Cisco Catalyst 9300 24-Port Data-Only Switch, Network Essentials (C9300-24T-E)

Quick Buying Guide - Best for Standard Enterprise Access

• Network Essentials License: Provides foundational Layer 2 switching and essential Layer 3 routing capabilities (Static, RIP, OSPF Stub), ideal for traditional branch and standard campus access environments.

• Data-Only Efficiency: Optimized for environments requiring high-speed Gigabit connectivity without the need for Power over Ethernet (PoE), acting as a clean and efficient 24 port switch deployment asset.

• Modular Uplinks: Future-proof your investment with a flexible uplink slot that supports 1G, 10G, 25G, or 40G network modules.

• High Availability: Supports StackWise-480 technology, providing 480 Gbps of stacking bandwidth for resilient, high-speed campus deployments.

💡 Pro Tip from CCIE Team: The c9300-24t-e is an exceptional hardware asset for high-density data-only access layers. If your corporate infrastructure demands advanced routing protocols (BGP, EIGRP), VXLAN fabric segmentation, or deeper SD-Access automation, consider upgrading to the C9300-24T-A (Network Advantage) variant instead. For a complete software feature analysis, check out our Cisco Catalyst FAQ: Power, Stacking & Licensing Guide.

Overview

The cisco c9300-24t-e is a cost-effective, high-performance enterprise access solution built for reliable data distribution. Running the foundational network essentials feature set, this robust 24 port switch delivers dependable Layer 2 wire-speed performance alongside basic Layer 3 routing paths, removing the budget overhead of complex software licenses your design might not require.

• Related Reading & Upgrade Resource Guides:

  • Unsure which model fits your edge budget? Read our guide: Cisco Catalyst 9200 vs 9300 Series Switches.

  • Replacing old campus hardware? Check out the Cisco Catalyst 2960X vs Catalyst 9300 Series Migration Blueprint.

  • Explore the entire hardware generation: Cisco 9300 Series Switches Deep Dive.

📥 Download Technical Specifications: Planning a standard campus network deployment? Enter your work email below to download the official datasheet PDF for a complete breakdown of switching capacity, forwarding rates, and module compatibility to easily integrate the c9300 24t e into your structural blueprint.

Core Highlights

Equipped with 24 auto-sensing 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-45 ports and a versatile modular uplink slot, this platform runs on the modern Cisco IOS XE operating system tailored to the network essentials license environment. Powered by a robust multicore x86 CPU and the programmable UADP 2.0 ASIC, it ensures secure, reliable, and high-performance switching for your data-centric network.

• 24 Gigabit Data Ports: High-density, non-blocking wire-speed connectivity for standard Ethernet endpoints.

• Flexible Modular Uplinks: One hot-swappable network-module slot supporting 1G, 10G, 25G, or 40G uplinks to easily scale your aggregation backhaul.

• StackWise-480 Resiliency: Stack up to 8 switches into one logical unit with 480 Gbps of stacking bandwidth. For staging rules and physical configuration steps, view our guide on How to Stack Cisco 9300 Switches for Optimal Performance.

• Advanced Security Infrastructure: AES-256 MACsec encryption, Secure Boot, and Trust Anchor Module (TAM) protect your enterprise from runtime and persistent attacks.

• Programmability & Telemetry: Native support for NETCONF, RESTCONF, YANG, and streaming telemetry for proactive network assurance and zero-touch automation.

Use Cases & Deployment Scenarios

• Enterprise Branch Access: High-performance connectivity for employee workstations, network printers, and data-intensive client devices.

• Server Aggregation Layers: Ideal for top-of-rack connectivity where PoE distribution is completely unnecessary.

• Campus Edge Topologies: Reliable and scalable access for traditional enterprise networks that rely heavily on core L2/L3 switching metrics.

• Data-Heavy Office Environments: Efficient data handling for research labs, training environments, or secure back-office administrative facilities.

Recommended Accessories

To configure your cisco c9300-24t-e deployment effectively, select corresponding network modules and reliable expansion kits. For complete rules on expansion layouts, browse our engineering resource on How to Select Modules and Cables for Cisco 9300 Series.

Accessory Category	Model Number	Description
Network Module	C9300-NM-4G	4x 1G SFP uplinks.
Network Module	C9300-NM-8X	Scale your aggregation layer with the official cisco c9300 nm 8x module (8x 10G SFP+ uplinks).
Network Module	C9300-NM-2Y	2x 25G/10G/1G SFP28 uplinks.
Power Supply	PWR-C1-350WAC-P	350W AC Platinum-rated PSU (Default).
Stacking Cable	STACK-T1-50CM	Build a resilient 480 Gbps backplane using dedicated cisco 9300 stack cables. Review our Cisco 9300 Stack Kit Compatibility Guide.
Fan Module	FAN-T2=	Field-replaceable fan module.

Comparison with Similar Models

Feature	C9300-24T-E	C9300-24P-E	C9300-24T-A
Downlink Ports	24 x 1G Data	24 x 1G PoE+	24 x 1G Data
License	Essentials	Essentials	Advantage
Switching Capacity	208 Gbps	208 Gbps	208 Gbps
StackWise	480 Gbps	480 Gbps	480 Gbps
Ideal Use Case	Basic Data Access	PoE+ Endpoint Access	Advanced SD-Access

Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Product Code	C9300-24T-E
Software License	Cisco IOS XE with Network Essentials
Downlink Ports	24 10/100/1000 RJ-45 auto-sensing
Network Module Slot	1 modular slot (supports 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G)
Switching Capacity	208 Gbps (standalone); 688 Gbps (stacked)
Forwarding Rate	154.76 Mpps (standalone); 511.90 Mpps (stacked)
DRAM / Flash	8 GB / 16 GB
Dimensions (HWD)	1.73" x 17.5" x 17.7" (4.4 x 44.5 x 44.9 cm)
Weight	16.03 lb (7.27 kg)
Operating Temp.	23 F to 113 F (-5°C to 45°C)
MTBF	314,790 hours

More Details

Quality Certifications

                  

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