Cisco Catalyst C9300-48P-A 48-Port PoE+ Enterprise Switch | Network Advantage

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

• Network Advantage License: Unlocks advanced Layer 3 routing (BGP, EIGRP, IS-IS, OSPF), SD-Access fabric capabilities, and comprehensive network segmentation (VRF, VXLAN).

• High-Density PoE+ Delivery: Provides 48 ports of 802.3at full power allocation, functioning as a highly resilient poe+ switch engine supporting power-hungry devices like Wi-Fi 6/6E APs, IP security cameras, and enterprise VoIP phones.

• Modular Uplinks Flexibility: Customize your uplink connectivity with a hot-swappable module slot supporting 1G, 10G, 25G, or 40G speeds.

• Resilient Stacking: StackWise-480 technology delivers 480 Gbps of stacking bandwidth with sub-50ms failover, ensuring business-critical layer uptime.

💡 Pro Tip from CCIE Team: If your enterprise environment requires advanced macro-segmentation, SD-Access automation via Catalyst Center, or complex edge routing protocols, the Network Advantage license is mandatory. If you only require traditional Layer 2/3 connectivity for endpoints, consider the C9300-48P-E (Network Essentials) variant to optimize your budget. For a breakdown of power pooling and feature options, read our Cisco Catalyst FAQ: Power, Stacking & Licensing Guide.

Overview

As a high-density 48-port powerhouse within the industry's benchmark enterprise line, the cisco c9300-48p-a is a mission-critical cisco 48 port poe switch purpose-built for high-demand campus access layers. Engineered for hybrid cloud fabrics, this reliable hardware asset runs on the Network Advantage license package to deliver seamless SD-Access automation alongside robust line-rate routing.

If your modern enterprise infrastructure demands maximum scale, deploying cisco 9300 48p infrastructures provides ultimate investment protection, 480 Gbps stacking scalability, and continuous power delivery.

• Related Reading & Architecture Resource Guides:

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

  • Evaluating access tiers? Check out our guide: Cisco Catalyst 9200 vs 9300 Series Switches.

  • Upgrading legacy infrastructure? Read our migration blueprint: Cisco Catalyst 2960X vs Catalyst 9300 Series.

  • Explore the entire portfolio structure: Cisco 9300 Series Switches Deep Dive.

📥 Download Technical Specifications: Planning a large-scale enterprise network rollout? Enter your corporate work email below to download the official datasheet to review exact forwarding rates, power budgets, and module options to cleanly align your c9300 48p a installation plans.

Core Highlights

Powered by a multicore x86 CPU and driven by the programmable Cisco UADP 2.0 ASIC, the c9300-48p-a enterprise asset ensures hardware-accelerated security, deep visibility, and zero-bottleneck data forwarding across every port.

• 48 Gigabit PoE+ Ports: Supports IEEE 802.3at parameters (30W per port) on a high-capacity 48 port poe switch matrix with a default 437W PoE budget (expandable up to 1440W using dual power supplies).

• Modular Uplink Flexibility: One hot-swappable network-module slot supporting diverse configurations: 1G, 10G, 25G, or 40G speeds (via modules like C9300-NM-4G, 8X, 2Y, 2Q).

• Wire-Speed Switching: 256 Gbps switching capacity (up to 736 Gbps with stacking) and 190.47 Mpps forwarding performance under non-blocking metrics.

• StackWise-480 Technology: Stack up to 8 switches for 480 Gbps bidirectional stacking bandwidth. For deployment mechanics, view our guide on How to Stack Cisco 9300 Switches for Optimal Performance.

• Enterprise-Grade Security: Line-rate AES-256 MACsec encryption, Secure Boot, and Trust Anchor Module (TAM) protect the switch architecture from runtime attacks.

• Advanced Programmability: Native support for NETCONF, RESTCONF, YANG, and Python scripting enables zero-touch provisioning and streamlined multi-switch operations.

Use Cases & Deployment Scenarios

• High-Density Campus Access Layers: Ideal for large office environments requiring reliable, high-speed PoE+ deployment patterns for wireless access points, VoIP phone systems, and security cameras.

• SD-Access Fabric Edge Nodes: Serves as a fundamental hardware building block for Cisco SD-Access networks, providing full network virtualization and micro-segmentation.

• Mission-Critical Enterprise Branches: Utilizing StackWise-480 and StackPower capabilities provides the strict power and data redundancy needed for environments that cannot tolerate downtime.

• Smart Building & IoT Infrastructure: Provides centralized power distribution and automated policy management for smart building sensors, digital signage, and high-draw LED lighting fixtures.

Recommended Accessories

To configure your enterprise layout efficiently, match your chassis slots with genuine Cisco accessories. For complete expansion blueprints, consult our resource on How to Select Modules and Cables for Cisco 9300 Series.

Comparison with Similar Models

Detailed Specifications

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Quality Certifications

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