Primary Device
Cisco Catalyst 9300X
★ 3.3 Value Score
Technical Specifications
- Switching Capacity: 1,760 Gbps (48-port HX, current Cisco datasheet); 2,000 Gbps (24Y and 48-port models in older datasheet copies); 2,760-3,000 Gbps with stacking. Figures differ between datasheet versions.
- Forwarding Rate: 1,309 Mpps (48-port HX, current datasheet); 1,488 Mpps (24Y and older datasheet copies); 2,232 Mpps with stacking
- Ports (breakdown): Varies by SKU: 12-port 25G SFP28 (12Y); 24-port 25G SFP28 (24Y, no PoE); 24-port 10G multigigabit UPOE+ (24HX); 48-port 10G multigigabit UPOE+ (48HX). Uplink breakdown per SKU not confirmed in sources.
- PoE Budget: 24HX: 735 W (reseller datasheet); 48HX: up to 90 W per port (UPOE+), total budget not confirmed; 24Y: no PoE
- Layer: L3 (managed switch; Network Essentials listing shows L3)
- Stacking Support: Yes. StackWise-1T, 1 Tbps stacking bandwidth, up to 8 members. Mixed stacks with standard Catalyst 9300 run at StackWise-480 speeds.
Curation Review
- ✔ Pros: 1 Tbps StackWise-1T stacking with up to 8 members; 25G SFP28 uplinks on 24Y and 12Y models; 10G multigigabit UPOE+ downlinks on HX models; Layer 3 managed switching; high switching capacity (1,760-2,000 Gbps)
- ✘ Cons: High list price (MSRP roughly $15,000-$23,000 for 24- and 48-port models, reseller pricing lower); spec figures differ across Cisco datasheet versions, so verify against the current Cisco datasheet before purchase; 48-port PoE budget not confirmed; mixed stacks with standard Catalyst 9300 drop to StackWise-480 speeds; Network Essentials vs. Network Advantage licensing adds cost and changes features; meaning of the -E and -A SKU suffixes not confirmed in sources
- Est. Price: $10,783 - $14,684
Compare Against
Ubiquiti Switch Pro Max 24 PoE
★ 4.1 Value Score
Technical Specifications
- Switching Capacity: 112 Gbps
- Non-Blocking Throughput: 56 Gbps
- Forwarding Rate: 83.3 Mpps
- Ports: 24 total: 8x 2.5GbE PoE++, 8x 1GbE PoE++, 8x 1GbE PoE+, plus 2x 10G SFP+ uplinks
- PoE Budget: 400W total (max 60W per port)
- Layer: L3
- Stacking support: Not confirmed; no physical stacking documented in sources reviewed
- MAC Address Table Size: 32,000 entries
- Packet Buffer Size: 2 MB
- Form Factor: 1U rack-mountable, 442 x 325 x 44 mm, 5.1 kg without brackets
- Management: UniFi Network 8.0.24+
- Operating Temperature: -5 to 40u00b0C (23 to 104u00b0F)
- Certifications: CE, FCC, IC (one listing states NDAA compliant)
Curation Review
- ✔ Pros: Layer 3 switching in a 24-port 1U chassis; 8x 2.5GbE PoE++ ports for multi-gig wireless and workstation uplinks; 400W total PoE budget with up to 60W per port; 2x 10G SFP+ uplinks; 112 Gbps switching capacity and 56 Gbps non-blocking throughput; managed centrally through UniFi Network; list price of $799 USD from Ubiquiti's US store is competitive for L3 PoE++ hardware
- ✘ Cons: 400W total PoE budget is limited if many high-power PoE++ devices are connected at once; No physical stacking documented, so scaling beyond one unit needs separate management; Port breakdown is described inconsistently across retailer listings, so the official Ubiquiti datasheet should be checked; Reseller prices vary widely (about $799 to $951 USD, plus higher regional prices); Independent hands-on reviews with measured performance were not found; Requires UniFi Network 8.0.24 or later for management
- Est. Price: $799 - $951