Table of Contents
1. Overview of Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series
The Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series is Cisco's flagship enterprise-grade stackable access switch platform, designed for high-density campus networks, branch offices, and data center top-of-rack deployments. Built on Cisco's custom UADP ASIC (Unified Access Data Plane), the 9300 series delivers industry-leading performance, security, and scalability.
First introduced in 2017 as the successor to the wildly popular Catalyst 3650 and 3850 series, the 9300 platform has become the best-selling enterprise switch in the world, with millions of units deployed globally. The series supports Cisco DNA Center for network automation, assurance, and software-defined access (SD-Access).
Key Platform Features
- Performance: 192 Gbps switching capacity, 144 Mpps forwarding rate per switch
- Stacking: Cisco StackWise-480 technology supports up to 8 switches (384 ports) in a single stack
- Modular Uplink: Field-replaceable uplink modules support 1G, 10G, 25G, and 40G connections
- PoE Support: Models available with PoE+ (802.3at, 30W per port) and UPOE (802.3bt, 60W per port)
- Security: Built-in hardware trust anchor, MACsec encryption, SD-Access, and Cisco TrustSec
- Management: Cisco DNA Center, Web UI, CLI, NETCONF/YANG, REST API
2. Complete Model Comparison
The Catalyst 9300 series includes multiple models differentiated by port count, PoE support, and uplink capabilities. Below is a complete comparison of all available models:
| Model | Ports | PoE Type | PoE Budget | Uplink Module | Target Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C9300-24T-E | 24×1G RJ45 | None | N/A | Modular | Standard access, no PoE needed |
| C9300-24P-E | 24×1G RJ45 | PoE+ (802.3at) | 715W | Modular | IP phones, wireless APs, standard PoE |
| C9300-48T-E | 48×1G RJ45 | None | N/A | Modular | High-density access, no PoE needed |
| C9300-48P-E | 48×1G RJ45 | PoE+ (802.3at) | 715W | Modular | High-density PoE, IP phones, APs |
| C9300-48U-E | 48×1G RJ45 | UPOE (802.3bt) | 1440W | Modular | Wi-Fi 6 APs, PTZ cameras, high-power devices |
| C9300-24S-E | 24×1G SFP | None | N/A | Modular | Fiber access, long-distance connections |
| C9300-48S-E | 48×1G SFP | None | N/A | Modular | High-density fiber access |
| C9300-24UX-E | 24×mGig (100M-10G) | UPOE (802.3bt) | 1100W | Modular | Multi-gigabit, Wi-Fi 6/6E APs |
| C9300-48UN-E | 48×mGig (100M-10G) | UPOE (802.3bt) | 2200W | Modular | High-density multi-gigabit, Wi-Fi 6 |
Naming Convention Explained
Understanding the Cisco 9300 naming convention helps you choose the right model:
- C9300 = Series identifier (Catalyst 9300)
- -24 / -48 = Number of ports (24 or 48)
- T = Twisted pair (RJ45 copper ports)
- P = PoE+ (802.3at, up to 30W per port)
- U = UPOE (Universal PoE, 802.3bt, up to 60W per port)
- S = SFP (fiber optic ports)
- UX / UN = mGig multi-rate ports (100Mbps to 10Gbps)
- -E = Essentials license level (Network Essentials)
3. PoE, PoE+, and UPOE Explained
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is one of the most important considerations when choosing a Catalyst 9300 switch. The 9300 series supports three levels of PoE:
PoE (IEEE 802.3af) — 15.4W per port
The original PoE standard, providing up to 15.4W per port. Suitable for basic IP phones, standard-definition cameras, and older wireless APs. Note: The Catalyst 9300 series does not offer a base PoE-only model; all PoE-capable 9300 models support at least PoE+.
PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) — 30W per port
Available on C9300-24P and C9300-48P models. PoE+ doubles the power budget to 30W per port, supporting:
- Modern IP video phones
- 802.11ac wireless access points
- PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) security cameras
- Video conferencing endpoints
- Thin clients and POS terminals
The 715W PoE power budget (with the 1100W power supply) supports up to 24 ports at full 30W simultaneously, or all 48 ports at ~15W average.
UPOE (Cisco Universal PoE / IEEE 802.3bt) — 60W per port
Available on C9300-48U, C9300-24UX, and C9300-48UN models. UPOE delivers up to 60W per port using all four pairs of Ethernet cable, supporting high-power devices:
- Wi-Fi 6 / 6E / 7 wireless access points (with multi-radio, IoT radios, and Zigbee)
- High-end PTZ cameras with heater/blower
- Video conferencing codecs and room systems
- All-in-one PCs and thin clients
- Digital signage and kiosks
- LED lighting controllers
The C9300-48U with dual 1100W power supplies provides a total PoE budget of 1440W, supporting 24 ports at full 60W or all 48 ports at 30W average.
4. StackWise-480 Stacking Technology
One of the standout features of the Catalyst 9300 series is Cisco StackWise-480 stacking technology. Stacking allows multiple physical switches to operate as a single logical switch, simplifying management and increasing resiliency.
StackWise-480 Specifications
- Stack bandwidth: 480 Gbps per switch (bidirectional)
- Maximum switches per stack: 8 units
- Maximum ports per stack: 384 Gigabit ports (8×48)
- Stack cable: Specialized StackWise-480 stacking cables (0.5m, 1m, 3m lengths)
- Failover time: Sub-second (less than 100ms) for active/standby switchover
- Single management IP: Entire stack managed through one IP address
Benefits of Stacking
- Simplified Management: Manage up to 8 switches as a single device, reducing operational overhead
- Increased Resiliency: If one switch fails, the remaining switches continue operating without network downtime
- Loop-Free Topology: Stacked switches use a single logical control plane, eliminating the need for STP between stack members
- Flexible Deployment: Start with 1-2 switches and expand up to 8 as your network grows
- Cross-Stack EtherChannel: Create link aggregation groups spanning multiple stack members for redundancy
5. Modular Uplink Options
Unlike fixed-uplink switches, the Catalyst 9300 series uses a field-replaceable modular uplink design, allowing you to choose the uplink speed and type that matches your network core. The uplink module is hot-swappable and can be changed without replacing the entire switch.
| Uplink Module | Ports | Speed | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9300-NM-4G | 4×SFP | 1 Gbps | Legacy core, small office uplink |
| C9300-NM-4M | 4×mGig SFP+ | 1G/10G | Flexible 1G/10G uplink |
| C9300-NM-2Q | 2×QSFP+ | 40 Gbps | High-speed core uplink, data center |
| C9300X-NM-8Y | 8×SFP+ | 10/25 Gbps | High-density 10G/25G uplink (C9300X only) |
| C9300X-NM-2C | 2×QSFP28 | 40/100 Gbps | 100G core uplink (C9300X only) |
6. Buying Guide: New vs Refurbished
When purchasing Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches, you have two main options: brand new or used/refurbished. Each has its own advantages depending on your budget, requirements, and risk tolerance.
Brand New Cisco Catalyst 9300
Advantages:
- Full Cisco warranty (typically 1 year limited hardware warranty)
- Latest hardware revision and manufacturing date
- Eligible for Cisco SMARTnet service contracts
- Full Cisco software support and updates
- Zero risk of prior usage or hidden issues
Disadvantages:
- Significantly higher cost (often 2-3x the price of refurbished)
- Longer lead times for popular models
- Budget constraints may limit deployment scope
Used / Refurbished Cisco Catalyst 9300
Advantages:
- Cost savings of 50-70% compared to new equipment
- Immediate availability from stock
- Fully tested and certified by reputable sellers
- Same performance and features as new units
- Ideal for budget-constrained projects, spares, and lab environments
- Environmentally friendly (reduces e-waste)
Disadvantages:
- Not eligible for Cisco SMARTnet (but reputable sellers offer their own warranty)
- Cosmetic wear possible (does not affect performance)
- Need to verify seller reputation and testing process
NT Global Refurbishment Process
At NT Global, every used/refurbished Cisco Catalyst 9300 switch goes through a rigorous 25-point inspection and certification process:
- Visual inspection for physical damage and cosmetic condition
- Complete hardware diagnostics (all ports, fans, power supplies tested)
- Factory reset and firmware upgrade to latest stable IOS XE version
- 24-hour burn-in test under load
- Port-by-port traffic testing (100% of ports verified)
- Stacking functionality test
- PoE power output verification (for P/U models)
- Cleaning and repackaging
All refurbished units come with a 365-day whole-unit warranty, and expedited shipping is available with delivery as fast as 7 days.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I mix different Catalyst 9300 models in the same stack?
A: Yes, you can mix different 9300 models (e.g., C9300-48P and C9300-24T) in the same StackWise-480 stack. However, all switches must run the same IOS XE version and license level. You cannot mix 9300 series with 9200 or 9500 series in the same stack.
Q: What is the difference between C9300 and C9300X models?
A: The C9300X is an enhanced version of the 9300 series with higher performance (2.4 Tbps switching capacity), support for 25G and 100G uplink modules, and higher stacking bandwidth. The C9300X is designed for high-performance campus cores and data center access, while the standard C9300 is sufficient for most enterprise access deployments.
Q: How long do Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches typically last?
A: With proper maintenance and environmental conditions, Catalyst 9300 switches have a typical service life of 7-10 years. Many units remain in production for over a decade. The main failure points are power supplies and fans, which are field-replaceable. Refurbished units from reputable sellers typically have many years of reliable service remaining.
Q: Do refurbished Cisco switches support software updates?
A: Yes, refurbished Catalyst 9300 switches can be updated to the latest IOS XE software. At NT Global, all refurbished units are upgraded to the latest stable IOS XE version before shipment. You can continue to update the software as new versions are released. Note that some new software features may require a DNA subscription license.
Q: What is the lead time for refurbished Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches?
A: Most refurbished Catalyst 9300 models are in stock and can ship within 1-3 business days. Standard international delivery takes 15-30 days depending on destination. Expedited shipping options are available with delivery as fast as 7 days. Contact our sales team for specific model availability and shipping estimates.
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