Cisco WS-C3650-48PD-S vs C9300L-48P-4X-A
The C9300L-48P-4X-A is the current-generation replacement for the Catalyst 3650 48-port. You gain UADP 2.0, four 10G uplinks, StackWise-320, a larger PoE budget, and Network Advantage on a fully supported, TAA-compliant platform.
Catalyst 3650 48-Port PoE 2x10G IP Base
Previous-generation 48-port PoE+ switch on UADP and StackWise-160, now end-of-sale.
- 48x GE PoE+ ports
- 2x 10G + 2x 1G fixed uplinks
- StackWise-160 stacking up to 9 units
- UADP ASIC, IOS XE, IP Base
Catalyst 9300L 48-Port PoE+ 4x10G Network Advantage
Current Catalyst 9000 access switch with UADP 2.0, four 10G uplinks, StackWise-320, and Network Advantage licensing.
- 48x GE PoE+ ports, 505W PoE budget (715W PSU)
- 4x 10G SFP+ fixed uplinks
- StackWise-320 stacking up to 8 units
- UADP 2.0 ASIC, IOS XE, SD-Access ready
Catalyst 3650 48-Port PoE 2x10G IP Base vs Catalyst 9300L 48-Port PoE+ 4x10G Network Advantage: spec comparison
| Spec | Catalyst 3650 48-Port PoE 2x10G IP Base | Catalyst 9300L 48-Port PoE+ 4x10G Network Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Downlink ports | 48x 10/100/1000 PoE+ | 48x 10/100/1000 PoE+ |
| PoE budget | Up to 390W (IP Base config) | Up to 505W (PWR-C1-715WAC-P) |
| Uplinks | 2x 10G + 2x 1G fixed | 4x 10G SFP+ fixed |
| Switching capacity | 88 Gbps | 176 Gbps |
| ASIC | Cisco UADP | Cisco UADP 2.0 |
| Stacking | StackWise-160, up to 9 units | StackWise-320, up to 8 units |
| Operating system | Cisco IOS XE | Cisco IOS XE 17.x |
| Feature license | IP Base | Network Advantage |
| SD-Access / segmentation | Limited | Full SD-Access support |
| Lifecycle status | End of sale | Current, actively sold |
Choose Catalyst 3650 48-Port PoE 2x10G IP Base if
Choose the 3650-48PD only to add a matching member to an existing 3650 stack or as a low-cost interim addition where a full refresh is not yet budgeted.
Choose Catalyst 9300L 48-Port PoE+ 4x10G Network Advantage if
Choose the C9300L-48P-4X for refreshes and new deployments: more PoE, four 10G uplinks, StackWise-320, full SD-Access, current IOS XE, and TAA-compliant federal procurement.
Verdict
Migrate to the C9300L-48P-4X-A. It beats the 3650-48PD on uplink count, PoE budget, stack and switching bandwidth, and segmentation, while staying current and TAA-compliant. Reserve the 3650 for extending a stack you plan to retire soon.
Frequently asked questions
What is the modern replacement for the WS-C3650-48PD-S?
The Catalyst 9300L 48-port (C9300L-48P-4X-A for Network Advantage with four 10G uplinks) is Cisco's current-generation successor to the 3650 48-port.
How much higher is the C9300L-48P switching capacity?
The C9300L-48P-4X is rated at 176 Gbps versus 88 Gbps on the 3650-48PD, roughly double the switching fabric, plus faster StackWise-320 stacking.
Can I mix a 3650 and a 9300L in the same stack?
No. They use different stacking technologies (StackWise-160 vs StackWise-320) and are not stack-compatible, so migrate one stack at a time.
Is the C9300L-48P-4X-A a good fit for federal buyers?
Yes. It is available in TAA-compliant configurations and is GPC-payable through authorized partners, making it well suited to US federal and enterprise procurement.
More Catalyst comparisons
Specs are for planning and may change; Uniqcli confirms the current Cisco bill of materials and pricing on your quote. Cisco, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki, and Firepower are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Uniqcli LLC is an independent authorized Cisco partner.