The Catalyst 4900 Series put Catalyst 4500 switching into a single rack unit, and many server racks and aggregation closets still depend on it. Our Cisco Catalyst 4900 Switches category lists the original Catalyst 4948, the Catalyst 4948-10GE and the Catalyst 4948E. This guide uses Cisco's own data sheets and end-of-life bulletins to help you match the right model, uplinks, power supplies and software image to the network you already run.
Short answer: Choose by uplink first. The 4948 has four Gigabit SFP ports, the 4948-10GE has two 10G X2 ports and the 4948E has four 1G/10G SFP+ ports. Then match the airflow, power supplies and software image to the switches already in your rack. Cisco support has ended for every 4900 model, so buy these switches to repair, extend or spare an existing network.
Which Catalyst 4900 models can you still buy?
Three 1RU models cover almost every 4900 rack you will find: the Catalyst 4948, the Catalyst 4948-10GE and the Catalyst 4948E with its back-to-front twin, the 4948E-F. Each has 48 10/100/1000 RJ-45 ports. They differ in uplinks, forwarding performance, memory and airflow, so the right choice depends on what sits next to them.
| Model | Uplinks | Switching capacity | Throughput | MAC addresses | Airflow | Cisco Last Date of Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalyst 4948 | 4 × 1G SFP (alternative-wired) | 96 Gbps | 72 Mpps | 32,000 | Side to rear | July 31, 2018 |
| Catalyst 4948-10GE | 2 × 10G X2 | 136 Gbps | 102 Mpps | 55,000 | Side to rear | February 28, 2018 |
| Catalyst 4948E | 4 × 1G/10G SFP/SFP+ | 176 Gbps | 131 Mpps (IPv4) | 55,000 | Front to back | October 31, 2022 |
| Catalyst 4948E-F | 4 × 1G/10G SFP/SFP+ | 176 Gbps | 131 Mpps (IPv4) | 55,000 | Back to front | October 31, 2022 |
All of them share a 1RU height, 1+1 hot-swappable AC or DC power supplies and a hot-swappable fan tray with redundant fans.
Is the original Catalyst 4948 still a good fit?
Yes, if your rack only needs Gigabit uplinks. The WS-C4948 delivers a 96 Gbps switching fabric and 72 Mpps of Layer 2 to 4 forwarding in hardware, with 16 MB of shared buffer, 256 MB of SDRAM and 32,000 MAC addresses. Its four SFP ports take 1000BASE-X optics for fiber uplinks.
One detail catches buyers out. Cisco calls the four SFP ports "alternative wired": the front panel has 52 physical ports, but no more than 48 can be active at once in any combination. If you plan to use all 48 copper ports plus fiber uplinks, the 4948-10GE or 4948E is the better choice.
Cisco's data sheet lists Gigabit SFPs for the 4948 including SX, LX/LH and ZX fiber, CWDM wavelengths and a 10/100/1000BASE-T copper SFP. Cisco sold the switch with optional software and power supplies (WS-C4948), or bundled with the IP Base (-S) or Enterprise Services (-E) image and one AC supply.
When should you choose the Catalyst 4948-10GE?
Choose the 4948-10GE when you need 10G uplinks on an existing X2 optics plan. It keeps 48 Gigabit copper ports and adds two wire-speed 10G X2 ports, a 136 Gbps fabric and 102 Mpps of forwarding. It also raises the MAC table to 55,000 entries and uses a faster 666 MHz CPU.
We list the base switch plus the WS-C4948-10GE-S with the IP Base image and the WS-C4948-10GE-E with Enterprise Services, both of which Cisco shipped with one AC supply and a fan tray.
Cisco's data sheet lists X2 optics in SR, LR, ER, LRM, LX4, CX4, ZR and DWDM versions. For short multimode runs, the X2-10GB-SR reaches 26 to 300 m depending on fiber type.
What does the Catalyst 4948E add?
The 4948E doubles the 10G uplink count and modernizes the platform. Cisco rates it at 176 Gbps and 131 Mpps for IPv4 (110 Mpps for IPv6) in hardware, with a 17.5 MB shared buffer, 1 GB of SDRAM, 55,000 MAC addresses and 57,000 routes. All four uplinks accept 1G SFP or 10G SFP+ optics.
The biggest practical change is airflow. The 4948 and 4948-10GE draw air from the side and exhaust at the rear, while the 4948E runs front to back and the 4948E-F runs back to front with no side or top venting, which suits hot-aisle and cold-aisle racks. The WS-C4948E-S ships with the IP Base image and an AC supply. For the back-to-front models, see our Cisco Catalyst 4948E-F Switches category.
Which software image and license do you need?
Every 4900 model runs Cisco IOS with one of three images: LAN Base, IP Base or Enterprise Services. LAN Base is Layer 2 only. IP Base adds static routes, RIPv1, RIPv2 and EIGRP stub. Enterprise Services adds OSPF, IS-IS, full EIGRP and BGP. Match the image to what your other switches run.
- LAN Base: Cisco made it the default image for the 4948 and 4948-10GE from IOS Release 12.2(52)SG. It supports two SPAN sessions, against eight on IP Base.
- IP Base: the -S part numbers. Cisco's 4948 data sheets note that IP Base does not support BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, full EIGRP, VRF-lite or policy-based routing.
- Enterprise Services: the -E part numbers, with the full routing feature set.
Cisco sold the WS-C4900-SW-LIC as the IP Base upgrade license for a LAN Base switch, and LAN Base can be upgraded to IP Base or Enterprise Services. The image is tied to the part number you buy, so confirm the running image on any unit you are replacing.
Which power supplies and fans fit each model?
Use 300W supplies built for your model. The 4948 and 4948-10GE take the PWR-C49-300AC or PWR-C49-300DC, and Cisco allows AC and DC supplies in the same switch. The 4948E takes the PWR-C49E-300AC-R, and the 4948E-F takes the PWR-C49E-300AC-F. The 4948 and 4948-10GE run on one supply and share the load across two.
We stock the PWR-C49-300AC as a refurbished unit for the 4948 and 4948-10GE. Cisco lists the PWR-C49-300DC as the 4948E's DC supply, while the 4948E-F uses its own front-exhaust DC part. Fan trays are also airflow-specific on the 4948E family, so order replacement trays that match the direction of the switch.
When did Cisco end support for the Catalyst 4900?
Cisco support has ended for every 4900 model. The 4948-10GE reached its Last Date of Support on February 28, 2018, the 4948 on July 31, 2018, and the 4948E and 4948E-F on October 31, 2022. The milestones below come from Cisco's three end-of-life bulletins.
- Catalyst 4948-10GE (EOL8212): end of sale February 28, 2013; Last Date of Support February 28, 2018.
- Catalyst 4948 (EOL8529): end of sale August 1, 2013; end of vulnerability and security support July 31, 2016; Last Date of Support July 31, 2018.
- Catalyst 4948E and 4948E-F (EOL11273): end of sale October 31, 2017; end of vulnerability and security support October 30, 2020; Last Date of Support October 31, 2022.
The switches keep forwarding traffic after these dates, but Cisco no longer releases software fixes. Refurbished units and spares are a sensible way to keep a working rack running while you plan its replacement.
What does Cisco recommend instead?
Cisco's bulletins pointed 4948 and 4948-10GE owners to the 4948E and 4948E-F, and 4948E owners to the Catalyst 3850. All three bulletins name the Catalyst 9500, and the 4948 and 4948E bulletins also name the Catalyst 9300. Those two families are the realistic targets for a new build today because the 4948E has reached its own Last Date of Support.
For copper server access, read our Cisco Catalyst 9300 Switch Buying Guide. If you run a 3850 estate, our Cisco Catalyst 3850 Switch Buying Guide covers that family.
Where a 4948 sits beside modular 4500E chassis, our Cisco Catalyst 4500 Switch Buying Guide covers that chassis family, its supervisors and line cards.
What should you check before you request a quote?
- The exact model and part number, including the -S or -E suffix.
- The software image and license running on the switches you already have.
- Uplink type: Gigabit SFP, 10G X2 or 10G SFP+, and the optics you need.
- Airflow direction for your rack layout, especially on the 4948E and 4948E-F.
- Whether you need one or two power supplies, AC or DC.
- Spare fan trays, rack-mount kits and power cords.
- Whether you want new or refurbished units, as condition varies by listing.
Catalyst 4900 FAQs
What is the difference between the Catalyst 4948 and the 4948E?
The Catalyst 4948 has four Gigabit SFP uplinks, a 96 Gbps fabric and side-to-rear airflow. The 4948E has four 1G/10G SFP+ uplinks, a 176 Gbps fabric, a 17.5 MB buffer and front-to-back airflow, with the 4948E-F running back to front. Both have 48 10/100/1000 RJ-45 ports.
Can the Catalyst 4948 use all 52 ports at once?
No. The Catalyst 4948 has 48 copper ports and four SFP ports on its front panel, but Cisco states that no more than 48 ports can be active at one time in any combination. If you need 48 active copper ports plus uplinks, choose the 4948-10GE or the 4948E.
What optics does the Catalyst 4948-10GE use?
The 4948-10GE has two 10G uplinks that take X2 modules. Cisco lists X2 optics in SR, LR, ER, LRM, LX4, CX4, ZR and DWDM versions. The X2-10GB-SR covers 26 to 300 m over multimode fiber, depending on the fiber type.
What do the -S and -E suffixes mean on Catalyst 4900 switches?
The suffix shows the Cisco IOS image the switch shipped with. Models ending -S run IP Base, which adds static routes, RIP and EIGRP stub. Models ending -E run Enterprise Services, which adds OSPF, IS-IS, full EIGRP and BGP. Cisco sold both with one AC power supply.
Is the Catalyst 4900 still supported by Cisco?
No. Cisco's Last Date of Support was February 28, 2018 for the 4948-10GE, July 31, 2018 for the 4948 and October 31, 2022 for the 4948E and 4948E-F. The switches still work, but Cisco no longer releases software or security fixes for them.
What replaces the Catalyst 4900?
Cisco's bulletins pointed the 4948 and 4948-10GE to the 4948E, and the 4948E to the Catalyst 3850. All three bulletins also name the Catalyst 9500, and two name the Catalyst 9300. Those are the practical choices for new server-access and aggregation builds.
About this guide
Prepared by M&F Collaboration, a B2B reseller of Cisco networking, collaboration, power, and UCS hardware based in West Chicago, Illinois. Model, uplink, airflow, power, software and lifecycle details were checked against Cisco's Catalyst 4948, 4948-10GE and 4948E data sheets and Cisco's end-of-life bulletins. When a marketplace listing title disagrees with Cisco's data sheet, we follow the data sheet.
Need a Catalyst 4948 to keep a rack running?
Send us the model and part number, the software image you run, your uplink optics, airflow direction and how many power supplies you need. We will match new or refurbished Catalyst 4900 hardware, or quote a Catalyst 9300 or 9500 replacement.
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