Cisco C1300-8P-E-2G Catalyst 8 Ports PoE+ Managed Switch

Cisco C1300-8P-E-2G Catalyst 8 Ports PoE+ Managed Switch

The Cisco Catalyst C1300-8P-E-2G is a compact Layer 2/3 managed switch designed for small office or branch deployments. Featuring 8 Gigabit PoE+ ports, it powers connected devices directly through the Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for separate power supplies.

Equipped with 2 Gigabit SFP uplinks, the switch enables high-speed connections to core or aggregation networks. It supports advanced features such as VLANs, QoS, ACLs, and 802.1X authentication for enhanced security, network segmentation, and optimized performance.

Designed for energy efficiency, reliability, and ease of management, the Catalyst C1300-8P-E-2G is perfect for wiring closets, branch offices, and compact network environments where enterprise-class features are required.

Key features & benefits:

• 8× Gigabit Ethernet PoE+ downlink ports — Each port supports up to 30 W (IEEE 802.3af/at), with a total PoE budget of around 67 W.

• 2× Combo 1 GbE RJ-45/SFP uplink ports — Flexible fibre or copper uplinks for network scalability and backbone connectivity.

• Layer 2 + basic Layer 3 functionality — Includes features such as VLANs, ACLs, static IPv4/IPv6 routing, QoS, link aggregation, security controls.

• Fanless, silent design — Compact form factor (268 × 185 × 44 mm) and silent operation make it suitable for open-office or noise-sensitive environments.

• Energy-efficient — Complies with IEEE 802.3az (Energy Efficient Ethernet) to help reduce power consumption.

• Easy to manage — Managed via web GUI, CLI, SNMP, and offers integration with Cisco Business Dashboard/mobile app for simplified deployment.

Typical use-cases:

• Deploying WiFi access points, IP surveillance cameras or VoIP phones in a branch office or retail outlet.

• Small office network requiring PoE power and advanced switching features but minimal footprint.

• Segmented wired network zones for guest access, back-office devices, or surveillance networks.

Technical highlights:

• Switching capacity: ~20 Gbps, forwarding rate ~14.88 Mpps.

• MAC address table: 16,000 entries.

• Jumbo Frames up to 9,000 bytes.

• Operating temperature range: –5 °C to +50 °C.

• Fan-free: no moving parts => increased reliability.

What this means for you in Kenya (Nairobi) deployments:

• A single compact switch to power and connect multiple devices (APs, cameras, phones) without separate power injectors.

• Noise-free operation makes it suitable for shared workspaces, retail outlets and client-facing areas.

• Fibre/copper uplink support allows integration into existing fibre backbone or new deployments.

• Advanced features like ACLs, VLANs, and PoE scheduling help improve security and reduce operational costs.

Important considerations:

• PoE budget ~67 W means if you power many high-power devices you must verify total power draw.

• Doesn’t support stacking (this model) so if you anticipate large scale aggregated switching you may need higher models.

• External power supply (as indicated by “E” in model) — ensure you have appropriate AC outlet/rack setup.

• Ensure you use quality Cat5e/6 cables especially for PoE+ deployments and full gigabit speeds.

Specifications Table

Why Choose It?

• Backed by Cisco’s reputation for enterprise-quality networking.

• Offers PoE+ and gigabit ports in a compact, low-noise form factor.

• Feature-rich for the price: more than a basic unmanaged switch — you get real managed features.

• Designed to scale: fibre uplinks mean you’re ready for growth.