Cisco Catalyst 3850-48P vs Catalyst 9300-48P
The 48-port Catalyst 3850 is end-of-support, and the C9300-48P-A is its direct replacement with a larger PoE+ budget, modular 10G/40G uplinks, UADP 2.0 silicon, and IOS XE 17.x. Migrating is the right call unless you are only bridging a short gap.
Catalyst 3850 48-Port PoE+ (IP Base)
End-of-life 48-port Gigabit PoE+ stackable switch on the original UADP ASIC with IP Base licensing.
- 48x 1G RJ45 with 800W PoE+ budget
- StackWise-480 (480 Gbps) stacking
- Fixed network-module uplinks (1G/10G)
- Past end-of-support; no IOS XE 17 or DNA
Catalyst 9300 48-Port PoE+ (Network Advantage)
Current-gen 48-port PoE+ stackable access switch on UADP 2.0 with StackWise-480 and IOS XE 17.x.
- 48x 1G RJ45 with 1100W PoE+ budget
- StackWise-480 + StackPower (1480W)
- Modular uplinks up to 8x10G or 2x40G
- UADP 2.0, IOS XE 17.x, DNA/Meraki ready
Catalyst 3850 48-Port PoE+ (IP Base) vs Catalyst 9300 48-Port PoE+ (Network Advantage): spec comparison
| Spec | Catalyst 3850 48-Port PoE+ (IP Base) | Catalyst 9300 48-Port PoE+ (Network Advantage) |
|---|---|---|
| Access ports | 48x 10/100/1000 RJ45 | 48x 10/100/1000 RJ45 |
| PoE/PoE+ budget | 800W (PoE+) | 1100W (PoE+) |
| Uplinks | Network module: 4x1G, 2x10G, or 4x10G | Modular: 4x1G/4x10G/8x10G/2x25G/2x40G |
| Switching capacity | 176 Gbps (48-port models) | 256 Gbps |
| Forwarding rate | Up to ~130 Mpps | Up to ~190 Mpps |
| ASIC | UADP 1.0 | UADP 2.0 |
| Stacking | StackWise-480 (480 Gbps) | StackWise-480 (480 Gbps), up to 8 units |
| StackPower | Yes (StackPower) | Yes (StackPower, up to 1480W) |
| Default DRAM / flash | 4 GB / 2 GB | 8 GB / 16 GB |
| Software | IOS XE 16.x (EoS) | IOS XE 17.x |
| Management | Prime / CLI | Catalyst Center (DNA) / Meraki dashboard |
| Warranty | Enhanced Limited Lifetime | Enhanced Limited Lifetime |
Choose Catalyst 3850 48-Port PoE+ (IP Base) if
Only keep the 3850-48P if you must extend a live stack briefly before a planned refresh; it is end-of-support and receives no further security fixes.
Choose Catalyst 9300 48-Port PoE+ (Network Advantage) if
Choose the C9300-48P-A for new or refreshed wiring closets: more PoE+ capacity, modular high-speed uplinks, a long support lifecycle, and native Catalyst Center and Meraki management.
Verdict
For a 48-port PoE+ access switch, upgrade to the C9300-48P-A. It is Cisco's sanctioned successor with a larger 1100W PoE budget, modular 10G/40G uplinks, UADP 2.0 performance, and current software support, while the 3850 is past end-of-support. Retain the 3850 only as a short-term bridge.
Frequently asked questions
What replaces the Catalyst 3850-48P?
The Catalyst 9300, specifically the C9300-48P-A for a 48-port PoE+ Network Advantage configuration, is Cisco's direct successor to the 3850-48P-S.
How much more PoE does the C9300-48P provide?
About 1100W of PoE+ budget versus roughly 800W on the 3850-48P, giving more headroom for phones, APs, and cameras per switch.
Will my existing 10G uplink modules transfer from the 3850?
No. The Catalyst 9300 uses a different modular uplink family, so plan to order C9300 network modules and optics with the new switches.
Is the Catalyst 3850 still supported by Cisco?
No. It has passed end-of-support, so there are no further software releases, bug fixes, or security patches. Refreshing to the 9300 restores supportability.
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.