Cisco Catalyst C9300-24P-A vs. Nexus N9K-C9364C: Choosing the Right Switch for Your Network

Jul 03 , 2025 107

Cisco Catalyst C9300-24P-A vs. Nexus N9K-C9364C: Choosing the Right Switch for Your Network

When selecting a network switch, businesses must weigh performance, scalability, and cost. The Cisco Catalyst C9300-24P-A and Nexus N9K-C9364C serve different purposes—one excels in enterprise access, while the other dominates in high-speed data centers. This comparison breaks down their strengths to help you make an informed decision.

Performance & Hardware Comparison

The N9K-C9364C is a high-performance data center switch, offering massive throughput and ultra-low latency. In contrast, the C9300-24P-A is an enterprise-grade access switch, optimized for Power over Ethernet (PoE) deployments like VoIP phones and wireless access points.

Key Features

C9300-24P-A (Catalyst Series)

✔ PoE+ Support – Powers devices like IP cameras and APs (up to 30W per port)
✔ StackWise-480 – Allows stacking for simplified management
✔ SD-Access Ready – Supports Cisco’s software-defined networking

N9K-C9364C (Nexus Series)

✔ Hyperscale Performance – Built for AI/ML, HPC, and financial trading
✔ Sub-microsecond Latency – Critical for high-frequency applications
✔ 400G Upgrade Path – Future-proof with QSFP-DD support

Design & Build Quality

• C9300-24P-A: Compact 1RU chassis, fanless in low-power mode, ideal for office closets

• N9K-C9364C: Heavy-duty 1RU with high-speed cooling, designed for data center racks

User Experience

• C9300-24P-A:

• Easier to configure with Cisco’s DNA Center

• Best for branch offices and campuses

• N9K-C9364C:

• Requires advanced networking expertise

• Optimized for spine-leaf architectures

Pricing & Value

The C9300-24P-A is far more affordable, while the N9K-C9364C justifies its cost with extreme performance.

Power Efficiency

• C9300-24P-A:

• Idle: 50W | Max (PoE): 740W

• N9K-C9364C:

• Idle: 220W | Max Load: 550W

The C9300-24P-A is more energy-efficient unless PoE is heavily utilized.

Compatibility & Expansion

• C9300-24P-A:

• Works with Cisco ISE, Umbrella, and Meraki

• Limited to 1G/10G uplinks

• N9K-C9364C:

• Integrates with ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure)

• Supports breakout cables for 10G/25G/40G

Software & Support

The C9300-24P-A is better for unified policy management, while the N9K-C9364C excels in scripted automation.

Final Recommendation

✔ Choose C9300-24P-A if:

• You need PoE for VoIP, cameras, or Wi-Fi

• Your network is campus or branch-based

• Budget is a concern

✔ Choose N9K-C9364C if:

• You run high-frequency trading, AI, or hyperscale workloads

• Ultra-low latency and 100G/400G are critical

• You have the budget and expertise

Bottom Line

These switches serve entirely different markets. The C9300-24P-A is perfect for everyday enterprise networking, while the N9K-C9364C is a specialized beast for data centers. Assess your bandwidth needs, future growth, and budget before deciding.

Would you like a deeper dive into specific deployment scenarios? Let us know in the comments!