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The Cisco Catalyst 9300 is one of the most widely deployed enterprise access and aggregation switches. Yet IT managers and network engineers often have detailed questions before deploying or upgrading to this model.
This guide organizes the most common questions into five categories: performance, power, licensing, compatibility, and deployment. It includes comparison tables and real-world scenarios so you can quickly find practical answers.
Stack & Performance
Q: What is the maximum stacking capacity of the Catalyst 9300?
The Catalyst 9300 supports up to 8 switches in a stack. With Cisco StackWise-480 or StackWise-1T, this provides up to 1 Tbps of stack bandwidth, enabling the switches to act as one logical unit.
This allows simplified management and hitless failover, meaning if one unit fails, others in the stack continue to forward traffic.
Q: Can the 9300 act as a core switch?
Yes, but with limitations. The 9300 is designed primarily for the access and aggregation layers. However, in branch offices or small campuses, it can serve as a core switch. For large-scale cores or data centers, Cisco recommends the Catalyst 9400 (modular) or 9500 (fixed high-performance).
Comparison: Stackwise Performance
| Feature | Catalyst 9200 | Catalyst 9300 | Catalyst 9400 |
| Max Stack Members | 8 | 8 | Modular chassis |
| Stack Bandwidth | 160 Gbps | 480 Gbps – 1 Tbps | Chassis backplane |
| Target Use Case | Small offices | Mid-size/enterprise access | Large core/campus |
PoE & Power
Q: Which PoE modes does the Catalyst 9300 support?
The 9300 is versatile in PoE delivery. Depending on the SKU, it supports:
- PoE (802.3af) → Up to 15.4W per port
- PoE+ (802.3at) → Up to 30W per port
- UPOE → Up to 60W per port
- UPOE+ (select models) → Up to 90W per port
This makes it ideal for Wi-Fi 6/6E access points, video surveillance, IP phones, and IoT sensors.
Q: What is the maximum PoE budget per switch?
A fully loaded Catalyst 9300 with dual power supplies can deliver up to 1440W of PoE power. This is sufficient for dense wireless deployments or powering hundreds of devices in offices or classrooms.
Q: How do I calculate PoE requirements for my network?
Add the wattage of all connected PoE devices, then add a 20–30% buffer for growth.
Example scenario:
- 40 Wi-Fi 6 APs (25W each) = 1000W
- 20 IP phones (7W each) = 140W
- 10 cameras (15W each) = 150W
- Total = 1290W → Choose a 9300 with 1440W PoE budget
This ensures enough headroom for future devices without overloading.
Licensing & Software
Q: What happens if my DNA license expires?
If the license expires, the switch continues to forward traffic and retain base Layer 2/3 functions. However, advanced DNA features such as:
- Automation workflows
- AI/assurance analytics
- Advanced security monitoring
Q: What is the difference between DNA Essentials and DNA Advantage?
| Feature | DNA Essentials | DNA Advantage |
| Basic automation | ✔ | ✔ |
| Network visibility | ✔ | ✔ |
| Encrypted Traffic Analytics | ✘ | ✔ |
| Segmentation (TrustSec) | ✘ | ✔ |
| AI-driven assurance | ✘ | ✔ |
Recommendation:
- Small networks → DNA Essentials is sufficient.
- Enterprises & universities → DNA Advantage for security and automation.
Q: Can I migrate old perpetual licenses to the 9300?
Legacy switches (2960X, 3650, 3850) used perpetual licenses. With the 9300, you’ll need a DNA subscription. Cisco does not directly migrate licenses but may offer migration credits through enterprise agreements.
Compatibility
Q: How does the 9300 differ from the 9200?
The 9300 offers:
- mGig uplinks for Wi-Fi 6 APs (9200 limited to 1G)
- Higher PoE budget (1440W vs ~740W)
- StackWise up to 1 Tbps vs 160 Gbps
- Advanced security features with DNA Advantage
In short, the 9300 is for enterprise-grade deployments, while the 9200 is best for branch/small offices.
Q: Does the 9300 support third-party SFPs?
Technically, yes — many third-party optics will work. However:
- The switch may log “unsupported transceiver” messages.
- Cisco TAC support may be limited if third-party optics are in use.
- For critical environments, always use Cisco-certified optics.
Q: Can I stack my old 3850 with a new 9300?
No. Stacking is only supported within the same model family. However, 9300s can coexist in the same network as 3850s via uplinks during phased migration.
Deployment & Security
Q: How can I replace older switches with zero downtime?
- Pre-stage the 9300 with VLANs, ACLs, and QoS.
- Deploy in parallel with old switches.
- Move connections incrementally.
- Use StackWise Virtual for dual-active networks.
With proper planning, downtime can be reduced to near zero.
Q: What are the key security features of the 9300?
- Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA): Identifies threats inside encrypted traffic.
- TrustSec: Simplified segmentation and policy enforcement.
- MACsec: Line-rate data encryption.
- Secure Boot & Runtime Defense: Prevents tampering and malware.
Q: Is the Catalyst 9300 ready for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E?
Yes. With multi-gigabit ports and high PoE output, the 9300 is built for Wi-Fi 6/6E deployments, ensuring that AP throughput isn’t bottlenecked.
Conclusion
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