Description
Product Outline of the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L Cisco Catalyst 8 Ports Managed Switch
The WS-C2960CX-8PC-L Catalyst switch is a powerful and versatile networking device designed for both rack-mountable and wall-mountable installations. With its 8 ports supporting 10/100/1000Base-T connectivity, this switch is a reliable solution for managing network traffic in various environments. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the features, specifications, and use cases of the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L Catalyst switch, providing an in-depth understanding of its capabilities.
Key Features of Catalyst 8 Ports Rack-mountable Switch Module
- Number of Ports: The WS-C2960CX-8PC-L Catalyst switch boasts 8 ports, making it suitable for small to medium-sized networks.
- Port Speed: All 8 ports support speeds of 10/100/1000Base-T, ensuring fast and efficient data transfer within the network.
- Uplink Ports: The switch is equipped with 2 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports, enhancing its connectivity and allowing for seamless integration into existing network infrastructures.
- SFP Ports: With 2 Small Form-Factor plugable (SFP) ports, the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L offers flexibility in connecting to fiber-optic networks, extending the reach of the network.
- Manageability: This switch is manageable, providing administrators with the tools to monitor, configure, and control network traffic efficiently.
Compact Features for 10/100/1000Base-T Manageable Switch
The WS-C2960CX-8PC-L Catalyst switch features a compact and sturdy design, suitable for both rack-mountable and wall-mountable installations. Its sleek form factor makes it an ideal choice for environments where space is a consideration. The switch’s physical design also includes LED indicators for each port, offering a quick visual representation of the status of individual connections.
Performance and Speed
One of the standout features of the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L switch is its impressive performance. With support for Gigabit Ethernet speeds on all ports, this switch ensures that data is transmitted at high speeds, reducing latency and improving overall network efficiency. The 2 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports further enhance the switch’s performance, providing a reliable and fast connection to the core network.
Flexibility with SFP Ports
The inclusion of 2 Small Form-Factor plugable (SFP) ports adds a layer of flexibility to the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L Catalyst switch. These SFP ports allow for the connection to fiber-optic networks, enabling the extension of the network over longer distances. This flexibility is particularly valuable in scenarios where traditional copper-based connections may be impractical.
Ease of Management
Network administrators will appreciate the manageability features of the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L switch. The ability to monitor and control the switch remotely simplifies network management tasks. Through a user-friendly interface, administrators can configure settings, troubleshoot issues, and ensure optimal performance. This level of manageability is crucial for maintaining a robust and efficient network infrastructure.
Use Cases of 8 Ports Switch
- Small to Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs): The WS-C2960CX-8PC-L switch is well-suited for SMBs looking for a reliable and cost-effective solution to manage their network traffic. With 8 ports and Gigabit Ethernet support, it can accommodate the needs of a growing business.
- Education Institutions: Schools and universities can benefit from the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L switch’s flexibility and manageability. The ability to mount it on walls makes it suitable for diverse campus environments.
- Remote Offices: For organizations with remote offices, the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L switch’s compact design and dual mounting options offer versatility in deployment. The manageability features also facilitate remote troubleshooting and configuration.
- Retail Environments: Retailers with a need for a compact and efficient switch for their point-of-sale systems and back-office operations will find the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L to be a fitting choice.
Security Considerations
The WS-C2960CX-8PC-L Catalyst switch incorporates security features to safeguard the network against potential threats. With support for features like port security and access control lists (ACLs), administrators can control access to the network, preventing unauthorized users from compromising security.
Resiliency and High Availability of Cisco Switch
The WS-C2960CX-8PC-L Cisco Catalyst Layer 3 8 Ports Managed Switch is designed to provide resiliency and high availability in network environments. It features a number of built-in mechanisms to ensure that network traffic can continue to flow even in the event of a failure.
One of the key features of the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L is its support for Cisco StackWise-160 technology. This allows multiple switches to be connected together in a stack, providing a single point of management and increasing the overall capacity and resilience of the network. In the event of a switch failure, the remaining switches in the stack can automatically take over the traffic, ensuring that there is no disruption to network services.
Another important feature of the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L is its support for Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP). These protocols allow the switch to detect and recover from network loops and other topology changes, ensuring that network traffic is always flowing on the optimal path.
The WS-C2960CX-8PC-L also includes Cisco FlexStack-Plus technology, which enables the switch to be managed as a single entity with a single IP address. This makes it easy to manage and monitor the switch, even in large, complex networks.
In addition, the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L supports Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), which allows multiple physical links to be grouped together to form a single logical link. This increases the available bandwidth and improves the resiliency of the network by providing multiple paths for traffic to flow.
Power and Innovation
The WS-C2960CX-8PC-L Cisco Catalyst Layer 3 8 Ports Managed Switch is a powerful and innovative networking solution that offers a range of advanced features and capabilities to help organizations optimize their network performance and efficiency. Some of the key benefits of this switch include:
- Advanced Layer 3 routing capabilities: The WS-C2960CX-8PC-L supports advanced Layer 3 routing protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP, allowing organizations to easily segment and manage their network traffic for improved performance and security.
- High-speed performance: With 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports, the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L is capable of delivering fast and reliable network performance, making it ideal for high-bandwidth applications such as video streaming and virtualization.
- Advanced security features: The WS-C2960CX-8PC-L includes a range of advanced security features such as access control lists (ACLs), port security, and DHCP snooping, helping organizations to protect their network from unauthorized access and malware.
- Easy management and monitoring: The WS-C2960CX-8PC-L features an intuitive web-based management interface, making it easy for IT professionals to configure and monitor the switch, as well as troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
- Energy efficient design: The WS-C2960CX-8PC-L is designed to be energy efficient, helping organizations to reduce their energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint.
General Information for the Cisco 8 Ports Ethernet Managed Switch
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Model Number or SKU# WS-C2960CX-8PC-L
- Product Line: Catalyst
- Product Series: 2960-CX
- Product Type Layer 3 Switch
Technical Information of Catalyst Layer 3 Switch Module
- Total Number of Network Ports: 10
- Token Ring Port: No
- LRE Port: No
- Uplink Port: Yes
- Bypass: No
- Modular: No
- Management Port: No
- USB: No
- Number of PoE+ (RJ-45) Ports: 10
- Stack Port: No
Port/Expansion Slot Details
- 2 x Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Slot
- 8 x Gigabit Ethernet Network
- 2 x Gigabit Ethernet Uplink
Performance of Layer 3 Switch
- Media Type Supported: Twisted Pair, Optical Fiber
- Ethernet Technology: Gigabit Ethernet
- Network Technology: 10/100/1000Base-T, 1000Base-X
I/O Expansions for Ethernet Switch
- Number of Total Expansion Slots: 2
- Expansion Slot Type: SFP
- Shared SFP Slot: No
- Number of SFP Slots: 2
Network & Communication
- Layer Supported: 3
Management & Protocols
- Manageable: Yes
- Management:
- DHCP
- RMON
- VLAN
- SNMP v1, 2c, 3
- Telnet
- CLI
- QoS
Memory
- Standard Memory: 512 MB
- Memory Technology: DRAM
- Flash Memory: 128 MB
Reliability
- MTBF: 569,530 Hours
Power Description
- PoE (RJ-45) Port: Yes
- Input Voltage: 230 V AC, 120 V AC
- Power Source: Power Supply
In short, the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L Catalyst switch is a reliable and versatile networking solution suitable for a range of environments. Its combination of port flexibility, Gigabit Ethernet support, and manageability features make it a valuable asset for small to medium-sized businesses, educational institutions, remote offices, and retail environments. The switch’s compact design, dual mounting options, and security features further enhance its appeal, providing a comprehensive networking solution for diverse needs. Whether mounted on a rack or a wall, the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L Catalyst switch stands out as a powerful and efficient choice for building and maintaining robust network infrastructures.
