Power over Ethernet (PoE) is essential in modern enterprise networks, enabling connectivity and power delivery to devices like IP phones, wireless access points, security cameras, and IoT endpoints. The Cisco Catalyst 9300 series, a leading enterprise access platform, offers robust PoE capabilities that IT managers and network planners must understand before deployment.
Does the Cisco Catalyst 9300-24U Support 30-Watt PoE Devices?
This 24-port switch features Cisco’s proprietary UPOE (Universal Power Over Ethernet) technology, which extends beyond standard IEEE PoE specifications:
IEEE 802.3af (PoE): Up to 15.4 watts per port
IEEE 802.3at (PoE+): Up to 30 watts per port — the standard for 30W devices
Cisco UPOE: Delivers up to 60 watts by using all four pairs of wires
IEEE 802.3bt (Type 3 & 4) / UPOE+: Supports up to 60–90 watts per port for high-power devices
Since the 9300-24U supports UPOE, it easily powers 30W PoE+ devices and even higher-power endpoints.
PoE Power Budget and Device Support
The Cisco Catalyst 9300-24U comes with a default 1100W AC power supply, providing approximately 830W of usable PoE power budget. This budget dictates how many 30W devices you can power simultaneously.
This means the 9300-24U can reliably power up to about 27 devices requiring 30 watts each under default power conditions. For larger deployments or future growth, adding a second power supply or configuring StackPower can increase the total PoE budget.
Best Practices for Deployment
Plan Your Budget: Calculate total PoE requirements for all devices before deployment.
Consider Redundancy: Use dual power supplies or StackPower to ensure continuous power availability.
Manage Power Wisely: Cisco IOS XE provides PoE management commands (show power inline, power policing, etc.) to optimize allocation and prevent overloads.
People Also Ask
Q1: What is the maximum PoE wattage supported by Cisco 9300?
Supports up to 60W per port with UPOE and up to 90W with UPOE+ (IEEE 802.3bt Type 4).
Q2: How much power does the Cisco 9300 switch itself consume?
Power consumption varies by model and load; the 9300-24U typically uses about 85–100W without PoE load and up to ~990W including full PoE load.
Q3: Which Cisco 9300 models support the highest PoE power?
Models with UPOE+ capability, such as the 9300X-HX series, support up to 90W per port and total PoE budgets exceeding 2800W in stacked configurations.
Q4: How do I check PoE power usage on a Cisco 9300 switch?
Use Cisco IOS XE CLI commands such as show power inline and show power inline detail for real-time power monitoring and troubleshooting.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Cisco Catalyst 9300-24U switch robustly supports 30-watt PoE devices and offers scalable power management to meet growing network demands. Careful planning of power budgets and deployment strategies ensures stable, reliable operation of your PoE network.
If you’re considering Cisco 9300 switches for your enterprise or SMB deployment, contact Router-Switch to explore available models, power options, and expert guidance tailored to your needs.
