Description
Product Outline for the Cisco WS-C3560X-24T-S Managed Switch
The Cisco WS-C3560X-24T-S is a robust member of the Catalyst 3560-X Series, offering advanced networking capabilities for businesses seeking high-performance and reliable solutions. This Layer 3, rack-mountable switch is designed to meet the demands of modern network environments, providing 24 ports of 10/100/1000Base-T RJ-45 connectivity along with versatile features such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and an expansion slot.
10/100/1000Base-T RJ-45 Ports
The Cisco WS-C3560X-24T-S switch comes equipped with 24 ports, each supporting data transfer rates of 10/100/1000 Mbps. These ports utilize RJ-45 connectors, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of network devices and enabling seamless connectivity for various applications.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port
Featuring a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, this Layer3 switch offers convenient options for data transfer and storage. The USB port facilitates easy configuration and updates, enhancing the overall flexibility and usability of the device.
Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE)
Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE) is a standard that allows the switch to dynamically adjust its power consumption based on network traffic. During periods of low activity, the switch can reduce power consumption, contributing to energy savings without compromising performance.
Applications and Use Cases
Understanding the applications and use cases of the Cisco WS-C3560X-24T-S is crucial for potential users looking to integrate this switch into their networks.
Enterprise Networking
In large enterprises, where high-performance networking is paramount, the WS-C3560X-24T-S excels. Its Gigabit Ethernet connectivity ensures swift data transfer, and the Layer 3 functionality optimizes routing for seamless communication across departments and branches.
Data Centers
The compact 1U design and rack-mountable form factor make the WS-C3560X-24T-S an ideal choice for data center environments. Its manageable switch features empower data center administrators to configure and monitor network parameters efficiently.
Network Closets
For businesses with limited space or decentralized network setups, the WS-C3560X-24T-S can be deployed in network closets. The 1U design allows for efficient space utilization, and the switch’s manageability simplifies network administration in distributed environments.
Future-Ready Networking
The inclusion of an expansion slot positions the WS-C3560X-24T-S as a future-ready solution. Businesses can invest in this switch with the confidence that it can evolve alongside technological advancements, ensuring long-term viability for their networking infrastructure.
Advanced Security Features and Services
The WS-C3560X-24T-S Cisco Catalyst 3560-X series switch supports a variety of advanced security features and services that help protect the network from potential threats. Some of the advanced security features and services of the WS-C3560X-24T-S include:
- Access Control Lists (ACLs): This feature allows for filtering of inbound and outbound traffic based on specified criteria, such as IP address, protocol, and port number. This improves security by blocking unwanted traffic and allowing only authorized traffic to pass through the network.
- Cisco TrustSec: This feature provides identity-based security that allows for controlling access to the network based on the identity of the user or device. This improves security by ensuring that only authorized users and devices have access to the network.
- Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE): This feature allows for advanced network access control and security management. It provides a single point of control for network access and security policy enforcement, including endpoint profiling, posture assessment, and guest access management.
- IP Source Guard: This feature prevents IP address spoofing by filtering IP traffic based on the IP address and the interface on which it was learned.
- Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI): This feature inspects ARP packets and filters out any that do not conform to the network’s security policies. This improves security by preventing ARP spoofing attacks.
- DHCP snooping: This feature inspects DHCP packets and filters out any that do not conform to the network’s security policies, improving security by preventing DHCP spoofing attacks.
- Port Security: This feature allows for limiting the number of MAC addresses that can be learned on a specific port, improving security by preventing unauthorized devices from connecting to the network.
These advanced security features and services of the WS-C3560X-24T-S Cisco Catalyst 3560-X series switch provide network administrators with the tools they need to protect the network from potential threats and enforce security policies.
Deployment Considerations
Before integrating the Cisco WS-C3560X-24T-S into a network, certain deployment considerations should be taken into account.
Network Topology
Understanding the existing network topology is crucial for seamless integration. Whether it’s a star, ring, or mesh topology, the WS-C3560X-24T-S can adapt to various configurations, but proper planning ensures optimal performance.
Security Requirements
As a manageable switch, the WS-C3560X-24T-S provides features for enhancing network security. Administrators should carefully configure security settings, implement VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks), and leverage Layer 3 functionality to control and monitor network access.
Scalability
Businesses experiencing growth or anticipating increased network demands should consider the switch’s scalability. The presence of an expansion slot allows for future expansion, making the WS-C3560X-24T-S a scalable solution.
Advanced Routing Capabilities
The WS-C3560X-24T-S Cisco Catalyst 3560-X series switch supports a variety of advanced routing capabilities that provide improved network performance and flexibility. Some of these features include:
- Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP) and Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP): These protocols are Cisco proprietary routing protocols that support more complex routing scenarios, allowing for faster convergence times and better scalability than other routing protocols such as Routing Information Protocol (RIP)
- Open Shortest Path First (OSPF): This protocol is a link-state routing protocol that is widely used in enterprise networks. It provides fast convergence times and supports variable-length subnet masks (VLSMs) which allows for more efficient use of IP address space
- Border Gateway Protocol (BGP): This protocol is used to exchange routing information between routers in different autonomous systems (AS). It is commonly used in service provider networks for interconnecting different networks
- Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS): This protocol allows for efficient routing of data packets by using labels instead of traditional IP addresses and routing tables. This improves the performance and scalability of the network.
- Virtual Route Forwarding (VRF): This feature allows for creating multiple routing instances on a single router. This improves the security and organization of a network by isolating different routing domains.
- Routing Information Protocol (RIP) v2: This protocol is a distance-vector routing protocol that supports VLSMs and Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) which allows for more efficient use of IP address space.
These advanced routing capabilities of the WS-C3560X-24T-S Cisco Catalyst 3560-X series switch provide network administrators with the flexibility and control they need to optimize network performance and scalability. It supports a range of routing protocols which allows for better scalability and faster convergence times, making it suitable for large enterprise networks.
Power Options and Redundancy
The WS-C3560X-24T-S Cisco Catalyst 3560-X series switch supports various power options and redundancy features to ensure that the switch remains operational even in the event of a power failure. Some of these features include:
- Power over Ethernet (PoE): This feature allows for powering devices such as IP phones and wireless access points directly from the switch, eliminating the need for additional power supplies.
- StackPower: This feature allows for sharing power among multiple switches in a stack. This ensures that if one switch loses power, the other switches in the stack can provide power to keep the network running.
- Redundant Power Supply (RPS) Connector: The switch has an RPS connector that allows for connecting a redundant power supply. This provides an additional power source to keep the switch running in case of a power failure.
- Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE): This feature reduces power consumption during periods of low data activity.
- StackWise Plus technology: This feature allows for connecting multiple switches in a stack and managing them as a single entity. This provides scalability and redundancy for large network deployments.
These power options and redundancy features of the WS-C3560X-24T-S Cisco Catalyst 3560-X series switch ensure that the switch remains operational even in the event of a power failure, providing network administrators with the peace of mind that their network will continue to function even in the event of an unexpected power interruption.
General Information for the Cisco WS-C3560X-24T-S Ethernet Switch
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Part Number or SKU# WS-C3560X-24T-S
- Product Line Catalyst
- Product Series 3560-X
- Product Type: Ethernet Switch
Technical Information
- Total Number of Network Ports: 24
- USB: Yes
- Number of Network (RJ-45) Ports: 24
- Port/Expansion Slot Details: 24 x Gigabit Ethernet Network
Performance
- Ethernet Technology: Gigabit Ethernet
- Network Technology: 10/100/1000Base-T
I/O Expansions
- Number of Total Expansion Slots: 2
Network & Communication
- Layer Supported: 2
Memory
- Standard Memory: 256 MB
- Memory Technology: DRAM
- Flash Memory: 128 MB
Power Description
- Input Voltage: 110 V AC, 220 V AC
- Power Source: Power Supply
- Redundant Power Supply: Yes
Finally, the Cisco WS-C3560X-24T-S Catalyst 3560-X Series Switch stands out as a versatile and high-performance networking solution suitable for a variety of environments. Its combination of 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports, Layer 3 functionality, rack-mountable design, USB port, and expansion slot make it a compelling choice for enterprises, data centers, SMBs, and educational institutions. As organizations continue to embrace digital transformation, having a reliable and scalable network infrastructure is paramount, and the Cisco WS-C3560X-24T-S excels in meeting these requirements.
