NETGEAR M4300-8X8F Managed L3 10G Ethernet (100/1000/10000) 1U Black

The NETGEAR M4300 Stackable Switch Series provides cost-effective L2/L3/L4 and IPv4/IPv6 services for mid-enterprise edge and SMB core deployments, offering full PoE+ support and flexible stacking between 10 Gigabit and 1 Gigabit models. The series supports spine-and-leaf line-rate stacking topologies, Non-stop Forwarding (NSF) virtual chassis for hitless failover, dual redundant modular power supplies on full-width models, and a Layer 3 feature set (static, dynamic and policy-based routing) as standard. The switches are suitable for wireless access, unified communications and IP video, and include SDN and OpenFlow 1.3 support for future network needs.

Advantages

Best-in-class stacking enables mixed stacking between 10G and 1G models using any 10G port and media type (RJ45, SFP+, DAC). High availability is provided through NSF and hitless failover so a standby switch can take over without disrupting traffic forwarding. Two half-width M4300 units can be paired in a single rack space for redundant Top-of-Rack installations with Auto-iSCSI prioritization. All 10G ports operate independently and are backward compatible with 1G for gradual migration to 10G. The complete feature set—including L2 switching and L3 routing (static, RIP, OSPF, VRRP, PIM, PBR)—is available without additional licenses. Automated DHCP/BootP-based auto-installation supports firmware and configuration uploads. Line-rate stacking topologies protect investment by offering versatile deployment options in server rooms, branch cores or network edges, while OpenFlow support readies networks for SDN when needed. Security features include successive tiering in Authentication Manager and tiered authentication workflows (Dot1x → MAB → Captive Portal) suitable for BYOD environments. Management uses industry-standard CLI, a functional NETGEAR GUI, SNMP, sFlow and RSPAN, with the NMS300 platform available for centralized firmware updates and mass configuration. The M4300 series is covered by NETGEAR ProSafe Lifetime Hardware Warranty with 90 days phone/email support, lifetime chat support and Lifetime Next Business Day hardware replacement.

Key specifications

• Stacking: Mixed 10G and 1G stacking; spine-and-leaf line-rate topologies
• Forwarding: Non-stop Forwarding (NSF) virtual chassis with hitless failover
• Power: Full PoE+ support; dual redundant modular power supplies on full-width models
• Routing: Layer 3 features as standard — static, dynamic and policy-based routing (RIP, OSPF, VRRP, PIM, PBR)
• Ports: 10 Gigabit ports independent and 1G backward compatible; any 10G port supports RJ45, SFP+, DAC
• Management: CLI, NETGEAR GUI, SNMP, sFlow, RSPAN, NMS300 centralized management
• SDN/OpenFlow: OpenFlow 1.3 enabled
• Installation: DHCP/BootP auto-installation with firmware/configuration upload
• Warranty & Support: ProSafe Lifetime Hardware Warranty; 90 days phone/email support; lifetime chat support; Lifetime Next Business Day replacement

How to use

Install switches in rack units according to the chosen topology (stacked spine-and-leaf or Top-of-Rack). Connect stacking links using any supported 10G port and compatible media (RJ45, SFP+ modules or DAC cables) and configure stack membership via CLI or GUI. Enable Non-stop Forwarding (NSF) and configure redundancy options to ensure hitless failover; install dual power supplies on full-width models for additional resilience. Configure L2 policies, VLANs and access control, then set up L3 routing protocols (static routes, RIP, OSPF) or policy-based routing as required. Use DHCP/BootP auto-install to automate firmware and configuration deployment for multiple units. For BYOD environments, configure Authentication Manager with tiered authentication (Dot1x, MAB, Captive Portal) and apply timeouts and policies per port. Monitor and manage the fleet through NETGEAR GUI, CLI or NMS300 for centralized firmware updates and mass configuration.

Recommendations

For resilient deployments, pair half-width units in one rack for redundant Top-of-Rack installations, provision redundant power supplies on full-width models, and enable NSF with hitless failover. Use Auto-iSCSI prioritization for storage traffic and plan a phased migration to 10G by leveraging the 1G backward compatibility of 10G ports. Employ NMS300 for centralized management and ensure firmware and configuration backups before performing mass updates.