Description
Product overview for the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S
Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S is a network switch that falls under the Catalyst 3850 Series, designed for small to medium-sized businesses and enterprise networks. This switch offers various features and capabilities to manage and enhance network performance. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S, including its key features, specifications, and applications.
Key Features of Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S
- 12 Ports: The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S comes with a 12-port Switch, which allows you to connect multiple devices to your network, including computers, printers, and servers.
- Managed Switch: This is a managed switch, meaning you have complete control over its configuration and settings. It allows for advanced network management and optimization.
- Desktop or Rack-Mountable: The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S can be used on a desktop or mounted in a rack, offering flexibility in installation based on your space and infrastructure.
- IP Base: This switch operates with the IP Base feature set, which includes advanced routing capabilities for improved network performance and scalability.
Specifications of Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S
Here are some important technical specifications of the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S:
- Ports: As mentioned earlier, it has 12 ports. These ports can support various connection types, including Gigabit Ethernet and SFP (Small Form-Factor Pluggable) ports for fiber-optic connections.
- Layer: It operates at Layer 2 and Layer 3 of the OSI model. This means it can handle both data link (Layer 2) and network (Layer 3) functions, making it versatile for different network setups.
- Switching Capacity: The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S has a switching capacity of 68 Gbps. This indicates the maximum amount of data it can handle at once.
- Forwarding Rate: The forwarding rate of this switch is 51.8 Mpps (Million Packets Per Second). This represents the number of packets the switch can forward each second.
- Memory and Flash: It has 4 GB RAM and 2 GB flash memory, providing storage for configurations and software updates.
- Power Supply: The switch supports both AC and DC power supplies, offering redundancy and reliability.
- Operating System: It runs on Cisco IOS (Internetwork Operating System), a robust and widely used networking operating system.
Applications of Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S
The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S has a wide range of applications in various networking scenarios. Here are some common use cases:
- Small to Medium-Sized Businesses: This switch is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking to establish a stable and manageable network infrastructure. It can support multiple users and devices in such environments.
- Enterprise Networks: In larger enterprises, where a more extensive and complex network is required, the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S can be used as part of the network infrastructure to ensure smooth operations.
- Data Centers: Data centers require high-performance network switches to handle the vast amount of data traffic. The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S can be a part of the data center’s networking setup, providing reliability and performance.
- Education Institutions: Schools and universities can benefit from this switch to support the network needs of students, faculty, and administrative staff.
- Hospitality Industry: Hotels and resorts often need advanced network infrastructure to provide Wi-Fi access to guests. The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S can be used to manage and distribute network connectivity in such establishments.
- Healthcare Facilities: In the healthcare sector, where the network plays a critical role in patient care, this switch can ensure the reliability of network connections for various medical devices and systems.
- Remote and Branch Offices: Remote and branch offices of larger organizations can use this switch to establish and manage their local networks, ensuring connectivity with the main office.
Advantages of Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S
Now, let’s explore some of the advantages of using the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S in your network:
- Scalability: The Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S can be easily integrated into existing network setups, and its features can be scaled to meet growing network demands.
- Advanced Management: Being a managed switch, it offers advanced network management features, such as VLAN (Virtual LAN) support, QoS (Quality of Service) configuration, and security settings.
- High Performance: With its impressive switching capacity and forwarding rate, this switch ensures high-performance data transfer and minimal latency.
- Reliability: The switch is built to be reliable, with support for redundant power supplies and hardware components.
- Layer 3 Routing: The Layer 3 capabilities allow for efficient routing and IP address management, making it suitable for more complex network configurations.
- Flexible Mounting: Its desktop and rack-mountable design gives you the flexibility to install it in various environments.
- Cisco Brand: Cisco is a well-established and trusted brand in the networking industry, known for the quality and durability of its products.
Limitations of Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S
While the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S offers many advantages, it’s essential to be aware of its limitations:
- Price: Cisco switches are known for their quality, but they often come at a higher price point compared to some other brands. Small businesses with tight budgets may find it expensive.
- Complexity: The advanced management features can be overwhelming for those who are not experienced in networking. It may require a skilled IT professional to configure and maintain.
- Power Consumption: Depending on the network load, Cisco switches can consume a significant amount of power, which may not be suitable for energy-efficient or green IT initiatives.
- Size and Weight: The switch is relatively large and heavy, which can affect its portability and ease of installation.
- Limited Ports: While 12 ports are sufficient for small to medium-sized businesses, larger enterprises with extensive network needs may require switches with more ports.
Comparison with Other Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Switches
It’s important to note that the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S is just one of the models in the Catalyst 3850 Series. Let’s compare it with a few other models to help you choose the right one for your specific needs:
- Cisco WS-C3850-24T-S: This model offers 24 ports with RJ-45 connectors, making it suitable for organizations that require a larger number of Ethernet connections. It is a good choice for offices with a higher density of networked devices.
- Cisco WS-C3850-48P-S: If Power over Ethernet (PoE) support is crucial for your network, this model provides 48 PoE ports, which can power devices like IP phones and security cameras over the Ethernet cable. It’s an excellent choice for businesses with extensive PoE requirements.
- Cisco WS-C3850-12X48U-S: This switch offers a combination of 12 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 48 UPOE (Universal Power over Ethernet) ports. It’s designed for high-performance and high-density networks, such as data centers or large enterprises.
- Cisco WS-C3850-12XS-S: If you need a switch with a focus on fiber-optic connections, this model provides 12 SFP+ ports for 10 Gigabit Ethernet over fiber. It’s suitable for environments where long-distance or high-speed fiber connections are essential.
How to Set Up and Configure Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S
Setting up and configuring the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S may require some technical knowledge and expertise. Here are the basic steps to get you started:
- Initial Access:
- Connect to the switch using a console cable and a terminal emulation program (e.g., PuTTY or Tera Term).
- Log in with the default username and password or use the provided login credentials.
- Basic Configuration:
- Set the switch hostname and management IP address.
- Configure VLANs if necessary to segment your network.
- Enable management features such as SSH (Secure Shell) for remote access.
- Security Configuration:
- Change default passwords and enable authentication and authorization.
- Implement security measures like Access Control Lists (ACLs) to control traffic.
- Advanced Configuration:
- Set up routing if you require Layer 3 functionality.
- Configure Quality of Service (QoS) settings to prioritize certain types of traffic.
- Documentation:
Keep detailed records of your switch’s configuration, IP addresses, and login credentials for future reference.
For in-depth and specific configuration instructions, it’s advisable to consult the Cisco documentation and, if necessary, seek assistance from a Cisco-certified network administrator or technician.
General Information about Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Model Number or SKU# WS-C3850-12S-S
- Product Type: Switch
Key Features of the 12-Port Switch
- Device Type: Managed Layer 3 Switch with 12 Ports, Stackable
- Enclosure Type: Desktop and Rack-mountable (1U)
- Subtype: Gigabit Ethernet
- Ports: 12 x Gigabit SFP
Performance
- Switching Capacity: 68 Gbps
- Stacking Bandwidth: 480 Gbps
- Forwarding Performance: 68.4 Mpps
Capacity
- IPv4 Routes: 24,000
- Netflow Entries: 24,000
- Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs): 1,000
- MAC Address Table Size: 32,000 Entries
- Jumbo Frame Support: Up to 9,198 bytes
- Routing Protocol: RIP-1, RIP-2, EIGRP, RIPng
- Remote Management Protocol:
- SNMP 1, RMON 1, RMON 2, Telnet, SNMP 3, SNMP 2c, SSH, CLI
Features
- Auto-negotiation
- ARP Support
- Trunking
- VLAN Support
- Auto-uplink (Auto MDI/MDI-X)
- IGMP Snooping
- Syslog Support
- IPv6 Support
- Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) Support
- Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) Support
- DHCP Snooping
- Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) Support
- Port Aggregation Protocol (Pagp) Support
- Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) Support
- Access Control List (ACL) Support
- Quality of Service (QoS)
- RADIUS Support
- Virtual Route Forwarding-Lite (VRF-Lite)
- MLD Snooping
- Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI)
- STP Root Guard
- Uni-directional Link Detection (UDLD)
- Rapid Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Plus (PVRST+)
- IPv4 Support
- Shaped Round Robin (SRR)
- Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)
- Remote Switch Port Analyzer (RSPAN)
- Layer 3 Load Balancing
- Energy Efficient Ethernet
- Cisco StackWise-480 Technology
- Cisco Stackpower Technology
- Flexible Netflow (FNF)
Compliant Standards
- IEEE 802.3
- IEEE 802.3u
- IEEE 802.3z
- IEEE 802.1d
- IEEE 802.1q
- IEEE 802.3ab
- IEEE 802.1p
- IEEE 802.3x
- IEEE 802.3ad (LACP)
- IEEE 802.1w
- IEEE 802.1x
- IEEE 802.1s
- Power: AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
- Power Redundancy: Optional
In summary, the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S 12 Ports Switch Catalyst 3850-12S-S is a versatile and powerful network switch designed for various applications, from small businesses to large enterprises. With its manageable features, Layer 3 capabilities, and robust performance, it can help you build a reliable and efficient network infrastructure. However, it’s essential to be aware of its limitations and consider other models within the Catalyst 3850 Series to ensure it aligns with your specific networking needs. Proper installation and configuration are crucial for maximizing the benefits of this switch, and professional assistance may be required for complex setups. Cisco’s reputation for quality and reliability makes the Cisco WS-C3850-12S-S a popular choice in the networking industry.
