Cisco Catalyst IE-9320-24P4X-A: Rugged, High-Performance Industrial Switching for Modern OT Networks

The Cisco Catalyst IE-9320-24P4X-A is a next-generation industrial Ethernet switch designed for demanding operational technology (OT) environments such as manufacturing plants, energy grids, transportation systems, utilities, and smart cities. It combines rugged hardware, advanced security, high-capacity uplinks, and modular scalability—making it ideal for organizations seeking resilient connectivity at the industrial edge.

Overview of the Cisco Catalyst IE9320 Series

The Cisco Catalyst IE9320 Series is engineered for long-life deployments where reliability, industrial-grade performance, and simplified management are essential. The IE-9320-24P4X-A model stands out with its combination of 24 Gigabit PoE+ downlinks and 4 high-speed 10G SFP+ uplinks, enabling robust support for both power-hungry edge devices and high-bandwidth network backbones.

This switch is built to operate in harsh environmental conditions, supporting wide temperature ranges, shock resistance, and industry-standard certifications for industrial automation and mission-critical environments.

Key Features of the IE-9320-24P4X-A

High-Density PoE+ for Industrial Devices

The switch includes 24 Gigabit Ethernet PoE+ ports, delivering power and data to devices such as IP cameras, wireless access points, sensors, badge readers, and industrial controllers. With PoE+ support, it can power devices requiring up to 30W per port.

10G SFP+ Uplinks for High-Speed Aggregation

To support growing bandwidth needs, the switch features four 10G SFP+ uplinks, enabling fast and scalable connections to core switches, servers, or industrial controllers.

Rugged Industrial Design

The IE-9320-24P4X-A is built to withstand challenging environments with:

• Extended operating temperature range
• Vibration and shock tolerance
• Industrial-grade enclosure and components
• DIN-rail or panel-mount compatibility

Stackable for Future Expansion

This model supports hardware stacking, allowing multiple switches to operate as a single management domain. Stacking enhances network resiliency, simplifies administration, and allows seamless scaling as operational needs grow.

Secure OT-Ready Architecture

Cisco’s industrial security features include:

• MACsec link-layer encryption
• Secure Boot and image signing
• Trustworthy hardware
• Segmenting and zero-trust capabilities
• Flexible policy control via Cisco Cyber Vision and ISE integration

Detailed Specifications

Hardware Specifications

• Model: IE-9320-24P4X-A
• Downlink Ports: 24 × 10/100/1000 Mbps (RJ-45), PoE+ capable
• Uplink Ports: 4 × 10G SFP+
• Switching Capacity: Approx. 128 Gbps (model-dependent)
• Forwarding Rate: ~95 Mpps
• PoE Budget: Up to 480W (varies by power source)
• Stacking Support: Yes (up to multiple units)
• DRAM: Typically 8 GB
• Flash Storage: Typically 16 GB
• Latency: Optimized for time-sensitive applications

Environmental Tolerance

• Operating Temperature: –40°C to +75°C (model/environment-dependent)
• Humidity: 5%–95% non-condensing
• Ingress Protection: Ruggedized industrial housing
• Certifications: IEC 61850-3, IEEE 1613, EN 50155/50121 (varies by configuration)

Software Capabilities

• Operating System: Cisco IOS XE
• Layer 2 and Layer 3 Support: Advanced routing (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP), VLANs, MSTP, REP
• Security: MACsec, port security, 802.1X, DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection
• Management:
  • Web UI
  • Cisco DNA Center
  • Cisco Industrial Network Director
  • CLI via console, SSH
  • SNMP, NETCONF, RESTCONF

Benefits for Industrial Environments

Ensures Reliable Power and Connectivity

With 24 PoE+ ports, industrial operators can deploy powered devices without separate electrical lines, reducing installation time and infrastructure complexity.

Supports High-Performance Backbones

10G uplinks ensure smooth data aggregation and high-throughput traffic flow, essential for applications like machine vision, real-time analytics, and industrial IoT.

Built for Harsh Conditions

From extreme temperature variations to mechanical stress, the switch is built to survive where commercial switches cannot.

Scalable and Future-Proof

Its stackability and modular software architecture ensure long-term adaptability as OT networks evolve.

Simplified Security and Management

Industrial operators benefit from unified management, automated provisioning, and secure network segmentation.

Ideal Use Cases

Industrial Automation

Connect PLCs, HMIs, sensors, controllers, and cameras with reliable PoE+ and low-latency switching.

Transportation and Smart Cities

Support surveillance, digital signage, traffic controllers, and communication networks.

Energy and Utilities

Deploy in substations, grid automation, renewable energy facilities, and control rooms.

Manufacturing

Provide robust connectivity for robotics, assembly lines, and industrial IoT devices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What makes the IE-9320-24P4X-A different from standard Catalyst switches?
It is designed specifically for industrial environments, offering rugged hardware, extended operating temperatures, and industrial certifications not found in commercial Catalyst switches.

2. Can this switch operate reliably in extreme temperatures?
Yes. The IE-9320-24P4X-A is engineered for harsh conditions and can function across a wide temperature range as required in industrial and outdoor deployments.

3. Does the switch support stackable deployment?
Yes. It supports stacking to simplify management and improve redundancy across multiple units.

4. How many devices can be powered through PoE+?
All 24 downlink ports support PoE+, allowing power delivery to devices such as cameras, sensors, and Wi-Fi access points, depending on the total power budget.

5. What management options are available?
You can manage the switch via CLI, Web UI, Cisco DNA Center, SNMP, and other standard management protocols.

For more information you can view the datasheets for CISCO IE9300 here.