Product Overview
The Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series is a stackable, enterprise-grade access switch designed for high-performance networking. It is part of Cisco’s Catalyst 9000 family, offering advanced security, scalability, and programmability for modern networks. These switches support SD-Access (Software-Defined Access) and provide multigigabit Ethernet, PoE (Power over Ethernet), and advanced threat detection capabilities.
The Catalyst 9300 is widely used in enterprise campuses, branch offices, and IoT deployments, providing reliable connectivity for wired and wireless devices.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Fixed configuration stackable switches |
| Port Options | 24/48 ports with various combinations of 1G, 2.5G, 5G, 10G BASE-T and SFP/SFP+ |
| PoE Options | Non-PoE, PoE+, and UPOE (up to 90W per port) variants |
| Stacking | StackWise-320 technology with up to 8 switches per stack |
| Forwarding Rate | Up to 176 Gbps |
| Switching Capacity | Up to 1.2 Tbps |
| Memory | 4 GB DRAM, 8 GB Flash |
| Operating System | Cisco IOS XE (supports REST APIs and model-driven programmability) |
| Security Features | MACsec encryption, TrustSec, Secure Boot, Hardware-based Trust Anchor |
| Management | Cisco DNA Center, CLI, SNMP, RESTCONF/NETCONF |
Competitive Comparison
| Feature | Cisco Catalyst 9300 | HPE Aruba 2930F | Juniper EX3400 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Speeds | 1G/2.5G/5G/10G | 1G/10G | 1G/10G |
| Stacking Technology | StackWise-320 (320Gbps) | IRF Stacking | Virtual Chassis |
| Security | MACsec, TrustSec, Encrypted Traffic Analytics | Dynamic Segmentation | MACsec, Junos OS security |
| Management | Cisco DNA Center | Aruba Central | Juniper Mist |
| SDN Support | SD-Access, OpenFlow | Limited | Contrail |
Catalyst 9300 Series Models
| Model | Port Configuration | Speed | PoE Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9300-24T | 24 x 1G RJ45 | 1G | No |
| C9300-48T | 48 x 1G RJ45 | 1G | No |
| C9300-24U | 24 x 1G RJ45 | 1G | PoE+ |
| C9300-48U | 48 x 1G RJ45 | 1G | PoE+ |
| C9300-24UX | 24 x Multigigabit (1G/2.5G/5G/10G) | Up to 10G | UPOE+ |
| C9300-48UXM | 48 x Multigigabit (1G/2.5G/5G/10G) | Up to 10G | UPOE+ |
| C9300-24S | 24 x SFP+ | 10G | No |
| C9300-48S | 48 x SFP+ | 10G | No |
Key Features
- Intent-Based Networking: Supports Cisco DNA Center for policy-based automation
- Advanced Security: Hardware-based Trust Anchor, Secure Boot, and MACsec encryption
- Multigigabit Ethernet: Supports 1G/2.5G/5G/10G for high-speed connectivity
- StackWise-320: High-bandwidth stacking with up to 8 switches
- UPOE+: Up to 90W per port for powering devices like IP cameras and wireless APs
- IoT Ready: Supports Cisco Cyber Vision for IoT security
- Modular OS: Cisco IOS XE with container-based application hosting
Applications
- Enterprise Campus Networks: High-density access layer switching for offices and buildings
- IoT Deployments: Power and connect IoT devices with UPOE+ and multigigabit support
- Branch Offices: Secure, scalable networking with SD-Access capabilities
- Converged Networks: Unified wired and wireless management through Cisco DNA
- Smart Buildings: Support for IP cameras, digital signage, and access points
- High-Performance Computing: 10G connectivity for demanding applications
