WS-C3850-48XS-F-S: An In-Depth Guide

Are you in need of a high-performance switch for your business or organization? If so, the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S by Cisco may be just what you need. In this article, we will dive deep into the technical specifications, key features, benefits, applications, and more of this powerful switch.

Table of Contents

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

1. Introduction

The Cisco WS-C3850-48XS-F-S is a high-performance switch designed for businesses and organizations that require reliable and efficient network connectivity. It offers a range of advanced features and benefits, including support for high-speed connectivity, advanced security protocols, and scalability.

2. Overview of WS-C3850-48XS-F-S

The WS-C3850-48XS-F-S is a part of the Cisco Catalyst 3850 series of switches. It comes equipped with 48 10G SFP+ ports and four 40G QSFP+ ports. The switch also has a built-in wireless controller that supports up to 50 access points and 2000 clients.

3. Technical Specifications

The WS-C3850-48XS-F-S has a range of technical specifications that make it a high-performance switch. These include:

• 48 10G SFP+ ports
• 4 40G QSFP+ ports
• Built-in wireless controller
• Up to 50 access points and 2000 clients
• Support for advanced security protocols, including 802.1X, MACsec, and TrustSec
• Support for IPv6
• Dual redundant, modular power supplies and fans

4. Key Features and Benefits

The WS-C3850-48XS-F-S offers a range of key features and benefits that make it a reliable and efficient switch for businesses and organizations. These include:

• High-speed connectivity: The switch supports 10G and 40G connections, making it ideal for businesses and organizations with high-bandwidth requirements.
• Advanced security protocols: The switch supports a range of advanced security protocols, including 802.1X, MACsec, and TrustSec, to help protect your network from unauthorized access and attacks.
• Scalability: The switch is designed to be scalable, making it easy to add new devices and expand your network as your business grows.
• Built-in wireless controller: The switch comes equipped with a built-in wireless controller that can support up to 50 access points and 2000 clients, making it easy to manage your wireless network.
• Dual redundant power supplies and fans: The switch is designed with dual redundant power supplies and fans, ensuring that your network remains up and running even in the event of a failure.

5. Applications and Use Cases

The WS-C3850-48XS-F-S is ideal for a range of applications and use cases, including:

• Data centers: The switch’s high-speed connectivity and scalability make it ideal for use in data centers.
• Large enterprises: The switch’s advanced security protocols and built-in wireless controller make it a reliable and efficient choice for large enterprises.
• Service providers: The switch’s support for IPv6 and advanced security protocols make it a great choice for service providers.

6. Pricing and Availability

The WS-C3850-48XS-F-S is a high-end switch, and as such, it comes with a relatively high price tag. Pricing for the switch can vary depending on your location, vendor, and other factors, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000 or more for the switch.

In terms of availability, the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S is easily available. However, the quantity is important to be considered. Larger quantities might put you on a long wait list.

7. Comparison of WS-C3850-48XS-F-S with Other Cisco Switches

When it comes to comparing the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S to other Cisco switches, there are a few key factors to consider. One of the main factors is performance, and in this regard, the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S stands out thanks to its high-speed connectivity and built-in wireless controller.

Another factor to consider is scalability. CISCO has designed the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S to be highly scalable, making it a great choice for businesses and organizations that need to expand their networks over time. In terms of security, the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S also stands out thanks to its support for advanced security protocols like 802.1X, MACsec, and TrustSec.

8. Installation and Configuration of WS-C3850-48XS-F-S

Installing and configuring the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S can be a complex process, and it is recommended that you seek the assistance of a qualified network engineer or consultant. However, there are a few key steps involved in the process, including:

• Physically installing the switch in your network environment
• Connecting your devices to the switch
• Configuring the switch’s settings and security protocols
• Testing the switch to ensure that it is functioning properly

9. Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Like any piece of networking equipment, the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S may experience issues from time to time. To troubleshoot issues with the switch, it is recommended that you consult Cisco’s documentation or seek the assistance of a qualified network engineer.

In terms of maintenance, the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S requires regular updates and patches to ensure that it is running smoothly and securely. You should also perform regular backups of your switch’s configurations to ensure that you can easily recover from any issues or failures.

10. Best Practices and Recommendations for WS-C3850-48XS-F-S

We recommend that you follow a few best practices to get the most out of your WS-C3850-48XS-F-S switch. These include:

• Regularly updating the switch’s firmware and software
• Configuring the switch’s security protocols to protect against unauthorized access and attacks
• Regularly backing up your switch’s configurations
• Monitoring the switch’s performance and scalability
• Working with a qualified network engineer or consultant to ensure that your switch is configured and maintained properly

11. Security Features and Protocols offered by WS-C3850-48XS-F-S

The WS-C3850-48XS-F-S comes equipped with a range of advanced security features and protocols to help protect your network from unauthorized access and attacks. These include:

• 802.1X: This protocol provides port-based authentication, helping to ensure that only authorized devices can access your network.
• MACsec: This protocol provides encryption for Ethernet traffic, helping to protect against eavesdropping and other attacks.
• TrustSec: This protocol provides advanced security for your network, including policy-based access control and security group tags.

12. Performance and Scalability

Performance and scalability are two critical aspects that are essential for any network switch to deliver high-speed data transfer and support multiple users and devices simultaneously. CISCO has designed the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S to provide exceptional performance and scalability, making it an ideal choice for organizations that need a reliable and high-performing switch.

The WS-C3850-48XS-F-S switch features a 48-port 10G SFP+ switch module that delivers up to 40 Gbps of full-duplex throughput per port, providing the network with the capacity and bandwidth required to support the most demanding applications and services. CISCO engineers have equipped this switch with a 4-core CPU, 4 GB RAM, and 4 GB flash memory, providing high processing power and enabling fast data transfer and storage.

One of the key benefits of the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S is its modular design, which allows organizations to expand their network as their needs grow. The switch supports up to nine additional network modules, including 1G and 10G copper and fiber modules, allowing organizations to customize their network to meet their specific requirements. The switch also supports stackable configurations, enabling organizations to stack up to nine switches to create a single logical switch with a capacity of up to 432 ports.

Another key feature of the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S is its advanced QoS capabilities, which allow organizations to prioritize network traffic based on application requirements and user needs. The switch supports multiple QoS policies, including IEEE 802.1p CoS, DSCP, and IP Precedence, enabling organizations to deliver high-quality services and applications while ensuring that critical traffic receives the highest priority.

13. FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S:

1. What is the maximum number of switches that can be stacked using StackWise-480 technology?

• The WS-C3850-48XS-F-S supports up to nine switches when stacked using StackWise-480 technology.

2. Does the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S support PoE?

• No, the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S does not support PoE. You should consider other models in the Catalyst 3850 series that offer PoE functionality. Some of the models that you may consider are WS-C3850-48P-S, WS-C3850-48U-S and a few others.

3. Can the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S be used for data center applications?

• Yes, the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S is designed for data center and enterprise applications and provides high performance, scalability, and advanced features that are required for these environments.

4. What is the warranty period for the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S?

• CISCO offers a limited lifetime warranty for WS-C3850-48XS-F-S. You can rest assured that you have made a safe investment.

5. How does the WS-C3850-48XS-F-S compare to the WS-C3850-48XS-S?

• The WS-C3850-48XS-F-S is similar to the WS-C3850-48XS-S, but it includes additional features such as advanced QoS capabilities, support for VSS technology, and increased scalability although it doesn’t support StackWise-480 technology.

Important Sources:

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