. The high budget supports a broad mix of endpoint classes concurrently, including Wi-Fi 6 access points with multi-radio support, 4K/8K-capable IP cameras with analytic processors, video endpoints, and newer IoT devices that require steady power. This PoE capability simplifies deployments by eliminating the need for external power supplies at the device, reducing installation time and maintenance overhead. PoE also enables location flexibility for devices that benefit from intelligent placement, such as advanced cameras and wireless access points placed for optimal coverage rather than proximity to power outlets.

Intelligent Power Management and Device Prioritization

Efficient PoE deployment requires more than raw wattage; it needs intelligent power management. The C9300-48P-M supports per-port power configuration, classification of devices by PoE class, and prioritization policies that ensure critical devices receive power during constrained conditions. Administrators can set power thresholds and reserve capacity for pivotal devices to avoid service degradation in the event of partial power availability. These controls are vital in scenarios where the switch is serving a mixture of essential safety devices, high-bandwidth APs, and noncritical sensors. Detailed power telemetry also empowers network teams to forecast growth and avoid mid-cycle upgrades due to power oversubscription.

Security, Segmentation, and Policy Enforcement

Security at the edge is a primary consideration for both compliance and operational integrity. The C9300-48P-M supports modern security constructs including secure management, 802.1X network access control, dynamic VLAN assignment, and application-aware policy enforcement. The switch can implement port-based security policies, quarantine untrusted devices, and integrate with centralized identity services for consistent access controls. Policy enforcement in the access layer reduces the need to backhaul traffic for inspection and enables faster remediation by filtering or isolating suspicious traffic close to the source. These features are beneficial for large campus environments, healthcare facilities, government buildings, and enterprises with strict regulatory or privacy requirements.

Advanced Threat Mitigation and Visibility

Visibility is a critical element of security. The ability to monitor flows, mirror suspicious traffic, and integrate telemetry with security information and event management systems allows network operators to detect anomalies rapidly. The C9300-48P-M delivers detailed flow metrics and supports features that enhance network forensics. Coupled with Cisco’s broader security suite, the switch can act as an enforcement point for automated threat response. This provides a layered defense posture where endpoint protection, network controls, and cloud-based intelligence work together to reduce the attack surface and speed up incident response.

Management Options: Simplicity and Scale

Manageability is often the deciding factor in large-scale switch purchases. The C9300-48P-M offers flexible management pathways that accommodate different operational models. For teams that prefer centralized orchestration, integration with Cisco’s management platforms provides template-based provisioning, inventory tracking, and policy consistency across hundreds or thousands of devices. For organizations that prefer on-premises control or hybrid operations, local controller capabilities and CLI/REST APIs enable granular automation and scriptable workflows. This versatility reduces the learning curve for operations teams and helps ensure that deployments remain predictable and auditable over time.

Automation, Orchestration, and DevOps Integration

Modern networks increasingly leverage automation frameworks to reduce repetitive tasks and improve consistency. The switch supports programmability through APIs and integration points that allow it to be part of a broader DevOps-driven infrastructure. Automated provisioning of VLANs, QoS policies, and access lists empowers continuous integration workflows and supports rapid service rollouts. When integrated with orchestration tools, the C9300-48P-M can respond to dynamic workload changes by adjusting priority and routing policies without manual intervention, improving agility for business-critical applications.