WS-C3850-24T-E

The Cisco WS-C3850-24T-E is a 24-port Gigabit Ethernet switch designed to meet the needs of enterprise networks, offering high performance, scalability, and advanced features for managing and securing network traffic. It is part of the Cisco 3850 Series, which is well-known for its flexibility, reliability, and powerful capabilities, making it suitable for large-scale deployments in campus networks, data centers, and business environments where performance and uptime are critical.

Key Features:

1. 24 Gigabit Ethernet Ports:
   • The WS-C3850-24T-E offers 24 Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) ports for wired network connectivity. These ports allow for high-speed communication across the network and are designed for devices such as computers, printers, IP phones, and access points that require reliable, fast Ethernet connectivity.
2. Layer 3 Routing:
   • The switch supports Layer 3 routing capabilities, which means it can handle routing between VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) and enable inter-network communication. This reduces the need for separate routers and improves the efficiency of traffic routing in the network. The WS-C3850-24T-E supports advanced routing protocols like OSPF, EIGRP, and RIP, which helps ensure reliable and efficient network communication.
3. Cisco StackWise-480 Technology:
   • The WS-C3850-24T-E features Cisco StackWise-480 technology, allowing for the stacking of multiple 3850 series switches. This technology enables up to nine switches to operate as a single logical unit, which simplifies management and enhances network scalability. The 480 Gbps stacking bandwidth ensures that stacked switches continue to provide high throughput without performance degradation, even as the network expands.
4. Cisco IOS XE Software:
   • The WS-C3850-24T-E runs on Cisco IOS XE, a powerful operating system that provides advanced features for network management and automation. Cisco IOS XE is modular, which allows for seamless software updates and continuous operation. The software supports network automation, Quality of Service (QoS), security policies, and multicast routing, providing a comprehensive suite of tools for configuring and managing the switch.
5. Advanced Security Features:
   • The switch includes robust security features to safeguard the network from unauthorized access and threats. This includes Access Control Lists (ACLs), Port Security, 802.1X authentication, IP Source Guard, and Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI). These features help prevent common attacks like Denial of Service (DoS), man-in-the-middle attacks, and unauthorized access to network resources, ensuring a secure and reliable network environment.
6. High Availability and Redundancy:
   • The WS-C3850-24T-E is built for high availability, with features like redundant power supplies (optional) and hot-swappable fans to ensure continuous operation. These features are crucial for environments where uptime is critical, such as in data centers or enterprise networks. Even if a power supply or fan fails, the switch will continue to operate without interruption, minimizing the risk of network downtime.
7. Quality of Service (QoS):
   • The WS-C3850-24T-E supports Quality of Service (QoS), which allows administrators to prioritize certain types of traffic. This is particularly useful for ensuring the performance of critical applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, and cloud services, which require low latency and consistent bandwidth. With QoS, the switch can intelligently manage traffic to guarantee that high-priority applications get the resources they need, even during periods of network congestion.
8. Energy-Efficient Design:
   • The WS-C3850-24T-E is designed to be energy-efficient, supporting Cisco EnergyWise technology. This allows network administrators to monitor and manage the power consumption of the switch and other network devices, leading to reduced energy costs and a lower environmental impact. The switch’s energy-efficient design ensures that the network can be operated sustainably without compromising performance.
9. Flexible Management Options:
   • The WS-C3850-24T-E offers flexible management through Cisco IOS XE, which supports several management interfaces such as CLI (Command Line Interface), SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), and integration with Cisco Prime Infrastructure for centralized management. These tools provide network administrators with various ways to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot the switch, ensuring efficient and effective management of the network.
10. Scalability:
    • The WS-C3850-24T-E is highly scalable, making it a great choice for businesses that expect their network to grow over time. It supports stacking with other Cisco 3850 series switches, enabling seamless network expansion without the need to disrupt existing infrastructure. This scalability allows the switch to support the evolving needs of businesses, from small offices to large enterprise networks.

Ideal Use Cases:

• Enterprise Networks: The WS-C3850-24T-E is an excellent choice for enterprise networks, where reliable Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, Layer 3 routing, and high availability are critical. It’s perfect for campus networks, where a large number of devices and multiple VLANs need to be interconnected.
• Data Centers: In data centers, the WS-C3850-24T-E provides high-speed, reliable connectivity for servers, storage devices, and other critical equipment. The ability to stack multiple switches and manage them as a single unit makes it easy to expand and manage large-scale data center environments.
• High-Bandwidth Applications: Organizations that run high-bandwidth applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, and cloud-based services will benefit from the QoS capabilities of the WS-C3850-24T-E, ensuring that these applications receive the necessary priority and resources.
• Small and Medium-Sized Businesses: Small and medium-sized businesses looking for a scalable, cost-effective solution to meet their growing network demands will find the WS-C3850-24T-E an ideal choice. Its ability to support Layer 3 routing, stacking, and security features makes it a flexible option for businesses that need reliable and secure network infrastructure.

Conclusion:

The Cisco WS-C3850-24T-E is a high-performance 24-port Gigabit Ethernet switch designed for organizations that need reliable and scalable networking solutions. With features such as Layer 3 routing, stacking, advanced security, Quality of Service (QoS), and Cisco IOS XE, this switch provides the tools necessary for managing and securing complex networks. It is an ideal solution for enterprise networks, data centers, and organizations with growing connectivity needs. The switch offers flexibility, high availability, and energy efficiency, making it a great choice for businesses that demand both performance and sustainability in their network infrastructure.