Cisco WS-C2960S-48LPS-L 48 Ports PoE+ 2960S Gigabit Switch

Overview

Physical Specifications

1. Form Factor and Size
   • Rack-Mountable Design: The WS-C2960S-48LPS-L is designed to be mounted in standard 19-inch racks, making it ideal for data centers, network closets, and other enterprise environments. Its form factor ensures a neat and organized network setup.
   • Dimensions: The switch measures 1.75 x 17.5 x 11.8 inches (4.45 x 44.5 x 30.0 cm). This size allows for efficient space utilization in racks, supporting the need for high-density network installations.
2. Weight
   • Manageable Weight: Weighing approximately 14.8 pounds (6.7 kg), the switch is relatively easy to handle during installation and maintenance. Its weight ensures stability when mounted and minimizes the risk of accidental dislodging.

Performance and Capacity

1. Port Configuration
   • Ethernet Ports: The WS-C2960S-48LPS-L features 48 Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) ports, providing high-speed connectivity for end devices such as computers, servers, printers, and IP phones. This extensive port count supports dense network environments, enhancing overall productivity.
   • Uplink Ports: The switch includes 4 SFP (Small Form-Factor Pluggable) uplink ports, allowing for flexible and high-speed connections to the core network or other switches. These uplink ports support a variety of SFP transceivers, providing versatility in network design.
2. Power over Ethernet (PoE)
   • PoE+ Support: The WS-C2960S-48LPS-L supports PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) on 24 of its 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, delivering up to 30W per port with a total PoE power budget of 370W. This capability is crucial for powering IP cameras, VoIP phones, wireless access points, and other PoE-enabled devices, eliminating the need for additional power supplies.
3. Performance Metrics
   • Switching Capacity: The switch offers a switching capacity of 176 Gbps, ensuring efficient data handling and low-latency performance across all ports. This high capacity supports the simultaneous transmission of multiple data streams without congestion.
   • Forwarding Rate: The switch has a forwarding rate of 77.4 Mpps (million packets per second), ensuring quick and reliable data transfer, which is essential for maintaining high-performance network operations.

Software and Features

1. Operating System
   • Cisco IOS Software: The WS-C2960S-48LPS-L runs on Cisco IOS, a robust and feature-rich operating system known for its reliability and extensive capabilities in network management, security, and scalability. Cisco IOS provides a consistent and familiar interface for network administrators, simplifying configuration and management.
2. Management
   • User-Friendly Interfaces: The switch can be managed through an intuitive web-based graphical user interface (GUI), making it easy for users with varying levels of technical expertise to configure and monitor the switch. For advanced users, the Command Line Interface (CLI) offers powerful configuration options and scripting capabilities.
   • SNMP Support: Supports Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), allowing integration with various network management systems for comprehensive monitoring and control. This enables administrators to efficiently manage network resources and ensure optimal performance.
3. Layer 2 Features
   • VLAN Support: Provides support for up to 4,096 VLANs, allowing for extensive network segmentation, improved traffic management, and enhanced security. VLANs enable the separation of network traffic into logical segments, which can improve performance and security.
   • Spanning Tree Protocol (STP): Includes support for STP, Rapid STP (RSTP), and Multiple STP (MSTP). These protocols help prevent network loops and ensure a stable and efficient network topology, improving overall network reliability.
   • Link Aggregation: Supports IEEE 802.3ad Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), enabling the combination of multiple physical links into a single logical link. This increases bandwidth and provides redundancy, enhancing network performance and reliability.
4. Security Features
   • Access Control Lists (ACLs): Provides robust security by allowing fine-grained control over network traffic. ACLs enable administrators to define and enforce security policies at the port level, enhancing security and compliance.
   • Port Security: Limits the number of devices that can connect to each port, preventing unauthorized access and enhancing network security. This feature helps protect the network from MAC address flooding attacks and other security threats.
   • DHCP Snooping and Dynamic ARP Inspection: Protects against rogue DHCP servers and ARP spoofing attacks, ensuring network integrity and security. These features help maintain accurate IP-to-MAC address bindings and prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.

Environmental and Compliance

1. Power Efficiency
   • Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE): Supports IEEE 802.3az standard, reducing power consumption during periods of low data activity. This contributes to lower operational costs and environmental sustainability by minimizing energy usage.
   • Low Power Consumption: Designed to be energy-efficient, with a maximum power consumption of around 370W, making it an eco-friendly choice for businesses focused on reducing their carbon footprint.
2. Operating Conditions
   • Temperature Range: Operates reliably within a temperature range of 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F), suitable for various environmental conditions. This wide temperature range ensures the switch can function effectively in different settings, from climate-controlled data centers to less controlled environments.
   • Humidity Range: Supports operation in environments with humidity levels between 10% to 95% (non-condensing), ensuring versatility in different climates and conditions. This adaptability makes the switch suitable for deployment in diverse geographic locations.
3. Compliance
   • Certifications: The WS-C2960S-48LPS-L complies with global regulatory standards, including CE Mark, FCC Part 15, and others. This ensures the switch meets safety and performance standards required for deployment in various regions and industries, providing assurance of quality and reliability.

Warranty and Support

1. Cisco Limited Lifetime Warranty
   • The switch is covered by Cisco’s limited lifetime warranty, providing assurance against hardware defects and access to software updates. This warranty ensures long-term reliability and performance, giving customers peace of mind.
   • Support Services: Optional Cisco support services, such as Smart Net Total Care, offer enhanced technical support and rapid hardware replacement options. These services help minimize downtime and ensure optimal network performance, allowing businesses to maintain high availability and reliability.

Use Cases

1. Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
   • Ideal for businesses requiring reliable and scalable network solutions, providing high-speed connectivity, PoE capabilities, and advanced management features. The switch is perfect for supporting a variety of network devices and applications, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.
2. Branch Offices
   • Offers robust and flexible networking for branch offices, enabling efficient and secure connectivity with the central office and supporting PoE devices. The switch’s compact size and ease of management make it an excellent choice for remote locations.
3. Large Campus Networks
   • Suitable for large campus environments where high-density port configurations are needed. The WS-C2960S-48LPS-L’s extensive port count, PoE capabilities, and advanced security features make it ideal for supporting a wide range of devices and applications across a large area.