Cisco Catalyst C9300X-48TX Ethernet Switch

The Cisco Catalyst C9300X-48TX Ethernet Switch is a cornerstone of Cisco’s Catalyst 9300-X family, engineered to reimage connectivity, reinforce security, and redefine the user experience in the era of hybrid work. As part of the Catalyst 9000 family, this fixed 1U switch brings enterprise-grade access to the edge with stackable, highly secure, and programmable networking that scales with your organization. Designed to power campuses, branch offices, and distributed environments, the C9300X-48TX delivers the reliability, performance, and intelligent features you need to support a workplace that can be anywhere—from a desk, a meeting room, or a remote location. It’s built to handle bandwidth-intensive applications, multi-device environments, and cloud-connected workloads while providing centralized visibility, policy control, and automation that simplify operations in a dynamic hybrid world.

• High-density edge connectivity with 48 fixed 1G Ethernet ports provides solid, reliable access for desktops, IP phones, printers, wireless APs, and other endpoint devices. The dense port configuration supports everyday campus and branch deployments, delivering consistent latency and predictable performance for collaboration apps, video conferencing, and real-time analytics, all while maintaining straightforward cabling and management at scale.
• Stacking and scalability with Cisco StackWise Plus enables multiple C9300X-48TX switches to operate as a single logical device. This simplifes management with a single IP address space, enables non-disruptive firmware upgrades, and provides linear performance as your network grows—perfect for expanding campuses, multi-building environments, and evolving edge deployments in a hybrid work world.
• Security and segmentation at the edge are built in. The C9300X-48TX features robust security capabilities, including MACsec encryption for data-in-transit protection, TrustSec for scalable segmentation and policy enforcement, and protective measures such as dynamic ARP protection and port security. These features help reduce risk, improve threat visibility, and simplify access control across diverse devices and users.
• Automation, analytics, and policy-driven networking. With Cisco IOS XE and seamless integration with Cisco DNA Center, you gain zero-touch provisioning, centralized policy management, and continuous assurance. Programmable APIs and telemetry deliver real-time visibility, enabling proactive troubleshooting, performance optimization, and automated remediation across the campus edge and edge-to-cloud workloads.
• Reliability and efficiency for 24/7 operation. The switch is designed with hot-swappable fans, optional redundant power supplies, and energy-efficient Ethernet to minimize downtime and reduce total cost of ownership. This combination supports high availability in mission-critical environments and helps you meet modern sustainability goals while delivering consistent performance in hybrid-work scenarios.

Technical Details of Cisco Catalyst C9300X-48TX Ethernet Switch

• Model: Cisco Catalyst C9300X-48TX
• Series: Catalyst 9300-X
• Port configuration: 48 x 1G RJ-45 Ethernet ports
• Uplink interfaces: 4 x 10G SFP+ uplink ports
• PoE: Non-PoE model (PoE options are available on other SKUs in the same family)
• Management: Cisco IOS XE, Cisco DNA Center ready, REST API and programmability for automation
• Security: MACsec encryption, TrustSec, port security, and dynamic ARP protection
• Stacking and resiliency: StackWise Plus-enabled for scalable, redundant deployments
• Form factor and power: 1U fixed switch with optional redundant power supply and hot-swappable fans

How to install Cisco Catalyst C9300X-48TX Ethernet Switch

Installing the C9300X-48TX is designed to be straightforward for IT teams familiar with enterprise-grade switches. Follow these high-level steps to deploy quickly and securely.

• Plan your rack layout and cabling. Ensure sufficient clearance for air flow, cabling paths, and future growth. Verify that your rack, mounting hardware, and power sources meet your site requirements.
• Mount the switch in a standard 19-inch rack using the provided rails or mounting kit. Securely fasten the unit to prevent movement and ensure stable airflow and cooling around the chassis.
• Connect power and network cabling. Attach the power cords to a reliable power source (with appropriate redundancy if available) and connect your 48 x 1G Ethernet devices to the RJ-45 ports. Connect uplink SFP+ ports to your aggregation or distribution layer as required.
• Establish initial access and configuration. Use a console connection to perform the initial setup or rely on a centralized management platform (such as Cisco DNA Center) for zero-touch provisioning. Apply baseline security policies, interface descriptions, and routing or switching configurations aligned with your network design.
• Update firmware and validate operation. Check for the latest IOS XE release and apply any recommended security and feature updates. Verify link status, performance metrics, and policy enforcement through the management console or CLI, ensuring endpoints experience consistent performance across devices and locations.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Cisco Catalyst C9300X-48TX used for? A: It serves as a high-density, stackable access switch ideal for campus and edge deployments. It enables secure, policy-driven connectivity for a hybrid workforce, supports integration with Cisco DNA Center for automation, and provides scalable performance to support voice, video, IoT, and cloud applications.
• Q: Is the C9300X-48TX PoE capable? A: The C9300X-48TX is a non-PoE SKU. Cisco offers other SKUs in the 9300-X family that include PoE or PoE+ capabilities to power endpoints at the edge. Check the exact SKU specifications to confirm PoE features for your deployment.
• Q: How scalable is this switch in a growing network? A: It is designed for scalability through StackWise Plus, allowing multiple switches to operate as a single logical device. This simplifies management, enables non-disruptive upgrades, and provides linear performance growth as you add more edge capacity or extend campus coverage.
• Q: What management and automation options are available? A: The switch runs Cisco IOS XE and is ready for Cisco DNA Center integration. You can perform zero-touch provisioning, policy-based automation, and continuous assurance using REST APIs, CLI, and other standard network management tools.
• Q: What security features does it include? A: Security is embedded at the edge with MACsec for encrypted traffic, TrustSec for scalable segmentation, port security, and dynamic ARP protection to guard against common LAN threats while simplifying policy enforcement across the network.