Cisco C9300X-24Y-A vs C9300X-24Y-E: Network Advantage vs Network Essentials

Jul 22 , 2025 2562

TL;DR: The Cisco Catalyst C9300X-24Y-A and C9300X-24Y-E are the same hardware. The suffix difference is the software license level: -A = Cisco Network Advantage, -E = Cisco Network Essentials. Both ship with 24 x 1/10/25G SFP28 ports, modular uplinks, and ~1 Tbps switching capacity. Buy -A if you need BGP, EVPN/VXLAN or SD-Access; otherwise -E covers standard enterprise L2/L3 at a lower price. Professionally tested refurbished units of both are in stock with a 3-month warranty.

What the -A and -E Suffixes Actually Mean

On Cisco Catalyst 9000 switches, the trailing letter is a license level, not a regional or hardware variant. According to Cisco's official 9300 Series documentation, the C9300X-24Y ships with one of two license options:

• C9300X-24Y-A — Cisco Network Advantage: the full enterprise feature set, including advanced routing (BGP, EIGRP, OSPFv3), EVPN/VXLAN fabric support, SD-Access, and Cisco DNA Center automation.

• C9300X-24Y-E — Cisco Network Essentials: core Layer 2/Layer 3 switching (static routes, OSPF, standard QoS and security features) for conventional campus deployments.

There is no difference in ports, ASIC, memory, or power between the two SKUs — a fact that matters a lot on the secondary market, where a tested used unit gives you the same 1RU 25G switch regardless of suffix.

C9300X-24Y Key Specifications

Both license variants share this hardware platform (source: Cisco Catalyst 9300X Series documentation):

C9300X-24Y-A vs C9300X-24Y-E: Feature Comparison

Which One Should You Buy?

• Choose C9300X-24Y-E if your network uses conventional L2/L3 design — it handles static routing and OSPF, VLANs, QoS, and 802.1X without paying for fabric features you will not enable.

• Choose C9300X-24Y-A if you run or plan BGP, need EVPN/VXLAN segmentation, or manage the network through Cisco DNA Center with full automation.

• Buying used? Confirm which license the specific unit carries — it is set at the factory and visible in the show license output. Refurbished C9300X-24Y-E and C9300X-24Y-A units are both available, professionally tested, with a 3-month warranty. Contact us for current stock and best price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the C9300X-24Y-A hardware different from the C9300X-24Y-E?

No. The two SKUs share identical chassis, ASIC, ports, memory, and power supplies. The only difference is the license level: Network Advantage (-A) versus Network Essentials (-E).

What does the C9300X-24Y use for uplinks?

It has a modular uplink slot accepting C9300X network modules, including the C9300X-NM-8Y (8 x 25G), C9300X-NM-2C (2 x 40/100G), C9300X-NM-4C (4 x 40/100G), and C9300X-NM-8M (8 x multigigabit copper).

Can I stack a C9300X-24Y with a regular Catalyst 9300?

Catalyst 9300X models stack with other 9300 family members up to 8 switches, and StackPower+ cables and power supplies are backward compatible across the Catalyst 9300 line.

Does the C9300X-24Y support PoE?

No — it is a fiber-only switch (SFP28). If you need PoE at 25G-class densities, look at the C9300X-48HX multigigabit UPOE+ models instead.

Related C9300X Comparisons

If you are comparing other Catalyst 9300X models, these detailed guides may help:

• C9300X-12Y-E vs C9300X-12Y-A
• C9300X-48TX-A vs C9300X-48TX-E
• C9300X-48HX-E vs C9300X-48HX-X