Description
Product Details for the Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L Ethernet Switch
In the realm of networking, the Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L Catalyst 2960 stands out as a prominent player, specifically designed to meet the demands of modern Ethernet connectivity. This comprehensive review aims to delve into the features, specifications, and benefits of this 24-port Ethernet switch, shedding light on its capabilities and suitability for various networking scenarios.
Overview of Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L Catalyst 2960
The Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L Catalyst 2960 is a member of the Catalyst 2960 Series, renowned for its reliability and performance in Ethernet switching. This particular model is equipped with 24 ports, making it suitable for businesses and organizations requiring a robust and scalable network infrastructure.
24 Ports for Enhanced Connectivity
The primary highlight of the Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L is its 24 Ethernet ports, providing ample connectivity options for various devices. This feature is particularly beneficial in environments with a high number of networked devices, such as offices, data centers, and educational institutions.
Fast Ethernet Support
The switch supports Fast Ethernet, ensuring swift data transfer speeds across the network. With a focus on efficiency, this capability is instrumental in meeting the requirements of bandwidth-intensive applications and facilitating seamless communication within the network.
Layer 2 Switching for Efficient Data Handling
Built on Layer 2 switching technology, the Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L optimizes data handling within the network. This ensures efficient packet switching and enhances the overall performance of the network, making it well-suited for scenarios where low latency and high throughput are paramount.
Quality of Service (QoS) Features
To prioritize and manage network traffic effectively, the Catalyst 2960 Series incorporates Quality of Service (QoS) features. These mechanisms enable the switch to allocate bandwidth based on application requirements, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted user experience for critical applications.
Energy-Efficient Design
Cisco is committed to sustainability, and the WS-C2960-24TC-L reflects this commitment with its energy-efficient design. The switch incorporates features such as Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) and Cisco’s patented EnergyWise technology, contributing to reduced power consumption and operational costs.
Scalability and Flexibility
As network requirements evolve, scalability becomes a crucial factor. The Catalyst 2960 Series is designed with scalability in mind, allowing organizations to expand their network infrastructure seamlessly. The switch’s modular architecture and compatibility with Cisco’s networking solutions contribute to its adaptability in diverse environments.
Technical Specifications
Now, let’s delve into the technical specifications that define the Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L Catalyst 2960 in more detail.
Switching Capacity
The switch boasts a commendable switching capacity, indicating its ability to handle a significant volume of data traffic. This parameter is vital for ensuring smooth and responsive network performance, especially in environments with heavy data communication requirements.
Forwarding Rate
The forwarding rate is a crucial metric that influences how quickly the switch can process and transmit data packets. A high forwarding rate is indicative of the switch’s efficiency in handling network traffic, minimizing latency, and optimizing data delivery.
RAM and Flash Memory
The Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L is equipped with sufficient RAM and Flash memory, essential for storing and processing configuration files, firmware, and other essential data. A well-balanced combination of these memory components contributes to the switch’s stability and reliability.
Security Features
Security is a top priority in modern networking, and the Catalyst 2960 Series addresses this concern through a range of security features. These include access control lists (ACLs), secure shell (SSH) encryption, and protection against various types of cyber threats. The switch’s robust security measures ensure the integrity and confidentiality of network data.
Use Cases
Understanding the use cases for the Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L Catalyst 2960 is essential for determining its applicability in diverse environments. Here are some scenarios where this switch excels:
Enterprise Networking
In large enterprises with a multitude of devices requiring network connectivity, the 24 ports of the Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L prove invaluable. The switch’s scalability ensures that it can accommodate the growing demands of an expanding enterprise network.
Data Centers
Data centers demand high-performance networking equipment to facilitate the rapid transfer of large volumes of data. The Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L, with its Fast Ethernet support and Layer 2 switching capabilities, is well-suited for optimizing data center network architectures.
Small to Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs)
SMBs looking for a cost-effective yet powerful networking solution will find the Cisco Catalyst 2960 Series appealing. The 24-port configuration caters to the connectivity requirements of small to medium-sized business networks.
More Information
The WS-C2960-24TC-L is a 24-port Ethernet switch from the Cisco Catalyst 2960 series. It is designed to provide small and medium-sized businesses with a cost-effective and flexible networking solution.
The switch has 24 Ethernet ports that support Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) and Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps) speeds. It also has 2 SFP (Small Form-Factor plugable) uplink ports, which can be used to connect the switch to other networking devices or to extend the network to other locations.
The model supports a number of advanced features to help improve network performance and security. These include Quality of Service (QoS) for prioritizing different types of network traffic, access control lists (ACLs) for filtering traffic and support for Power over Ethernet (PoE) for powering devices over the Ethernet cable.
Features and Benefits
The WS-C2960-24TC-L is a Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet switch, which means that it is capable of supporting both 100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps speeds on its 24 Ethernet ports. It uses a store-and-forward switching method, which means that it receives the entire Ethernet frame before forwarding it to the destination port. This can help improve network performance by reducing the number of errors and collisions on the network.
In terms of forwarding performance, this is capable of a maximum of 9.7 million packets per second (MPPs) for 64-byte packets. This means that it can handle a large amount of traffic without experiencing any significant performance degradation.
The switch also supports Quality of Service (QoS) features, which allow you to prioritize certain types of traffic over others. This can be useful in situations where you want to ensure that mission-critical applications or services receive a higher level of network resources.
Interface Provided for Digital Workplace
The WS-C2960-24TC-L is an Ethernet switch that provides 24 Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet ports. These ports can be used to connect a variety of different devices, including computers, servers, printers, and other networking equipment.
In addition to the 24 Ethernet ports, the model also has 2 SFP (Small Form-Factor Pluggable) uplink ports. These ports can be used to connect the switch to other networking devices or to extend the network to other locations using fiber optic cables.
The model also has a management interface that can be used to configure and manage the switch. This interface can be accessed through a web browser or using a command-line interface (CLI).
General Information about this Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Model Number or SKU# WS-C2960-24TC-L
- Product Line: Catalyst
- Product Series: 2900
- Product Model: 2960-24TC
- Product Name: Catalyst 2960-24TC Managed Ethernet Switch
- Product Type: Ethernet Switch
Interfaces/Ports for 24 Ports Ethernet Switch
- Total Network Ports: 24
- Uplink Port: Yes
- Port/Expansion Slot Details:
- 24 x Fast Ethernet Network
- 2 x Gigabit Ethernet Uplink
- 2 x Fast Ethernet Expansion Slot
Media & Performance:
- Media Type Supported: Twisted Pair
- Ethernet Technology: Fast Ethernet
- Network Technology:
- 10Base-T
- 100/1000Base-T
I/O Expansions
- Total Expansion Slots: 2
- Expansion Slot Type: SFP
- Shared SFP Slot: Yes
- Number of SFP Slots: 2
Network & Communication
- Layer Supported: 2
Power Description
- Power Source: Power Supply
- Redundant Power Supply Supported: Yes
Finally,the Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L Catalyst 2960 24 Ports Ethernet Switch stands as a testament to Cisco’s commitment to delivering high-quality networking solutions. With its robust features, performance capabilities, and versatility, this switch addresses the diverse needs of businesses and organizations across various industries. Whether you’re establishing a new network or upgrading existing infrastructure, the Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-L provides a reliable and scalable foundation for building a connected and efficient environment.