Description
Overview of the Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-L 24 Ports Switch
The WS-C2960+24PC-L is a Cisco Catalyst 2960-Plus switch that is designed for small and medium-sized enterprise networks. It is a 24-port switch that supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) and is managed through a web-based interface. The switch is a Layer 2 device which means it can forward and filter data based on MAC addresses and VLANs but it does not perform routing. This switch has 10/100 Ethernet 24 ports, 4 of which also support PoE, allowing you to power devices such as IP phones and wireless access points directly from the switch. The switch can be managed locally or remotely through a web-based interface or through Cisco’s command-line interface (CLI). The switch also has advanced security features to protect against network threats and Quality of Service (QoS) features to prioritize different types of network traffic. Additionally, the switch supports the Cisco EnergyWise technology which helps to reduce energy consumption and costs by monitoring and controlling the energy usage of connected devices.
Power Over Ethernet (PoE)
One of the standout features of the WS-C2960+24PC-L is its Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability. This functionality allows the switch to deliver power to compatible devices, such as IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points, over the same Ethernet cable used for data transfer. This not only simplifies cable management but also reduces the need for additional power sources.
Manageability
The Layer 2 manageability of this switch enhances network control and optimization. Administrators can configure and monitor the switch through a user-friendly interface, ensuring that the network operates efficiently and securely. The manageability of a network device is paramount in ensuring smooth operations. The WS-C2960+24PC-L offers comprehensive manageability features, allowing administrators to configure and monitor the switch effectively. Operating at Layer 2 of the OSI model, it focuses on data link functions, including Ethernet frame forwarding, making it a crucial component in building efficient and secure networks.
Rack Mountable Design
The WS-C2960+24PC-L features a rack-mountable design, making it easy to integrate into existing network setups. This space-efficient form factor is essential for organizations looking to maximize their server room or data center space.
Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) Slots
With 2x Shared Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) slots, this Cisco Catalyst switch offers flexibility in connecting to fiber-optic networks. These SFP slots enable high-speed connections over longer distances, catering to businesses with extended network requirements.
Fast Ethernet Switch
The inclusion of Fast Ethernet technology ensures that data is transmitted at high speeds, meeting the demands of bandwidth-intensive applications. Fast Ethernet, with its 100 Mbps data rate, ensures a smooth and responsive network experience for users.
Use Cases of Catalyst 2960 PoE Switch IP Surveillance Systems
The PoE capability of the WS-C2960+24PC-L makes it an excellent choice for IP surveillance systems. It can power IP cameras over the Ethernet cable, simplifying installation and reducing the need for separate power sources.
VoIP Deployments
Businesses relying on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems will benefit from the switch’s PoE support. It ensures that VoIP phones receive both data and power through a single cable, streamlining connectivity.
Wireless Networks
For organizations with wireless networks, the SFP slots offer the flexibility to connect to fiber-optic links for reliable and high-speed wireless connectivity. The switch’s manageability also facilitates the optimization of wireless network settings.
Security Measures
The importance of network security cannot be overstated, and the Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-L incorporates various measures to protect against potential threats.
Access Control Lists (ACLs)
Access Control Lists enable administrators to control which devices can communicate with the switch and what services they can access. This helps in preventing unauthorized access and securing the network from potential threats.
Port Security
Port security features allow administrators to restrict the number of devices that can connect to a particular port. This prevents unauthorized devices from accessing the network and enhances overall security.
VLAN Segmentation
Virtual LANs (VLANs) enable the segmentation of network traffic, enhancing security by isolating different types of data. The Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-L supports VLAN configurations, allowing administrators to create distinct segments within the network.
Advanced Routing and Switching
The WS-C2960+24PC-L is a Layer 2 switch, which means it primarily forwards and filters data based on MAC addresses and VLANs. It does not have advanced routing capabilities such as routing protocols like OSPF or BGP, and it cannot perform more complex network tasks like policy-based routing. If advanced routing and switching capabilities are needed, a Layer 3 switch or a router should be used in conjunction with the WS-C2960+24PC-L.
However, the switch does support some basic routing features such as VLAN routing, which allows different VLANs on the switch to communicate with each other without the need for an external router. It also supports static routing, which allows you to manually configure routes on the switch.
In terms of switching capabilities, the WS-C2960+24PC-L supports features such as Quality of Service (QoS) for traffic prioritization, Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) for link aggregation, and Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) for loop prevention. Additionally, the switch supports advanced security features such as Access Control Lists (ACLs) and Secure Shell (SSH) for secure remote management.
Quality of Service (QoS) Capabilities
The WS-C2960+24PC-L Cisco Catalyst 2960-Plus 24PC-L 24-Ports PoE Manageable Layer 2 Ethernet Switch has some Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities that allow you to prioritize different types of network traffic.
The switch supports a feature called differentiated services code point (DSCP) marking, which allows you to assign a priority level to different types of traffic based on their DSCP value. This allows you to give higher priority to mission-critical traffic such as real-time voice and video, and lower priority to less critical traffic such as file transfers.
The switch also supports traffic shaping and rate limiting, which allows you to control the rate of traffic flowing through the switch. This can be useful for preventing network congestion and ensuring that high-priority traffic is not impacted by lower-priority traffic.
Additionally, the switch supports Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) which allows you to bundle multiple physical interfaces together to form a single logical link, providing higher bandwidth and redundancy.
General Information about this Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-L Ethernet Switch
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Model Number or SKU# WS-C2960+24PC-L
- Product Line: Catalyst
- Product Series: 2960
- Product Type: Ethernet Switch
Interfaces/Ports for 24 Ports Switch
- Total Number of Network Ports: 24
- Port/Expansion Slot Details: 2 x Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Slot
- Enclosure Type: Rack-mountable 1u
- Poe Budget: 370 W
Performance of Managed Switch
- Ethernet Technology: Fast Ethernet
- Media Type Supported: Twisted Pair
- Network Technology: 10/100Base-TX
- Network Technology: 10Base-T
I/O Expansions for Ethernet Switch
- Expansion Slot Type: SFP
- Number of Total Expansion Slots: 2
Management & Protocols
- Manageable: Yes
Network & Communication
- Layer Supported: 2
Power Description
- Input Voltage: 110 V AC
- Input Voltage: 220 V AC
- PoE (RJ-45) Port: Yes
Features
- Layer 2 Switching, Auto-sensing per device, Dynamic IP Address Assignment, DHCP Support, Power Over Ethernet (PoE), Auto-negotiation, BootP Support, ARP Support, Load Balancing, VLAN Support, Auto-uplink (Auto MDI/MDI-X), IGMP Snooping, Syslog Support, DiffServ Support, Broadcast Storm Control, IPv6 Support, Multicast Storm Control, Unicast Storm Control, Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) Support, Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) Support, DHCP Snooping, Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) Support, Port Aggregation Protocol (PAgP) Support, Access Control List (ACL) Support, Quality of Service (QoS), Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), Port Security, MAC Address Notification, Remote Switch Port Analyzer (RSPAN)
Compliant Standards
- IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.3z, IEEE 802.1D, IEEE 802.1Q, IEEE 802.3ab, IEEE 802.1p, IEEE 802.3af, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.3ad (LACP), IEEE 802.1w, IEEE 802.1x, IEEE 802.1s, IEEE 802.3ah, IEEE 802.1AB (LLDP)
Outline, the Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-L Catalyst 2960 Fast Ethernet Switch stands as a reliable and feature-rich solution for modern networking needs. Its combination of port density, PoE support, Layer 2 manageability, and other advanced features make it a versatile choice for businesses aiming to enhance their network infrastructure. As technology continues to evolve, the Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-L remains a steadfast option, ensuring long-term reliability and performance.
