Cisco C9300L-48P-4G-A Catalyst 48 Port PoE+ Gigabit Network Switch

The Cisco Catalyst C9300L-48P-4G-A is an enterprise-class, stackable Layer 3 switch purpose-built to deliver robust Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) and high-end routing intelligence to the modern campus edge. Featuring 48 ports of 10/100/1000Base-T PoE+ with a highly capable 505W default power budget and 4 fixed 1G SFP uplink ports, this platform runs on Cisco's premium Network Advantage software tier. Powered by the programmable Unified Access Data Plane (UADP 2.0) ASIC, it offers the ultimate combination of dense power delivery, resilient hardware stacking, and advanced security automation for modern midmarket and enterprise infrastructures.

Figure 1 shows the front panel of C9300L-48P-4G-A.

The Cisco C9300L-48P-4G-A is a fixed-uplink option within the flagship Catalyst 9300 series ecosystem. The "L" signifies its cost-effective, fixed-uplink hardware configuration, while the "P" highlights its partial PoE+ capabilities—distributing up to 30W of IEEE 802.3at power per port across its 48 RJ45 interfaces up to a combined 505W ceiling. The "4G" specifies 4 integrated 1G SFP uplink slots natively housed on the front fascia, providing dependable fiber-optic or copper transport lines to distribution nodes without needing modular upgrade components.

Running the premium Network Advantage tier out of the box, this switch unlocks full Layer 3 capabilities that cheaper entry-level hardware cannot match. Network engineers gain access to comprehensive enterprise routing topologies, including complete Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Policy-Based Routing (PBR), and Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF-Lite) for multi-tenant network segmentation.

Business-critical networks cannot tolerate downtime. The C9300L-48P-4G-A features Cisco StackWise-320 technology, giving you the ability to stack up to 8 individual chassis into a single, unified logical switch operating at a blistering 320 Gbps backplane bandwidth. Supported by Nonstop Forwarding and Stateful Switchover (NSF/SSO) architecture, active network traffic seamlessly routes around any unexpected hardware fault without dropping sessions.

Equipped with Perpetual PoE and Fast PoE, this switch keeps your critical hardware online. During a switch reboot or firmware upgrade, power distribution to connected devices remains entirely uninterrupted. Advanced features like Flexible NetFlow (FNF) and hardware-anchored MACsec-128 link encryption give administrators complete traffic visibility and protection against unauthorized internal wiretapping.

To maximize the stability of your 4 fixed 1G SFP uplinks, network administrators rely on premium optical accessories:

• For Short-Range Building Connections: Pair the switch with Cisco-compatible 1000BASE-SX SFP modules and OM3/OM4 multimode LC fiber patch cords for distances stretching up to 550 meters.

• For Campus & Long-Range Runs: Deploy 1000BASE-LX/LH single-mode transceivers to bridge localized hardware to core rooms over fiber distances reaching up to 10km.

• Stacking Optimization: Install the optional StackWise-320 stacking kit to the rear side of the chassis, joining multiple switches with specialized high-density stacking cables to create an automated, high-availability cluster.

The switch features an intuitive built-in WebGUI for local management along with a standard Command Line Interface (CLI). For modern enterprises moving toward intent-based infrastructure, it integrates natively with Cisco DNA Center, enabling automated zero-touch provisioning, macro-segmentation via Cisco SD-Access, and proactive Day-2 analytical troubleshooting.

To assist IT procurement managers in finding the exact model fit for their deployment layout, the matrix below highlights the differences between neighboring Cisco Catalyst variants:

A: The differences lie in the internal power supply capacity and total PoE power budget. The C9300L-48P offers a 505W PoE budget, which comfortably delivers full 15.4W PoE to 32 ports or 30W PoE+ to 16 ports simultaneously. The C9300L-48PF scales up to an 890W budget, allowing full 30W PoE+ power allocation across all 48 ports at the same time. The partial PoE model is perfect for typical office environments using a mix of IP phones, computers, and access points.

A: The Network Advantage license unlocks deep corporate routing and software-defined network management. While Network Essentials covers basic Layer 2/3 switching and static routing, Network Advantage introduces full scale BGP, EIGRP, OSPF, Policy-Based Routing, VRF-Lite, MPLS features, and advanced automation options for Cisco SD-Access and Cisco DNA Center management.

A: No. The internal ASIC and front-panel hardware of the C9300L-48P-4G-A are strictly fixed to standard 1G SFP operating speeds. If your expanding infrastructure requires 10Gbps optical uplink speeds directly out of the box, we recommend checking out the C9300L-48P-4X-A or C9300L-48P-4X-E models instead.

A: We offer a rock-solid 1-Year Hardware Warranty across all new retail-sealed Cisco equipment. In the event of an unresolvable internal component failure, our technical support department expedites standard replacement handling and component exchanges. We also provide initial remote deployment assistance to help your engineers with stacking setups, custom VLAN provisioning, and transceiver verification.

A: Yes. The switch arrives from the factory with a default primary AC power module (PWR-C1-715WAC-P). The rear panel features an additional expansion bay where a secondary matching power supply can be installed. This enables automatic load-sharing and full power supply redundancy, protecting your edge from unexpected power grid or outlet failures.

The Cisco Catalyst C9300L-48P-4G-A remains a premier investment for enterprise networks requiring high-end Layer 3 performance and versatile PoE+ power delivery. Backed by StackWise-320 expansion capabilities and the sophisticated automation features of the Network Advantage platform, it provides an exceptionally secure and reliable foundation for your business infrastructure.