🔀 Cisco 9300-48T vs Juniper EX4400
AI-powered analysis across 31 matched specifications
Performance Overview
Scores based on quantifiable specification values (1-10 scale)
Detailed Specifications
| Specification | Cisco Catalyst 9300-48T Cisco | Juniper EX4400 Juniper |
|---|---|---|
| Key Metrics | ||
| Access Ports | 48 × 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45 | 48 × 1GbE (T models) / 48 × multigigabit up to 10GbE (MP models) / 48 × 10GbE SFP+ (F models) |
| Uplink Ports | 4 × 10G SFP+ (default) | 4 × SFP+ / 4 × 25GbE SFP28 / 1 × 100GbE QSFP28 (via expansion module) |
| Stacking/Clustering | StackWise-480 (up to 8 switches, 480 Gbps) | Virtual Chassis (up to 10 units, dedicated VCP ports) |
| Switching Capacity | 256 Gbps (single switch) | -- |
| Forwarding Rate | 190.5 Mpps | -- |
| MAC Address Table | 32,000 | -- |
| PoE Capability | None | IEEE 802.3bt PoE++ (90W/port), 802.3at PoE+ (30W), 802.3af (15.4W), up to 2,200W total budget |
| Compute | ||
| ASIC/Processing | Cisco Uadp 2.0 (programmable) | -- |
| Layer 2/3 Capabilities | Full L2 + L3 via IOS-XE | Full L2 + L3 (IPv4/IPv6, OSPF, BGP, MPLS) |
| EVPN-VXLAN Support | SD-Access fabric edge support | Full BGP EVPN / VXLAN encapsulation support |
| Memory | ||
| MAC Address Table | 32,000 | -- |
| Networking | ||
| Port Speeds | 48 × 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45 | 1GbE, multigigabit 2.5/5/10GbE (MP models), 10GbE SFP+ fiber (F models) |
| Uplink Options | 4 × 1G SFP / 4 × 10G SFP+ / 2 × 40G QSFP+ | 4 × SFP+ / 4 × 25GbE SFP28 / 1 × 100GbE QSFP28 (via EM module) |
| MACsec Encryption | IEEE 802.1AE hardware (all ports) | IEEE 802.1AE MACsec AES-256 on all ports |
| Precision Timing | -- | IEEE 1588 PTP (Precision Timing Protocol) support |
| Expansion / PCIe | ||
| Uplink Expansion Modules | C9300-NM-4X (4 × 10G SFP+) / other options available | EM module for 4 × 25GbE SFP28 or 1 × 100GbE QSFP28 |
| I/O & Ports | ||
| Access Ports | 48 × 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45 | 48 × 1GbE (T models) / 48 × multigigabit up to 10GbE (MP models) / 48 × 10GbE SFP+ (F models) |
| Uplink Ports | 4 × 10G SFP+ (default) | 4 × SFP+ / 4 × 25GbE SFP28 / 1 × 100GbE QSFP28 (via expansion module) |
| Stacking Ports | StackWise-480 ports | Virtual Chassis dedicated VCP ports |
| Management | ||
| Management Platform | Cisco DNA Center SD-Access fabric edge support | Juniper Mist AI cloud management |
| CLI/API | Cisco IOS-XE with NETCONF/RESTCONF/gRPC APIs | Junos CLI, NETCONF/YANG, gRPC telemetry, REST API |
| Automation | NETCONF/RESTCONF/gRPC APIs | Zero Touch Provisioning, Ansible, Terraform |
| Protocols | -- | SNMP |
| Power | ||
| Power Supply | Internal AC (100–240V); optional redundant PSU | Dual PSU (implied by PoE budget) |
| Max Power Draw | 60W (non-PoE) | -- |
| PoE Budget | None | Up to 2,200W per switch (dual PSU) |
| Physical / Environmental | ||
| Form Factor | 1U rack-mount | 1U, 19-inch rack |
| Weight | 5.7 kg | -- |
| Cooling | Fans (field-replaceable) | -- |
| Security | ||
| MACsec Encryption | IEEE 802.1AE hardware (all ports) | IEEE 802.1AE MACsec AES-256 on all ports |
| Software & OS Compatibility | ||
| Operating System | Cisco IOS-XE | Junos OS |
Expert Analysis
The Cisco Catalyst 9300-48T and Juniper EX4400 represent two distinct approaches to modern enterprise switching, each excelling in different deployment scenarios. The Cisco offering provides a solid foundation for traditional campus networks with its 48-port Gigabit Ethernet configuration, StackWise-480 technology for resilient stacking, and deep integration with Cisco's DNA Center ecosystem. Its programmable Uadp 2.0 ASIC offers flexibility for future feature enhancements, while the 256 Gbps switching capacity and 190.5 Mpps forwarding rate deliver robust performance for standard enterprise workloads. However, the lack of Power over Ethernet capabilities and limited uplink options compared to the Juniper model represent significant constraints for environments requiring high-power device connectivity or future bandwidth expansion.
The Juniper EX4400 demonstrates a more forward-looking architecture with its modular approach to port technology, offering multiple SKUs including multigigabit variants supporting up to 10GbE per access port and comprehensive PoE++ capabilities delivering up to 90W per port. The superior uplink options—including 25GbE and 100GbE connectivity—provide substantial headroom for bandwidth-intensive applications and future network growth. Juniper's EVPN-VXLAN implementation enables sophisticated overlay networking across campus and data centre environments, while the Mist AI cloud management platform offers advanced analytics and automation capabilities. The 2,200W total PoE budget supports demanding deployments of wireless access points, security cameras, and IoT devices at scale.
Organisations heavily invested in Cisco ecosystems with standard Gigabit connectivity requirements will find the Catalyst 9300-48T provides excellent integration and reliability. In contrast, environments requiring high-density PoE, multigigabit access ports, or advanced fabric networking capabilities should strongly consider the Juniper EX4400, particularly for greenfield deployments or technology refresh projects where future bandwidth and power requirements are uncertain. The choice ultimately depends on existing infrastructure investments, specific workload requirements, and strategic direction regarding network automation and management platforms.
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