English Version: Cisco C9300L-24UXG-4X-A vs C9300L-48PF-4X-E: A Practical Showdown of Enterprise Switches

Jul 28 , 2025 10

English Version: Cisco C9300L-24UXG-4X-A vs C9300L-48PF-4X-E: A Practical Showdown of Enterprise Switches

In the world of enterprise networking, Cisco’s Catalyst 9300 series is a go-to for SMBs and branch offices. Among its models, the C9300L-24UXG-4X-A and C9300L-48PF-4X-E are “regional specialists”—similar in core design but tailored to distinct port needs. Let’s break down their differences, from specs to real-world use.

1. First, Check the “ID Card”: What -A and -E Mean

These suffixes signal regional compliance:

• C9300L-24UXG-4X-A: Certified for North America (FCC), optimized for high-density 10G access—ideal for U.S. branch offices.

• C9300L-48PF-4X-E: Certified for Europe (CE), focused on PoE+ power delivery—built for offices and meeting rooms in EMEA regions.

2. Performance Specs: Port Count Dictates “Stamina”

Both share the same core switch chip, but port density directly impacts real-world performance:

In short: The 48-port model (-48PF-4X-E) handles more traffic, while the 24-port (-24UXG-4X-A) excels in smaller setups.

3. Feature Set: Port Type Defines “Superpowers”

C9300L-24UXG-4X-A (24 Ports): The 10G “Highway”

• Ports: 24x10G SFP+ + 4x10G/25G Ethernet (expandable).

• Strength: High 10G port density (24/28), perfect for bandwidth-heavy tasks (e.g., 4K video conferencing, data center edge).

• Special Feature: Cisco DNA Center’s “Intelligent Traffic Scheduling” prioritizes critical apps like Zoom or file transfers.

C9300L-48PF-4X-E (48 Ports): The PoE+ “Powerhouse”

• Ports: 48x10G/1G auto-sensing (40+ support PoE+/PoE++) + 4x10G/25G expandable.

• Strength: Over 80% PoE+ ports (40/48), with 90W per port (802.3bt compliant)—ideal for powering IP phones, APs, and cameras.

• Special Feature: “Smart PoE Management” dynamically adjusts power usage, cutting energy costs by 20%.

4. Design & Appearance: “Compact” vs “Rugged”

Their looks reveal their intended use:

• Size/Weight: -24UXG-4X-A is slimmer (43.2cm tall × 439.4mm wide), ~8.5kg; -48PF-4X-E is sturdier (47.6cm tall), ~11kg—choose based on rack space.

• Port Layout: -24UXG-4X-A groups optical ports on top for easy fiber routing; -48PF-4X-E has symmetric PoE+ ports with deep cable managers to reduce clutter.

• Power: -24UXG-4X-A uses a single power supply; -48PF-4X-E offers dual-power redundancy (critical for hospitals, banks).

5. User Experience: “Ease of Use” Trumps Specs

Real-world feedback shows “fit” matters most:

• SMBs/Small Branches: -24UXG-4X-A is simpler—fewer ports mean quicker configs via Cisco DNA Center’s app.

• Large Branches/Enterprise Offices: -48PF-4X-E saves time—PoE+ ports eliminate separate power adapters, and “plug-and-play” APs/phones speed up deployment.

• Shared Pain Point: Both have CLI-heavy interfaces (engineer-focused). New users should use the DNA Center app for quick settings.

6. Cost-Effectiveness: Buy What You Need

Prices differ by ~30% (mostly due to port count and PoE+ modules). Hidden costs depend on your scenario:

• ≤30 Users: -24UXG-4X-A is cheaper—24 ports are enough, and 48 ports would be overkill.

• 50-100 Users: -48PF-4X-E saves money long-term—no extra power adapters or cabling for APs/cameras.

• Multinationals: Buy region-specific models—mixing -A/-E leads to compliance and management headaches.

7. Product Strengths: Built for Specific Jobs

Core advantages? Precision engineering:

• -24UXG-4X-A: The “budget-friendly high-speed pick” for tech startups or small branches needing 10G access.

• -48PF-4X-E: The “all-in-one PoE+ solution” for offices/factories deploying masses of IP devices.

8. Firmware Upgrades: Avoid Common Pitfalls

Both use Cisco IOS XE, but follow these steps to avoid issues:

Upgrade Steps (via Cisco DNA Center):

1. Log in, go to “Device Management” → “Software Upgrade,” and select region-specific firmware (-A/-E are not interchangeable!).

2. Check devices, click “Upgrade,” and let the system validate the firmware.

3. Restart after completion (schedule during off-peak hours).

Troubleshooting:

• Issue 1: PoE+ ports fail post-upgrade (only -48PF-4X-E).
  Cause: Non-CE-certified firmware causing PoE+ conflicts.
  Fix: Revert to CE firmware, back up config (write memory), and reload old firmware.

• Issue 2: 10G ports unstable post-upgrade (only -24UXG-4X-A).
  Cause: Non-FCC-compliant SFP+ modules.
  Fix: Replace with Cisco SFP-10G-LR (FCC-certified) and check fiber loss (≤5dB).

9. Use Cases: Where They Excel

Case 1: U.S. Tech Startup (Using -24UXG-4X-A)

Need: 30 employees, 20x4K video conferencing terminals (10G each), 10xAPs (10G uplink).
Solution: Deploy -24UXG-4X-A—24x10G ports connect APs/termsinals directly, 4x expansion ports link to core switch. Result: 0 video lag (down from 15%).

Case 2: German Manufacturing Firm (Using -48PF-4X-E)

Need: 150-office + 20 meeting rooms, 80xIP phones (PoE), 50xAPs (PoE+), 10x8K cameras (PoE++).
Solution: Deploy -48PF-4X-E—40+ PoE+/PoE++ ports cover all devices, 800W total power (48×90W) avoids extra power lines. Result: £10k saved on cabling.