Description
Product Overview of Cisco 24PC-S Switch
The Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S Catalyst 2960-Plus 24PC-S is a type of network switch. It’s designed to help connect devices within a network, like computers, printers, and servers, to facilitate communication and data transfer. This switch is known for its layer 2 management capabilities and features 24 Ethernet ports along with 2 Combo Gigabit Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) ports. In this article, we will delve into the features, benefits, and applications of the Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S switch.
Unveiling of Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S Catalyst 2960-Plus 24PC-S Switch
The Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S Catalyst 2960-Plus 24PC-S switch is a rack-mountable device, meaning it can be installed in a server rack or cabinet. It provides 24 Ethernet ports, which allow for wired connections between various devices. These ports support the Ethernet protocol, which is commonly used for local area network (LAN) communication.
In addition to the Ethernet ports, the switch also includes 2 Combo Gigabit SFP ports. These Small Form-Factor plugable ports provide flexibility for connecting to other networking equipment using fiber optic cables or Gigabit Ethernet cables.
Features of Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S Catalyst 2960-Plus 24PC-S Switch
- Layer 2 Managed Switch: The Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S is a layer 2 managed switch, meaning it operates at the data link layer of the OSI model. This allows for advanced features such as VLAN support, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), and Quality of Service (QoS) settings.
- 24 Ethernet Ports: With 24 Ethernet ports, this switch can accommodate a large number of devices within a network. These ports support data transfer speeds of up to 10/100 Mbps, making them suitable for both regular data traffic and bandwidth-intensive applications.
- 2 Combo Gigabit SFP Ports: The inclusion of 2 Combo Gigabit SFP ports provides flexibility in network connectivity options. These ports can be used to connect to other switches, routers, or devices using either fiber optic or Gigabit Ethernet connections.
- Rack Mountable Design: The switch is designed to be mounted in a standard server rack or cabinet, allowing for efficient use of space in data centers or network closets.
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) Support: Some models of the Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S switch also support Power over Ethernet (PoE), which allows the switch to provide power to connected devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, and IP cameras through the Ethernet cables, eliminating the need for separate power sources.
- Advanced Security Features: The switch offers various security features to protect the network from unauthorized access and attacks. This includes features such as Access Control Lists (ACLs), port security, and DHCP snooping.
Benefits of Using Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S Catalyst 2960-Plus 24PC-S Switch
- Scalability: The Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S switch is scalable, allowing for easy expansion of the network as the needs of the organization grow. Additional switches can be added to the network and managed centrally, providing a seamless and scalable solution.
- Reliability: Cisco is a trusted name in networking equipment, known for producing high-quality and reliable products. The Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S switch is no exception, offering robust performance and uptime for mission-critical applications.
- Flexibility: With a combination of Ethernet and SFP ports, the switch offers flexibility in network connectivity options. This allows organizations to connect a variety of devices using the most suitable connection type for their needs.
- Manageability: As a layer 2 managed switch, the Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S provides advanced management capabilities, allowing network administrators to configure and monitor the switch to optimize performance and troubleshoot issues effectively.
- Cost-Effective: Despite its advanced features and capabilities, the Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S switch is relatively cost-effective compared to other enterprise-grade switches on the market. This makes it an attractive option for organizations with budget constraints.
Applications of Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S Catalyst 2960-Plus 24PC-S Switch
- Enterprise Networks: The Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S switch is well-suited for use in enterprise networks, where reliability, scalability, and performance are paramount. It can handle the demands of large organizations with multiple departments and locations.
- Small to Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs): SMBs can also benefit from the Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S switch, thanks to its affordability and ease of management. It provides the necessary features and capabilities to support the network infrastructure of small to medium-sized businesses.
- Education Institutions: Schools, colleges, and universities can leverage the Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S switch to build reliable and high-performance networks to support their educational activities. The switch can handle the connectivity needs of classrooms, labs, and administrative offices.
- Healthcare Facilities: In healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics, reliable network connectivity is essential for various tasks, including patient care, medical imaging, and administrative operations. The Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S switch can provide the necessary network infrastructure to support these activities.
- Government Organizations: Government agencies and institutions require secure and reliable network infrastructure to support their operations. The Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S switch offers advanced security features to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Power Management
The WS-C2960+24PC-S Cisco Catalyst Managed 24 Ports Ethernet Switch supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Power Management, which provides a convenient and cost-effective way to power and manage connected devices. Some of the key features include:
- PoE: The switch supports PoE, which allows for the delivery of power over Ethernet cables to devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras, eliminating the need for separate power cables and reducing installation costs.
- PoE Budget: The switch has a PoE power budget of 370W, which means it can supply power to multiple devices connected to the switch, enabling to run devices that don’t have a power supply or need power to be remotely located.
- PoE Scheduling: The switch allows for scheduled PoE, which means it can be programmed to turn PoE power on or off at specific times, helping to reduce energy consumption and costs.
- Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE): The switch is Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) compliant, which helps to reduce power consumption and costs.
- EnergyWise: The switch is also compatible with Cisco EnergyWise, a technology that allows devices to communicate and share power usage information, enabling organizations to reduce energy consumption and costs.
- Power Redundancy: The switch also supports external redundant power supplies (RPS) or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) which provide an extra layer of protection to ensure the switch and the connected devices remain powered on in case of a power failure.
Security and Access Control
The WS-C2960+24PC-S Cisco Catalyst Managed 24 Ports Ethernet Switch has various security and access control features that can be configured to protect the network from unauthorized access and prevent malicious attacks.
One of the key security features of the WS-C2960+24PC-S is its support for IEEE 802.1X port-based authentication. This allows the switch to authenticate users and devices connecting to the network before granting them access to network resources. This can be done using a variety of authentication methods such as RADIUS, TACACS+, or Local Database.
Another security feature of the WS-C2960+24PC-S is its support for access control lists (ACLs). ACLs allow the administrator to define rules that control which packets are allowed to enter or leave the switch. This can be used to restrict access to certain network resources or block traffic from specific IP addresses or ports.
The WS-C2960+24PC-S also supports various other security features such as:
- Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) to prevent ARP spoofing attacks
- DHCP Snooping to prevent rogue DHCP servers
- Port Security to limit the number of MAC addresses on a port
- Storm Control to protect the switch from broadcast storms
In addition, the WS-C2960+24PC-S can be integrated with other Cisco security products such as Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) for more advanced security capabilities and centralized management.
General Information about this Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Model Number or SKU # WS-C2960+24PC-S
- Product Line: Catalyst
- Product Series: 2960
- Product Model: 2960+24PC-S
- Product Name: Catalyst 2960+24PC-S Ethernet Switch
- Product Type: Ethernet Switch
Interfaces/Ports
- Total Number of Network Ports: 26
- Uplink Port: Yes
- Number of PoE (RJ-45) Ports: 24
- Port/Expansion Slot Details: 24 x Fast Ethernet Network
- Port/Expansion Slot Details: 2 x Gigabit Ethernet Uplink
- Port/Expansion Slot Details: 2 x Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Slot
Performance
- Ethernet Technology: Gigabit Ethernet
- Network Technology: 10/100/1000Base-T
- Network Technology: 10/100Base-TX
I/O Expansions
- Number of Total Expansion Slots: 2
- Expansion Slot Type: SFP
- Shared SFP Slot: Yes
- Number of SFP Slots: 2
Network & Communication
- Layer Supported: 2
Management & Protocols
- Manageable: Yes
- Management-
- CiscoWorks
- IEEE 802.1Q VLAN
- IEEE 802.1p
- CLI
- DHCP
- Telnet
- Syslog
- SNMP v1, v2c, v3
- HTTP
- RMON 1, 2
Memory
- Standard Memory: 64 MB
- Memory Technology: DRAM
- Flash Memory: 32 MB
Power Description
- PoE (RJ-45) Port: Yes
- Input Voltage: 110 V AC
- Input Voltage: 220 V AC
- Power Source: Power Supply
- Redundant Power Supply: Yes
Miscellaneous
- Additional Information
- LAN Lite Image
- Green Compliant Yes
- Green Compliance Certificate/Authority RoHS-5
In summary, the Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S Catalyst 2960-Plus 24PC-S switch is a versatile and reliable networking solution suitable for a wide range of applications. With its layer 2 management capabilities, multiple Ethernet and SFP ports, and advanced security features, it provides the performance, scalability, and flexibility needed to support modern networks. Whether in enterprise environments, small businesses, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, or government organizations, the Cisco WS-C2960+24PC-S switch can deliver the connectivity and functionality required to keep the network running smoothly and securely.
