Description
Product overview for the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S
Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S is a 12-port switch that belongs to the Catalyst 3850 series. This managed switch is designed for both desktop and rack-mountable installations, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of networking needs. In this article, we will provide a detailed overview of the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch, including its key features, specifications, and benefits.
Key Features of Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S Switch
Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S comes with a variety of features that make it a robust and versatile networking solution. Let’s explore these features in detail.
- 12 Ports: The switch offers 12 ports, allowing you to connect multiple devices to your network. These ports can be used to connect computers, printers, servers, and other networked devices.
- Managed Switch: This is a managed switch, which means it provides advanced features for network management and control. It allows for greater flexibility and customization in network configurations.
- Desktop and Rack-Mountable: The switch is designed to be installed on a desktop or in a standard 19-inch rack. This flexibility in installation options ensures that it can fit into a variety of network setups.
- IP Base: The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch comes with the IP Base software feature set, which provides routing and basic Layer 3 features. This makes it suitable for small to medium-sized networks.
- Scalability: The Catalyst 3850 series, to which this switch belongs, is known for its scalability. You can expand your network as your business or organization grows without replacing the entire infrastructure.
- Energy Efficient: Cisco has designed the Catalyst 3850 series switches with energy efficiency in mind. This helps in reducing power consumption and operating costs.
- Advanced Security: Cisco switches are known for their security features. The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch includes various security measures to protect your network from threats and unauthorized access.
- High Performance: With advanced hardware and software, this switch delivers high-performance networking, ensuring smooth data transfer and low latency.
Specifications of Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S Switch
To understand the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch in more detail, let’s delve into its specifications.
- Ports: The switch has 12 ports in total, which are 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports. These ports support various network devices and provide high-speed connectivity.
- Uplink Interfaces: It also has four SFP (Small Form-Factor plugable) uplink interfaces, allowing for fiber optic connections and greater flexibility in network design.
- Performance: The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch delivers a forwarding bandwidth of 68 Gbps, ensuring efficient data transfer within the network.
- Stackable: This switch is stackable, which means you can connect multiple switches together to create a single, unified network. This simplifies network management and enhances redundancy.
- Power Supply: The switch can be powered by an internal power supply with a 640W capacity, ensuring that it can handle the power requirements of connected devices.
- Dimensions: The switch has compact dimensions, making it suitable for both desktop and rack-mountable installations. It is 1.75 inches (1U) high, 17.5 inches wide, and 17.7 inches deep.
- Weight: It weighs approximately 15 pounds, making it easy to handle during installation.
- Operating Temperature: The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch operates within a temperature range of 23°F to 113°F (-5°C to 45°C), ensuring reliability in different environmental conditions.
- Memory and Storage: It comes with 4 GB RAM and 2 GB flash storage, which helps in running and storing the necessary software and configurations.
- Software: As mentioned earlier, this switch comes with the IP Base software feature set, which includes features like static routing and basic Layer 3 functionality.
- Warranty: Cisco offers a limited lifetime warranty on its Catalyst 3850 series switches, ensuring your investment is protected.
Benefits of Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S Switch
Now that we’ve explored the features and specifications, let’s discuss the benefits of using the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch for your network.
- Enhanced Network Performance: The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch offers high-speed connectivity with its 12 Gigabit Ethernet ports. This ensures that your network operates smoothly and efficiently, even when handling large volumes of data.
- Scalability: As your organization grows, your network requirements may change. The stackable feature of this switch allows you to expand your network easily without having to replace the entire infrastructure. You can add more switches as needed, which simplifies network management.
- Energy Efficiency: Cisco has designed this switch with energy efficiency in mind. It supports features such as Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) and Cisco’s EnergyWise technology, which help reduce power consumption and, in turn, lower operating costs.
- Security: Cisco is renowned for its network security features, and the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch is no exception. It offers advanced security measures to protect your network from unauthorized access and threats, ensuring the integrity of your data.
- Advanced Management: This is a managed switch, which means it provides advanced network management capabilities. You can configure and monitor your network settings with ease, making it suitable for businesses and organizations that require a high degree of control over their networks.
- Versatile Installation: Whether you need a desktop setup or a rack-mounted installation, this switch can accommodate both options. This versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of network setups.
- Reliability: Cisco is known for producing high-quality networking equipment. The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch is no exception. Its robust design and limited lifetime warranty ensure reliability and peace of mind.
- Routing Capabilities: With the IP Base software feature set, the switch supports static routing and basic Layer 3 functionality. This can be particularly useful for organizations that need routing capabilities in their network infrastructure.
- Technical Support: Cisco provides excellent technical support and resources for its customers. If you encounter any issues or need assistance, you can rely on Cisco’s support services.
Use Cases for Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S Switch
To better understand where and how the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch can be utilized, let’s explore some common use cases.
- Small to Medium-Sized Businesses: This switch is well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses that require a reliable and scalable network infrastructure. Its 12 ports provide enough connectivity options for various devices, while its scalability allows for future growth.
- Data Centers: In data center environments, the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch can be used to connect servers and other critical hardware. Its high-performance capabilities and stackable design make it an excellent choice for data centers with growing needs.
- Education Institutions: Schools and universities can benefit from this switch’s flexibility. It can be used in classrooms, labs, and administrative offices to support a variety of devices, from computers to projectors.
- Healthcare Facilities: Healthcare facilities, including hospitals and clinics, rely on fast and secure networks to manage patient data and medical devices. The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch can provide the required performance and security features.
- Retail Stores: Retail chains with multiple locations can use this switch to connect point-of-sale systems, inventory management devices, and security cameras. Its energy-efficient design can help reduce operational costs.
- Remote Offices: For businesses with remote offices or branches, this switch can be a cost-effective and reliable solution. It can be easily integrated into existing network setups.
- Government Organizations: Government agencies often require robust security features, and the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch can meet these demands. Its advanced security measures help protect sensitive government data.
- Service Providers: Internet service providers (ISPs) and managed service providers (MSPs) can use this switch as part of their network infrastructure to deliver services to customers.
Configuration
- Access the Console: To configure the switch, you need to access its command-line interface (CLI) through the console port. You can do this using a console cable and a terminal emulation program on a computer.
- Initial Configuration: When you first access the CLI, you can set initial configurations, such as the hostname, IP address, and passwords.
- Network Configuration: Configure the switch to match your network requirements. This includes VLAN settings, IP routing, and security policies.
- Monitoring and Management: Use the switch’s management features to monitor network performance and make adjustments as needed. You can use the built-in web-based interface or CLI commands.
- Security Configuration: Implement security measures, such as access control lists (ACLs), port security, and authentication protocols, to protect your network.
- Firmware Updates: Regularly check for firmware updates and apply them to ensure your switch is running the latest software with bug fixes and security patches.
Please note that the specific steps and commands for configuration may vary depending on your network requirements and the version of the Cisco IOS (Internetwork Operating System) running on the switch. It’s recommended to refer to the official Cisco documentation and consult with a network specialist if needed.
General Information about Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Model Number or SKU# WS-C3850-12S-S
- Product Type: Switch
Key Features of the 12-Port Switch
- Device Type: Managed Layer 3 Switch with 12 Ports, Stackable
- Enclosure Type: Desktop and Rack-mountable (1U)
- Subtype: Gigabit Ethernet
- Ports: 12 x Gigabit SFP
Performance
- Switching Capacity: 68 Gbps
- Stacking Bandwidth: 480 Gbps
- Forwarding Performance: 68.4 Mpps
Capacity
- IPv4 Routes: 24,000
- Netflow Entries: 24,000
- Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs): 1,000
- MAC Address Table Size: 32,000 Entries
- Jumbo Frame Support: Up to 9,198 bytes
- Routing Protocol: RIP-1, RIP-2, EIGRP, RIPng
- Remote Management Protocol:
- SNMP 1, RMON 1, RMON 2, Telnet, SNMP 3, SNMP 2c, SSH, CLI
Features
- Auto-negotiation
- ARP Support
- Trunking
- VLAN Support
- Auto-uplink (Auto MDI/MDI-X)
- IGMP Snooping
- Syslog Support
- IPv6 Support
- Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) Support
- Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) Support
- DHCP Snooping
- Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) Support
- Port Aggregation Protocol (Pagp) Support
- Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) Support
- Access Control List (ACL) Support
- Quality of Service (QoS)
- RADIUS Support
- Virtual Route Forwarding-Lite (VRF-Lite)
- MLD Snooping
- Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI)
- STP Root Guard
- Uni-directional Link Detection (UDLD)
- Rapid Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Plus (PVRST+)
- IPv4 Support
- Shaped Round Robin (SRR)
- Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)
- Remote Switch Port Analyzer (RSPAN)
- Layer 3 Load Balancing
- Energy Efficient Ethernet
- Cisco StackWise-480 Technology
- Cisco Stackpower Technology
- Flexible Netflow (FNF)
Compliant Standards
- IEEE 802.3
- IEEE 802.3u
- IEEE 802.3z
- IEEE 802.1d
- IEEE 802.1q
- IEEE 802.3ab
- IEEE 802.1p
- IEEE 802.3x
- IEEE 802.3ad (LACP)
- IEEE 802.1w
- IEEE 802.1x
- IEEE 802.1s
- Power: AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
- Power Redundancy: Optional
In summary, the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S 12 Ports Switch Catalyst 3850-12S-S Managed Desktop, Rack-Mountable IP Base is a versatile and high-performance networking solution suitable for a variety of environments. With its 12 ports, advanced management features, and robust security measures, it can meet the needs of small to medium-sized businesses, data centers, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and more. Its scalability, energy efficiency, and reliability make it a valuable addition to any network infrastructure.
The switch’s flexibility in installation, whether on a desktop or in a rack, further enhances its suitability for various settings. Its ease of installation and user-friendly configuration options make it accessible to a wide range of users, from IT professionals to small business owners.
When considering the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S switch for your network, it’s essential to assess your specific requirements, including the number of devices, the need for routing capabilities, and the level of security needed. With the right configuration and proper maintenance, this switch can provide a solid foundation for a fast, reliable, and secure network.
