WS-C3850-48F-S by CISCO: A brief introduction

The WS-C3850-48F-S is a high-performance and versatile switch that provides advanced features and capabilities for modern networks. This switch is designed to meet the increasing demand for bandwidth and flexibility in data centers, campus networks, and other enterprise environments. In this article, we will explore the key features, benefits, and technical specifications of the WS-C3850-48F-S switch.

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Overview of the WS-C3850-48F-S switch
– Features and specifications
– Weight and Dimensions
– Use cases
III. Benefits of the WS-C3850-48F-S switch
– Flexibility
– Scalability
– Reliability
– Energy efficiency
IV. Summary of the WS-C3850-48F-S switch
V. Future developments
VI. FAQs

Introduction to WS-C3850-48F-S

The WS-C3850-48F-S switch is a high-performance, stackable switch designed for enterprise networks. It offers advanced features and capabilities that can meet the needs of modern network environments. In this article, we will provide an overview of the WS-C3850-48F-S switch, its benefits, and its use cases.

Overview of WS-C3850-48F-S

The WS-C3850-48F-S switch is a part of Cisco’s Catalyst 3850 series of switches. It has 48 ports and supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Universal Power over Ethernet (UPOE) for powering network devices. The switch also has four 1 Gigabit Ethernet SFP ports and two 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports for uplink connectivity.

Features and Specifications of WS-C3850-48F-S

The WS-C3850-48F-S switch offers several features and specifications, including:

• 48 ports of 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet with PoE+
• 4 x 1G SFP uplink ports
• 2 x 10G SFP+ uplink ports
• Stackable up to nine switches using Cisco StackWise-480 technology
• Virtual stacking support for a single management interface
• Redundant power supplies and fans for high availability
• Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) and Cisco EnergyWise for energy efficiency
• Cisco Catalyst Instant Access for simplified network deployment and management
• Cisco Prime Infrastructure and DNA Center support for centralized management and automation

Weight and Dimensions

– Width: 44.5 cm (17.5 in)
– Depth: 45.0 cm (17.7 in)
– Height: 4.45 cm (1.75 in)

Use Cases for WS-C3850-48F-S

The WS-C3850-48F-S switch is suitable for a variety of network deployments and use cases. Some of the most common use cases include:

• Data centers: The switch can provide high-bandwidth connectivity for data center applications, such as storage and computing clusters.
• Campus networks: The switch can provide reliable and scalable connectivity for campus networks, including classrooms, offices, and dormitories.
• Enterprise networks: The switch can provide advanced features and capabilities for enterprise networks, such as security and automation.

Benefits of WS-C3850-48F-S

The WS-C3850-48F-S switch offers several benefits for network administrators and organizations. Some of the key benefits include:

Flexibility

The WS-C3850-48F-S switch provides flexibility in network deployment and management. It supports a range of features and technologies that can adapt to changing network requirements, such as PoE, UPOE, and stackability. The switch also supports a variety of management tools, such as Cisco Prime Infrastructure and DNA Center, which can provide centralized management and automation.

Scalability

The WS-C3850-48F-S switch is designed to be scalable for growing network environments. It supports Cisco’s StackWise-480 technology, which can stack up to nine switches for a total of 480 ports. The switch also supports virtual stacking, which can provide a single management interface for multiple switches.

Reliability

The WS-C3850-48F-S switch provides high availability and reliability for critical network operations. It supports several features, such as redundant power supplies and fans, that can ensure continuous network uptime.

Energy Efficiency

The WS-C3850-48F-S switch is designed to be energy-efficient, which can help organizations reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint. It supports Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) and Cisco EnergyWise, which can optimize power consumption based on network traffic and device usage.

Summary of WS-C3850-48F-S

The WS-C3850-48F-S switch is a high-performance and versatile switch that can meet the needs of modern network environments. It offers advanced features and capabilities, including PoE, UPOE, stackability, and energy efficiency. The switch is suitable for a range of network deployments and use cases, including data centers, campus networks, and enterprise networks.

Future Developments including WS-C3850-48F-S

Cisco is committed to continuously improving its Catalyst 3850 series of switches, including the WS-C3850-48F-S switch. Some potential future developments for the switch may include:

• Higher port densities for increased scalability
• Support for advanced network protocols, such as IPv6 and SD-WAN
• Enhanced security features, such as network segmentation and access control
• Integration with cloud-based services for simplified network management

FAQs

1. What is the maximum PoE budget of the WS-C3850-48F-S switch?
   • The switch supports up to 1100W of PoE budget.
2. Can the WS-C3850-48F-S switch be stacked with other Cisco switches?
   • Yes, the switch can be stacked with up to nine other switches using Cisco StackWise-480 technology.
3. Does the WS-C3850-48F-S switch support IPv6?
   • Yes, the switch supports IPv6.
4. What is the MTBF of the WS-C3850-48F-S switch?
   • The MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) of the switch is approximately 404,000 hours.
5. Does the WS-C3850-48F-S switch support SD-WAN?
   • The switch does not currently support SD-WAN, but it may be a future development for the switch.

Conclusion

In summary, the WS-C3850-48F-S switch is a powerful and versatile switch that can meet the needs of modern network environments. It offers advanced features and capabilities, such as PoE, UPOE, stackability, and energy efficiency, that can adapt to changing network requirements. With its reliability and scalability, the WS-C3850-48F-S switch is an excellent choice for data centers, campus networks, and enterprise networks.

What transceiver modules work with WS-C3850-48F-S? (click on part number to go their product page)

Catalyst 3850 Configuration Guide

There are a few steps you can follow to configure a Cisco Catalyst 3850 switch:

1. Connect to the switch through the console or via a network management interface, such as Telnet or SSH.
2. Enter privileged mode by typing “enable” and entering the enable password.
3. Configure basic settings, such as the hostname, IP address, and default gateway, by using the “configure terminal” command and the appropriate subcommands.
4. Configure VLANs and ports as necessary by using the “interface” command and the appropriate subcommands.
5. Configure advanced features, such as Quality of Service (QoS), Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), and Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), by using the appropriate commands.
6. Save the configuration by typing “write memory” or “copy running-config startup-config”.

Note that these are general steps and the specific commands and configuration options may vary depending on the software version running on the switch and the specific requirements of your network.

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.

Important Sources:

 
Catalyst 3850 Data SheetHow to Configure Catalyst 3850CISCO Catalyst 3850 Prices