WS-C3850-48P-L

The Cisco WS-C3850-48P-L is a high-performance 48-port Gigabit Ethernet switch with PoE+ (Power over Ethernet) support, designed to meet the needs of enterprise networks, data centers, and campus environments. This model is part of the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series, which provides advanced features and scalability to support modern network demands. The WS-C3850-48P-L delivers secure, reliable, and high-bandwidth connectivity while offering advanced Layer 3 routing, stacking capabilities, and Power over Ethernet (PoE+), which simplifies network deployments by providing both power and data over the same Ethernet cable.

Key Features:

1. 48 Gigabit Ethernet Ports with PoE+:
   • The WS-C3850-48P-L offers 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, all of which support PoE+ (802.3at), providing up to 30 watts of power per port. This is ideal for powering devices such as IP phones, wireless access points (WAPs), IP cameras, and other PoE-enabled devices without requiring separate power cables. This PoE+ support makes it easier and more cost-effective to deploy network infrastructure by reducing the need for additional electrical wiring.
2. Layer 3 Routing:
   • As a Layer 3 switch, the WS-C3850-48P-L provides advanced routing capabilities, enabling the switch to route traffic between VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) and handle inter-VLAN routing. It supports dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP, and RIP, allowing the switch to efficiently direct traffic across different subnets and optimize network performance. This makes it a powerful alternative to traditional routers in networks that require both switching and routing functionalities.
3. Cisco StackWise-480 Technology:
   • The WS-C3850-48P-L features Cisco StackWise-480, allowing multiple switches in the 3850 series to be stacked together and operated as a single logical unit. This stacking technology provides 480 Gbps of stacking bandwidth, ensuring high-speed, non-disruptive communication between stacked switches. Stacking simplifies network management, provides redundancy, and allows for seamless expansion without disrupting network operations. Administrators can manage all stacked switches through a single management interface, making large network deployments easier to configure and maintain.
4. Cisco IOS XE Software:
   • The WS-C3850-48P-L runs on Cisco IOS XE, an advanced and flexible operating system that provides enhanced features for network automation, monitoring, and management. IOS XE offers a range of tools for configuring and managing the switch, such as CLI (Command Line Interface), SNMP, and integration with Cisco DNA Center for centralized network management. IOS XE also ensures seamless software updates, high availability, and modularity, which makes the switch ideal for businesses that require continuous operation.
5. Advanced Security Features:
   • The switch is equipped with advanced security features to protect the network from unauthorized access and cyber threats. This includes support for Access Control Lists (ACLs), 802.1X authentication, Port Security, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), and IP Source Guard. These security protocols help prevent DoS (Denial of Service) attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks, and other malicious activities, ensuring that network traffic remains secure and compliant with industry standards.
6. High Availability and Redundancy:
   • The WS-C3850-48P-L is designed to ensure high availability, making it suitable for mission-critical environments that cannot afford network downtime. It supports redundant power supplies (optional) and hot-swappable fans to maintain operation even in the event of a component failure. These redundancy features help minimize the risk of service disruption, providing a stable and reliable network infrastructure.
7. Quality of Service (QoS):
   • The switch supports advanced Quality of Service (QoS) features, allowing businesses to prioritize network traffic based on application needs. With QoS, critical applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, and cloud-based applications can be given higher priority, ensuring that they receive the necessary bandwidth and perform optimally even during times of network congestion.
8. Energy-Efficient Design:
   • The WS-C3850-48P-L is designed with energy efficiency in mind, supporting Cisco EnergyWise technology to monitor and manage the power consumption of both the switch and connected devices. This feature helps reduce operating costs and minimizes the environmental impact of the network. The switch’s energy-efficient operation ensures that businesses can achieve both performance and sustainability without compromising on power.
9. Flexible Management Options:
   • The WS-C3850-48P-L offers multiple management options, including the CLI (Command Line Interface), SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), and integration with Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco DNA Center. These management tools make it easy for network administrators to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot the switch in a way that aligns with their operational needs, ensuring that network performance is optimized and issues are quickly resolved.
10. Scalability:
    • The WS-C3850-48P-L is highly scalable, supporting the addition of more switches to meet growing network demands. The StackWise-480 technology allows for seamless stacking of up to nine switches, increasing the overall network capacity and extending the reach of the network. This scalability ensures that the switch can grow alongside the organization’s needs, from small businesses to large enterprises.

Ideal Use Cases:

• Enterprise Networks: The WS-C3850-48P-L is ideal for enterprise networks that require high-density, high-performance, and secure connectivity. With PoE+ support for powered devices, Layer 3 routing, and stacking capabilities, this switch is perfect for organizations that need to power IP phones, access points, and other devices while managing their VLANs and routing traffic efficiently.
• Campus Networks: For campus networks that need to support a large number of devices and applications, the WS-C3850-48P-L offers the performance, scalability, and security needed to manage traffic efficiently and maintain uptime. The ability to stack multiple switches provides flexibility for expanding the network as the campus grows.
• Data Centers: The WS-C3850-48P-L provides high-density connectivity and PoE+ support for data center applications, allowing for the seamless integration of powered devices and servers. It’s a great choice for data centers requiring high availability, redundancy, and Layer 3 routing for managing large-scale traffic flows between servers, storage, and other critical components.
• Medium and Large-Sized Businesses: The WS-C3850-48P-L is a suitable solution for medium to large-sized businesses looking for a robust switch that can support high traffic loads and a wide range of applications, including Voice over IP (VoIP), video conferencing, and cloud services. The switch’s ability to stack and scale as the business grows makes it a future-proof solution.

Conclusion:

The Cisco WS-C3850-48P-L is a feature-rich, 48-port Gigabit Ethernet switch with PoE+ support, ideal for organizations that require high-performance, scalable, and secure network connectivity. With its Layer 3 routing capabilities, Cisco StackWise-480 technology, advanced security features, and energy-efficient design, the WS-C3850-48P-L is a versatile solution for enterprise networks, data centers, and campus environments. This switch offers powerful capabilities to manage growing network infrastructures while providing both high-speed data transmission and power to connected devices, making it a reliable choice for businesses with demanding connectivity and security requirements.