Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L 24 Ports Ethernet Switch Catalyst Refurbished

The Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L is a member of the Catalyst 2960 series, which is a range of Ethernet switches designed by Cisco, a leading global networking technology company. This particular model, the WS-C2960-24TT-L, is a 24-port switch with specific capabilities that make it suitable for various network setups. Let's delve deeper into its features and specifications. It is designed to provide essential network connectivity features while maintaining simplicity and manageability.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, let's first understand some basic terminology and the purpose of a Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L Catalyst 2960 Ethernet Switch.

• Ethernet Switch: An Ethernet switch is a networking device that connects devices together on a local area network (LAN). It receives data from one device and forwards it to the specific device that needs it. This is in contrast to a hub, which simply broadcasts data to all devices on the network.
• Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L Catalyst 2960: This is the specific model of Ethernet switch we are discussing. It has 24 ports, which means it can connect up to 24 devices to your network. It's a manageable switch, meaning it allows for configuration and management of network settings.
• Layer 2 (L2): This refers to the second layer in the OSI model, which is the Data Link Layer 2 switches that operate at this layer and use MAC addresses to make forwarding decisions.
• 10Base-T: This is a type of Ethernet networking technology that operates at 10 Mbps (megabits per second) over twisted-pair copper cabling. It's one of the earliest Ethernet standards.
• 10/100/1000-TX Gigabit Ethernet Uplink: This is the uplink connection on the switch, which allows for faster data transfer. It supports both 10/100 Mbps and Gigabit (1000 Mbps) speeds.

This section will discuss the main features that make the Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L Catalyst 2960 Ethernet Switch stand out in the world of networking equipment.

• 24 Ports for Device Connectivity: One of the primary features of this switch is its 24 ports, which means it can connect up to 24 devices to your network. This makes it suitable for small to medium-sized businesses or even larger networks where multiple devices need to be connected.
• Layer 2 Switching: As a Layer 2 switch, the Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L operates at the Data Link Layer. It uses MAC addresses to make forwarding decisions, which makes it efficient for local network traffic.
• Manageable Configuration: This switch is manageable, meaning you can configure and manage it to meet your network's specific needs. You can set up VLANs, manage Quality of Service (QoS) settings, and control access to the network.
• Gigabit Ethernet Uplink: The 2x 10/100/1000-TX Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports provide high-speed connections for your network backbone. This is essential for handling large data transfers and ensuring smooth network performance.
• Quality of Service (QoS): QoS features in the Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L allow you to prioritize certain types of network traffic, ensuring that critical data, such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls, gets the necessary bandwidth and low latency.
• Energy-Efficient Design: Cisco has designed this switch with energy efficiency in mind. It uses technologies like Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE) to reduce power consumption during periods of low network activity.
• Security Features: The switch provides security features such as access control lists (ACLs) and port security to control who can access the network and protect against unauthorized access.

Now that we've covered the key features of the Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L Catalyst 2960, let's explore some common applications and use cases for this switch.

• Small to Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs): This switch is an excellent choice for SMBs that need to connect a moderate number of devices to their network. It provides the flexibility to manage network traffic efficiently and ensure secure access.
• Office Environments: In office settings, the Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L can be used to connect computers, printers, IP phones, and other office equipment. The manageable features make it easy to set up separate VLANs for different departments or functions.
• Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges can benefit from this switch to connect classrooms and administrative areas. With QoS support, it ensures a smooth online learning experience by prioritizing video conferencing and other educational applications.
• Hospitality Industry: Hotels and hospitality businesses can use this switch to provide reliable Wi-Fi and wired internet access to guests. The manageable features allow network administrators to control access and bandwidth allocation.
• Retail Stores: Retail businesses can use the switch to connect point-of-sale (POS) systems, security cameras, and inventory management systems. The security features help protect sensitive customer data.
• Data Centers: While the Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L is not typically used as a core switch in large data centers, it can be employed in smaller data center environments to connect servers and other equipment. Its gigabit uplink ports offer high-speed connectivity.

• Access Control Lists (ACLs): ACLs are used to control traffic entering or exiting the switch. You can define rules to permit or deny specific types of traffic based on source and destination IP addresses, ports, and other criteria.
• Port Security: Port security features allow you to limit the number of MAC addresses that can access a particular port, preventing unauthorized devices from connecting to the network.
• 802.1X Authentication: This security protocol enables port-based network access control. Devices must authenticate before they are granted network access.
• Secure Shell (SSH): Use SSH for secure remote access to the switch. SSH encrypts the connection, enhancing security when configuring the switch remotely.
• Role-Based Access Control: Define user roles with specific privileges, ensuring that only authorized personnel can make changes to the switch's configuration.

The performance of a network switch is a crucial factor, and the Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L Catalyst 2960 doesn't disappoint. Here, we'll explore its performance capabilities and scalability.

Throughput: The Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L offers a non-blocking switching capacity, which means that the switch's capacity is not a bottleneck for network traffic. Its forwarding rate is typically around 6.6 million packets per second (Mpps), making it suitable for handling high volumes of traffic in local networks.

Scalability: While this switch is designed for small to medium-sized networks, it can be used in combination with other Cisco switches to create a more extensive network. Cisco switches are designed to work together seamlessly, allowing for scalability as your network grows.

For larger networks, Cisco offers a range of switches with higher port counts and capabilities to accommodate the demands of enterprise-scale operations.

Energy efficiency and sustainability have become essential considerations in modern networking. The Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L Catalyst 2960 includes features to help reduce energy consumption and support sustainable networking practices.

Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE): The switch supports Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE), which reduces power consumption during periods of low network activity. EEE helps save energy and reduce operational costs by adjusting the power levels of the switch ports based on the actual demand.

Smart Power Management: Cisco switches, including the Catalyst 2960 series, often include features for smart power management. This includes the ability to schedule power to specific switch ports, powering them down during non-business hours or low-activity periods.

Eco-Friendly Packaging: Cisco, like many other technology companies, is making efforts to reduce environmental impact. This includes using eco-friendly packaging materials and minimizing waste during the manufacturing and shipping of their products.

Recycling Programs: Cisco also has recycling programs in place to help customers responsibly dispose of old networking equipment. This contributes to the circular economy by reducing electronic waste and promoting equipment recycling.

Ensuring network security and protecting sensitive data are paramount in today's digital world. The Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L Catalyst 2960 includes several security features to safeguard your network.

Access Control Lists (ACLs): Access Control Lists (ACLs) are a fundamental tool for controlling and monitoring network traffic. With ACLs, you can permit or deny specific types of traffic based on various criteria, including source and destination IP addresses, ports, and protocols.

Port Security: Port security is a feature that allows you to control which devices can connect to a specific switch port. You can set limits on the number of MAC addresses that can access the port, preventing unauthorized devices from connecting.

802.1X Authentication: This authentication protocol enhances network security by requiring devices to authenticate before they are granted access to the network. This ensures that only authorized devices can connect.

VLAN Segmentation: VLANs allow you to segment your network into separate virtual LANs, which can enhance security by isolating traffic. Devices in different VLANs cannot communicate directly, providing an additional layer of protection.

Secure Shell (SSH): Secure Shell (SSH) is a secure method for remotely accessing and configuring the switch. It encrypts the connection, protecting data during remote management sessions.

Role-Based Access Control: Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) allows you to assign specific privileges to users based on their roles within the organization. This ensures that only authorized personnel can make configuration changes to the switch.

High availability is critical for networks that need to operate continuously without downtime. The Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L Catalyst 2960 includes features and configurations to enhance network reliability.

Redundant Power Supply: For added reliability, some Cisco switches, including some models in the Catalyst 2960 series, support redundant power supply units (PSUs). Redundant PSUs provide backup power in case the primary PSU fails, minimizing network downtime.

Stacking: Cisco Catalyst switches can be stacked, allowing multiple switches to operate as a single logical unit. Stacking provides several benefits, including simplified management, improved resiliency, and increased network capacity.

Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP): RSTP is a network protocol that helps prevent loops in Ethernet networks. It allows for faster convergence in the event of a link or switch failure, reducing network downtime.

Hot Standby Routing Protocol (HSRP): HSRP is a Cisco proprietary protocol that provides high availability by allowing two or more routers to work together in a group. One router serves as the active router, while the others act as standby routers, ready to take over in case of failure.

Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP): Similar to HSRP, VRRP is a protocol that provides high availability by allowing multiple routers to work together as a virtual router. VRRP ensures that if the primary router fails, another router in the group takes over seamlessly.

Maximizing network performance on a WS-C2960-24TT-L Cisco Catalyst Layer2 24 Ports Ethernet switch involves several key steps.

• Quality of Service (QoS): Configuring QoS policies allows you to prioritize different types of network traffic, such as voice or video, to ensure that they receive the bandwidth they need to function properly. This can prevent congestion and ensure that critical applications are not impacted by less important traffic.
• Link Aggregation (LAG) or EtherChannel: Utilizing LAG or EtherChannel increases the available bandwidth by allowing multiple physical connections to be bundled together into a single logical connection. This also provides redundancy in case one of the physical connections fails.
• Flow Control: Configuring flow control can prevent dropped packets during periods of high network utilization by ensuring that the switch is not overwhelmed with more data than it can handle.
• Port Security: Enabling port security can prevent unauthorized access to the network by limiting the number of MAC addresses that can be associated with a particular port.
• Firmware and Software Updates: Keeping the switch up to date with the latest firmware and software version can ensure that you are taking advantage of any performance improvements or bug fixes that have been released.
• VLANs: Configuring VLANs can segment the network and improve security by isolating different types of traffic. This can also make it easier to manage and troubleshoot the network.
• Monitoring: Utilizing tools such as Cisco's Network Assistant or a network performance management system can help you monitor the switch's performance and identify any issues that may be impacting performance.

The WS-C2960-24TT-L Cisco Catalyst Layer2 24 Ports Ethernet switch supports various power options and redundancy features to ensure that the switch stays up and running even in the event of a power failure.

• Power Options: The switch can be powered by an AC power supply or by a DC power supply. It also supports the use of a redundant power supply (RPS) which can provide backup power in case the primary power supply fails.
• Power Over Ethernet (PoE): The switch also supports Power Over Ethernet (PoE) which allows it to provide power to connected devices, such as IP phones or wireless access points, over the Ethernet cable. This eliminates the need for separate power cables and outlets.
• Redundancy: The switch supports several redundancy features to ensure that the network stays up and running even in the event of a failure. Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) and Cisco EtherChannel technology can provide link redundancy by allowing multiple physical links to be bundled together into a single logical link. This ensures that if one link fails, the other links can still provide connectivity.
• High Availability: The switch also supports High Availability features like Cisco StackWise technology, which allows multiple switches to be connected together and function as a single unit, and Cisco StackPower, which allows power to be shared among the switches in the stack. This ensures that if one switch fails, the others can take over and maintain network connectivity.

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number or SKU# WS-C2960-24TT-L
• Product Line: Catalyst
• Product Series: 2960
• Product Model: 2960-24TT
• Product Type: Ethernet Switch

• Total Number of Network Ports: 24
• Uplink Port: Yes
• Number of Network (RJ-45) Ports: 24
• Port/Expansion Slot Details: 24 x Fast Ethernet Network
• Port/Expansion Slot Details: 2 x Gigabit Ethernet Uplink

• Media Type Supported: Twisted Pair
• Twisted Pair Cable Standard: Category 5
• Ethernet Technology: Fast Ethernet
• Network Technology: 10Base-T
• Network Technology: 10/100/1000Base-T

• Layer Supported: 2

• Input Voltage: 110 V AC
• Input Voltage: 220 V AC
• Power Source: Power Supply
• Redundant Power Supply: Yes

In summary, the Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L Catalyst 2960 switch is a versatile and cost-effective network switch that offers a range of features and benefits for various networking scenarios. With 24 10Base-T ports, 2 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports, VLAN support, QoS capabilities, and enhanced security features, this switch is well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses, office environments, educational institutions, remote offices, and various other applications.

By providing scalability, network segmentation, high-speed uplinks, and ease of management, the Cisco WS-C2960-24TT-L helps organizations build reliable and efficient network infrastructures.