Cisco WS-C2960XR-24PD-I Catalyst 2960XR 24-Port PoE Switch

Overview

1. Port Configuration and Uplink Options

• 24 Gigabit Ethernet Ports: The switch is equipped with 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports, each supporting speeds of 10/100/1000 Mbps. These ports provide high-speed connectivity for devices such as computers, printers, IP phones, and wireless access points. The gigabit speed ensures efficient data transfer, which is crucial for bandwidth-intensive applications.
• 2 SFP+ Uplink Ports: In addition to the Ethernet ports, the WS-C2960XR-24PD-I features 2 SFP+ uplink ports capable of 10 Gigabit Ethernet speeds. These uplink ports allow the switch to connect to the network backbone or data center with high bandwidth, ensuring smooth and fast data transfer for critical applications. SFP+ ports offer flexibility as they can be used with a variety of optical transceivers, making the switch adaptable to different network setups.

2. Power over Ethernet (PoE)

• PoE+ Support: The switch supports Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+), delivering up to 30W of power per port. This capability is particularly useful for powering devices like IP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras, which eliminates the need for separate power supplies and reduces cabling costs. The total PoE power budget for the WS-C2960XR-24PD-I is substantial, enabling the switch to power multiple devices simultaneously.

3. Performance and Scalability

• Switching Capacity: The WS-C2960XR-24PD-I offers a switching capacity of up to 128 Gbps. This high capacity enables the switch to handle large volumes of traffic, making it suitable for environments with high data throughput requirements.
• Forwarding Rate: With a forwarding rate of 95.2 million packets per second (Mpps), the switch ensures efficient packet processing, minimizing latency and ensuring timely delivery of data across the network. This is particularly important for real-time applications such as voice and video conferencing.

4. Layer 3 Capabilities

• Layer 3 Routing: The switch provides basic Layer 3 routing capabilities, including support for static routing and the Routing Information Protocol (RIP). This allows the switch to manage routing between different IP networks, making it suitable for more complex network environments that require inter-VLAN routing or small-scale WAN connectivity.

5. Security Features

• Advanced Security Features: The WS-C2960XR-24PD-I includes a range of security features such as Access Control Lists (ACLs), which provide granular control over network traffic. ACLs can filter packets based on various criteria like IP address, port number, and protocol type, enhancing network security by preventing unauthorized access.
• 802.1X Network Access Control: This feature supports port-based network access control, ensuring that only authenticated users and devices can access the network. This is crucial for protecting sensitive data and maintaining the integrity of the network.
• Secure Boot and Image Signing: Secure boot ensures that the switch only runs software that is authenticated by Cisco, protecting against tampering and unauthorized software. Image signing further ensures the integrity of the firmware and software updates, adding an extra layer of security.

6. Energy Efficiency

• Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE): The switch supports Energy-Efficient Ethernet, which reduces power consumption during periods of low data activity. This feature helps in lowering operational costs and aligns with green IT initiatives by reducing the environmental impact of the network infrastructure.
• Advanced Power Management: The WS-C2960XR-24PD-I includes features for monitoring and controlling power usage, allowing network administrators to optimize energy consumption and manage the switch’s PoE budget efficiently.

7. Management and Monitoring

• Cisco IOS Software: Running on Cisco IOS, the switch provides a robust and feature-rich operating system known for its reliability and security. Cisco IOS offers a wide range of features for network management, security, and routing, making it a powerful tool for network administrators.
• Flexible Management Options: The switch can be managed through various interfaces, including a web-based graphical user interface (GUI), Command Line Interface (CLI), and support for Cisco Prime Infrastructure. These options offer flexibility, allowing administrators to choose the most convenient method for configuring and monitoring the switch.
• Flexible NetFlow (FNF): FNF provides detailed visibility into network traffic patterns, helping in monitoring and analyzing traffic flows. This feature is useful for optimizing network performance, troubleshooting issues, and enhancing security through better network visibility.

8. Quality of Service (QoS)

• Advanced QoS Features: The switch includes advanced QoS capabilities that help prioritize critical network traffic, ensuring that high-priority applications like voice, video, and real-time data receive the bandwidth they need. Features like traffic classification, marking, policing, and shaping help maintain the quality and performance of the network services.

9. Physical and Environmental Specifications

• Compact and Rack-Mountable Design: The switch has a 1U form factor, making it suitable for installation in standard 19-inch racks. This compact design saves space and allows for efficient use of rack space in data centers and wiring closets.
• Operating Environment: The WS-C2960XR-24PD-I is designed to operate in a wide range of environmental conditions, including temperatures from 32°F to 113°F (0°C to 45°C) and relative humidity levels from 10% to 95% (non-condensing). This flexibility makes it suitable for deployment in various physical environments.

10. Applications and Use Cases

• Enterprise Networks: The switch is well-suited for enterprise networks that require high performance, advanced security, and flexibility. Its PoE+ capabilities make it ideal for powering a range of devices, while its Layer 3 features support complex network designs.
• Campus Networks and Branch Offices: The WS-C2960XR-24PD-I is an excellent choice for campus networks and branch offices, where it can provide reliable and scalable network access for a large number of users. Its advanced security and management features make it easy to deploy and manage in distributed environments.
• Data Centers: In data center environments, the switch can be used to connect servers, storage devices, and other critical infrastructure, providing high-speed network access and support for data-intensive applications.