Cisco Catalyst 9400-LC-48P: High-Density PoE+ Ethernet Module

Jun 19 , 2025 5

Cisco Catalyst 9400-LC-48P: High-Density PoE+ Ethernet Module

Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst 9400-LC-48P is a 48-port Gigabit Ethernet line card designed for the Catalyst 9400 Series modular switches, optimized for Power over Ethernet (PoE+) deployments. It provides high-density connectivity for IP phones, wireless access points, and IoT devices, delivering both data and power over a single Ethernet cable.

Key Features & Specifications

✔ 48 x 10/100/1000BASE-T ports (RJ45, auto-sensing)
✔ PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) support (up to 30W per port)
✔ Total PoE budget: 740W (supports full PoE+ on all ports)
✔ Switching capacity: 96Gbps (non-blocking)
✔ Cisco UADP 2.0 ASIC for intelligent traffic handling
✔ MACsec encryption (256-bit AES) for secure communications
✔ Energy-efficient design with per-port power monitoring

Deployment Scenarios

• Enterprise campus networks (VoIP, wireless APs, security cameras)

• Smart buildings & IoT deployments (sensors, digital signage)

• Converged networks (data, voice, and power over a single cable)

• High-density office environments

Next-Generation Evolution: Catalyst 9400-LC-48PX (Projected 2025)

Major Enhancements

48 x Multi-Gigabit (100M/1G/2.5G/5G) ports (backward-compatible with Gigabit)
PoE++ (IEEE 802.3bt) support (up to 60W per port)
Total PoE budget: 1.5kW (supports full 60W PoE on all ports)
Switching capacity: 192Gbps (2x improvement)
AI-driven power optimization (predictive load balancing)
Enhanced security with post-quantum cryptography-ready MACsec
30% lower power consumption with dynamic power scaling

Why Upgrade?

Higher-speed Multi-Gig ports for Wi-Fi 6/6E and future Wi-Fi 7 APs
Double the PoE power per port for advanced IoT and PTZ cameras
AI-powered energy efficiency for sustainable networking
Future-proof security against quantum computing threats

Conclusion

The Catalyst 9400-LC-48P is a reliable, high-density PoE+ solution for enterprise networks, while the Catalyst 9400-LC-48PX represents the next evolution with Multi-Gig speeds, higher PoE budgets, and AI-driven efficiency. Designed for next-gen wireless and IoT deployments, the new module ensures scalability, security, and sustainability for modern digital workplaces.