Description
Product Details for the Cisco WS-C2950-12 Ethernet Switch
The Cisco WS-C2950-12 is part of the Catalyst 2950 Series, a line of switches designed for local network connectivity. It is equipped with 12 RJ-45 ports, making it a robust solution for Ethernet-based connections. This managed switch plays a crucial role in optimizing network performance and facilitating seamless communication within a local network environment. The Catalyst 2950 Series, produced by Cisco, is a line of switches renowned for their reliability and efficiency in providing network connectivity. These switches are particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses, offering a cost-effective solution for building and expanding LANs.
Speed and Versatility
One notable feature of the WS-C2950-12 is its support for both Ethernet 10Base-T and Ethernet 100Base-TX standards. The 10Base-T standard provides a data transfer rate of 10 Mbps (Megabits per second), while the 100Base-TX standard pushes the speed to 100 Mbps. This dual support caters to diverse network requirements, allowing the switch to adapt to various scenarios with ease.
Enhanced Network Performance
The WS-C2950-12 plays a pivotal role in enhancing network performance through its support for high-speed Ethernet standards and advanced management features. The 100Base-TX support ensures rapid data transfer, while the managed capabilities provide administrators with the tools needed to optimize network resources.
Ethernet 10Base-T and Ethernet 100Base-TX
- Ethernet 10Base-T: This is the standard for Ethernet connections over twisted pair cables, offering a data transfer rate of 10 Mbps (Megabits per second). It is a reliable and widely used standard, suitable for various network applications.
- Ethernet 100Base-TX: This standard enhances data transfer rates to 100 Mbps, providing higher speed and performance compared to the 10Base-T. It is commonly used for faster and more demanding network tasks.
Benefits of Managed Switches
- Network Monitoring: Managed switches enable network administrators to monitor traffic, identify potential issues, and optimize performance.
- Virtual LANs (VLANs): These switches support VLANs, allowing the network to be segmented for improved efficiency, security, and management.
- Quality of Service (QoS): QoS features in managed switches prioritize certain types of traffic, ensuring that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth.
- Security Features: Managed switches often include security features like Access Control Lists (ACLs) to regulate traffic and enhance network security.
Scalability for Growing Networks
In the dynamic landscape of modern businesses, network scalability is crucial. The 12 ports of the WS-C2950-12 allow for the seamless addition of devices as the network expands, ensuring that the switch remains a reliable cornerstone of network infrastructure.
Improved Security Measures
The inclusion of port security features in the WS-C2950-12 contributes to a more secure network environment. Administrators can control access to the network, mitigating potential security risks and safeguarding sensitive data.
High-Reliability of Managed Switch
The WS-C2950-12 Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series 12 Ports Managed Switch is designed to provide high reliability in order to minimize downtime and ensure that the network stays up and running. Some of the key features that contribute to the high reliability of the switch include:
- Redundancy: The switch supports Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), which allows for the bundling of multiple physical ports into a single logical link. This increases bandwidth and provides redundancy in the event of a single port failure.
- Spanning Tree Protocol (STP): The switch supports STP, which helps prevent loops in a network and provides redundancy. This ensures that if one link in the network fails, the switch will automatically reroute traffic to ensure that the network stays up and running.
- Quality of Service (QoS): The switch supports QoS, which allows for the prioritization of different types of network traffic. This ensures that important traffic, such as voice and video, is given priority over less important traffic, such as file transfers, which helps to minimize downtime due to network congestion.
- Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE): The switch supports EEE which reduces power consumption by putting the switch into a low-power idle state when there is no network traffic.
- Advanced Security: The switch supports various security features such as Access Control List (ACL) and Secure Shell (SSH) which will help to secure the switch and the connected devices
Compliant Standard
The WS-C2950-12 Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series 12 Ports Managed Switch is compliant with a variety of industry standards. These standards help ensure that the switch is compatible with other network devices and that it provides a consistent level of performance and functionality. Some of the key standards that the part is compliant with include:
- IEEE 802.3: This is a family of IEEE standards for Ethernet, which defines the physical and data link layers of the OSI model. This part is compliant with IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T, IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX, and IEEE 802.3ab 1000BASE-T standards, which provide support for different Ethernet speeds and cabling types.
- IEEE 802.1D: This is the IEEE standard for Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), which helps prevent loops in a network and provides redundancy.
- IEEE 802.1Q: This is the IEEE standard for Virtual LANs (VLANs), which allows for the segmentation of a single physical network into multiple logical networks.
- IEEE 802.3ad: This is the IEEE standard for Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), which allows for the bundling of multiple physical ports into a single logical link.
- IEEE 802.1p: This is the IEEE standard for Quality of Service (QoS), which allows for the prioritization of different types of network traffic.
- IEEE 802.3x: This is the IEEE standard for Flow Control, which allows for the management of network congestion.
- SNMP: Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a standard for managing and monitoring network devices.
- SSH: Secure Shell (SSH) is a protocol for secure remote access to a command-line interface.
Resiliency and High Availability
The WS-C2950-12 Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series 12 Ports Managed Switch is designed to provide resiliency and high availability to ensure that the network stays up and running in case of a failure. Some of the key features that contribute to the resiliency and high availability of the switch include:
- Redundancy: The switch supports Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), which allows for the bundling of multiple physical ports into a single logical link. This increases bandwidth and provides redundancy in the event of a single port failure.
- Spanning Tree Protocol (STP): The switch supports STP, which helps prevent loops in a network and provides redundancy. This ensures that if one link in the network fails, the switch will automatically reroute traffic to ensure that the network stays up and running.
- Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP): The switch supports RSTP, which is an enhanced version of STP. RSTP allows for faster convergence in the event of a failure, which helps minimize downtime.
- Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP): The switch supports MSTP which allows for the creation of multiple spanning tree instances on a switch which helps to improve the scalability and redundancy of the network.
- Quality of Service (QoS): The switch supports QoS, which allows for the prioritization of different types of network traffic. This ensures that important traffic, such as voice and video, is given priority over less important traffic, such as file transfers, which helps to minimize downtime due to network congestion.
General Information about this Cisco Ethernet Switch
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Model Number or SKU# WS-C2950-12
- Product Line: Catalyst
- Product Series: 2950
- Product Type: Ethernet Switch
Interfaces & Ports
- Number of Ports: 12
- Fast Ethernet Port: Yes
- Interfaces/Ports: 12 x RJ-45 10/100Base-TX LAN
- Interfaces/Ports: 1 x RJ-45 Console Management
Performance
- Connectivity Media: Category 5 UTP 100Base-TX
- Connectivity Media: Category 3, 4, 5 UTP 10Base-T
- Performance: Up to 2.4Gbps Forwarding Bandwidth
- Performance: 1.8Mpps Forwarding Rate for 64-byte Packet
- Performance: 8.8Gbps Switching Fabric
Memory
- Standard Memory: 16MB
- Flash Memory: 8MB
Power Description
- Input Voltage: 110V AC
- Input Voltage: 220V AC
- Input Voltage Range: 100V AC to 127V AC
- Frequency: 50 Hz to 60 Hz
- Power Consumption: 30 W Operating
- Power Source: Power Supply
In general, the Cisco WS-C2950-12 Catalyst 2950 Series Managed Switch stands out as a reliable and versatile networking solution. Its combination of port flexibility managed switch capabilities, and RJ-45 connectivity make it well-suited for a variety of applications. Whether you’re establishing a new network or upgrading an existing one, the WS-C2950-12 offers a balance of performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, making it a valuable asset for businesses seeking to optimize their local area networks. The Cisco WS-C2950-12 Catalyst 2950 Series Managed Switch stands as a reliable and versatile networking solution, particularly suitable for SMBs, educational institutions, and enterprise environments. Its 12 RJ-45 LAN ports, support for Ethernet 10Base-T and 100Base-TX, and advanced managed switch features make it a valuable asset for building efficient and secure networks. As businesses continue to evolve, having a scalable and adaptable networking solution like the Cisco WS-C2950-12 becomes increasingly essential for meeting the demands of modern connectivity.
