C9300L-48P-4X-M Cisco Meraki Catalyst 48 Ports Gigabit Ethernet Switch.

Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M 48 Ports Ethernet Switch Overview

The Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M Meraki Catalyst is a high-performance 48-port managed Gigabit Ethernet switch with advanced Layer 3 features. Designed for modern network environments, it combines robust PoE+ support, modular uplinks, and energy-efficient operation to deliver reliable connectivity in enterprise settings.

Key Product Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: C9300L-48P-4X-M
• Product Type: Network Switch
• Subtype: 48-Port Gigabit Ethernet

Technical Specifications

Enclosure & Port Configuration

• Form Factor: Rack-mountable 1U
• 48 x 10/100/1000 Mbps PoE+ ports
• 4 x 1/10 Gbps SFP+ uplink ports
• PoE+ Budget: 505 W

Performance & Capacity

• Switching Capacity: 176 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 130.95 Mpps
• Stacking Forwarding Rate: 369.05 Mpps
• Stacking Bandwidth: 496 Gbps
• Maximum Active VLANs: 1000
• Maximum Supported VLANs: 4094
• Priority Queues: 8
• Link Aggregation Ports: 8
• MAC Address Table Size: 32,000 entries
• Max Units in a Stack: 8

Routing & Management

• Routing Protocols: Static IP Routing, STP, OSPFv2, VRRP
• Remote Management: SNMP, Syslog, DHCP
• Authentication: RADIUS

Advanced Features

• Access Control Lists (ACL) support
• Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP)
• Firmware Upgradable
• Push Notifications
• Quality of Service (QoS) & DSCP to CoS Mapping
• VLAN Support & VLAN Trunking
• BPDU Guard, Root Guard, Loop Guard, UDLD
• Broadcast Storm Control & Port Mirroring
• IGMP Snooping, Multicast Filtering & Routing
• DHCP Server & Relay, DHCP Snooping
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
• 802.1x Authentication, MAB, Port Security, DAI
• Compliant with IEEE 802.1p, 802.1s, 802.1ab (LLDP), 802.3ad (LACP), 802.1x, 802.3af, 802.3at

Expansion & Connectivity Options

• 48 x 1000BASE-T RJ-45 PoE+ (up to 30 W per port)
• 4 x 1/10GBASE-X SFP+ uplinks
• 2 x Network Stack Devices
• 1 x Dedicated Management Port

Power & Energy Specifications

• Internal Hot-Plug Power Supply
• Installed Quantity: 1 (supports up to 2 for redundancy)
• Power Redundancy: Yes
• Power Output: 715 W
• Standby Power Consumption: 67.4 W
• Voltage Required: AC

Status & Indicators

• Status LEDs for port and system monitoring

Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M 48 Ports Manageable Switch

The Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M Meraki Catalyst switch represents a high-performance, enterprise-grade networking solution designed for modern data centers, campus networks, and high-density enterprise environments. This switch is equipped with 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports supporting both 1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-X connectivity, delivering superior bandwidth and flexibility. Its Layer 3 capabilities enable advanced routing functionalities, facilitating complex network architectures with high efficiency and reliability. The modular design with 4 SFP slots allows seamless integration of fiber optics or twisted pair cabling, catering to diverse networking needs while maintaining optimal performance. With a total power consumption of 715 watts, the switch ensures robust PoE+ support, powering connected devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, and surveillance cameras without compromising on energy efficiency.

Port Configuration and Connectivity

The Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M switch features 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports that support PoE+ functionality, providing up to 30W per port for connected devices. This makes it ideal for high-density deployment scenarios where multiple powered devices are connected simultaneously. In addition to its copper ports, the switch includes four modular SFP slots capable of supporting 10GBASE-X connections. These slots allow administrators to extend the network through fiber optic links, enabling long-distance data transmission and reducing latency in critical applications. The dual connectivity options make this switch suitable for hybrid networks that require both traditional copper infrastructure and modern fiber optic technology.

Layer 3 Switching Capabilities

One of the defining features of the Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M is its Layer 3 functionality, which goes beyond simple Layer 2 switching. Layer 3 support allows for advanced routing protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP, enabling dynamic routing within large enterprise networks. This functionality allows IT teams to implement inter-VLAN routing, manage IP subnets efficiently, and ensure high availability across multiple network segments. The switch's routing capabilities also include static routes, route summarization, and policy-based routing, providing granular control over network traffic and ensuring optimal performance in mission-critical environments.

Advanced Security Features

The Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M switch is equipped with comprehensive security measures to protect enterprise networks from internal and external threats. Security features include 802.1X port-based access control, MAC address filtering, dynamic ARP inspection, and IP source guard. These mechanisms prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of network breaches. Additionally, Cisco TrustSec technology can be deployed on this switch to enforce security policies across the network, ensuring that sensitive data is protected and access is appropriately segmented. The integration of advanced security capabilities makes this switch a reliable choice for environments where network security is paramount, including corporate offices, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions.

Performance and Reliability

Performance is a critical consideration for enterprise networks, and the Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M delivers high throughput and low latency across all ports. The switch utilizes the Cisco Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) ASIC, which provides hardware-based acceleration for both switching and routing operations. This ensures that the network can handle high volumes of traffic without degradation in performance. The switch is capable of supporting up to 715 watts of power consumption, making it capable of powering multiple PoE+ devices simultaneously while maintaining stable operation. Its redundant power supply options and modular fan trays further enhance reliability, providing uninterrupted operation in demanding network environments.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

In addition to high performance, the Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M emphasizes energy efficiency. The switch is designed with Cisco EnergyWise technology, which monitors and manages power consumption across the network. By optimizing energy usage, administrators can reduce operational costs while maintaining high performance. Energy-efficient hardware components, coupled with intelligent power allocation for PoE devices, make this switch a sustainable solution for enterprises aiming to reduce their carbon footprint. Cisco’s focus on eco-friendly design aligns with corporate sustainability initiatives without compromising network reliability or scalability.

Modular Design and Scalability

The modular architecture of the Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M enables easy network expansion and future-proofing. With four SFP slots available for optical transceivers, the switch can be adapted to meet growing bandwidth demands without requiring a complete infrastructure overhaul. This modularity allows IT administrators to deploy fiber optic links for high-speed uplinks or inter-switch connections, while copper ports continue to serve end devices. The switch’s stackable design further enhances scalability, allowing multiple units to operate as a single logical entity. Stacking capabilities simplify network management and provide higher redundancy, ensuring continuous operation even if individual switches experience issues.

Integration with Cisco Ecosystem

As part of the Cisco Catalyst family, the C9300L-48P-4X-M integrates seamlessly with other Cisco networking solutions, including wireless access points, firewalls, and routers. This integration enables consistent policy enforcement, end-to-end security, and simplified troubleshooting across the enterprise network. The switch supports Cisco StackWise technology, allowing it to be stacked with other Catalyst switches for unified management. Additionally, integration with Cisco Meraki cloud management offers the flexibility of remote monitoring and control, making it easier to manage distributed networks across multiple locations. This interoperability ensures that enterprises can leverage a cohesive, high-performing networking environment without compatibility concerns.

Support for Advanced Networking Features

The Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M supports a comprehensive suite of advanced networking protocols and features, making it suitable for complex enterprise environments. Features such as Quality of Service (QoS) allow prioritization of mission-critical traffic, ensuring smooth operation of VoIP calls, video conferencing, and other latency-sensitive applications. Multicast routing, IGMP snooping, and IPv6 support further enhance the switch’s versatility, enabling enterprises to adopt next-generation networking technologies. Additionally, features such as Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF), policy-based routing, and dynamic VLAN assignment provide flexibility in network design and traffic management, allowing IT teams to create customized, efficient network topologies tailored to organizational requirements.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M is ideal for deployment in a variety of enterprise environments, including corporate campuses, data centers, and branch offices. Its high-density port configuration supports large-scale deployments where multiple devices need simultaneous connectivity. The PoE+ capabilities make it particularly well-suited for powering wireless access points, VoIP phones, and security cameras without additional power infrastructure. In data centers, the 10GBASE-X uplink support ensures high-speed interconnectivity between switches, routers, and storage systems, minimizing latency and maximizing throughput. Its Layer 3 capabilities allow for efficient routing between VLANs, making it suitable for segmented networks that require secure and optimized traffic flow.

Enhancing Enterprise Network Security

Security is a critical consideration in enterprise networks, and the Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M addresses this through both hardware and software features. Access control lists (ACLs) can be implemented on a per-port basis, ensuring that only authorized devices can communicate across the network. Dynamic ARP inspection and IP source guard prevent spoofing and unauthorized access, while 802.1X authentication ensures that only authenticated users and devices can access network resources. These features, combined with Cisco’s TrustSec and segmentation capabilities, provide a layered security approach, protecting sensitive data and maintaining compliance with corporate and regulatory security standards.

Optimizing Network Performance for Critical Applications

Enterprise applications such as video conferencing, VoIP, cloud computing, and virtualization require reliable and high-speed network connectivity. The Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-M addresses these demands with high port density, low latency, and intelligent traffic management features. QoS mechanisms prioritize critical application traffic, ensuring that bandwidth-intensive processes do not suffer degradation. The switch’s Layer 3 routing capabilities enable efficient traffic flow between network segments, reducing congestion and improving overall network performance. Its combination of high throughput, low latency, and intelligent management makes it a robust solution for modern enterprise networks where performance and reliability are non-negotiable.