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Introduction
The Cisco Catalyst 9200-48P and 9300-48P are two of the most widely deployed access-layer switches in enterprise networks. Both offer 48 Gigabit PoE+ ports, but they serve distinct purposes and audiences.
The Catalyst 9200 series targets small to mid-size organizations seeking reliable PoE and Layer 2 functionality at an affordable price. The Catalyst 9300, on the other hand, is an enterprise-grade platform that introduces higher PoE capacity, UPOE/UPOE+ support, faster stacking, and advanced software capabilities like automation, segmentation, and programmability.
If you’re choosing between them, understanding the differences in PoE power, StackPower, and licensing is essential for selecting the right fit for your network’s needs — both today and in the future.
Overview
Quick Specification Comparison
| Feature | Cisco Catalyst 9200-48P | Cisco Catalyst 9300-48P |
| Ports | 48 × 1G PoE+ | 48 × 1G PoE+ |
| PoE Standard | IEEE 802.3af/at (PoE/PoE+) | IEEE 802.3af/at + Cisco UPOE / UPOE+ |
| Max PoE Budget | Up to 740 W (dual 1100 W PSUs) | Up to 1440 W (dual 1100 W PSUs, UPOE SKUs) |
| UPOE/UPOE+ Support | No | Yes (up to 90 W per port) |
| Stacking Bandwidth | StackWise-160 (160 Gbps) | StackWise-480 (480 Gbps) |
| StackPower | No | Yes (Power sharing across switches) |
| Uplink Options | 4 × 1/10G module | 4 × 1/10/25G module |
| Software Tier | Network Essentials | Network Advantage |
| Ideal Use Case | SMB / Basic Access | Enterprise / Aggregation Layer |
Why it matters: While both switches look similar, the 9300 delivers more than twice the power capacity and triple the stack bandwidth, making it ideal for high-density PoE deployments and future-ready enterprise networks.
PoE and UPOE Power Differences
Both models support IEEE 802.3at (PoE+), providing up to 30 watts per port. However, the 9300 series extends power capabilities with Cisco UPOE (60W) and UPOE+ (90W) - designed for high-draw devices like multi-radio access points, PTZ cameras, and smart building sensors.
| Specification | 9200-48P | 9300-48P |
| PoE Type | 802.3af/at (PoE+) | 802.3af/at + UPOE (60W) / UPOE+ (90W) |
| Power per Port | Up to 30W | Up to 90W |
| Total Power Budget | 740W (dual PSUs) | Up to 1440W |
| PSU Options | 600W / 1100W modular | 715W / 1100W / 1440W modular |
| StackPower Sharing | Not supported | Supported |
Interpretation:
- For standard devices (phones, APs, low-draw cameras), 9200-48P is sufficient.
- For Wi-Fi 6/6E APs, IoT gateways, or video endpoints, the 9300-48P with UPOE/UPOE+ is far more capable.
(Optional visual: side-by-side PoE budget bar chart.)
Stacking and StackPower Comparison
Stacking determines how switches scale and share traffic or power. Here’s how they differ:
Stacking Bandwidth
| Model | Stack Technology | Total Bandwidth |
| 9200-48P | StackWise-160 | 160 Gbps |
| 9300-48P | StackWise-480 | 480 Gbps |
- StackWise-480 offers 3× the stack throughput, reducing bottlenecks in large Layer 2/3 environments.
- The 9300 can support up to 8 switches per stack, with faster convergence and hitless upgrades.
StackPower (9300 Exclusive)
StackPower allows power pooling across all members of a stack. If one unit’s PSU fails, other members automatically share power - a key redundancy advantage. It also enables dynamic PoE budgeting, reallocating unused wattage between switches.
(Visual suggestion: “StackPower ring” diagram showing shared PSU capacity across 3 switches.)
Hardware and Performance Architecture
Beyond PoE, the 9300 provides superior hardware scalability.
| Feature | Cisco 9200-48P | Cisco 9300-48P |
| CPU | Dual-core ARM | Quad-core x86 |
| DRAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Flash Memory | 4 GB | 16 GB |
| Throughput | 176 Gbps | 208 Gbps |
| Fans | Fixed | Modular / Replaceable |
| Redundant PSU | Optional | Standard |
| Operating System | IOS XE | IOS XE |
| Mean Power Efficiency | ~90% | ~92% |
Why it matters: The 9300’s hardware supports more advanced processing - essential for NetFlow, Telemetry, and DNA Center automation. It’s built for long-term use and feature expansion.
Licensing and Software Feature Differences
| Feature | Catalyst 9200 (Network Essentials) | Catalyst 9300 (Network Advantage) |
| Layer 2 Switching | Supported | Supported |
| Static Routing / RIP | Yes | Yes |
| OSPF / EIGRP / BGP | (Upgrade required) | Included |
| VXLAN, EVPN | Unsupported | Supported |
| SD-Access (Fabric) | Unsupported | Supported |
| Cisco DNA Center Automation | Unsupported | Supported |
| TrustSec / Encrypted Traffic Analytics | Unsupported | Supported |
| NETCONF/YANG, RESTCONF APIs | Partial | Full support |
Summary:
The 9300 comes with Network Advantage licensing, unlocking advanced routing, segmentation, and telemetry.
The 9200’s Essentials tier focuses on foundational switching and basic L3 features.
Typical Use Cases
| Environment | Recommended Model | Why |
| Small Office / Branch | 9200-48P | PoE+ sufficient for phones and Wi-Fi 5 APs |
| Enterprise Campus Access | 9300-48P | UPOE/UPOE+, 480 Gbps stacking, DNA-ready |
| High-Power APs (Wi-Fi 6/6E) | 9300-48P | 60–90W per port for AP 9136/9166 |
| IoT or Smart Building | 9300-48P | StackPower + UPOE for sensors & controllers |
| Budget-Constrained SMB | 9200-48P | Affordable, reliable, compact |
Key Insight: Think of 9200 as the cost-effective access switch and 9300 as the enterprise workhorse with scalability and automation built-in.
Cost, Scalability & Power Efficiency
| Aspect | 9200-48P | 9300-48P |
| Approx. Price Range | Lower (budget access) | Mid–High (enterprise) |
| Lifecycle Support | ~5–7 years typical | ~8–10 years, modular PSU |
| Energy Efficiency | ~90% | ~92%, Smart Fans |
| Stack Bandwidth | 160 Gbps | 480 Gbps |
| Scalability | Up to 4-stack | Up to 8-stack |
| Investment Protection | Basic | High – modular design, UPOE ready |
Interpretation:
The 9300 costs more upfront but provides longer service life, richer features, and higher ROI through automation and flexibility.
FAQs
Q1: Does the Cisco 9200-48P support UPOE or UPOE+?
A: No. It supports PoE/PoE+ (up to 30W). Only the 9300 UPOE/UPOE+ variants provide 60–90W per port.
Q2: Can you stack 9200 and 9300 switches together?
A: No. They use different StackWise technologies (160 vs 480 Gbps) and are not stack-compatible.
Q3: What’s the maximum PoE budget for 9300-48P?
A: Up to 1440W with dual 1100W power supplies (model-dependent).
Q4: Does the 9200-48P support StackPower?
A: No. StackPower - Cisco’s dynamic power-sharing feature — is exclusive to the 9300 series.
Q5: Is 9200-48P enough for Wi-Fi 6 APs?
A: For entry-level APs, yes. For high-end Wi-Fi 6/6E models, use the 9300-48P UPOE/UPOE+ for sufficient power and performance.
Real-World Decision Guide
| Criteria | Choose 9200-48P If… | Choose 9300-48P If… |
| Budget | Cost is a key factor | You prioritize long-term ROI |
| PoE Requirements | Devices ≤30W | Devices up to 90W (UPOE+) |
| Performance Need | Low-to-moderate throughput | High traffic & automation environments |
| Stacking | Basic (160 Gbps) | Enterprise (480 Gbps + StackPower) |
| Future-Proofing | Short-term / small network | Scalable, DNA Center ready |
| Automation & Security | Minimal | SD-Access, TrustSec, Telemetry |
Summary:
- Catalyst 9200-48P: Best for small business or branch offices that need reliable PoE+ and simple management.
- Catalyst 9300-48P: Designed for enterprise networks needing high-power PoE, redundancy, and software-defined capabilities.
Expert Insight: PoE Power Example
Imagine deploying 48 Cisco 9136 Wi-Fi 6E APs, each requiring ~31W.
- On 9200-48P, total power = 1488W → exceeds maximum PoE budget (740W).
- On 9300-48P (UPOE), total power = 1488W → fully supported with dual 1100W PSUs and StackPower redundancy.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner | Reason |
| PoE Power & UPOE | 9300-48P | Supports up to 90W per port and 1440W total |
| Stacking Performance | 9300-48P | 480 Gbps StackWise vs 160 Gbps |
| Power Redundancy | 9300-48P | StackPower domain sharing |
| Licensing & Features | 9300-48P | Includes Network Advantage with advanced routing |
| Price Efficiency | 9200-48P | Ideal for cost-conscious access deployments |
In Short:
If your network primarily powers phones and standard APs, 9200-48P is reliable and cost-effective.
If you need to support next-gen APs, IoT, or higher automation levels, 9300-48P is the smarter, future-ready investment.
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