Cisco WS-C2960XR-48TD-I 48x Port 2x10G SFP+ Network Switch

Overview

1. Port Configuration

• 48 Gigabit Ethernet Ports: The switch provides 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, each capable of supporting data transfer rates of 10/100/1000 Mbps. These ports are ideal for connecting end-user devices, such as computers, printers, IP phones, and wireless access points, ensuring fast and reliable network access.
• 2 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ Uplink Ports: The WS-C2960XR-48TD-I includes two SFP+ uplink ports, which support 10 Gigabit Ethernet speeds. These uplink ports are crucial for connecting the switch to the network core, data center, or other high-speed backbone infrastructure. The availability of 10G uplinks allows for high-bandwidth aggregation, ensuring that the network can handle data-intensive applications and large-scale traffic.

2. Performance and Scalability

• Switching Capacity: The switch boasts a substantial switching capacity of 216 Gbps, enabling it to handle a large amount of network traffic efficiently. This high capacity supports data transfer and processing in environments with heavy network usage, ensuring that performance remains consistent even under peak load conditions.
• Forwarding Rate: With a forwarding rate of 107.1 million packets per second (Mpps) for 64-byte packets, the WS-C2960XR-48TD-I ensures fast and efficient packet processing. This capability is vital for minimizing latency and ensuring smooth data flow, which is particularly important in latency-sensitive applications like voice and video communications.

3. Layer 3 Features

• Layer 3 Routing Capabilities: Unlike basic Layer 2 switches, the WS-C2960XR-48TD-I offers Layer 3 routing capabilities. This includes support for static routing and Routing Information Protocol (RIP). Layer 3 functionality allows the switch to make routing decisions based on IP addresses, facilitating more sophisticated network designs and efficient inter-VLAN routing.
• Inter-VLAN Routing: The switch supports inter-VLAN routing, allowing traffic to be routed between different VLANs internally, without the need for an external router. This feature enhances network efficiency and is particularly useful in segmented networks where traffic separation is necessary for security or organizational purposes.

4. Security Features

• Access Control Lists (ACLs): The WS-C2960XR-48TD-I includes extensive ACL capabilities, both standard and extended, which provide granular control over the network traffic. ACLs can be used to filter packets based on various criteria, such as IP address, protocol type, and port number, enhancing security by restricting unauthorized access and protecting sensitive data.
• 802.1X Network Access Control: The switch supports IEEE 802.1X authentication, a standard for port-based network access control. This feature requires devices to authenticate before gaining access to the network, ensuring that only authorized devices and users can connect. This is a critical feature for maintaining network security, especially in environments with a large number of users and devices.
• Secure Boot and Image Signing: The secure boot feature ensures that the switch loads only trusted Cisco software images, preventing the execution of unauthorized or compromised software. Image signing further enhances security by verifying the integrity and authenticity of the software, protecting the network from malicious attacks.

5. Energy Efficiency

• Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE): The WS-C2960XR-48TD-I supports Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE), which reduces power consumption during periods of low network activity. This energy-saving technology helps lower operational costs and contributes to environmentally sustainable practices.
• Power Management: The switch features advanced power management capabilities, including the ability to set power limits for each port and monitor power usage. These features help optimize power consumption, reduce waste, and extend the life of the switch and connected devices.

6. Management and Monitoring

• Cisco IOS Software: The switch runs Cisco IOS, a widely used network operating system known for its reliability, security, and extensive feature set. Cisco IOS provides advanced network services, including robust routing, security, and management features, making it a trusted choice for enterprise networks.
• Flexible Management Options: The WS-C2960XR-48TD-I offers multiple management interfaces, including a web-based graphical user interface (GUI), Command Line Interface (CLI), and Cisco Prime Infrastructure. These tools provide comprehensive control over the switch’s configuration and monitoring, allowing for both simple and advanced management tasks.
• Flexible NetFlow (FNF): FNF is a traffic monitoring feature that provides detailed visibility into network usage and traffic patterns. This feature helps in troubleshooting, optimizing network performance, and enhancing security by identifying potential threats and anomalies in real-time.

7. Quality of Service (QoS)

• Advanced QoS Features: The switch includes advanced Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities, essential for prioritizing critical network traffic and ensuring optimal performance for important applications. QoS features include traffic classification, marking, and policing, which help manage bandwidth and maintain service quality for voice, video, and data applications.
• Traffic Shaping and Rate Limiting: These features allow administrators to control the amount of bandwidth used by different types of traffic. Traffic shaping smooths traffic flows, preventing congestion and ensuring that high-priority traffic, such as voice and video, receives the necessary bandwidth to function effectively.

8. Physical and Environmental Specifications

• Compact and Durable Design: The switch has a 1U rack-mountable form factor, making it suitable for installation in standard 19-inch racks. This design maximizes space efficiency, which is particularly beneficial in data centers and wiring closets with limited space.
• Operational and Environmental Conditions: The WS-C2960XR-48TD-I is designed to operate within a temperature range of 32°F to 113°F (0°C to 45°C) and can handle relative humidity levels of 10% to 95% (non-condensing). This wide operating range makes the switch versatile for use in various environmental conditions, ensuring reliable performance.

9. Applications and Use Cases

• Enterprise Networks: The switch is ideal for enterprise environments that require high-performance, secure, and scalable network solutions. It can serve as an access layer switch, providing connectivity for end-user devices while supporting advanced features like PoE, QoS, and Layer 3 routing.
• Campus and Branch Offices: Its features make it suitable for deployment in campus networks and branch offices, where it can support a mix of data, voice, and video traffic. The switch’s PoE capability is particularly useful for powering devices such as IP phones and wireless access points.
• Data Centers: In data center environments, the switch can be used to connect servers and storage devices, providing high-speed network access and supporting virtualization, cloud services, and other data-intensive applications.