WS-C3850-12X48U-S: An Overview of Cisco’s Switching Solution

Cisco’s Catalyst 3850 Series switches are a popular choice for businesses of all sizes looking for high-performance and reliable switching solutions. The WS-C3850-12X48U-S model, in particular, offers a range of features that make it an excellent choice for organizations that need fast and secure data transfer, simplified network management, and high availability. In this article, we will take a closer look at this switch, exploring its features, benefits, and applications.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview of the WS-C3850-12X48U-S
3. Features and Benefits of the WS-C3850-12X48U-S
   • Stackable Design
   • High-performance and Speed
   • Advanced Security Features
   • Simplified Network Management
   • High Availability
4. Applications of the WS-C3850-12X48U-S
   • Small to Medium-sized Businesses
   • Large Enterprises
   • Healthcare and Education Sectors
   • Government Organizations
5. Technical Specifications of the WS-C3850-12X48U-S
   • Hardware Specifications
   • Software Specifications
6. Conclusion
7. FAQs

Introduction to WS-C3850-12X48U-S

Cisco is a well-known provider of networking hardware and software solutions that help businesses improve their connectivity and collaboration. One of the popular offerings from Cisco is the Catalyst 3850 Series switches that deliver exceptional performance, scalability, and security. The WS-C3850-12X48U-S is a model that is designed for organizations that need fast and reliable switching solutions to support their growing business needs.

Overview of the WS-C3850-12X48U-S

The WS-C3850-12X48U-S is a stackable switch that is built on the Cisco Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) 2.0 architecture. It provides 48 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports and 12 100Mbps/1/10 Gbps SFP+ uplink ports, enabling businesses to achieve high-density and high-performance networking. The switch also supports stacking of up to nine switches, offering a scalable solution for businesses that need to grow their network infrastructure over time.

Features and Benefits of the WS-C3850-12X48U-S

Stackable Design

One of the standout features of this switch is its stackable design, which allows multiple switches to be combined and managed as a single entity. This design simplifies network management, improves scalability, and enhances resiliency, reducing the risk of network downtime.

High-performance and Speed

The WS-C3850-12X48U-S provides fast data transfer speeds of up to 176 Gbps, making it ideal for bandwidth-intensive applications such as video streaming, data backup, and virtualization. It also supports advanced technologies such as Quality of Service (QoS) and Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), helping businesses to optimize network performance and reduce energy consumption.

Advanced Security Features

This switch comes with advanced security features that protect businesses against cyber threats and unauthorized access. These features include access control, port security, and Network Admission Control (NAC), which provides automated security policy enforcement.

Simplified Network Management

The WS-C3850-12X48U-S is easy to manage, thanks to its Cisco DNA Center platform, which provides a single pane of glass for managing all network devices. It also supports Cisco’s Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) technology, which simplifies network management and reducing the workload for IT staff.

High Availability

The WS-C3850-12X48U-S is designed for high availability, with features such as redundant power supplies, hot-swappable fans, and hitless software upgrades. These features help businesses to minimize network downtime and ensure continuous operation.

Applications of the WS-C3850-12X48U-S

It is a versatile switch that can be used in a variety of applications, including:

Small to Medium-sized Businesses

Small to medium-sized businesses can benefit from the high-performance and scalability of the WS-C3850-12X48U-S, which can support their growing network infrastructure needs.

Large Enterprises

Large enterprises can use the WS-C3850-12X48U-S as a core switch or distribution switch in their network architecture, delivering high-speed data transfer and advanced security features.

Healthcare and Education Sectors

This switch is an excellent choice for the healthcare and education sectors, which require high-performance and secure networking to support their critical applications and services.

Government Organizations

Government organizations can benefit from the WS-C3850-12X48U-S’s advanced security features, high availability, and simplified network management, which help to ensure that their networks are secure and reliable.

Technical Specifications of the WS-C3850-12X48U-S

Hardware Specifications

• 48 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports
• 12 100Mbps/1/10 Gbps SFP+ uplink ports
• Stackable up to 9 switches
• Redundant power supplies and hot-swappable fans
• Dimensions: 1.73 x 17.5 x 17.7 inches
• Weight: 14.8 pounds

Software Specifications

• Cisco IOS XE operating system
• Cisco DNA Center platform for network management
• Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) technology
• Quality of Service (QoS) and Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) support
• Advanced security features such as access control and Network Admission Control (NAC)

Conclusion

The WS-C3850-12X48U-S is an excellent choice for businesses that need high-performance, secure, and scalable switching solutions. Its stackable design, advanced security features, simplified network management, and high availability make it an ideal choice for a variety of applications, including small to medium-sized businesses, large enterprises, healthcare and education sectors, and government organizations.

FAQs for WS-C3850-12X48U-S

1. What is the maximum data transfer rate of the WS-C3850-12X48U-S?
   The switch can achieve a maximum data transfer rate of 176 Gbps.

2. How many Ethernet ports does the WS-C3850-12X48U-S have?
   The WS-C3850-12X48U-S has 48 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports.

3. Can the WS-C3850-12X48U-S be stacked with other switches?
   Yes, the switch can be stacked with up to nine other switches.

4. What is the Cisco DNA Center platform?
   The Cisco DNA Center platform is a network management platform that provides a single pane of glass for managing all network devices.

5. Does the WS-C3850-12X48U-S support Quality of Service (QoS)?
   Yes, the switch supports Quality of Service (QoS) to ensure that critical applications receive priority treatment on the network.

6. What is Software-Defined Access (SD-Access)?
   SD-Access is a network architecture that uses automation and policy-based segmentation to simplify network management and increase security.

7. Can the WS-C3850-12X48U-S be used in the healthcare sector?
   Yes, this is an excellent choice for the healthcare sector, which requires high-performance and secure networking to support critical applications and services.

8. What advanced security features does the WS-C3850-12X48U-S offer?
   The WS-C3850-12X48U-S offers advanced security features such as access control and Network Admission Control (NAC) to ensure that only authorized users and devices can access the network.

9. What is the weight of the WS-C3850-12X48U-S?
   The WS-C3850-12X48U-S weighs 14.8 pounds.

10. How many SFP+ uplink ports does the WS-C3850-12X48U-S have?
    The WS-C3850-12X48U-S has 12 100Mbps/1/10 Gbps SFP+ uplink ports.

Catalyst 3850 Port Numbering

The port numbering starts from the first port on the far left, top. So, the first port is 1/1 and the port below it will be 1/2, the next port on the top will be 1/3 and the one below is 1/4 and so on….. This is if the blade is inserted in slot 1 but if the blade is inserted in slot 2 than the first number starts with 2 e.g 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4 and so on.

Many switch models have the order of the ports indicated, as you can see in this image. This order is the same on the other switches.

What transceiver modules work with WS-C3850-12X48U-S? (click on part number to go their product page)