Description
Overview of the Cisco WS-C4948-S 48 Ports Manageable Switch
The Cisco WS-C4948-S is a powerful and versatile Ethernet switch designed to meet the demands of modern networking environments. This rack-mountable switch is part of the Catalyst 4900 Series and boasts 48 Ports supporting 10/100/1000Base-T RJ-45 connections, providing high-speed and reliable connectivity. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the various aspects of the Cisco WS-C4948-S, including its key features, specifications, and the benefits it brings to network infrastructure.
Key Features of Catalyst Gigabit Ethernet Layer 3 Switch
- 48 Ports for Versatile Connectivity: The WS-C4948-S boasts 48 ports, each supporting 10/100/1000Base-T RJ-45 connections. This extensive port configuration ensures versatile connectivity for a wide range of devices, making it suitable for both small and large-scale network environments.
- Manageable Layer 3 Functionality: With Layer 3 capabilities, this Cisco Catalyst switch can make intelligent routing decisions, enhancing network efficiency. The ability to operate at the network layer empowers the WS-C4948-S to handle complex routing tasks, contributing to a more scalable and responsive network.
- Rack-mountable Design: The switch is designed to be rack-mounted, optimizing space utilization in data centers or server rooms. This feature is crucial for organizations where physical space is at a premium, allowing for efficient use of available infrastructure.
- 4x SFP and SFP+ Ports: The inclusion of 4 SFP (Small Form-factor pluggable) and SFP+ ports further expands the connectivity options. These ports support fiber optic connections, offering high-speed and reliable data transmission. This feature is particularly beneficial for long-distance networking or connecting to other networking equipment.
- Twisted Pair Support: The WS-C4948-S supports twisted pair connections, providing flexibility in connecting devices with different interface requirements. This ensures compatibility with a variety of networking devices, making it a versatile solution for diverse network setups.
- 256 MB SDRAM Memory: Equipped with 256 MB of Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (SDRAM), the switch can efficiently handle the demands of modern network operations. Sufficient memory capacity is crucial for managing large volumes of data and ensuring smooth and uninterrupted network performance.
Benefits of 48 Ports Ethernet Switch
The WS-C4948-S Cisco Catalyst 48 Ports Gigabit Ethernet Switch is a high-performance switch designed for enterprise-class networks. Here are some of the key benefits of this switch:
- High Performance: The WS-C4948-S switch provides wire-speed performance on all ports, enabling high-speed data transfer and reducing network latency.
- Enhanced Security: The advanced security features of the switch provide protection against unauthorized access and malicious attacks, ensuring network security.
- High Availability: The redundant power supplies and hot-swappable fans of the switch ensure high availability and reduce downtime, improving network reliability.
- Simplified Management: The switch can be managed using a web-based GUI, a command-line interface (CLI), or a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), making network management simple and efficient.
- Scalability: The ability to stack the WS-C4948-S switches provides a scalable network infrastructure that can easily accommodate growth and changes in network traffic.
Advantages of Catalyst 48 Ports Gigabit Ethernet Switch
The WS-C4948-S Cisco Catalyst 48 Ports Gigabit Ethernet Switch is a high-performance switch designed for enterprise-level networks. It offers several advantages, including:
- High Performance: The WS-C4948-S offers wire-speed performance on all 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing high-speed connectivity for data-intensive applications. It also supports jumbo frames for improved network efficiency.
- Scalability: The WS-C4948-S supports up to 32 Gbps of stacking bandwidth, allowing multiple switches to be connected together for increased scalability. It also supports link aggregation for increased bandwidth and redundancy.
- Advanced Features: The WS-C4948-S supports advanced features such as Quality of Service (QoS), VLANs, Access Control Lists (ACLs), and Multicast routing, providing administrators with granular control over network traffic and security.
- Reliability: The WS-C4948-S features redundant power supplies and fans, as well as support for hot-swappable modules, reducing the risk of downtime and increasing reliability.
- Easy Management: The WS-C4948-S can be managed using a variety of tools, including a web-based GUI, Command Line Interface (CLI), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), and Cisco Network Assistant. This provides administrators with flexibility in how they manage the switch.
- Investment Protection: The WS-C4948-S is compatible with a range of Cisco modules and line cards, allowing it to be customized to meet the specific needs of the network. This provides investment protection, as the switch can be upgraded over time as network requirements change.
Switching Capacity
The switching capacity of a network switch refers to the amount of data that the switch can process in a given time period. The WS-C4948-S Cisco Catalyst 48 Ports Gigabit Ethernet Switch has a switching capacity of 96 Gbps.
This means that the switch is capable of forwarding up to 96 Gbps of data across its ports simultaneously. The switching capacity is determined by the internal switching fabric of the switch, which is responsible for forwarding data between ports.
In addition to its high switching capacity, the WS-C4948-S also supports wire-speed performance on all 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports. This means that each port can support data transfer rates of up to 1 Gbps, without any degradation in performance.
The high switching capacity of the WS-C4948-S makes it suitable for enterprise-level networks that require high-speed connectivity and the ability to handle large amounts of data traffic. It also supports advanced features such as Quality of Service (QoS), VLANs, Access Control Lists (ACLs), and Multicast routing, providing administrators with granular control over network traffic and security.
Applications of Manageable Layer 3 Switch
- Enterprise Networks: The Cisco WS-C4948-S is well-suited for enterprise-level networks where a large number of devices need to be connected. Its Layer 3 capabilities make it an ideal choice for organizations with complex network architectures and diverse routing requirements.
- Data Centers: In data center environments, where space efficiency and high-performance networking are critical, the rack-mountable design and extensive port configuration of the WS-C4948-S shine. The inclusion of SFP and SFP+ ports also facilitates high-speed connections between data center components.
- Telecommunication Networks: Telecommunication providers can benefit from the WS-C4948-S’s robust design and extensive port capacity. The switch’s ability to handle both twisted pair and fiber optic connections makes it adaptable to the varied needs of telecommunications infrastructure.
- Educational Institutions: Educational institutions often require a network infrastructure that can support a large number of users and devices. The WS-C4948-S’s scalability and Layer 3 capabilities make it suitable for such environments, ensuring seamless communication and data transfer.
General Information for the Cisco WS-C4948-S Gigabit Ethernet Catalyst Switch
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Model Number or SKU# WS-C4948-S
- Product Line: Catalyst
- Product Series: 4900
- Product Model: 4948
- Product Type: Layer 3 Switch
Interfaces/Ports of Layer 3 SFP Manageable Switch Module
- Total Number of Network Ports: 48
- Port/Expansion Slot Details: 48 x Gigabit Ethernet Network
- Port/Expansion Slot Details: 4 x Fast Ethernet Expansion Slot
Media & Performance for 48 Ports Switch
- Media Type Supported: Twisted Pair
- Ethernet Technology: Gigabit Ethernet
- Network Technology: 10/100/1000Base-T
I/O Expansions of Manageable Switch
- Number of Total Expansion Slots: 4
- Expansion Slot Type: SFP
- Shared SFP Slot: Yes
- Number of SFP Slots: 4
Network & Communication
- Layer Supported: 3
Memory
- Standard Memory: 256 MB
- Memory Technology: SDRAM
- Flash Memory: 64 MB
Power Description
- Input Voltage: 110 V AC
- Input Voltage: 220 V AC
- Power Source: Power Supply
- Redundant Power Supply: Yes
Finally, the Cisco WS-C4948-S Ethernet switch is a powerful and versatile networking solution with a rich set of features. Its extensive port configuration, Layer 3 capabilities, and rack-mountable design make it a compelling choice for a variety of applications, from enterprise networks to data centers and beyond. As technology continues to evolve, having a reliable and adaptable networking infrastructure is crucial, and the WS-C4948-S stands out as a robust and future-proof solution in this ever-changing landscape.