C9300-48U-E
Campus access switch
WS-C3850-48U-L
Stackable campus access switch with limited Layer 3 routing
Cisco switch comparison
C9300-48U-E vs WS-C3850-48U-L
A key difference between Cisco C9300-48U-E and WS-C3850-48U-L is Switch Role: C9300-48U-E — Campus access switch; WS-C3850-48U-L — Stackable campus access switch with limited Layer 3 routing. They also differ in Network License (Network Essentials vs Cisco IOS LAN Base) and Uplink Interfaces (Modular uplink bay vs Optional modular uplinks: up to 4 x 10G SFP+). Consider how switch role affects the deployment, then review the remaining differences before choosing the exact Product ID. The table below shows 69 specifications available for both models. Confirm licenses, accessories, power supplies and regional suffixes before ordering.
2models compared
69specs shown for every model
55differences found
Change comparison
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At-a-glance comparison
Key performance and configuration differences
Start with the differences that have the greatest effect on capacity, connectivity, software, power and deployment fit.
C9300-48U-E
Network Essentials
WS-C3850-48U-L
Cisco IOS LAN Base
C9300-48U-E
Modular uplink bay
WS-C3850-48U-L
Optional modular uplinks: up to 4 x 10G SFP+
C9300-48U-E
40 Gbps
WS-C3850-48U-L
Up to 10 Gbps
C9300-48U-E
256 Gbps
WS-C3850-48U-L
176 Gbps
C9300-48U-E
736 Gbps
WS-C3850-48U-L
Not published by Cisco
Buying decision
How to choose between C9300-48U-E and WS-C3850-48U-L
Review the differences in this order to identify the model that best fits the intended deployment.
-
01
Ports and uplinks
Match access media, port count and speed first, then confirm that the uplink design fits the distribution layer.
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02
PoE and power
Total the power required by connected devices and verify the PoE standard, budget, power supplies and redundancy.
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03
Performance and software
Compare forwarding, stacking and scale in the intended topology, then confirm the license tier and software release.
Before ordering
Confirm the exact Product ID, license tier, power supplies, accessories and regional requirements.
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Detailed comparison
Full specification comparison
| Comparison parameter |
Cisco
WS-C3850-48U-L
Catalyst 3850 Series Switches
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Product ID | C9300-48U-E | WS-C3850-48U-L |
| Product and ordering | ||
| Product Type | Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series modular-uplink stackable access switch | Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series stackable enterprise-class access switch |
| Form Factor | 1RU | 1RU |
| Switch Role | Campus access switch | Stackable campus access switch with limited Layer 3 routing |
| Network License | Network Essentials | Cisco IOS LAN Base |
| Configuration, licensing and management | ||
| Management Model | Cisco Catalyst Center, WebUI, CLI, NETCONF, RESTCONF and SNMP | Cisco IOS XE CLI, SNMP v1/v2c/v3, Cisco Prime Infrastructure |
| Ports and interfaces | ||
| Downlink Port Count | 48 | 48 |
| Access / Downlink Ports | 48 x 10/100/1000 Cisco UPOE RJ-45 | 48 x 10/100/1000 RJ-45 |
| Downlink Type | 1G Cisco UPOE RJ-45 | 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 |
| Uplink Interfaces | Modular uplink bay | Optional modular uplinks: up to 4 x 10G SFP+ |
| Maximum Uplink Speed | 40 Gbps | Up to 10 Gbps |
| Supported Network Modules | C9300-NM-4G, C9300-NM-4M, C9300-NM-8X and C9300-NM-2Q | C3850-NM-4-1G, C3850-NM-2-10G, C3850-NM-4-10G |
| Management Ports | 1 x 10/100/1000BASE-T dedicated management port | 1 x RJ-45 out-of-band management Ethernet port |
| Console Ports | 1 x RJ-45; 1 x USB Mini-B console | 1 x RJ-45 console port |
| USB Ports | 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A host port | Not published by Cisco |
| PoE-capable Ports | 48 | 48 |
| Connector Types | RJ-45; SFP/SFP+/SFP28/QSFP; USB | RJ-45 for 10/100/1000 and Multigigabit ports; SFP/SFP+ for uplinks and fiber; copper Cisco StackWise-480 stacking; Cisco StackPower cabling; RJ-45 management and console |
| Total System Ports | 56 | Not applicable |
| Performance and scale | ||
| Switching Capacity (Standalone) | 256 Gbps | 176 Gbps |
| Switching Capacity (Stacked) | 736 Gbps | Not published by Cisco |
| Forwarding Rate (Standalone) | 190.48 Mpps | 130.95 Mpps |
| Forwarding Rate (Stacked) | 547.62 Mpps | Not published by Cisco |
| MAC Address Scale | 32,000 | 32,000 |
| IPv4 Route Scale | 32,000 | 24,000 |
| IPv6 Route Scale | 16,000 | Not published by Cisco |
| Multicast Route Scale | 8,000 | Not published by Cisco |
| VLAN Scale | 4,094 | 4,000 |
| ACL Scale | 5,120 | Not published by Cisco |
| QoS Scale | 5,120 | Not published by Cisco |
| Packet Buffer | 16 MB | Not published by Cisco |
| Jumbo Frame Size | 9,198 bytes | 9,198 bytes |
| Flexible NetFlow Entries | 64,000 | 48,000 |
| Switched Virtual Interfaces | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| PoE and power | ||
| PoE Support | Cisco UPOE | Cisco UPOE on all downlink ports |
| PoE Standard | Cisco UPOE; IEEE 802.3bt Type 3 capable | Cisco UPOE (up to 60W per port); IEEE 802.3af/at compatible |
| Default PoE Budget | 822 W | 800 W |
| Maximum PoE Budget | 1,800 W | 1,900 W |
| Default Power Supply | PWR-C1-1100WAC-P | PWR-C1-1100WAC |
| Power Supply Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Power Supply Options | 350W, 715W, 1100W and supported 1900W AC/HVDC power supplies | PWR-C1-350WAC, PWR-C1-715WAC, PWR-C1-1100WAC, PWR-C1-440WDC |
| Maximum System Power | 203.9 W | 121.5 W |
| AC Input Voltage | 100 to 240 V | 100 to 240 V |
| AC Input Frequency | 50 to 60 Hz | 50 to 60 Hz |
| Power Input Type | AC input; supported AC/HVDC options depend on power-supply model | AC |
| Heat Dissipation | 696 BTU/h | Not published by Cisco |
| Power Redundancy | Dual redundant field-replaceable power supplies | Optional second modular power supply (1+1); Cisco StackPower; optional external Cisco XPS-2200 |
| Stacking and resiliency | ||
| Stacking Technology | StackWise-480 | Cisco StackWise-480 |
| Stack Bandwidth | 480 Gbps | 480 Gbps |
| Maximum Stack Members | 8 | 9 |
| StackPower | Cisco StackPower | Supported (Cisco StackPower) |
| Fan Modules | 3 field-replaceable fans with N+1 redundancy | 3 field-replaceable fans |
| Memory and software | ||
| Operating System | Cisco IOS XE | Cisco IOS XE |
| Minimum Software Release | Cisco IOS XE 16.5.1a | Not published by Cisco |
| DRAM | 8 GB | 4 GB |
| Flash Memory | 16 GB | 2 GB |
| CPU | x86 CPU complex | Not published by Cisco |
| Physical and environmental | ||
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 44 × 445 × 488 mm | 44.5 × 445 × 488 mm |
| Weight | 7.72 kg | 8 kg |
| Operating Temperature | -5 to 45 °C; -5 to 40 °C | -5 to 45 °C; -5 to 40 °C |
| Storage Temperature | -40 to 70 °C | -40 to 70 °C |
| Storage Humidity | Not listed | Not published by Cisco |
| Operating Humidity | 5% to 90% | 10% to 95% |
| Operating Altitude | Up to 3,048 m | Up to 3,000 m |
| MTBF | 227,410 hours | 205,110 hours |
| Warranty | Cisco Enhanced Limited Lifetime hardware warranty (E-LLW) | Cisco Enhanced Limited Lifetime Warranty (E-LLW) |
| Acoustic Rating | LpA 45 dBA typical; 48 dBA maximum (ISO 7779/9296, 25°C) | 43 dB typical, 45 dB maximum (LpA per ISO 7779) |
| Environmental Compliance | RoHS compliant | Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) 5 |
| Safety Certifications | UL/CSA 60950-1; EN/IEC 60950-1 | UL 60950-1 Second Edition, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1 Second Edition, EN 60950-1 Second Edition, IEC 60950-1 Second Edition, NOM |
| EMC Certifications | FCC Part 15 Class A; EN 55032 Class A; CISPR 32 Class A | FCC Part 15 Class A, AS/NZS CISPR22 Class A, CISPR22 Class A, EN55022 Class A, ICES-003 Class A, VCCI Class A, EN61000-3-2, EN61000-3-3, KN22 Class A, KCC, CNS13438 Class A, EN55024, CISPR24, KN24 |
| Mounting | 19-inch rack mount | 19-inch rack mount |
| Airflow | Front-to-back airflow | Not published by Cisco |
“Not listed” means that no confirmed value is currently available for that model and parameter.
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