CBS220-24T-4G Cisco Business 220 Smart Switch, 24 Ports w/SFP Uplink

Cisco CBS220-24T-4G Smart Managed Gigabit Switch

The Cisco CBS220-24T-4G from the Cisco Business 220 Series is a reliable Layer 2 managed Gigabit Ethernet switch designed for small to medium-sized networks. It delivers enterprise-grade performance, flexible connectivity, and advanced traffic control while remaining easy to deploy and manage. With a fanless, rack-mountable design and efficient power usage, this switch is well-suited for offices, retail environments, and branch networks that demand stability and scalability.

General Product Details

• Brand: Cisco
• Series: Cisco Business 220 Series
• Model Number: CBS220-24T-4G
• Device Category: Smart Managed Ethernet Switch
• Total Ports: 24 Gigabit Ethernet Ports with 4 SFP Uplinks

Physical Characteristics

• Enclosure Type: Rack-mountable
• Cooling: Fanless for quiet performance
• Status LEDs: System, link, activity, and speed indicators

Uplink Expansion with SFP Ports

• 24 x 10/100/1000Base-T RJ-45 Ethernet ports
• 4 x 1000Base-X SFP uplink interfaces

Performance Metrics

• Forwarding Rate (64-byte packets): 41.66 Mpps
• Total Switching Bandwidth: 56 Gbps
• Jumbo Frame Support: Up to 9216 bytes

Advanced VLAN and MAC Management

• Supported VLANs: Up to 256
• MAC Address Table Size: 8,192 entries
• Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol Instances: 16

Traffic Control Resources

• Access Control List Rules: 512
• Buffer Memory Capacity: 4.1 MB

Comprehensive Switching Protocols

• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP, RSTP, MSTP)
• IGMP Snooping (v1, v2, v3)
• MLD and MLDv2 for IPv6 multicast
• Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)

Authentication and Encryption

• 802.1X Port-Based Authentication
• RADIUS and TACACS+ Support
• Secure Shell (SSH v1 and v2)
• SSL Encryption

Additional Security Enhancements

• Port Security and MAC Address Filtering
• DoS Attack Prevention
• BPDU Guard and STP Loop Guard
• Storm Control for broadcast, multicast, and unknown traffic

Flexible Local and Remote Administration

• Web Management via HTTP and HTTPS
• CLI Access through SSH and Telnet
• SNMP v1, v2c, and v3
• RMON and Syslog Support

Advanced Management Features

• Dual Firmware Images for reliability
• TFTP and SCP for configuration and firmware updates
• LLDP and LLDP-MED for device discovery
• CDP for Cisco device integration

IEEE and Industry Standards

• IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, 802.3z
• IEEE 802.1D, 802.1Q, 802.1W, 802.1S
• IEEE 802.1X and 802.1AB (LLDP)
• IEEE 802.3ad (LACP) and 802.3az (Energy Efficient Ethernet)

Efficient Hardware Resources

• System RAM: 256 MB
• Flash Storage: 64 MB

Low Power Consumption Design

• Power Supply Type: Internal
• Input Voltage: AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz
• Operational Power Consumption: 18 Watts

Cisco CBS220-24T-4G 220 Series Layer 2 Managed Switch

The Cisco CBS220-24T-4G belongs to the Cisco Business 220 Series, a family of Layer 2 managed Gigabit Ethernet switches designed to deliver dependable connectivity, simplified network administration, and enterprise-grade performance for small and medium-sized organizations. This category represents a balanced solution that combines affordability with essential management features, making it suitable for offices, retail environments, educational institutions, and branch deployments where stable wired networking is a priority.

As part of the Cisco Business switching portfolio, the CBS220-24T-4G is engineered to address the growing need for secure, scalable, and high-speed network infrastructure. The category emphasizes ease of deployment while still providing advanced switching capabilities such as VLAN segmentation, Quality of Service optimization, traffic monitoring, and enhanced security controls. These attributes ensure consistent network availability and efficient data handling across multiple connected devices.

Design Philosophy and Hardware Architecture

The Cisco CBS220-24T-4G category is defined by a practical and durable hardware architecture optimized for continuous operation. The switch features twenty-four 1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet ports that support high-throughput wired connections for endpoints such as desktop computers, IP phones, printers, access points, and network-attached storage systems. This port density is ideal for medium-sized deployments that require reliable connectivity without excessive hardware complexity.

Complementing the copper Ethernet interfaces are four dedicated Gigabit SFP uplink ports. These SFP ports enable flexible fiber or copper uplink connectivity, allowing seamless integration with distribution switches, core network infrastructure, or remote wiring closets. This design approach ensures that the category supports both short-distance and extended network connections while maintaining consistent data performance.

The hardware construction reflects Cisco’s commitment to long-term reliability. The metal chassis, efficient internal cooling mechanisms, and energy-conscious components contribute to stable operation in diverse environments. The category is well-suited for rack-mounted installations in network cabinets as well as desktop or shelf-based deployments where space efficiency is essential.

Port Configuration and Network Expansion Capabilities

The twenty-four Gigabit Ethernet ports in the CBS220-24T-4G category provide sufficient connectivity for expanding networks that require dependable throughput. Each port supports auto-negotiation, allowing connected devices to operate at optimal speed and duplex settings. This capability reduces manual configuration requirements and minimizes potential compatibility issues during deployment.

The four Gigabit SFP ports offer flexible uplink options that enhance network scalability. Organizations can leverage these interfaces to connect to high-speed backbone links, aggregate traffic from multiple access switches, or establish resilient uplink paths. The category’s support for industry-standard SFP modules ensures compatibility with a wide range of transceivers, enabling cost-effective network expansion.

Layer 2 Switching Features and Traffic Management

The Cisco CBS220-24T-4G category is centered on robust Layer 2 switching functionality designed to optimize traffic flow and enhance network efficiency. Core features such as MAC address learning, switching tables, and intelligent packet forwarding enable the switch to handle data traffic with minimal latency. These capabilities are essential for maintaining smooth communication between connected devices in busy network environments.

Virtual Local Area Network support is a fundamental aspect of this category. VLAN functionality allows administrators to segment the network logically, improving security and reducing broadcast traffic. By separating departments, user groups, or application types into distinct VLANs, organizations can enhance performance while maintaining centralized infrastructure management.

Quality of Service and Traffic Prioritization

Quality of Service mechanisms are integral to the Cisco Business 220 Series category. The CBS220-24T-4G supports traffic classification and prioritization to ensure that latency-sensitive applications such as voice over IP, video conferencing, and real-time collaboration tools receive appropriate bandwidth allocation. This approach helps maintain consistent application performance even during periods of high network utilization.

The category supports multiple QoS queues and scheduling algorithms that allow administrators to define traffic handling policies based on application type, port, or VLAN. These capabilities contribute to predictable network behavior and improved user experience across diverse workloads.

Management Interfaces and Configuration Flexibility

The Cisco CBS220-24T-4G category emphasizes simplified network management without sacrificing control. The switch offers an intuitive web-based graphical interface that enables administrators to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot the network from a standard web browser. This management approach reduces the learning curve associated with traditional command-line interfaces while still providing access to essential configuration options.

In addition to the web interface, the category supports command-line management for administrators who prefer direct control or require advanced configuration capabilities. This dual management approach ensures flexibility and accommodates varying levels of technical expertise within IT teams.

Security Capabilities and Network Protection

Security is a defining characteristic of the Cisco Business 220 Series category. The CBS220-24T-4G incorporates a range of Layer 2 security features designed to protect the network from unauthorized access and internal threats. Port-based access control mechanisms allow administrators to restrict device connectivity and enforce security policies at the network edge.

Advanced security features such as MAC address filtering and access control lists help prevent unauthorized devices from joining the network. These controls are essential for maintaining data integrity and safeguarding sensitive information in shared network environments.

Segmentation and Access Control Strategies

VLAN-based segmentation within the CBS220-24T-4G category enhances security by isolating traffic between different user groups or applications. This approach limits the potential impact of security incidents and reduces the attack surface within the network.

Additional security mechanisms, including storm control and loop prevention protocols, protect the network from broadcast storms and misconfigurations that could degrade performance or cause outages. These safeguards ensure stable operation even in complex network topologies.

Performance Efficiency and Reliability Standards

The Cisco CBS220-24T-4G category is designed to deliver consistent Gigabit Ethernet performance across all ports. Non-blocking switching architecture ensures that data can be forwarded at wire speed without congestion, supporting simultaneous high-bandwidth activities across multiple devices.

Energy efficiency is another important aspect of this category. The switch incorporates power-saving technologies that adjust energy consumption based on network activity. This approach reduces operational costs and aligns with environmentally conscious deployment strategies.

High Availability and Network Stability

Reliability is reinforced through support for redundant uplink configurations and link aggregation. These features enable increased bandwidth and provide failover protection in the event of a link failure. The category’s focus on network stability makes it suitable for environments where continuous connectivity is essential.

Spanning Tree Protocol support further enhances network resilience by preventing loops and ensuring optimal path selection within Layer 2 topologies. This capability is particularly valuable in networks with multiple interconnected switches.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Case Alignment

The Cisco CBS220-24T-4G category is well-suited for a wide range of deployment scenarios. In small office environments, the switch provides a centralized connectivity platform that supports daily business operations with minimal administrative overhead. For medium-sized enterprises, the category offers scalability and performance that can adapt to organizational growth.

Retail and hospitality deployments benefit from the switch’s ability to segment traffic for point-of-sale systems, guest networks, and back-office operations. Educational institutions can leverage the category’s VLAN and QoS capabilities to support digital learning platforms and administrative systems concurrently.

Integration with Existing Network Infrastructure

Compatibility with existing Cisco networking solutions and third-party devices ensures seamless integration within established infrastructures. The CBS220-24T-4G category adheres to industry standards, allowing organizations to extend their networks without extensive reconfiguration.

The flexibility of SFP uplinks facilitates connectivity to core switches, routers, and fiber backbones, making this category a practical choice for distributed network architectures.

Scalability and Future-Ready Networking

The Cisco Business 220 Series category is designed with scalability in mind. The CBS220-24T-4G can serve as a foundational access-layer switch that supports future network expansion. As additional devices or applications are introduced, the switch’s port density and uplink options accommodate growth without requiring immediate hardware replacement.

Firmware updates and ongoing support from Cisco ensure that the category remains relevant as networking standards evolve. This long-term viability provides organizations with confidence in their infrastructure investments.

Operational Simplicity and Administrative Efficiency

Simplified management workflows reduce the time and effort required to maintain the network. The CBS220-24T-4G category prioritizes user-friendly configuration while preserving essential control mechanisms, enabling efficient day-to-day operations.

Clear status indicators, intuitive dashboards, and comprehensive documentation further enhance the administrative experience, making the category accessible to both experienced network engineers and general IT staff.