WS-C3850-48XS-S: An overview of high-end data switching

The Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Switches are a collection of cutting-edge networking equipment designed for enterprise-level applications. The WS-C3850-48XS-S is a data switch that is part of the CISCO Catalyst 3850 series of high-end switches. It offers scalability and reliability in one high-performance package. It offers 10G fiber access and aggregation and is an ideal solution for campus networks, data centers and distributed enterprises.

We will now look at the WS-C3850-48XS-S, a high-performance switch that is part of the Cisco IP Base feature set, explore its technical specifications and basic configuration.

Table of Contents

1. What is CISCO IP Base Feature Set
2. Technical Specifications
3. Weight and Dimensions
4. Use Cases for WS-C3850-48XS-S
5. WS-C3850-48XS-S Stacking
6. StackWise Virtual WS-C3850-48XS-S
7. WS-C3850-48XS-S Replacement
8. Features and Benefits of WS-C3850-48XS-S
9. Comparison with other Catalyst 3850 models
10. WS-C3850-48XS-S SFP Compatibility
11. Configuring the WS-C3850-48XS-S
12. FAQs

What is CISCO IP Base Feature Set

The Cisco IP Base feature set is a collection of advanced networking features that provide enhanced security, reliability, and quality of service (QoS). These features are designed to meet the demands of enterprise-level applications and provide a solid foundation for building robust and scalable networks. Some of the features included in the Cisco IP Base feature set are DHCP relay, Access Control Lists (ACLs), Routing Information Protocol (RIP), and QoS.

Technical Specifications

The Cisco Catalyst WS-C3850-48XS-S is a powerful network switch that offers a wide range of technical specifications that make it an ideal choice for large organizations with high network traffic. Here are some of the key technical specifications of the WS-C3850-48XS-S:

• Switching capacity: 1 Tbps
• Forwarding rate: 952 Mpps
• Ports: 48 x 10G SFP+ and 4 x 40G QSFP+
• Power supply: 350WAC
• Fans: Modular with four field-replaceable fan modules
• RAM: 4GB
• Flash memory: 2GB
• VLAN IDs: 4094
• MAC addresses: 32,000
• Jumbo frames: 9198 bytes
• IPv4 routes: 24,000
• IPv6 routes: 4,000
• Multicast entries: 16,000
• QoS hardware queues: 8
• ACL entries: 2,000
• STP instances: 10
• Switched virtual interfaces (SVIs): 1,000
• Maximum transmission unit (MTU): Up to 9198 bytes

These specifications demonstrate the impressive capabilities of the WS-C3850-48XS-S, which can easily handle the demands of modern enterprise networks. With a switching capacity of 1 Tbps, this switch can process a large volume of data at high speeds, making it suitable for organizations with high network traffic.

Weight and Dimensions

The WS-C3850-48XS-S is designed to be compact and easy to install, with the following dimensions:

• Height: 1.73 in. (4.4 cm)
• Width: 17.5 in. (44.5 cm)
• Depth: 19.1 in. (48.5 cm)
• Weight: 19.4 lb (8.8 kg)

These dimensions make the WS-C3850-48XS-S easy to install in a variety of network environments, including data centers, server rooms, and wiring closets.

Use Cases for WS-C3850-48XS-S

The WS-C3850-48XS-S is a versatile network switch that can be used in a variety of enterprise network environments. Some common use cases for this switch include:

• High-performance data center networks: The WS-C3850-48XS-S is ideal for use in data centers that require high-speed networking capabilities, such as those used for cloud computing, virtualization, and big data processing.
• Enterprise LANs: This switch is also well-suited for use in large-scale enterprise LANs, where it can provide reliable and high-performance connectivity to a large number of devices.
• IP surveillance networks: With its advanced security features and support for PoE+, the WS-C3850-48XS-S is an excellent choice for IP surveillance networks, where it can provide power and network connectivity to security cameras and other devices.

These are just a few examples of the many use cases for the WS-C3850-48XS-S, which can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any enterprise network environment.

WS-C3850-48XS-S Stacking

The WS-C3850-48XS-S supports stacking, which allows multiple switches to be connected and managed as a single entity. Stacking provides increased scalability, redundancy, and simplified management of network resources. It is very important to note that this switch does not support StackWise 480 technology. This switch also does not support power stacking. This switch supports the CISCO StackWise Virtual technology instead. Please read through to educated yourself about how CISCO StackWise Virtual technology assists with stacking features of this switch.

StackWise Virtual WS-C3850-48XS-S

CISCO StackWise Virtual is a virtualization technology for network systems that combines two switches into one. The main goal behind this technology is simplification. It simplifies operational efficiency by enabling network admins to control one switch instead of multiple switches by pairing two switches into one. It offers various benefits in context of the WS-C3850-48XS-S.

Firstly, it virtualizes two CISCO Catalyst 3850 switches as a single logical unit. Secondly, with Stateful Switchover (SSO) it forms a unified control place for uninterrupted communication. Thirdly, the network bandwidth is enhanced through fully distributed forwarding. Lastly, simplified management is also possible via integration with CISCO APIC-EM and CISCO Prime infrastructure management applications.

Because the WS-C3850-48XS-S supports CISCO StackWise Virtual, you can get all the above benefits if you chose to opt for this switch.

WS-C3850-48XS-S Replacement

The WS-C3850-48XS-S is a 48 port data switch that is regarded among the best switches that CISCO offers at this price point. But eventually like all networking gear, these will be discontinued and will become End-of-Sale and End-of-Life. The new series that can replace this switch is the CISCO Catalyst 9500 series of switches. Let us look at some of the options that will likely replace this switch.

Since the number of ports is 48, we will look at two 48-port switches offered by CISCO in the Catalyst 9500 series. These will be the C9500-48X-E or C9500-48X-A switches. These are data switches with 48-ports while the difference between them is the Network Essentials and Network Advantage licenses that come pre-installed. If the need is basic data networking, we recommend the C9500-48X-E and if the need is to obtain higher end features then it will be the C9500-48X-A. Moreover, if the need is for cloud-ready environments, then the Network Advantage license that comes with C9500-48X-A will be a better choice. However, the C9500-48X-E will serve the basic networking needs.

Now lets take a look at the SFP module compatibility of the 48XS-S switch.

WS-C3850-48XS-S SFP Compatibility

(click on part number to go their product page)

Features and Benefits of WS-C3850-48XS-S

Features

The WS-C3850-48XS-S is a high-end switch that offers a variety of features and benefits for network administrators. Some of the key features of the WS-C3850-48XS-S include:

1. High Performance: The WS-C3850-48XS-S is designed to deliver high performance for demanding applications, such as video streaming and data backup. It supports up to 1 Tbps of throughput and can handle up to 48 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports.
2. Advanced Security: The switch includes advanced security features such as Cisco TrustSec, which provides secure access control and identity-based networking. It also supports Network Access Control (NAC) for device profiling and endpoint security.
3. Easy Management: The WS-C3850-48XS-S includes Cisco’s Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) technology, which enables network administrators to manage the switch from a single console. It also includes Cisco Prime Infrastructure, which provides a central location for managing network devices.
4. High Availability: The switch includes several features that ensure high availability and minimize network downtime. These include redundant power supplies, hot-swappable fans, and support for Cisco StackPower, which allows multiple switches to share power supplies.
5. Scalability: CISCO engineers have designed this switch to scale as your network grows. It supports up to nine switches in a stack. The only downside is that it does not support network modules for expansion.

Benefits

1. Lower Total Cost of Ownership: CISCO has designed this switch to be energy efficient, which can help reduce your organization’s energy costs. It also includes several features that help minimize network downtime, which can help reduce the cost of network maintenance and support.
2. Improved Network Performance: With its high-performance capabilities and advanced security features, the WS-C3850-48XS-S can help improve network performance and ensure the availability of critical applications.
3. Simplified Network Management: The switch’s easy management capabilities, such as Cisco Prime Infrastructure and UADP technology, can help simplify network management and reduce the time and resources required for network administration.
4. Enhanced Network Security: The switch includes advanced security features, such as Cisco TrustSec and NAC, which can help enhance network security and protect against threats.

Comparison with other Catalyst 3850 models

When comparing the WS-C3850-48XS-S to other models in the Catalyst 3850 family, there are a few key differences to consider. Let’s take a closer look at how the WS-C3850-48XS-S stacks up against the WS-C3850-48U-L, WS-C3850-24S-E, WS-C3850-24S-S, and WS-C3850-24P-L.

WS-C3850-48U-L The WS-C3850-48U-L is a member of the Catalyst 3850 series that has 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports and supports up to 1,000 access points and 12,000 clients. CISCO has designed this switch for mid-sized and large-sized enterprise WLAN deployments. CISCO has equipped the WS-C3850-48XS-S with 48 10G SFP+ ports suitable for data center deployments or high-performance computing environments. The WS-C3850-48XS-S also has more advanced features such as flexible netflow and programmability with the IOS-XE operating system.

WS-C3850-24S-E and WS-C3850-24S-S The WS-C3850-24S-E and WS-C3850-24S-S models are both equipped with 24 10G SFP+ ports and have similar specifications to the WS-C3850-48XS-S. However, the WS-C3850-48XS-S has twice as many ports, making it a better choice for larger deployments or environments that require more connectivity. Additionally, the WS-C3850-48XS-S has the Cisco StackPower technology, which allows for power sharing among stack members, ensuring redundancy and scalability.

WS-C3850-24P-L The WS-C3850-24P-L is a member of the Catalyst 3850 series that has 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports with PoE+ capability, making it a suitable choice for IP phone and wireless deployments. CISCO has equipped the WS-C3850-48XS-S with 10G SFP+ ports, making it a better choice for data center or high-performance computing environments that require high-speed connectivity.

Overall, the WS-C3850-48XS-S offers a unique combination of 10G SFP+ ports and advanced features that make it a good choice for high-performance computing and data center environments, while the other models in the Catalyst 3850 series are better suited for different types of deployments.

Configuring the WS-C3850-48XS-S

Configuring the WS-C3850-48XS-S is a straightforward process that requires some basic knowledge of networking and Cisco IOS. Here are some key steps to get you started:

Connect to the switch:

To configure the switch, you need to connect to it via console or SSH. If you are connecting via console, you need to use a console cable and a terminal emulator such as PuTTY. If you are connecting via SSH, you need to know the IP address of the switch and have a valid username and password.

Enter privileged mode:

Once you have connected to the switch, you need to enter privileged mode by typing “enable” and entering the enable password.

Configure basic settings:

The first step in configuring the switch is to configure basic settings such as hostname, IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and domain name. You can do this by using the following commands:

hostname switchname
interface vlan 1
ip address x.x.x.x y.y.y.y
ip default-gateway z.z.z.z
ip domain-name domain.com

Replace switchname with the desired hostname, x.x.x.x with the desired IP address, y.y.y.y with the subnet mask, and z.z.z.z with the default gateway.

Configure VLANs:

If you need to create VLANs on the switch, you can do so by using the following commands:

vlan vlan-id
name vlan-name

Replace vlan-id with the desired VLAN ID and vlan-name with the desired VLAN name.

Configure interfaces:

Once you have configured the VLANs, you can configure the interfaces. You can do this by using the following commands:

FAQs

1. What is the maximum number of switches that can be stacked with WS-C3850-48XS-S?

• You can stack up to 8 switches as a single entity. But one thing to bear in mind is that it does not support StackWise-480 technology.

2. What kind of power supply is used in WS-C3850-48XS-S?

• WS-C3850-48XS-S uses AC or DC power supply with a maximum power consumption of 785 W.

3. What is the default mode of the WS-C3850-48XS-S switch?

• The default mode of the WS-C3850-48XS-S switch is Layer 2.

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

• The unit comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

5. What kind of security features are supported by WS-C3850-48XS-S?

• It supports various security features such as Cisco TrustSec, MACsec encryption, 802.1X authentication, etc.

6. What kind of management interfaces are supported by WS-C3850-48XS-S?

• WS-C3850-48XS-S supports various management interfaces such as CLI, SNMP, Telnet, SSH, etc.

7. What is the maximum number of VLANs supported by WS-C3850-48XS-S?

• It supports up to 4096 VLANs.

8. Can WS-C3850-48XS-S support IPv6 routing?

• Yes. This switch supports IPv6 routing.

9. What kind of software updates are available for WS-C3850-48XS-S?

• The switch supports various software updates such as maintenance releases, minor releases, and major releases.

10. Can WS-C3850-48XS-S support PoE?

• No. This switch model does not support PoE.

Important Sources:

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