The Cisco WS-3850-48P-E is a 48-port PoE+ (Power over Ethernet) switch from the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series, designed for medium to large enterprise networks. It provides Gigabit Ethernet connectivity and offers advanced Layer 3 routing capabilities, making it an excellent choice for businesses that require high performance, scalability, and flexibility. The switch is ideal for environments where network expansion, high availability, and power delivery to end devices are essential.
Key Features and Benefits:
1. 48 PoE+ Ports:
- The WS-3850-48P-E is equipped with 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, with Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) support. PoE+ allows the switch to deliver power to connected devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, and surveillance cameras over the same Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for separate power supplies for these devices.
2. Layer 3 Routing:
- This switch supports Layer 3 routing, enabling advanced IP routing capabilities within the network. With features such as static routing and dynamic routing (OSPF, EIGRP), the switch is well-suited for organizations that require more sophisticated routing between subnets and other network segments, improving overall network performance.
3. Stacking Capability:
- The WS-3850-48P-E supports Cisco StackWise-480 technology, allowing multiple switches to be stacked and function as a single unit. This capability simplifies network management, increases network reliability through redundancy, and enhances scalability without requiring additional configuration changes.
4. High-Performance Switching:
- The switch is designed to handle high-volume traffic with a forwarding capacity that supports high-speed data transfer. The WS-3850-48P-E provides low latency and efficient forwarding of data packets, which is crucial for demanding applications such as real-time communication, video streaming, and data center traffic.
5. Advanced Security Features:
- The switch comes with a range of security features to protect the network from unauthorized access and potential security threats. Features such as 802.1X authentication, ACLs (Access Control Lists), MAC address filtering, and DHCP snooping ensure that only authorized users and devices can connect to the network, enhancing overall security.
6. Energy-Efficient Design:
- The WS-3850-48P-E is designed to be energy-efficient, with support for Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) standards. This ensures that the switch consumes less power, which reduces operational costs and minimizes its environmental impact.
7. High Availability and Redundancy:
- With stacking and redundant power supply options, the WS-3850-48P-E ensures high availability and minimizes downtime. In the event of a failure, the remaining switches in the stack continue to operate without interruption, providing reliable service to the network.
8. Quality of Service (QoS):
- The switch includes QoS features that help prioritize traffic based on its importance, ensuring that latency-sensitive applications, such as voice and video, are given priority over less critical data. This ensures smooth, high-quality communication and reduces network congestion.
9. Flexible Deployment Options:
- The WS-3850-48P-E is designed for easy deployment and integration into existing networks. It supports both on-premises and cloud-managed configurations, allowing businesses to manage the switch either locally or remotely.
10. Cisco DNA Ready:
- The switch is compatible with Cisco Digital Network Architecture (DNA), enabling organizations to take advantage of advanced network automation, analytics, and security features. This integration simplifies network management and helps businesses to optimize their networks for better performance and security.
Use Cases:
- Enterprise Networks: The WS-3850-48P-E is ideal for medium to large enterprise environments, where high-performance, Layer 3 routing, and PoE+ are required. It’s perfect for connecting a wide range of devices while ensuring the network can scale as the organization grows.
- Data Centers: The switch’s stacking capabilities and high-speed performance make it suitable for data center environments where reliability, redundancy, and the ability to support high-bandwidth applications are essential.
- VoIP and Wireless Networks: The PoE+ support makes it an excellent choice for businesses that deploy IP phones, wireless access points, and other PoE devices. The switch can provide both data connectivity and power to these devices over a single cable, simplifying network design and reducing cable clutter.
- Branch Offices and Remote Locations: For companies with multiple branch offices, the WS-3850-48P-E can be used to provide consistent and reliable network connectivity, ensuring that remote locations can access the same level of performance and security as the main office.
Summary:
The Cisco WS-3850-48P-E is a 48-port PoE+ switch with Layer 3 routing capabilities designed for medium to large enterprise networks. It offers stacking for scalability, high-speed data transfer, and advanced security features, making it an ideal solution for environments that require reliable, secure, and high-performance connectivity. The PoE+ support enables the delivery of both power and data to connected devices, simplifying network deployments and reducing operational complexity. With its energy-efficient design, redundant power options, and high availability, the WS-3850-48P-E is a powerful and versatile switch for businesses looking to optimize their network infrastructure.
