Description
More Information for the Cisco MS350-24P-HW 24 Port Managed Switch
The Cisco MS350-24P-HW Meraki Cloud Managed MS350-24P Switch is a powerful networking solution designed for businesses seeking reliable and scalable network infrastructure. In this detailed review, we will explore the key features, benefits, and the process of setting up this managed switch. Whether you are an IT professional, business owner, or someone interested in understanding networking equipment, this comprehensive guide will provide valuable insights.
Key Features of Cisco MS350-24P-HW
- Cloud Management: The Cisco MS350-24P-HW is part of the Meraki cloud-managed family of switches. This means that users can leverage the power of cloud-based management, allowing for easy and intuitive control over the network. The cloud-based approach simplifies configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting, making it an ideal choice for businesses with distributed locations.
- 24 Ports for Increased Connectivity: With 24 ports, this switch provides ample connectivity options for various devices such as computers, printers, IP cameras, and other networked devices. The abundance of ports ensures that businesses can easily expand their network infrastructure without compromising on performance.
- Power over Ethernet (PoE): The MS350-24P-HW supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) on all its ports. This feature allows the switch to deliver both data and electrical power over a single Ethernet cable, simplifying the deployment of devices like IP phones, cameras, and access points. PoE eliminates the need for additional power outlets at each device location, reducing installation costs and complexity.
- Rack-Mountable Design: The switch is designed to be rack-mounted, providing a space-efficient solution for organizing networking equipment. This feature is particularly valuable for data centers and server rooms where optimizing space is crucial. The rack-mountable design also contributes to better cable management, ensuring a tidy and efficient networking environment.
- Managed Switch Capabilities: As a managed switch, the MS350-24P-HW offers advanced capabilities for network administrators. These include VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) support for segmenting network traffic, Quality of Service (QoS) settings for prioritizing specific types of traffic, and robust security features such as port security and access control lists.
Benefits of Cisco MS350-24P-HW
- Simplified Network Management: The Meraki cloud management platform provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies network configuration and monitoring. IT professionals can easily access the dashboard from anywhere, streamlining the management of multiple switches across different locations. This centralized approach enhances overall efficiency and reduces the need for on-site IT interventions.
- Scalability for Growing Businesses: With 24 ports and the ability to be easily integrated into existing networks, the MS350-24P-HW is an excellent choice for businesses with expansion plans. The cloud-managed nature of the switch ensures that scaling the network infrastructure can be done seamlessly, allowing businesses to adapt to changing requirements without major disruptions.
- Cost Savings with PoE: Power over Ethernet capabilities eliminates the need for separate power sources for connected devices. This not only reduces the cost of additional power outlets and electrical wiring but also simplifies the installation process. Businesses can achieve significant cost savings, especially when deploying devices in locations where access to power sources is challenging.
- Enhanced Security Features: The managed capabilities of the MS350-24P-HW contribute to a more secure network environment. Features such as port security and access control lists enable administrators to control which devices can connect to the network and what level of access they have. This helps in preventing unauthorized access and securing sensitive data.
- Reliability and Performance: Cisco is known for producing high-quality networking equipment, and the MS350-24P-HW is no exception. The switch provides reliable performance, ensuring that the network operates smoothly without unexpected downtimes. This reliability is crucial for businesses that rely heavily on their network infrastructure for day-to-day operations.
Applications and Use Cases
- Enterprise Environments: The Cisco MS350-24P-HW is well-suited for medium to large enterprises with complex networking requirements. Its ability to support a large number of devices, coupled with advanced routing capabilities, makes it an ideal choice for organizations with extensive networking needs.
- Education Institutions: In educational settings, where a multitude of devices such as computers, printers, and IP cameras need to be connected, the MS350-24P-HW’s flexibility and PoE support come in handy. Cloud management simplifies administration for IT staff in schools and universities.
- Healthcare Facilities: The switch’s security features make it suitable for healthcare environments where data privacy and compliance are critical. The ability to prioritize traffic through intelligent QoS ensures that essential applications, such as electronic health records, receive the necessary bandwidth.
- Retail Establishments: In retail, where a seamless and secure network is essential for point-of-sale systems, inventory management, and security cameras, the Cisco MS350-24P-HW provides the necessary reliability and flexibility.
Advanced Management Features
The MS350-24P-HW Cisco 24 Ports Power Over Ethernet Managed Switch offers advanced management features such as:
- CLI (Command-Line Interface) and web-based GUI (Graphical User Interface) for easy configuration and management.
- VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) support for segmenting networks and improving security.
- Quality of Service (QoS) for prioritizing network traffic and ensuring critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth.
- Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) and Port Aggregation Protocol (PAgP) for load balancing and increasing bandwidth.
- SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) support for monitoring and managing the switch remotely.
- IEEE 802.1x port-based and MAC-based authentication for secure access control.
- STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) and RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol) for preventing loops and ensuring network stability.
- DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server and client for automating IP address assignment.
- Support for PoE (Power over Ethernet) to power devices over the network cable and reduce the need for extra power supplies.
- Flexible and Scalable L3 feature with IP routing, IPv4 and IPv6.
Network Management Features
- Quality of Service (QoS): The MS350-24P-HW Cisco switch supports QoS features such as traffic prioritization and bandwidth management to ensure that critical applications and services receive the necessary bandwidth and low latency.
- VLANs: The switch supports VLANs (Virtual LANs) to segment network traffic and improve security and performance. This allows for the creation of multiple virtual networks on a single physical network.
- Link Aggregation: The switch supports Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) to bundle multiple ports into a single logical link, increasing bandwidth and providing redundancy.
- Spanning Tree Protocol (STP): The switch supports STP to prevent loops in the network and ensure that only one active path exists between two switches.
- SNMP: The switch supports SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) for remote management and monitoring of the switch.
- Access Control Lists (ACLs): The switch supports ACLs to control access to network resources based on user or device characteristics.
- Port Mirroring: The switch supports port mirroring for monitoring network traffic. This allows for the monitoring of traffic on a specific port or VLAN.
- Firmware Upgrade: The switch supports firmware upgrades through a web-based interface or using a TFTP server.
- Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE): The switch supports EEE to reduce power consumption and lower operating costs.
- Security: The switch supports various security features such as SSH, SSL, and 802.1x for secure access and authentication.
General Information about this Cisco MS350-24P-HW
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Part Number or SKU# MS350-24P-HW
- Product Type: Ethernet Switch
- Product Name: Meraki 24-Ports 1000Base-X RJ-45 24 Ports Switch
Technical Specifications for 24-Port L3 Managed Stackable Switch
- Device Type: Switch 24 Ports L3 Managed Stackable
- Enclosure Type: Rack-mountable 1U
- Subtype: Gigabit Ethernet
- Ports: 24 x 10/100/1000 (PoE+) – Each port supports Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+), 4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ (Uplink)
- Power Over Ethernet (PoE): PoE+
- PoE Budget: 370 W
Performance
- Non-blocking Switching Capacity: 128 Gbps
- Capacity: Forwarding Table Entries: 96,000 | Tagged VLANs: 4,096
Expansion/Connectivity
- Interfaces:
- 24 x 1000Base-T RJ-45 PoE+ (25.5 W)
- 4 x 10Gbit LAN SFP+ Uplink
Power
- Power Device: Internal Power Supply – Hot-plug
- Installed Qty: 1
- Max Supported Qty: 2
- Power Redundancy: Optional
- Power Redundancy Scheme: 1+1 (with Optional Power Supply)
- Power Provided: 640 Watts
In general, the Cisco MS350-24P-HW Meraki Cloud Managed MS350-24P Switch is a versatile and reliable networking solution suitable for a wide range of business applications. With its cloud-managed approach, 24 ports, Power over Ethernet capabilities, and robust security features, this switch meets the demands of modern businesses for scalability, efficiency, and security.
By following the outlined steps for setting up the MS350-24P-HW, businesses can quickly deploy a network infrastructure that not only meets their current needs but also provides a foundation for future growth. The combination of Cisco’s reputation for quality and the Meraki cloud management platform makes this switch a compelling choice for organizations seeking a powerful and user-friendly networking solution.
