Cisco Catalyst 9300 2 25G Sfp28 Network Module High Speed Uplink Expansion For Enterprise Switches

Elevate your enterprise network with the Cisco Catalyst 9300 2 x 25G Network Module. This plug-in expansion module adds two high-speed 25G SFP28 uplinks to your Catalyst 9300 switches, delivering the bandwidth, low latency, and reliability needed for modern campus and data-center ecosystems. Built to integrate with Cisco IOS XE and Cisco DNA Center, it enables policy-based automation and centralized provisioning without sacrificing the modular, tidy design the Catalyst 9300 series is known for. Whether you’re upgrading a growing campus edge, reinforcing a distribution layer, or consolidating services across a single stack, this module unlocks higher capacity while preserving secure, manageable operations across your network fabric.

Designed for demanding environments, the 2 x 25G Network Module provides dedicated uplinks that support real-time analytics, virtualization, and multi-application workloads. With two independent 25G ports, you gain ample headroom for east-west traffic, multi-path designs, and rapid failover paths, helping to isolate performance-sensitive traffic from general-purpose workloads. The compact plug-in form factor makes it a non-disruptive upgrade that preserves cable management, stack integrity, and the familiar deployment model that Cisco customers rely on. By combining high-speed uplinks with Cisco’s trusted reliability and policy-based automation, this module helps you future-proof your infrastructure while keeping your existing Cisco DNA Center workflows and IOS XE configurations intact.

In addition to raw speed, the module emphasizes predictable performance and low latency. Enterprises can deploy dense data services, high-traffic campus networks, or virtualized workloads with confidence that line-rate forwarding remains consistent under mixed traffic conditions. The module integrates with Cisco’s ecosystem for centralized monitoring, provisioning, and assurance, so IT teams can scale securely while maintaining visibility into uplink performance, error rates, and failover readiness. The combination of hardware resilience, software compatibility, and modular expandability makes this module an ideal upgrade path for organizations seeking to maximize the value of their Catalyst 9300 investment.

• 2 x 25G SFP28 uplinks deliver high-bandwidth connectivity for data-intensive workloads, real-time analytics, and scalable campus-to-data-center traffic.
• Plug-in expansion module designed for seamless integration with the Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series, preserving stacking, cabling, and deployment conventions.
• Hot-swappable, with minimal downtime during installation or upgrades, enabling rapid bandwidth growth without a full chassis replacement.
• Fully compatible with Cisco IOS XE and Cisco DNA Center for CLI-based management, policy automation, centralized provisioning, and proactive assurance.
• Flexible connectivity options with SFP28 transceivers and direct-attach copper (DAC) cables, supporting fiber-based modules and varied uplink architectures.

Technical Details of Cisco Catalyst 9300 2 x 25G Network Module

• Interfaces: 2 x 25G SFP28 ports for high-speed uplinks and flexible fiber or copper (DAC) connectivity.
• Form factor: Plug-in expansion module designed for Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series switches, enabling seamless stacking and scalable upgrades.
• Compatibility: Supports deployment on Cisco Catalyst 9300 family devices, aligning with existing software and policy frameworks.
• Performance characteristics: Delivers 25 Gbps per port with robust, predictable performance suitable for enterprise workloads, virtualized environments, and mixed traffic types.
• Connectivity options: Supports a range of transceivers and cables compatible with the SFP28 standard, including fiber-based modules and direct-attach copper options.
• Management and automation: Fully compatible with Cisco IOS XE for CLI-based management and with Cisco DNA Center for centralized policy, provisioning, and assurance.
• Reliability and operation: Built for continuous operation in enterprise deployments with emphasis on high availability and maintainability.

How to install Cisco Catalyst 9300 2 x 25G Network Module

• Review compatibility and maintenance practices. While the module is designed for hot-swappable installation, follow your organization’s change-management procedures and verify you are working with a compatible Catalyst 9300 chassis or stack configuration.
• Identify an available expansion slot within the Catalyst 9300 stack and confirm there is room for the 2 x 25G Network Module without conflicting with existing modules or cabling.
• If a blank filler or an existing expansion module occupies the slot, release or remove it according to the device’s service procedures, supporting the module to prevent pin or connector damage.
• Insert the 2 x 25G Network Module firmly into the slot until you hear or feel a secure click, ensuring proper seating and alignment with the backplane connectors.
• Reconnect any uplink cabling you plan to reuse, including SFP28 transceivers or DAC cables. Route cables neatly to maintain optimal airflow and tidy cable management inside the chassis or rack.
• Power on the switch or allow the system to come out of maintenance mode. The module should be recognized automatically; verify with the CLI or Cisco DNA Center. Useful checks include inventory verification and module status commands to ensure uplinks are active and healthy.
• Configure the uplink interfaces and associated policies as needed. Use IOS XE or DNA Center to assign VLANs, QoS, security policies, and failover behavior that align with your network design and performance requirements.
• Test connectivity and throughput to validate 25G line-rate performance on each port. Monitor for latency, jitter, and error rates, and confirm failover functioning under simulated traffic or failure scenarios.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What does two 25G uplinks mean for my network? A: It means you gain two independent 25 Gbps paths for uplinks, providing substantial bandwidth, greater redundancy, and flexible topology options for data-intensive workloads and rapid traffic growth.
• Q: Is the module hot-swappable? A: Yes. The Cisco Catalyst 9300 2 x 25G Network Module is designed for hot-swappable installation, enabling uptime-friendly upgrades with minimal downtime when performed according to your change-control procedures.
• Q: Will it work with Cisco DNA Center? A: Absolutely. The module integrates with Cisco DNA Center for centralized provisioning, policy-based automation, and ongoing assurance, alongside Cisco IOS XE management.
• Q: What types of cables and transceivers are supported? A: The module supports SFP28 transceivers and direct-attach copper (DAC) cables, as well as fiber-based modules compatible with the SFP28 standard, giving you flexible uplink options.
• Q: What deployment scenarios is this module best suited for? A: It’s ideal for campus edge and distribution-layer deployments, as well as small-to-mid-sized data centers that require high-bandwidth uplinks, low latency, and scalable performance for mixed traffic and virtualization workloads.