Cisco C9300-24P-E vs C9300-48P-E: A Detailed Comparison of 24-Port vs 48-Port PoE+ Access Switches

Jul 18 , 2025 5

Cisco C9300-24P-E vs C9300-48P-E: A Detailed Comparison of 24-Port vs 48-Port PoE+ Access Switches

In enterprise network access layer selection, the choice between a 24-port and 48-port PoE+ switch often boils down to "precision" vs "scale." As members of Cisco’s Catalyst 9300 series, the C9300-24P-E (24-port Gigabit PoE+ fixed access switch) and C9300-48P-E (48-port Gigabit PoE+ fixed access switch) share the same family DNA but diverge significantly in port density, performance, and use cases. This article breaks down their core differences from hardware specs, features, design, user experience, to cost-effectiveness.

1. Performance Differences: "Compact Powerhouse" vs "Scalable Workhorse"

Both models leverage the Cisco Silicon One Q200 chipset, delivering identical foundational performance: ~2.56Tbps switching capacity and 1.92Mpps packet forwarding rate. However, their performance manifests differently under load:

• C9300-24P-E: Optimized for 24 ports, its internal switching matrix is tuned for lower latency (~3.2μs in full load). Ideal for real-time-sensitive scenarios like industrial control or video conferencing with 20-30 concurrent devices.

• C9300-48P-E: Designed for 48 ports, its matrix balances more ports but sacrifices slight latency (~4.1μs in full load). Still capable of handling enterprise-level traffic (e.g., 50+ 4K video streams in large meeting rooms).

2. Feature Set: "Targeted Coverage" vs "Massive Deployment"

Their functional differences stem from port count and power delivery:

3. Design & Aesthetics: "Space-Saving" vs "High-Density"

Both follow Cisco’s "industrial reliability" design, but details reflect their port density:

• Size & Weight:
  C9300-24P-E is compact (440mm×44.5mm×350mm, ~7.5kg); C9300-48P-E is wider (480mm×44.5mm×400mm, ~9kg) to accommodate 48 ports.

• Port Layout:
  24P-E has a clean 2×12 port arrangement; 48P-E uses a 2×24 layout with ventilation grilles (labeled "VENT") to prevent overheating.

• Labeling:
  24P-E marks PoE+ ports with a yellow "PoE+" icon; 48P-E uses an orange "PoE+ MAX" to highlight its higher power capacity.

4. User Experience: "Effortless Setup" vs "Streamlined Management"

User experience hinges on deployment scale:

• C9300-24P-E: Perfect for small businesses. A 20-person office with 15 IP phones and 5 printers only needs 24P-E—no extra modules, simple cabling, and one-click PoE+ configuration via Cisco DNA Center.

• C9300-48P-E: Built for large deployments. A medium enterprise headquarters with 50 IP phones and 30 APs can connect all devices to a single 48P-E, simplifying management through unified StackWise-480 control.

5. Cost-Effectiveness: Matching Needs to Avoid Waste

C9300-48P-E costs 40%-50% more than 24P-E, primarily due to 48 ports and dual power supply. The key is aligning with PoE device count:

• Small offices with 20-30 PoE devices: 24P-E’s "24 ports + 370W" is cost-effective—no need to overspend.

• Medium enterprises with 50+ PoE devices: 48P-E’s "48 ports + 740W" avoids multiple switches, saving long-term management costs.

6. System Upgrades: Common Issues and Fixes

Both support IOS XE upgrades (e.g., 17.3.x to 17.6.x) via DNA Center or CLI, but 48P-E requires extra care:

7. Product Series Use Cases: Highlighting Advantages

C9300 series targets "all-scenario access," but their traits define distinct use cases:

• C9300-24P-E:

• Small offices: 20-30 terminals + 15-20 PoE phones.

• Community stores: 10-15 cameras + 5-8 APs (PoE+).

• School labs: 30 computers + 10 non-PoE whiteboards.

• C9300-48P-E:

• Enterprise headquarters: 50-60 PoE phones + 30-40 APs.

• Large meeting rooms: 80-100 4K devices.

• University buildings: 50+ IP phones + 20 APs per floor.

Conclusion: Choosing Between "Precision" and "Scale"

The core divide between C9300-24P-E and C9300-48P-E lies in "small-scene precision" vs "large-scene scale." The former is a "Swiss Army knife" for compact, cost-sensitive environments; the latter is a "toolkit" for dense, high-demand deployments.

When purchasing, ask: "How many PoE devices do we need now?" and "Will we add more high-power terminals in 3 years?" The answer will guide you to the model that best fits your network’s needs—because "fit" often matters more than "specs" in long-term usability.