Netgear M4300-96X Modular Managed Switch Empty Version
Best modular switch for growing enterprise and SMB network infrastructures.
The NETGEAR M4300-96X is a 2U rackmount Managed L3 switch built for demanding mid-enterprise edge and SMB core networks. It offers advanced L2/L3/L4 and IPv4/IPv6 services cost-effectively. This switch excels with best-in-class stacking, seamlessly integrating 10G and 1G units. High availability is ensured through a non-stop forwarding virtual chassis architecture and dual redundant power supplies for continuous business operations. It supports essential Layer 3 routing functions and is future-ready with Software-defined Networking (SDN) and OpenFlow 1.3 support, providing a reliable foundation for unified communications and robust networking.
$5299.99
More M4300 Options
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
310
/ 2256
#310 in Hubs & Switches
Price vs Category Average
-18%
Below average
Form Factor
2
/ U Rackmount
Who it's for
- Network architects needing highly customizable port configurations
- Enterprise IT managers overseeing large-scale core network aggregation
- Organizations prioritizing long-term infrastructure scalability and hardware longevity
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious buyers wary of high modular component costs
- Small businesses lacking dedicated professional networking staff
- Facilities without specialized data center power and cooling infrastructure
Performance breakdown
Stacking Versatility
Seamlessly blends 1G and 10G units for flexible network expansion.
High Availability
Non-stop forwarding ensures critical uptime during hardware failover events.
Routing Sophistication
Robust Layer 3 capabilities handle complex traffic routing with ease.
Future Readiness
SDN and OpenFlow support keep your infrastructure relevant for years.
Management Interface
Dual CLI and Web UI options cater to diverse administrative preferences.
Build Integrity
Rugged metal chassis design built for demanding, high-density rack environments.
Key Specs
Form Factor
2U Rackmount
Management
Managed L3 Switch
Routing Capabilities
Static, dynamic, and policy-based routing
High Availability
Non-stop forwarding (NSF) virtual chassis
Power
Supports dual redundant power supplies
Stacking
Supports mixing 10G and 1G models
Protocols
Supports IPv4 and IPv6 services
Model Number
XSM4396K0-10000S
Features
- Seamless 1G and 10G model stacking
- Hitless failover via NSF virtual chassis
- Dual redundant power supplies for uptime
- Standard Layer 3 static and dynamic routing
- Supports Software-defined Networking (SDN)
- Managed via Web UI and CLI
- Designed for high-density environments
- Future-proof OpenFlow 1.3 support
What customers say
IT professionals highly value the Netgear M4300-96X for its exceptional modularity and high density, offering precise port customization essential for scaling large networks. Reviewers consistently praise its robust performance in handling demanding L3 routing tasks. The switch delivers outstanding value, providing enterprise grade features at a significantly lower cost than traditional vendors. Its stacking capabilities simplify management across multiple units effectively. While the hardware quality is strong, some users find the management interface less refined than competitor offerings, presenting a slight learning curve. Overall, this highly adaptable backbone switch is favored for performance demanding environments prioritizing budget consciousness.
Know before you buy
No, this is the 'empty' version of the M4300-96X. It is designed as a modular chassis, meaning you will need to purchase and install the specific port expansion cards separately to meet your network's connectivity requirements.
Yes, one of the key strengths of the M4300 series is its ability to seamlessly stack different models. You can combine 1G and 10G units into a single virtual chassis to scale your network as your bandwidth needs grow.
The switch supports dual redundant power supplies to protect against power failures. Additionally, it utilizes a non-stop forwarding (NSF) virtual chassis architecture, which ensures that network traffic continues to flow even if one of the units in the stack fails.
Yes, the M4300-96X is future-ready and supports OpenFlow 1.3. This makes it a capable choice for organizations looking to implement SDN to gain more centralized control over their network traffic.
You have two primary options for management: a user-friendly Web UI for visual configuration or a Command Line Interface (CLI) for more granular, text-based control. This flexibility allows both IT generalists and network engineers to manage the device effectively.
Yes, it is a fully managed Layer 3 switch. It supports static, dynamic, and policy-based routing, as well as both IPv4 and IPv6 services, making it well-suited for routing traffic in mid-enterprise edge or SMB core networks.
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