Cisco C9300-48T-A Switch
The Cisco Catalyst C9300-48T-A is a 48-port data-only Layer 3 managed switch with modular uplinks. It supports StackWise-480 stacking and ships with Network Advantage.
Overview
The Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series is Cisco's lead stackable enterprise access platform in the Catalyst 9000 family, built on the UADP 2.0 ASIC for investment protection and high-density stacking. The modular-uplink C9300 takes a field-installable network module for 1G, multigigabit, 10G, 25G, or 40G uplinks, and Cisco positions it as the successor to the end-of-sale Catalyst 3850. The C9300-48T-A is the 48-port data-only configuration at the Network Advantage tier, which is what separates it from the otherwise-identical Network Essentials C9300-48T-E. Network Advantage unlocks full dynamic routing and policy-based segmentation. Three field-replaceable fans and dual power supplies keep it serviceable in always-on deployments.
Technical Details
The Cisco Catalyst C9300-48T-A is a Layer 3 managed 1U rackmount access switch with 48 Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) data ports and a modular uplink slot, running Cisco IOS XE with the perpetual Network Advantage license. Switching capacity is 256 Gbps and forwarding rate is 190.47 Mpps. It carries no Power over Ethernet, so all 48 access ports are data-only. It supports Cisco StackWise-480 data stacking of up to eight members at 480 Gbps, plus Cisco StackPower for shared power across a stack. It connects non-powered endpoints such as desktops, printers, and wired IoT devices in campus and branch access networks.
Enterprise Network
Branch Office
Small Business
Best For
The C9300-48T-A suits high-density enterprise campus and branch access that connects non-powered endpoints such as desktops, printers, and wired IoT devices and wants StackWise-480 stacking with a choice of uplink speeds. The modular uplink slot takes a 1G, multigigabit, 10G, 25G, or 40G module, and the Network Advantage license fits sites running full dynamic routing, BGP, or SGT-based segmentation.
Not suitable if:
- you need to power devices such as wireless access points, IP phones, or IP cameras, since this is a data-only switch with no Power over Ethernet
- you need multigigabit (mGig) access ports, since this model has standard Gigabit ports
- you want fixed built-in uplinks rather than a separately ordered network module, in which case the fixed-uplink C9300L fits better
- you only need basic Layer 2 switching, since the base Network Essentials tier would be sufficient
C9300-48T-A Specifications
| Class & Licensing | |
|---|---|
| License Tier | Network Advantage |
| License Detail / MTBF | Network Advantage; MTBF 305,870 hours |
| Ports & Uplinks | |
| Port Speed | Gigabit |
| Uplink Configuration | Modular uplinks (1G/10G/25G/40G network modules) |
| Performance & Scale | |
| Stacking | StackWise-480 |
| Switching Capacity | 256 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 190.47 Mpps |
| MAC Table | 32,000 entries |
| Stacking Bandwidth | 480 Gbps |
| Max Stack Members | 8 |
| IPv4 Routes | 32,000 (24,000 direct, 8,000 indirect) |
| Hardware & Memory | |
| DRAM | 8 GB |
| ASIC | UADP 2.0 |
| Flash | 16 GB |
| Power & Thermal | |
| Power Input / PSU | 350 W AC (PWR-C1-350WAC-P) default, 100-240 VAC auto-ranging |
| Redundant PSU | Yes (1+1; ships with one, second optional) |
| Cooling | Redundant fans (3 field-replaceable) |
| Physical & Environmental | |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 1.73 x 17.5 x 16.1 in (4.4 x 44.5 x 40.9 cm) |
| Weight | 16.43 lbs (7.45 kg) |
| Operating Temperature | 23 to 113 °F (-5 to 45 °C), up to 5000 ft (1500 m) |
| Operating System | Cisco IOS XE |
| Software | |
| Routing Protocols | OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, IS-IS, RIP, HSRP, VRRP, PIM (incl. BIDIR), MSDP, PBR |
Part Number Decode
- C9300 — C9300 is the platform prefix, identifying the modular-uplink Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series.
- 48 — 48 is the port count, indicating 48 access ports.
- T — T is the port-type marker, indicating data-only Gigabit ports with no Power over Ethernet.
- A — A is the license suffix for the perpetual Network Advantage tier.
FAQ
Does the Cisco Catalyst C9300-48T-A support PoE?
No. The Cisco Catalyst C9300-48T-A is a data-only switch, and all 48 Gigabit Ethernet access ports carry no Power over Ethernet. It cannot power devices such as wireless access points, IP phones, or IP cameras. If you need PoE, the C9300-48P-A provides PoE+ at up to 30 W per port and the C9300-48U-A provides Cisco UPOE at up to 60 W per port on the same modular-uplink platform.
What uplink options does the C9300-48T-A support?
The C9300-48T-A has a modular uplink slot rather than fixed uplink ports. It accepts a Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series network module, with options spanning 4x 1G, 4x multigigabit, 8x 10G, 2x 25G, and 2x 40G; Catalyst 3850 network modules are also compatible. The network module is ordered separately. Specific transceiver compatibility should be verified against the manufacturer's transceiver compatibility matrix at tmgmatrix.cisco.com. Transceivers are sold separately.
How many C9300-48T-A switches can you stack?
The C9300-48T-A supports Cisco StackWise-480 data stacking of up to eight members at 480 Gbps of stack bandwidth, and Cisco StackPower for shared power and power redundancy across the stack. It stacks with other C9300 models, including mixed stacks with C9300X, and does not stack with C9300L, Catalyst 9200, or other series. StackWise and StackPower cables are ordered separately.
What is the difference between the C9300-48T-A and the C9300-24T-A?
The two switches are the same modular-uplink platform, license tier, and stacking, and differ in access-port count and throughput. The 48T-A has 48 data-only ports with 256 Gbps of switching capacity and a 190.47 Mpps forwarding rate. The 24T-A has 24 data-only ports with 208 Gbps of switching capacity and a 154.76 Mpps forwarding rate. Choose the 48-port model for a denser access layer and the 24-port model for a smaller one.
What is the difference between the C9300-48T-A and the C9300-48T-E?
The two switches are identical hardware and differ only in license tier. The -E model ships with perpetual Network Essentials, which covers Layer 2 plus basic routed access such as static routing, RIP, EIGRP stub, OSPF for up to 1,000 routes, PBR, PIM stub multicast, and VRRP. The -A model ships with perpetual Network Advantage, which adds full OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, IS-IS, HSRP, VRF, VXLAN, LISP, and SGT segmentation. SD-Access is enabled by the term-based Cisco Catalyst subscription rather than the perpetual tier.
Does the C9300-48T-A require a subscription to operate?
No. The switch runs on its included perpetual base license indefinitely. Under Cisco's ordering model, new switch orders include a term-based Cisco DNA or Cisco Catalyst software subscription of the same tier as the network license; that subscription unlocks Cisco Catalyst Center and cloud-managed features. When the subscription term ends, the switch continues operating on the perpetual base license capabilities after a reload.
Does the Cisco Catalyst 9300 replace an older switch?
Yes. Cisco's migration guidance positions the Catalyst 9300 as the successor to the end-of-sale Catalyst 3850. Migrating from a 3850 to the C9300-48T-A moves the access layer to Cisco IOS XE, StackWise-480 stacking, and StackPower, and existing Catalyst 3850 network modules remain compatible with the 9300.
Is the C9300-48T-A still current, and where is its lifecycle status published?
Network Devices Inc. sells the C9300-48T-A as current, new, factory-sealed stock. Cisco publishes End-of-Sale and End-of-Life status for every Catalyst 9300 Series part number on its official End-of-Life and End-of-Sale Notices page for the series, which is the authoritative source for a specific SKU. Buyers standardizing on a platform for a multi-year refresh should confirm the current status there before ordering.
What condition is the C9300-48T-A sold in, and what warranty applies?
The C9300-48T-A is sold new and factory-sealed. It is covered by a Network Devices Inc. one-year warranty and a 30-day return policy.
