WS-C3850-48W-S: A Comprehensive Guide to Cisco’s High-End Switch

Cisco is a prominent name in the networking industry, providing top-notch products and services to its customers worldwide. Among its many offerings, the WS-C3850-48W-S switch is one of the most popular and widely used products in the market. Accordingly, we will take a detailed look at the features, benefits, and applications of this high-end switch, along with its technical specifications and pricing.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview of WS-C3850-48W-S
3. Technical Specifications
4. Key Features and Benefits
5. Applications and Use Cases
6. Pricing and Availability
7. Comparison with Other Cisco Switches
8. Installation and Configuration
9. Troubleshooting and Maintenance
10. Best Practices and Recommendations
11. Security Features and Protocols
12. Performance and Scalability
13. Conclusion
14. FAQs

1. Introduction to WS-C3850-48W-S

The WS-C3850-48W-S is a high-performance, stackable switch designed for enterprise-level networking. Moreover, it is equipped with advanced features and technologies that provide enhanced security, reliability, and scalability. As a result, this switch is also an ideal solution for organizations looking to upgrade their network infrastructure to meet the growing demands of today’s digital world.

2. Overview of WS-C3850-48W-S

The WS-C3850-48W-S is a 48-port Gigabit Ethernet switch that supports up to 1000 Mbps data transfer rates. For instance, it comes with four 1G SFP uplink ports and two 10G SFP+ uplink ports. In other words, it provides high-speed connectivity to other devices on the network. Furthermore, this switch is also stackable up to nine units, allowing for easy expansion and management of the network.

3. Technical Specifications for WS-C3850-48W-S

• Switching capacity: 176 Gbps
• Forwarding rate: 130.95 Mpps
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) capacity: 800W
• VLANs: 4094
• MAC addresses: 32,000
• Jumbo frame support: 9198 bytes
• Dimensions: 44.5 x 44.8 x 4.4 cm
• Weight: 7.4 kg

4. Key Features and Benefits of WS-C3850-48W-S

The WS-C3850-48W-S comes with a wide range of features and benefits, including:

• Advanced security features such as TrustSec, MACsec, and Cisco ISE integration
• Flexible NetFlow and Cisco DNA Center for network visibility and analytics
• High-speed stacking and uplink connectivity for easy network expansion
• Intelligent power management and PoE support for efficient power usage
• Superior Quality of Service (QoS) and traffic shaping for optimized performance
• Easy-to-use GUI interface and command-line interface for configuration and management

5. Applications and Use Cases

The WS-C3850-48W-S is suitable for a wide range of applications and use cases, including:

• Enterprise-level networking in large organizations and corporations
• Data center aggregation and distribution
• Network access and security for campus and branch offices
• High-speed connectivity for video surveillance, IP telephony, and wireless access points
• High-performance computing and storage environments

6. Pricing and Availability of WS-C3850-48W-S

The WS-C3850-48W-S is a high-end switch, and its pricing reflects its advanced features and capabilities. Additionally, the price varies depending on the region, vendor, and the specific configuration. However, it typically ranges from $8,500 to $9,500 USD. This switch is available with us at a great price.

7. Comparison with Other Cisco Switches

The WS-C3850-48W-S is part of Cisco’s Catalyst 3850 Series, which includes several other switches with varying configurations and features. Some of the key differences between these switches are:

• WS-C3850-48F-S: Similar to the WS-C3850-48W-S but with full PoE+ support
• WS-C3850-48P-S: Similar to the WS-C3850-48W-S but with 715W PoE+ support
• WS-C3850-48T-S: Similar to the WS-C3850-48W-S but with 48 ports of 10/100/1000 Ethernet

The WS-C3850-48W-S is an excellent choice for organizations that require high-speed connectivity and PoE support. However, if your network requires more advanced features such as advanced routing, MPLS, or multigigabit Ethernet, you may want to consider other switches in the Catalyst 3850 Series.

8. Installation and Configuration

The WS-C3850-48W-S is relatively easy to install and configure. In other words, thanks to its intuitive GUI interface and command-line interface. However, if you are new to networking or have a complex network infrastructure, it is recommended that you consult with a professional network engineer.

To configure the WS-C3850-48W-S, you can use Cisco’s web-based device manager or the command-line interface. All in all, the web-based device manager provides an easy-to-use interface for configuring the switch, while the command-line interface provides greater flexibility and control.

9. Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Like any other networking device, the WS-C3850-48W-S may encounter issues from time to time. However, with proper maintenance and troubleshooting, you can ensure that your switch remains reliable and performs optimally.

Some of the common issues that you may encounter with the WS-C3850-48W-S include network connectivity problems, power issues, and hardware failures. Furthermore, to troubleshoot these issues, you can use the switch’s built-in diagnostic tools or consult with a professional network engineer.

10. Best Practices and Recommendations

To get the most out of your WS-C3850-48W-S switch, it is recommended that you follow these best practices:

• Regularly update the switch’s firmware and software to ensure security and performance
• Implement VLANs and QoS policies to optimize network traffic and performance
• Monitor the switch’s power usage and implement intelligent power management to save energy
• Regularly backup the switch’s configuration to prevent data loss in case of a failure
• Implement network segmentation and access control to enhance security

11. Security Features and Protocols

The WS-C3850-48W-S comes with several advanced security features and protocols to ensure that your network remains secure and protected from unauthorized access and cyber threats. Some of the key security features include:

• TrustSec: An advanced security architecture that provides scalable, policy-based access control
• MACsec: A protocol that provides secure, line-rate encryption for MAC-layer traffic
• Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) integration: Allows for centralized authentication and authorization of network users and devices
• Port security: Allows you to limit the number of MAC addresses that can be learned on a port
• Access control lists (ACLs): Provides granular control over network traffic and access

12. Performance and Scalability

The WS-C3850-48W-S is a high-performance switch with advanced features and technologies that provide superior performance and scalability. Its switching capacity of 176 Gbps and forwarding rate of 130.95 Mpps ensure that your network remains fast and responsive even under heavy load.

Additionally, the WS-C3850-48W-S supports a range of advanced technologies such as Cisco StackWise-480 technology, which allows up to nine switches to be stacked together to provide a single logical switch with a high-performance forwarding capacity of up to 1.44 Tbps.

Furthermore, the WS-C3850-48W-S supports Cisco’s Virtual Switching System (VSS) technology, which enables two switches to be configured as a single virtual switch, providing increased availability, scalability, and flexibility.

13. Conclusion

The Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S is a high-performance switch that provides reliable, secure, and scalable connectivity for modern enterprise networks. Its advanced features and technologies, such as PoE+ support, Cisco StackWise-480 technology, and TrustSec, make it an excellent choice for organizations that require fast and secure connectivity with advanced features.

However, as with any networking device, it is important to ensure proper installation, configuration, and maintenance to ensure optimal performance and reliability. Following best practices such as regularly updating firmware and software, implementing VLANs and QoS policies, and monitoring power usage can help you get the most out of your WS-C3850-48W-S switch.

14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the CISCO WS-C3850-48W-S

1. What is PoE+?

PoE+ (Power over Ethernet Plus) is a networking technology that allows devices to receive both data and power over Ethernet cables. As a result, it eliminates the need for separate power cables.

2. Can I stack multiple WS-C3850-48W-S switches together?

Yes. Up to nine switches can be stacked together using Cisco StackWise-480 technology, providing a single logical switch with a high-performance forwarding capacity of up to 1.44 Tbps.

3. What is TrustSec?

TrustSec is an advanced security architecture that provides scalable, policy-based access control for networks.

4. Can I configure the WS-C3850-48W-S using a web-based interface?

Yes, Cisco provides a web-based device manager that provides an easy-to-use interface for configuring the switch.

5. What is VSS technology?

VSS (Virtual Switching System) is a technology that enables two switches to be configured as a single virtual switch. In other words, it provides increased availability, scalability, and flexibility for network administrators.

6. Does the CISCO WS-C3850-48W-S support PoE?

Certainly. The CISCO WS-C3850-48W-S has 48 ports that support PoE+

7. Is the CISCO WS-C3850-48W-S stackable?

Absolutely, it is. The CISCO WS-C3850-48W-S is stackable and supports StaWise-160 technology, which provides up to 160Gbps of stacking throughput.

8. How does CISCO WS-C3850-48W-S enhance network performance?

The CISCO WS-C3850-48W-S enhances network performance in several ways. Firstly, its 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports with PoE+ capabilities provide fast and reliable connectivity for all network devices. Secondly, it also supports StackWise-160 technology for stacking. As a result, this provides up to 160Gbps of stacking throughput, allowing for fast and efficient data transfer between switches.

9. What security features does the CISCO WS-C3850-48W-S offer?

The CISCO WS-C3850-48W-S offers several advanced security features, including control plane security and access control lists. Firstly, it ensures that unauthorized users cannot access the network and that sensitive data is protected. Secondly, the device is fully compatible with Cisco’s ACI and as a result it provides advanced security and policy enforcement capabilities. As a result, your network becomes highly secure with the use of these technologies.

Catalyst 3850 Port Numbering

The port numbering starts from the first port on the far left, top. For example, 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 as long as the blade is inserted in slot 1. Additionally, 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-C3850-48W-S? (click on part number to go their product page)

Important Sources:

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