Cisco Catalyst 4500E 48-Port UPOE Line Card

The Cisco Catalyst 4500E 48-Port UPOE Line Card is a high-density, power-enabled module designed for enterprise networks that demand robust PoE capabilities, flexible deployment, and scalable performance. Built for the Cisco Catalyst 4500E chassis, this line card extends the IEEE 802.3 PoE+ standard with Cisco UPOE technology to deliver up to 60 watts of per-port power. This enables you to deploy a wide range of devices—such as IP phones, wireless access points, cameras, and power-hungry virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) endpoints—without needing separate power injectors or midspan devices. By consolidating data and power delivery into a single network element, you simplify cabling, reduce power distribution complexity, and improve overall network efficiency, reliability, and manageability across campuses, data centers, and branch sites.

Designed for mission-critical environments, the 48-port UPOE line card provides dense, front-loading PoE convergence that helps IT teams scale quickly to meet growing device demands. It supports flexible deployment in high-traffic networks and is optimized for quality of service (QoS), security, and monitoring features that Cisco networks rely on for performance and reliability. With UPOE, organizations can future-proof their infrastructure to accommodate evolving endpoints and rising power requirements, while maintaining centralized control over power budgets and device health. This makes the Cisco Catalyst 4500E UPOE line card an excellent choice for enterprises seeking to simplify operations, reduce energy consumption, and accelerate digital initiatives such as wireless transformations, IoT expansion, and modern videoconferencing deployments.

• Ultra-high power per port: Each of the 48 RJ-45 ports can deliver up to 60W of power with Cisco UPOE, enabling a broad range of devices—from high-end IP phones and advanced wireless access points to power-hungry video endpoints and dedicated signage—without the need for separate power injectors or midspan devices.
• Dense 48-port PoE/PoE+ capability: Built for high-density access deployments, this line card supports PoE/PoE+ with UPOE power delivery to maximize device uptime and simplify deployment across large campuses, classrooms, and office floors.
• Plug-in reliability for Cisco Catalyst 4500E: Engineered as a hot-swappable line card for the Catalyst 4500E chassis, it delivers consistent, low-latency performance and can be replaced or upgraded with minimal disruption to ongoing network services.
• Power management and energy efficiency: UPOE consolidates power and data, enabling centralized management of PoE budgets, per-port control, and device health monitoring. This supports proactive maintenance, reduces energy waste, and lowers operating costs across the network.
• Future-ready scalability and features: The line card is designed to support evolving PoE demand while aligning with Cisco's security, QoS, and network-management ecosystem. It integrates with Cisco DNA Center and other management platforms for automation, visibility, and streamlined operations as your network grows.

Technical Details of Cisco Catalyst 4500E 48-Port UPOE Line Card

• Product family: Cisco Catalyst 4500E Series Line Card
• Ports: 48 x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 ports with UPOE per-port power
• Power delivery: Up to 60W per port with UPOE capability; supports PoE, PoE+, and UPOE devices
• IEEE standards: PoE/PoE+ with UPOE extension for higher per-port power; compatibility with standard IEEE 802.3af/at as applicable
• Form factor: Hot-swappable line card designed for Cisco Catalyst 4500E chassis; supports high-density deployments and modular scalability
• Performance: Non-blocking, line-rate forwarding to sustain high-bandwidth traffic and real-time applications across all powered ports
• Management and integration: Seamless integration with Cisco network-management tools and security features; supports Cisco QoS, monitoring, and policy enforcement within the Catalyst 4500E ecosystem

how to install Cisco Catalyst 4500E 48-Port UPOE Line Card

Installing the Cisco Catalyst 4500E 48-Port UPOE Line Card is straightforward within a compatible Catalyst 4500E chassis. Before you begin, verify that your chassis supports UPOE line cards and review your power budget to ensure sufficient capacity for the combined PoE requirements of connected devices. Power down procedures may be required depending on your maintenance policy and chassis configuration. Remove the existing slot cover from the appropriate slot and align the line card with the backplane, ensuring proper connector engagement. Carefully insert the card until seated, then secure it with the chassis latch or screws as specified in your device maintenance guide. Power up the chassis and verify that the line card indicates a healthy status through the port LEDs and system indicators. Configure per-port PoE/UPOE settings, rate-limiting, and device power budgets using the Cisco IOS or your preferred network-management platform. Finally, perform connectivity tests by connecting a representative set of powered devices—such as IP phones, wireless APs, and VDI endpoints—to confirm both data connectivity and correct power delivery. Maintain a baseline monitoring plan to track PoE usage, port temperature, and potential faults to ensure ongoing reliability and performance.

Frequently asked questions

• What is Cisco UPOE? Cisco Universal Power Over Ethernet (UPOE) is Cisco's enhanced PoE solution that provides up to 60W of power per port, enabling the deployment of more power-demanding devices without the need for separate power injectors. UPOE simplifies power management and reduces cable clutter across the network.
• How many ports are on this line card? The Cisco Catalyst 4500E 48-Port UPOE Line Card includes 48 RJ-45 ports that carry data at 10/100/1000 Mbps and deliver UPOE power to connected devices.
• Is the line card hot-swappable? Yes. The line card is designed to be hot-swappable within a compatible Catalyst 4500E chassis, enabling in-service replacement or upgrade with minimal disruption to network operations.
• Which devices can I power with UPOE on this card? You can power a broad range of PoE/PoE+ devices, including IP phones, wireless access points, cameras, and high-power VDIs, using the per-port 60W UPOE capability.
• What deployment scenarios benefit most from this line card? This line card is ideal for enterprise campuses, large office buildings, classrooms, data centers with edge computing needs, and environments requiring dense PoE deployment, centralized power management, and scalable growth.