Description
Product Outline of the Cisco WS-C2960XR-24PD-I 24 Ports Manageable Switch
The Cisco WS-C2960XR-24PD-I is a member of the Catalyst series, known for its robust and high-performance network switches. This particular model is a Layer 3 switch, implying that it operates at the network layer of the OSI model, enabling routing functionalities in addition to traditional switching. This Catalyst series is specifically designed to provide Layer 3 functionality. This means it can make intelligent routing decisions, allowing for efficient and optimized data transfer within a network.
24 Ports Manageable Switch
The switch supports 10/100/1000Base-T, which means it offers compatibility with various Ethernet speeds. With 24 ports, it provides flexibility for connecting a multitude of devices within your network infrastructure. These ports support twisted pair cabling, a common and cost-effective solution for Ethernet connectivity.
Expansion Slots
Equipped with 2 x Expansion Slots, the Cisco WS-C2960XR-24PD-I allows for future scalability. These slots can accommodate additional modules or interfaces, enabling users to adapt the switch to evolving network requirements without the need for a complete hardware replacement.
10 Gigabit Ethernet
One of the standout features of this switch is its support for 10 Gigabit Ethernet. This high-speed connectivity option is crucial for handling data-intensive tasks and ensuring smooth communication between devices in a network. The switch is well-suited for environments where high bandwidth is a priority.
SFP+ Slots
In addition to its copper-based connectivity options, the switch includes 2 x SFP+ (Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus) slots. SFP+ technology allows for the use of fiber optic cables, enabling longer-distance connections and enhancing overall network flexibility.
Manageable Switch
The Cisco WS-C2960XR-24PD-I is a manageable switch, providing administrators with the tools and interfaces needed to monitor and control network activities. This manageability is crucial for optimizing performance and ensuring security, and issues effectively.
Network Management Protocols
To streamline network management, this Cisco switch supports various protocols such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), ensuring compatibility with popular network management tools. SNMP allows administrators to monitor the performance of the switch, detect issues, and implement corrective actions promptly.
Advanced Network Management
The WS-C2960XR-24PD-I Cisco Catalyst switch provides a range of Quality of Service (QoS) features that can help prioritize traffic and improve network performance. Some of the key QoS features of this switch include:
- Classification and marking: The switch supports several methods of identifying and classifying traffic, including IP address, MAC address, protocol, and port number. It can also apply different QoS markings, such as Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) or Class of Service (CoS), to prioritize traffic.
- Queuing and scheduling: The switch offers several queuing algorithms, including strict priority, weighted round-robin, and shaped round-robin. It also supports scheduling techniques like weighted fair queuing (WFQ) and low-latency queuing (LLQ) to ensure that high-priority traffic is serviced first.
- Congestion management: The switch can detect and manage congestion on the network by using techniques like Random Early Detection (RED) and Weighted Random Early Detection (WRED). These techniques can help prevent network congestion by dropping packets before the network becomes overwhelmed.
- Traffic shaping: The switch can shape traffic to limit the amount of bandwidth used by certain applications or protocols. This can be useful for controlling the amount of bandwidth used by non-critical applications, such as peer-to-peer file sharing.
- Link aggregation: The switch supports link aggregation, which can increase the bandwidth available to certain devices or applications by combining multiple physical links into a single logical link.
Advanced FeaturesLayer 3 Functionality
As a Layer 3 switch, the Cisco WS-C2960XR-24PD-I goes beyond basic Layer 2 switching by incorporating routing capabilities. This enables the switch to make intelligent decisions based on IP addresses, improving network efficiency and reducing reliance on external routers.
QoS (Quality of Service)
Quality of Service is a critical aspect of modern networking, especially in environments where different types of data (voice, video, data) coexist. This Cisco switch supports QoS mechanisms, allowing administrators to prioritize certain types of traffic to ensure a consistent and reliable user experience.
Security Features
Security is paramount in any network infrastructure. The Cisco WS-C2960XR-24PD-I includes a range of security features such as access control lists (ACLs), DHCP snooping, and IP source guards to protect against unauthorized access and potential threats. These features contribute to creating a secure and resilient network environment.
Energy Efficiency
In today’s environmentally conscious landscape, energy efficiency is a key consideration. The switch is designed with features like Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) and Cisco’s own EnergyWise technology, which helps reduce power consumption during periods of low network activity. This not only lowers operational costs but also aligns with sustainable business practices.
Use CasesEnterprise Networks
The Cisco WS-C2960XR-24PD-I is well-suited for medium to large enterprise networks where a combination of high performance, scalability, and security is essential. Its Layer 3 capabilities make it a valuable asset in handling the complexities of modern business networks.
Data Centers
In data center environments, where the demand for high-speed and reliable connectivity is critical, the switch’s 10 Gigabit Ethernet support becomes particularly relevant. The ability to expand and adapt through additional slots makes it a versatile solution for evolving data center requirements.
Quality of Service (QoS) Features
The WS-C2960XR-24PD-I Cisco Catalyst 24 Ports Managed Ethernet Switch offers a variety of Quality of Service (QoS) features that allow you to prioritize and manage network traffic to ensure the best possible performance for critical applications. Here are some of the QoS features of the switch:
- Classification: The switch supports several methods for classifying traffic, including port-based, VLAN-based, and protocol-based classification. This allows you to identify and prioritize different types of traffic based on their characteristics.
- Marking: The switch can mark packets with different QoS values based on their classification. This allows downstream devices to apply the appropriate QoS policies to the traffic.
- Policing: The switch supports traffic policing, which allows you to limit the rate of traffic on a per-port or per-VLAN basis. This can help prevent network congestion and ensure fair usage of network resources.
- Shaping: The switch also supports traffic shaping, which allows you to limit the rate of traffic on a per-port or per-VLAN basis, but in a more flexible manner than policing. Shaping buffers excess traffic and releases it during periods of low network usage, preventing network congestion.
- Queueing: The switch supports multiple priority queues for traffic management, allowing you to prioritize traffic based on its QoS value. You can also configure the switch to use weighted round-robin (WRR) or strict priority queueing to control traffic flow.
- Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP): The switch supports LACP, which allows you to bundle multiple physical ports into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy. LACP also supports QoS, allowing you to prioritize traffic on the aggregated link.
- Auto-QoS: The switch supports Auto-QoS, which automatically detects and configures QoS settings based on the type of traffic detected on the network.
General Information for the Cisco WS-C2960XR-24PD-I Ethernet Switch
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Part Number or SKU# WS-C2960XR-24PD-I
- Product Line: Catalyst
- Product Series: 2960-XR
- Product Type: Ethernet Switch
Technical Information
- Total Number of Network Ports: 24
- Token Ring Port: No
- LRE Port: No
- Bypass: No
- Modular: No
- Management Port: Yes
- USB: Yes
- Number of PoE (RJ-45) Ports: 12
- Port/Expansion Slot Details: 2 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Slot
- Port/Expansion Slot Details: 24 x Gigabit Ethernet Network
Performance
- Switching Capacity: 216 Gbps
- Forwarding Performance: 95.2 Mpps
Capacity
- Virtual Interfaces (VLANs): 1023
- Jumbo Frame Support: 9216
- Max Units in a Stack: 8
Routing Protocol
- OSPF, RIP-1, RIP-2, HSRP, VRRP, PIM-SM, PIM-DM, PIM-SSM, Policy-based Routing (PBR), RIPng
Remote Management Protocol
- SNMP 1, SNMP 2, RMON 1, RMON 2, RMON 3, RMON 9, Telnet, SNMP 3, SNMP 2c, HTTP, SSH, CLI
I/O Expansions
- Number of Total Expansion Slots: 2
- Expansion Slot Type: SFP+
- Number of SFP+ Slots: 2
Network & Communication
- Layer Supported: 3
Features
- Layer 2 Switching, Auto-negotiation, ARP Support, CISCO Fast EtherChannel, VLAN Support, Auto-uplink (Auto MDI/MDI-X), IGMP Snooping, 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, Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) Support, Access Control List (ACL) Support, Quality of Service (QoS), RADIUS Support, MLD Snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), Uni-directional Link Detection (UDLD), Shaped Round Robin (SRR), Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), Remote Switch Port Analyzer (RSPAN), Layer 3 Load Balancing, Per-VLAN Rapid Spanning Tree (PVRST), Energy Efficient Ethernet, Multicast VLAN Registration (MVR), Strict Priority Queuing (SPQ), Class of Service (CoS)
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), IEEE 802.3at, IEEE 802.3az
Memory
- Standard Memory: 512 MB
- Memory Technology: DRAM
- Flash Memory: 128 MB
Power Description
- Power Device: Internal Power Supply – Hot-plug
- Installed Qty: 1 (installed) / 2 (max)
- Power Redundancy: Yes
- Power Redundancy Scheme: 1+1
- Power Provided: 640 Watt
- Voltage Required: AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
In general, the Cisco WS-C2960XR-24PD-I Catalyst Layer 3 switch offers a robust combination of physical capabilities, management features, and advanced functionalities. Whether deployed in enterprise networks, data centers, or educational institutions, this switch addresses the demands of modern networking environments. Its scalability, security features, and energy efficiency make it a reliable choice for organizations looking to build or upgrade their network infrastructure. Understanding the key attributes of this switch empowers network administrators to make informed decisions and leverage its full potential for the benefit of their organizations.
