Cisco Catalyst 9300 48-Port PoE+ Enterprise Switch, Network Essentials (C9300-48P-E)

Quick Buying Guide - Best for High-Density PoE+ Access

• Network Essentials License: Provides foundational Layer 2 switching and essential Layer 3 routing capabilities (Static, RIP, OSPF Stub), ideal for standard campus and branch access environments that do not require SD-Access fabric topologies.

• High-Density PoE+: Features 48 ports of 802.3at full power allocation (up to 30W per port), transforming this unit into a powerhouse 48 port poe switch that provides ample power for Wi-Fi 6/6E access points, IP security cameras, and VoIP phones.

• Modular Uplinks: Future-proof your investment with a flexible uplink slot supporting 1G, 10G, 25G, or 40G original Cisco network modules.

• StackWise-480 Resiliency: Stack up to 8 switches into a single logical unit with 480 Gbps of stacking bandwidth for high-availability layer edge deployments.

💡 Pro Tip from CCIE Team: This stackable system is highly optimized for standard enterprise access when running the network essentials feature set. If your enterprise design eventually requires complete SD-Access automation, advanced core routing (BGP, EIGRP), or VXLAN fabrics, consider upgrading to the C9300-48P-A (Network Advantage) variant. For a complete look at features and power capabilities, check out our Cisco Catalyst FAQ: Power, Stacking & Licensing Guide.

Product Overview

The cisco c9300-48p-e is a high-density, high-performance edge platform designed to meet the rigorous connectivity requirements of modern campus and enterprise deployments. Operating under the network essentials license package, this reliable 48 port poe switch delivers robust line-rate packet handling along with vital edge routing capabilities, eliminating unneeded licensing costs for organizations looking to optimize their hardware budgets.

If your distribution layout requires massive endpoint density combined with dependable power budgets, deploying c9300-48p-e network nodes guarantees secure, cloud-ready execution.

• Related Reading & Architecture Resource Guides:

  • Deploying a 48-port access layer? Read our explicit matchup: Cisco 9200 48P vs 9300 48P (2026 Edition).

  • Comparing different access lines? Check out our review: Cisco Catalyst 9200 vs 9300 Series Switches.

  • Migrating older access systems? View our blueprint: Cisco Catalyst 2960X vs Catalyst 9300 Series.

  • Explore the entire hardware line features: Cisco 9300 Series Switches Deep Dive.

📥 Download Technical Specifications: Planning a high-density network expansion? Enter your work email below to download the official datasheet to review exact PoE allocations, forwarding performance, and module options to flawlessly map out your c9300 48p e installation template.

Core Highlights

Running Cisco IOS XE with unified management support, this optimized enterprise platform guarantees hardware-accelerated security, proactive visibility, and high-speed data forwarding.

• 48 Gigabit PoE+ Ports: High-density 1G connectivity with support for IEEE 802.3at parameters (30W per port) to safely energize your essential IoT, security, and unified communication endpoints.

• Modular Uplink Flexibility: One hot-swappable network-module slot supports diverse uplink choices, including 1G (C9300-NM-4G), 10G (C9300-NM-8X), 25G (C9300-NM-2Y), or 40G (C9300-NM-2Q).

• High-Performance Switching: 256 Gbps non-blocking switch fabric (up to 736 Gbps with stacking) and an efficient 190.47 Mpps forwarding rate.

• StackWise-480 Stacking: Create a unified network stack of up to 8 units with 480 Gbps of stacking bandwidth and sub-50ms failover. For staging guidelines and physical configuration, check out our guide on How to Stack Cisco 9300 Switches for Optimal Performance.

• Enterprise Security: Features line-rate AES-256 MACsec encryption, Secure Boot, and a hardware-anchored Trust Anchor Module (TAM) to protect the infrastructure layer from runtime attacks.

• Energy-Efficient Design: ENERGY STAR® certified with IEEE 802.3az Energy-Efficient Ethernet parameters and intelligent low-power fan management to decrease operational costs.

Use Cases & Deployment Scenarios

• Enterprise Campus Edge Tiers: Aggregate large numbers of wireless access points, corporate VoIP phones, and IP security cameras in high-density office or school environments.

• Unified Communications: Provide stable, high-bandwidth data lines and automated power delivery to modern collaboration tools and IP telephony setups.

• IoT & Smart Building Ecosystems: Centralized PoE+ power distribution and baseline policy management for smart building sensors, digital signage, and environmental controls.

• High-Availability Branches: Utilize StackWise-480 backplane bandwidth and cross-stack EtherChannel for highly resilient branch network connectivity.

Recommended Accessories

To fully equip your layout, match your chassis interfaces with verified Cisco modules and line accessories. For a comprehensive overview of module limits, read our selector resource: How to Select Modules and Cables for Cisco 9300 Series.

Accessory Category	Model Number	Description
Network Module	C9300-NM-8X	Expand your high-speed backbone with the official cisco c9300 nm 8x module (8x 10G SFP+).
Network Module	C9300-NM-2Y	2x 25G/10G/1G SFP28 uplink module.
Network Module	C9300-NM-4G	4x 1G SFP uplink module.
Power Supply	PWR-C1-715WAC-P	715W AC Platinum-rated PSU (Default).
Power Supply	PWR-C1-1100WAC-P	1100W AC Platinum-rated PSU for expanded PoE budget.
Stacking Cable	STACK-T1-50CM	Establish a resilient 480 Gbps connection using dedicated cisco 9300 stack cables. Review our Cisco 9300 Stack Kit Compatibility Guide.
Fan Module	FAN-T2=	Field-replaceable fan tray (N+1 redundancy).

Comparison with Similar Models

Feature	C9300-48P-E	C9300-24P-E	C9300-48P-A
Downlinks	48 x 1G PoE+	24 x 1G PoE+	48 x 1G PoE+
License	Essentials	Essentials	Advantage
Switching Cap.	256 Gbps	208 Gbps	256 Gbps
Forwarding Rate	190.47 Mpps	154.76 Mpps	190.47 Mpps
Stacking	StackWise-480	StackWise-480	StackWise-480

Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Product Code	C9300-48P-E
Software License	Cisco IOS XE with Network Essentials
Downlink Ports	48 x 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-45 PoE+ auto-sensing
Switching Capacity	256 Gbps (standalone); 736 Gbps (stacked)
Forwarding Rate	190.47 Mpps (standalone); 547.62 Mpps (stacked)
DRAM / Flash	8 GB DRAM / 16 GB Flash
Dimensions (HWD)	1.73" x 17.5" x 17.7" (4.4 x 44.5 x 44.9 cm) with PSU
Weight	16.73 lb (7.59 kg)
Operating Temp.	23 F to 113 F (-5°C to 45°C)
MTBF	277,770 hours

More Details

Quality Certifications

                  

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