The Cisco C9300L-48P-4X-E and C9300L-48T-4X-E are both high-density access switches with 48 Gigabit copper ports and four fixed 10G/1G SFP+ uplinks. The selection is not mainly about uplink speed. It is about whether power delivery is required at the access layer.
The C9300L-48P-4X-E provides PoE+, while the C9300L-48T-4X-E is data-only. Cisco lists 505W of available PoE power for the 48P model with its default 715W power supply. The 48T model uses a 350W AC power supply and does not provide PoE.
The Difference Is PoE, Not the Uplink
Both models are designed for high-density access-layer deployments. Their shared platform characteristics include:
- 48 × 10/100/1000 copper access ports
- 4 × fixed 10G/1G SFP+ uplinks
- Cisco Catalyst 9300L platform architecture
- Network Essentials licensing with the
-Esuffix - StackWise-320 support for the Catalyst 9300L family
The fixed uplinks are not the deciding factor. Both switches can connect to a distribution switch, core switch, or server-facing network using 10G or 1G SFP+ optics.
| Feature | C9300L-48P-4X-E | C9300L-48T-4X-E |
|---|---|---|
| Access ports | 48 × Gigabit copper | 48 × Gigabit copper |
| PoE | PoE+ | No PoE |
| Fixed uplinks | 4 × 10G/1G SFP+ | 4 × 10G/1G SFP+ |
| Default AC power supply | 715W | 350W |
| Available PoE power | 505W | Not applicable |
| License tier | Network Essentials | Network Essentials |
The 48P model is not a faster version of the 48T model. The larger power supply and additional PoE hardware support powered endpoints; they do not represent a different fixed-uplink design. Review the official Cisco Catalyst 9300 data sheet for the current platform specifications.
Send your endpoint list and uplink plan for a configuration review.
When the 48P Model Is the Better Fit
The C9300L-48P-4X-E is appropriate when the access switch will sit between the network and powered endpoints.
- Wireless access points mounted on ceilings or walls
- IP phones that receive power through the Ethernet cable
- PoE security cameras
- Door-access controllers and intercoms
- IoT gateways and other powered edge devices
In these deployments, the switch can provide both network connectivity and power through the same Ethernet cable. This reduces the need for individual power adapters and can simplify installation where local electrical outlets are limited.
If a project includes both IP phones and desktop computers, the 48P can support a common access-layer arrangement in which the phone connects to the switch and the computer connects through the phone's secondary port. The exact power requirement still depends on the phone model and deployment design.
| Deployment situation | Recommended direction |
|---|---|
| Wireless APs connected directly to access ports | C9300L-48P-4X-E |
| IP phones requiring switch-based power | C9300L-48P-4X-E |
| PoE cameras or access-control devices | C9300L-48P-4X-E |
When the 48T Model Makes More Sense
The C9300L-48T-4X-E is usually the better fit for a rack or wiring closet where all endpoints are powered independently.
- Servers and storage devices with their own power supplies
- Desktop computers and workstations
- Printers and non-PoE peripherals
- Upstream connections from another access switch
- Equipment racks that already use a separate PoE system
- Data-only access networks with no planned PoE expansion
The advantage of the 48T is that the project does not need to size the switch around PoE power requirements. This can simplify the rack power plan when the equipment list contains only conventional data devices.
The 48T can still carry network traffic to wireless access points or other endpoints, but it cannot power them. Those devices would need a local power adapter, an external PoE injector, or another PoE system.
Is 505W Enough for a High-Density Deployment?
Cisco lists 505W of available PoE power for the C9300L-48P-4X-E with its default 715W power supply. This is the total switch-level PoE budget. It does not mean that every port can simultaneously operate at its maximum possible power.
The correct calculation should be based on the connected devices:
Required PoE budget = maximum power requirements of connected devices + design margin
A deployment with many low-power IP phones may have a very different power profile from a deployment with high-power wireless access points or outdoor cameras.
- The exact AP, phone, camera, or endpoint models
- The maximum power requirement of each device
- The number of devices that will be powered at the same time
- Expected expansion during the switch lifecycle
- Startup or peak-power requirements
- Available rack power and circuit capacity
If the planned PoE load is close to the 505W budget, do not size the switch only by the number of occupied ports. A configuration with fewer high-power devices may require more power than one with more low-power phones.
For larger PoE deployments, compare the C9300L-48PF-4X-E as a higher-power option. Confirm the exact SKU, power supply, availability, and quotation before selecting it for the project.
What If PoE Is Needed Later?
This is the main lifecycle question when deciding between the two models.
If the initial deployment uses only computers, servers, and printers, the 48T may be completely adequate. If the site may later add a large number of wireless access points, phones, or cameras, choosing a data-only switch can create additional work.
- Adding a separate PoE access switch
- Installing external PoE injectors
- Replacing the 48T with a PoE model
- Adding another switch and consuming additional rack or uplink capacity
A small number of possible future PoE devices does not automatically justify buying a 48P today. A known wireless or surveillance expansion, however, should be included in the original port and power plan.
| Requirement | Planning question |
|---|---|
| Current PoE demand | How many devices need power on day one? |
| Future PoE demand | How many additional devices are expected during the lifecycle? |
| Power margin | Will total demand remain below the available budget? |
| Rack capacity | Is there room for another switch if requirements change? |
| Replacement cost | Would changing the switch later interrupt the deployment? |
Information to Include in a Quote Request
For an accurate comparison or quotation, provide the information that determines the power, optics, licensing, and deployment requirements.
- Preferred model or both models for comparison
- Number of access ports required
- Number and type of PoE endpoints
- Maximum power requirement of each endpoint
- Required SFP/SFP+ optics and fiber type
- Uplink speed and redundancy requirements
- Existing Catalyst switches and stacking plans
- Required license term or licensing arrangement
- Quantity and deployment region
If you are unsure whether the PoE budget is sufficient, share the endpoint list instead of estimating only from the port count. You can also review the Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series product range before requesting a configuration-specific recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Both provide four fixed 10G/1G SFP+ uplinks according to Cisco's product data.
Cisco lists 505W of available PoE power for the C9300L-48P-4X-E with its default 715W power supply. The usable capacity should be compared with the maximum power requirements of the actual endpoints.
Yes, it can carry network traffic to an access point, but it cannot power the access point. The AP would need a local power adapter, an external PoE injector, or another power source.
Both models use the Network Essentials tier indicated by the -E suffix. The license suffix does not change the PoE hardware difference.
Choose the 48P when the future PoE requirement is reasonably known and replacing the switch later would be disruptive or costly. If future PoE demand is uncertain or minimal, compare the cost of the 48P with the cost of separate PoE equipment.
Final Takeaway
The C9300L-48P-4X-E and C9300L-48T-4X-E are two versions of the same 48-port access-switch design: one provides PoE+ and the other does not.
Choose based on the power path to the endpoint. If the switch must power the devices, start with the 48P and validate the 505W budget. If the network is data-only, the 48T may be the more appropriate hardware choice. For uncertain future growth, compare the cost of PoE today with the rack space, uplinks, and replacement work that may be required later.