C9300X-12Y-A - Catalyst 9300 12-port 25G/10G/1G SFP28 with modular uplinks, Network Advantage

While both belong to the Catalyst 9000 family, they are engineered for different network demands. The Catalyst 9200 is optimized for cost-effective branch and enterprise access deployments, whereas the C9300X-12Y-A is Cisco's flagship enterprise platform built to handle demanding hybrid workspaces, dense IoT, and cloud integrations. The key differences span four critical areas:

1. Performance & Stacking Bandwidth: The Catalyst 9200 supports up to 160 Gbps of stacking bandwidth (StackWise-160). In contrast, the Catalyst 9300 series massively scales up to 480 Gbps or even 1 Tbps (StackWise-1T on C9300X models). The 9300 also supports much larger routing tables and MAC addresses (for this model, it has up to 39000 IPv4 routes and 32000 MAC addresses)compared to the 9200's limit of 14,000 routes and 32,000 MAC addresses.
2. Hardware Architecture & Edge Computing: Powered by a UADP 2.0 Mini ASIC, the 9200 focuses on pure network connectivity. The Catalyst 9300 series steps up with the UADP 2.0/2.0sec ASIC and an x86 CPU complex with up to 16GB of RAM and pluggable SSD storage. This allows the 9300 to natively host container-based applications—such as Cisco ThousandEyes synthetics and Cisco ASAc virtual firewalls—directly on the switch.
3. Power Capabilities & Cisco StackPower: While the 9200 provides excellent PoE+ (30W) capabilities, the Catalyst 9300 goes further by supporting up to 90W Cisco UPOE+ to power heavy OT/IT devices like PTZ cameras and LED lighting. Additionally, the 9300 series features Cisco StackPower, an innovative technology that pools and shares power supplies across the entire stack for unprecedented redundancy -a feature not available on the 9200.
4. Advanced Security: The Catalyst 9200 offers robust AES-128 MACsec encryption (AES-256 on compact models). The Catalyst 9300X models elevate security by offering AES-256 MACsec across all models and introducing hardware-based line-rate IPsec (up to 100G) for secure cloud and site-to-site connectivity .

No, the C9300X-12Y-A is a data-only or fiber-only switch designed for traditional wired endpoints, servers, or aggregation layers that do not require PoE. If you need to power devices like Wi-Fi 6/6E APs or IP cameras, please view the PoE+, UPOE, or UPOE+ models within the Catalyst 9300 family.

Yes! The Catalyst 9300 Series supports mixed stacking. You can stack Catalyst 9300X fiber switches (like C9300X-24Y) with standard Catalyst 9300 and Catalyst 9300X copper switches. Note that mixed stacks between X and non-X models will operate at StackWise-480 speeds.

The Catalyst 9300X models are powered by the newer UADP 2.0sec ASIC. They double the stacking bandwidth from 480 Gbps to 1 Tbps (StackWise-1T), double the application hosting resources, and introduce hardware-based IPsec (up to 100G) for secure site-to-site or cloud connectivity.

Yes. Cisco ThousandEyes network and application synthetics are natively integrated into the C9300X-12Y-A. A ThousandEyes entitlement is included by default when you purchase the switch with a Cisco DNA Advantage subscription license.