Cisco WS-C2960XR-48FPD-I 48x Ports GE 2x SFP+ Uplinks Switch – Brand New

Overview

1. Port Configuration

• 48 Gigabit Ethernet Ports with Full PoE+: The switch comes with 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, each supporting Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+). This allows the switch to deliver up to 30 watts per port, which is sufficient to power a wide range of network devices including IP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras. The PoE+ feature simplifies the network deployment by eliminating the need for separate power supplies for these devices, thus reducing cabling complexity and installation costs.
• 2 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ Uplink Ports: In addition to the standard Ethernet ports, the WS-C2960XR-48FPD-I includes 2 SFP+ uplink ports that support 10 Gigabit Ethernet speeds. These high-speed uplinks are crucial for connecting the switch to the network core or other high-bandwidth devices, providing the necessary throughput for data-intensive applications and ensuring efficient data flow across the network.

2. Performance and Scalability

• Switching Capacity: The switch features a robust switching capacity of up to 216 Gbps, ensuring that it can handle substantial amounts of data traffic without performance degradation. This capacity supports a high volume of concurrent connections and data transfers, which is essential for environments with demanding network loads.
• Forwarding Rate: The WS-C2960XR-48FPD-I has a forwarding rate of 107.1 million packets per second (Mpps) for 64-byte packets. This high forwarding rate ensures that the switch can process and forward data packets quickly and efficiently, minimizing latency and improving overall network performance.

3. Layer 3 Features

• Basic Layer 3 Routing: Unlike standard Layer 2 switches, the WS-C2960XR-48FPD-I offers basic Layer 3 routing capabilities. This includes support for static routing and Routing Information Protocol (RIP), which allows for more sophisticated network designs and better traffic management. Layer 3 functionality enables the switch to make routing decisions based on IP addresses, facilitating efficient inter-VLAN routing and reducing the need for external routers.
• Inter-VLAN Routing: The switch supports inter-VLAN routing, allowing traffic to be routed between different VLANs without the need for a separate router. This feature is particularly useful in environments that require multiple broadcast domains for segmentation and security purposes, such as large offices or campuses.

4. Security Features

• Access Control Lists (ACLs): The WS-C2960XR-48FPD-I supports both standard and extended ACLs, which provide granular control over the traffic entering and exiting the network. ACLs can be used to filter traffic based on various criteria, such as IP addresses, protocols, and port numbers, enhancing network security by preventing unauthorized access and protecting sensitive data.
• Secure Boot and Image Signing: Cisco’s secure boot feature ensures that the switch boots using a legitimate Cisco software image. This, combined with image signing, helps prevent unauthorized or compromised software from running on the device, protecting the network from security threats and vulnerabilities.
• 802.1X Authentication: The switch supports 802.1X port-based network access control, which authenticates devices before they are allowed to connect to the network. This feature is critical for maintaining network security, as it ensures that only authorized devices can access network resources.

5. Power and Energy Efficiency

• Power Over Ethernet Plus (PoE+): With PoE+ support on all 48 ports, the WS-C2960XR-48FPD-I can deliver up to 740W of total power. This is particularly beneficial in environments with a large number of PoE devices, such as IP phones, cameras, and wireless access points, allowing them to be powered directly through the network cable.
• Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE): The switch includes Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE) features, which help reduce power consumption during periods of low network activity. This energy-saving technology automatically adjusts the power consumption based on the traffic load, contributing to lower operational costs and supporting environmentally-friendly practices.

6. Resiliency and Redundancy

• Redundant Power Supply Options: The WS-C2960XR-48FPD-I supports external redundant power supplies (RPS). In the event of a primary power supply failure, the RPS can provide continuous power to the switch, minimizing downtime and ensuring uninterrupted network operation.
• Stacking Capability: The switch is stackable, which means it can be interconnected with other switches in a stack configuration. This allows for simplified management, increased scalability, and enhanced resiliency, as the stack can function as a single logical unit. The stacking feature is beneficial in growing networks that require scalable solutions with centralized management.

7. Management and Monitoring

• Web-Based Interface and CLI: The WS-C2960XR-48FPD-I offers a web-based interface and a Command Line Interface (CLI) for configuration and management. The web interface provides a user-friendly platform for basic configurations, monitoring, and troubleshooting, while the CLI offers more advanced options and granular control for experienced network administrators.
• Cisco IOS Software: The switch runs on Cisco IOS software, a robust and feature-rich operating system that provides advanced networking features, security options, and quality of service (QoS) capabilities. Cisco IOS is widely recognized for its stability, performance, and extensive feature set, making it a preferred choice for enterprise networks.
• Flexible NetFlow (FNF): This feature allows for detailed monitoring and analysis of network traffic. FNF provides visibility into traffic patterns and can help in identifying security threats, troubleshooting network issues, and optimizing performance.

8. Quality of Service (QoS)

• Comprehensive QoS Features: The WS-C2960XR-48FPD-I includes advanced QoS capabilities, which are essential for managing and prioritizing network traffic. QoS ensures that critical applications, such as voice and video, receive the necessary bandwidth and priority, minimizing latency and jitter. This is particularly important in converged networks where data, voice, and video services are transmitted over the same infrastructure.
• Traffic Shaping and Policing: The switch supports traffic shaping and policing, which helps in managing bandwidth utilization and preventing network congestion. These features allow administrators to control the flow of traffic and enforce policies that ensure optimal network performance.

9. Physical and Environmental Specifications

• Compact Design: The switch has a compact 1U form factor, making it easy to install in standard 19-inch racks. This design saves space and allows for efficient use of rack space, which is especially valuable in data center and wiring closet environments.
• Operating and Storage Conditions: The WS-C2960XR-48FPD-I is designed to operate in a wide range of environmental conditions, supporting temperatures from 32°F to 113°F (0°C to 45°C) during operation and from -40°F to 158°F (-40°C to 70°C) during storage. It also supports humidity levels of 10% to 95% (non-condensing).

10. Applications and Use Cases

• Enterprise Networks: The switch is well-suited for enterprise networks that require high performance, scalability, and robust security features. It is ideal for use as an access layer switch, connecting end-user devices and providing power and network services.
• Campus and Branch Offices: Its features and capabilities make the WS-C2960XR-48FPD-I a great choice for deployment in campus and branch office environments, where there is a need for PoE+ power, high bandwidth, and secure access.
• Data Centers: In data center environments, the switch can be used for server and storage connectivity, providing high-speed network access and supporting virtualization and other demanding applications.