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The Ultimate Cisco Catalyst 9300 FAQ Guide: Specs, Comparisons & Configuration

Selene Gong

The Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series is Cisco’s leading stackable enterprise access switch platform. Designed for high-performance campus networks, hybrid workplaces, and cloud-ready environments, it supports advanced security, IoT, and mobility. Users often have questions regarding capabilities, licensing, stacking, and comparisons. This guide aggregates the most common FAQs for reference.

Part 1: Basics & Platform Overview
Part 2: Performance & Stacking
Part 3: Product Comparisons
Part 4: Licensing & Configuration

The Ultimate Cisco Catalyst 9300 FAQ Guide

Part 1: Basics & Platform Overview

What is a Cisco Catalyst 9300?

The Cisco Catalyst™ 9300 Series Switches are Cisco’s flagship stackable access switches. They can be managed on-premises, virtually, or via cloud (Meraki dashboard). Advanced 9300X models provide higher performance and scalability for enterprise networks.

What is the Cisco Catalyst 9300 used for?

The 9300 Series is primarily used to:

Secure the campus network with Software-Defined Access (SD-Access).
Enable high-speed access for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E deployments.
Provide high-density Power over Ethernet (PoE, PoE+, UPOE, UPOE+).
Host applications with enhanced memory (8GB or 16GB on select models).

Is the Cisco 9300 a switch or a router?

The Catalyst 9300 is a switch, specifically a stackable Layer 3 access switch. It supports advanced IP routing (OSPF, EIGRP, BGPv4, IS-ISv4) and Layer 3 load balancing when equipped with the Network Advantage license.

Can a Layer 3 switch replace a router?

For Inter-VLAN routing within a LAN, the Catalyst 9300 can replace traditional routers. For WAN or ISP connections, dedicated routers are preferred due to NAT, advanced firewalling, and WAN optimization capabilities.

Is the Cisco Catalyst 9300 end of life?

No. The 9300 Series is an active platform, with updates and data sheet revisions as recent as October 2025.

Part 2: Performance & Stacking

Is the Catalyst 9300 a Layer 2 or Layer 3 switch?

The 9300 supports both Layer 2 and Layer 3 forwarding:

Network Essentials license: Basic Layer 3 features (Routed Access, limited OSPF, RIP, PIM).
Network Advantage license: Full Layer 3 routing (BGP, EIGRP, HSRP, IS-IS) and advanced segmentation (VRF, VXLAN, MPLS).

What OS does Cisco Catalyst 9300 use?

The 9300 runs Cisco IOS XE, supporting automation (NETCONF, RESTCONF, YANG), streaming telemetry, container-based hosting (GuestShell), and software patching without maintenance release delays.

How many Cisco 9300 switches can you stack?

Up to 8 switches can be stacked as a single logical unit, with stacking bandwidth depending on model:

9300X: StackWise-1T (1 Tbps)
9300: StackWise-480 (480 Gbps)
9300L/LM: StackWise-320 (320 Gbps)

Part 3: Product Comparisons

What is the difference between Cisco Catalyst 9300 and 9300L?

Key differences include uplinks, stacking bandwidth, and power features.

Feature	9300 (Modular Uplink)	9300L/LM (Fixed Uplink)
Uplinks	Modular; supports field-replaceable modules up to 100G	Fixed uplinks; 4x1G or 4x10G
Stacking Bandwidth	StackWise-480	StackWise-320
StackPower Support	Yes	No
Platform Scale	Higher MAC/IP route totals, modular uplinks	Lower scale, shallow LM chassis

What is the difference between Cisco 9200 and 9300?

The Catalyst 9300 is higher performance, supports StackWise-1T, larger routing tables, redundant power, and application hosting. The 9200 is suitable for medium-sized campuses and is a direct successor to the 2960X.

Part 4: Licensing & Configuration

Can you use a Cisco switch without a license?

Cisco switches operate under Network Essentials/Advantage and DNA subscription licenses. Most features are unenforced at day zero deployment; certain restricted licenses require activation. Switches continue passing traffic even if Smart Licensing registration is delayed.

How to configure a Cisco 9300 switch step by step?

Day 0 configuration steps:

Unbox and install power/network modules.
Connect via console cable and open terminal software.
Skip initial configuration dialog (type "no").

Configure management IP:

interface vlan 1
ip address 192.168.1.10 255.255.255.0
no shutdown

Copy latest IOS from TFTP server and install.
Import configuration file from TFTP to running-config.
Save running configuration to startup and verify SSH access.

Which vendor is better: Cisco or Aruba?

This guide does not provide an objective comparison. Both have strong market positions: Cisco offers deep integration, security, and automation; Aruba emphasizes simplicity and GUI usability.