Description
Unveiling the WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst Ethernet Switch
The WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst Ethernet Switch is a robust networking solution designed to meet the demands of modern business environments. In this detailed exploration, we will delve into the key features and functionalities of this switch, shedding light on its specifications, performance capabilities, and how it can enhance network management.
Overview of WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst Managed Switch
The WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst is an Ethernet switch designed to meet the demands of modern networking environments. Its 24 ports cater to a substantial number of network connections, making it suitable for various applications. Additionally, the inclusion of 4 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports ensures high-speed data transfer, enhancing the overall performance of the network.
Port Configuration
The 24 ports featured in the WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst are designed to accommodate a range of network connections. These ports support both Twisted Pair and Optical Fiber connections, providing flexibility in connectivity options. The versatility of port configuration is a key aspect that makes this switch adaptable to different networking scenarios.
10 Gigabit Ethernet Uplink
One of the standout features of the WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst is its 4 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports. These high-speed ports facilitate rapid data transfer, making them ideal for scenarios where large volumes of data need to be transmitted quickly and efficiently. The inclusion of 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports positions the WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst as a reliable solution for organizations with demanding networking requirements.
Manageability
The WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst is designed with manageability in mind. The ability to control and monitor the switch is crucial for network administrators, and this switch offers a range of management features. From basic configurations to more advanced settings, the WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst provides a user-friendly interface for effective network management.
Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus (SFP+) Slots
The WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst comes equipped with 4 Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus (SFP+) slots. These slots enhance the switch’s versatility by allowing the use of different types of SFP and SFP+ modules. This flexibility in module selection ensures compatibility with various optical and copper transceivers, enabling organizations to customize their network configurations according to specific needs.
Layer 4 Support
In the realm of networking, the concept of layers plays a crucial role. The WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst supports Layer 4, adding a layer of intelligence to its functionality. Layer 4, also known as the transport layer, deals with end-to-end communication and ensures the reliability and integrity of data transfer. The inclusion of Layer 4 support in the WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst contributes to the switch’s ability to handle complex networking tasks with efficiency.
Modular Design
The modular design of the WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst adds another dimension to its adaptability. A modular approach allows for customization based on specific requirements. Whether it’s adding more ports, upgrading modules, or adapting to new technologies, the modular design of this switch provides scalability and future-proofing for evolving networking needs.
Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios
Enterprise Networks
The WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL is well-suited for enterprise networks of varying sizes. Its 24 network ports provide extensive connectivity for a multitude of devices, while the Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports deliver the necessary bandwidth for data-intensive applications, supporting the evolving needs of modern businesses.
Data Centers
In data center environments, where high-performance networking is paramount, the WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL shines. The 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports facilitate swift data transfers, enabling data centers to meet the demands of virtualization, cloud computing, and other resource-intensive operations.
Educational Institutions
Educational institutions benefit from the WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL’s robustness and scalability. The switch’s Layer 4 support enhances network intelligence, making it an ideal choice for educational networks handling diverse activities such as online learning, collaborative projects, and administrative tasks.
High-Performance
The WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Cisco Catalyst Layer 4 switch is designed for performance and reliability. Some of its key features in that regard include:
- Wire-speed performance: The switch is capable of forwarding packets at line rate on all ports, ensuring that network traffic is handled efficiently and without any bottlenecks.
- Quality of Service (QoS): The switch supports QoS features that allow you to prioritize different types of network traffic, ensuring that delay-sensitive applications, such as voice and video, receive priority over less time-sensitive applications, such as file transfers.
- Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE): It’s compliant with IEEE 802.3az standard, which helps in reducing power consumption of connected devices during periods of low data activity.
- Layer 2 and Layer 3 Feature Support: It supports standard L2/L3 features like VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol, Link Aggregation Control Protocol, and IPv4 and IPv6 routing.
- High availability: The switch supports features such as redundant power supplies and uplinks to ensure that it remains available and continues to forward traffic even in the event of a failure.
- Limited Lifetime Warranty: It comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which provides hardware replacement and software updates for the life of the product.
All these features aim to provide high-performance, reliable, and secure network connectivity for enterprise, branch, and small campus networks.
Interface Provided for Digital Workplace
The WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL is a Cisco Catalyst Layer 4 switch that provides 24 Ethernet ports for connecting devices in a digital workplace. These ports can be used to connect a variety of different devices, including PCs, servers, printers, and other network devices.
The switch supports a variety of interface types and speeds, including Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000Mbps) and Fast Ethernet (10/100Mbps). This allows the switch to support a wide range of devices with different interface requirements.
The switch also supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) on all its ports which allow it to provide power to devices connected to it, such as IP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras. This eliminates the need for separate power supplies for these devices, making the network more streamlined and cost-effective.
Additionally, the switch supports advanced security features such as Access Control Lists (ACL) and Quality of Service (QoS) which helps you to protect and prioritize your network traffic respectively.
The switch also supports advanced management features such as Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and Cisco’s proprietary software which allows you to easily monitor and configure the switch, as well as troubleshoot issues that may arise. This helps to ensure that your network is running smoothly and that any issues are quickly resolved.
General Information of the Cisco WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL 24 Ports Managed Switch
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Part Number or SKU# WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL
- Product Line: Catalyst
- Product Series: 2960-L
- Product Type: Ethernet Switch
Interfaces/Ports for Catalyst Gigabit Ethernet Switch
- Total Number of Network Ports 24
- Uplink Port: Yes
- Modular: Yes
- Stack Port: No
- Port/Expansion Slot Details: 4 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet Uplink
- Port/Expansion Slot Details: 24 x Gigabit Ethernet Network
Performance of Catalyst 2960-L Layer4 Switch
- Media Type: Supported Optical Fiber
- Media Type: Supported Twisted Pair
- Ethernet Technology: 10 Gigabit Ethernet
- Ethernet Technology: Gigabit Ethernet
- Network Technology: 10/100/1000Base-T
- Network Technology: 10GBase-X
I/O Expansions of Managed Switch
- Number of Total Expansion Slots: 4
- Expansion Slot Type: SFP+
- Shared SFP Slot: No
- Number of SFP+ Slots: 4
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature: 23 °F
- Max Operating Temperature: 113 °F
- Humidity Range Operating: 5 – 90%
- Min Storage Temperature: -13 °F
- Max Storage Temperature: 158 °F
- Humidity Range Storage: 5 – 95%
Network & Communication
- Layer Supported: 4
Management & Protocols
- Manageable: Yes
Flash Memory / RAM / Processor
- Installed Size: 256 MB
- Installed Size: 512 MB (RAM)
- Clock Speed: 800 MHz
Power Description
- Power Source: Power Supply
- Frequency Required: 50 – 60 Hz
- Nominal Voltage: AC 120/230 V
Features
- Access Control List (ACL) support, ARP support, Auto-negotiation, Auto-uplink (auto MDI/MDI-X), BOOTP support, Bridge protocol data unit (BPDU), Broadcast Storm Control, Cisco EnergyWise technology, Class of Service (CoS), DHCP snooping, DHCP support, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) support, Dynamic VLAN Support (GVRP), Energy Efficient Ethernet, Fanless, IGMP filtering, Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), Intrusion Detection System (IDS), Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), Management Information Base (MIB), Multicast Storm Control, Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) support, Network Timing Protocol (NTP), Port Aggregation Protocol (PAgP) support, Port Security, Rapid Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Plus (PVRST+), Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) support, Spanning-tree Root Guard (STRG), Uni-Directional Link Detection (UDLD), Unicast Storm Control, VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP), Weighted Round Robin (WRR) queuing, Weighted Tail Drop (WTD)
Miscellaneous
- Compliant Standards: AS/NZS 60950-1, AS/NZS CISPR22:2004 Class A, CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1 Second Edition, CISPR 22 Class A, CISPR 24, CNS 13438 Class A, Directive 2011/65/EU, EN 300386, EN 60950-1 Second Edition, EN55022 Class A, EN55024, EN61000-3-2, EN61000-3-3, FCC CFR47 Part 15 A, ICES-003 Class A, IEC 60950-1 Second Edition, KN22 Class A, KN24, Plug and Play, RoHS, UL 60950-1 Second Edition, USGv6, VCCI Class A
- Authentication Method: Kerberos, RADIUS, Secure Shell (SSH), TACACS+
- MTBF: 909,838 hours
In short, the WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst stands out as a versatile and efficient Ethernet switch catering to the evolving needs of modern networking environments. From its port configuration and high-speed uplink capabilities to its manageability and modular design, this switch addresses the key aspects that organizations consider when choosing network infrastructure solutions. Whether deployed in medium to large enterprises, data centers, or other networking-intensive environments, the WS-C2960L-24PQ-LL Catalyst offers a reliable and scalable solution for building a robust and high-performance network.
