CBS350-8FP-2G Cisco 350 Series Managed Ethernet Switch, 8 Ports

Cisco CBS350-8FP-2G Managed Ethernet Switch Overview

The Cisco CBS350-8FP-2G is a compact, high-efficiency network switch designed for business environments seeking dependable performance, advanced control, and seamless scalability. With intelligent management, PoE+ capabilities, and robust routing functions, it provides an adaptable solution for modern networks.

Key Product Highlights

• Brand: Cisco
• Model / SKU: CBS350-8FP-2G
• Device Type: Managed Ethernet Switch
• Port Configuration: 8-Port Setup with Gigabit Throughput

Advanced Port Architecture

This switch features an optimized port layout that ensures smooth data transmission for diverse applications, from office connectivity to IP communication systems.

High-Speed Connectivity

• 8 × Gigabit Ethernet ports supporting 10/100/1000 Mbps
• 2 × Combo SFP/GbE uplink ports for flexible backbone links
• Compatible with SFP modules such as MGBSX1, MGBLX1, MGBLH1, MGBT1, GLC-SX-MMD, GLC-LH-SMD, GLC-BX-U, GLC-BX-D, GLC-TE

Power Over Ethernet (PoE+) Functionality

• Eight PoE+-enabled ports
• Total power allocation of up to 120W
• Ideal for IP cameras, VoIP phones, wireless access points, and other powered devices

Enhanced Management Features

The Cisco CBS350-8FP-2G delivers enterprise-grade configuration options, allowing network administrators to fine-tune operations while maintaining optimal security and reliability.

Simplified Yet Powerful Control

• Managed L3 capabilities through an intuitive web-based interface
• Optional centralized administration via Cisco Business Dashboard

Secure and Intelligent Traffic Handling

• Built-in QoS (Quality of Service) tools for traffic optimization
• Comprehensive VLAN support for efficient segmentation
• IPv6-ready networking for future-proof deployments

Smart Network Automation

• Auto Smartports for effortless voice system provisioning
• Static routing support (up to 990 routes) for streamlined path selection
• 4094 VLAN entries and 16K MAC address capacity

Performance and Energy Efficiency

Engineered to deliver consistent throughput and lower energy consumption, this switch is suitable for businesses aiming to balance speed with eco-friendly operation.

High-Capacity Switching

• 20 Gbps switching bandwidth for smooth multi-device communication

Green Technology

• Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) to reduce power usage automatically
• Designed as an eco-conscious networking solution without compromising performance

Cisco CBS350-8FP-2G 350 Series Ethernet Switch

The Cisco CBS350-8FP-2G is a compact, business-grade managed Ethernet switch in the Cisco Business 350 Series designed to deliver enterprise-class capabilities to small and medium-sized networks. It integrates eight 10/100/1000 Mbps access ports with full Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) capability alongside two Gigabit copper/SFP combo uplink ports, providing a balance of flexible connectivity, robust power delivery, and advanced network services in a single, rack-mountable platform. This model is part of Cisco’s Business 350 portfolio that targets the growing demands of modern SMB deployments, enabling centralized policy enforcement, traffic segmentation, and quality of service controls typically expected from higher-tier campus switches.

Ports, PoE Budget and Physical Connectivity

Physically, the CBS350-8FP-2G exposes eight gigabit Ethernet ports that support auto-negotiation and auto-MDI/MDIX to simplify cabling and link configuration. These eight ports are PoE+ capable, enabling direct powering of devices such as VoIP phones, wireless access points, and surveillance cameras without separate power injectors. The model is notable for offering a substantial onboard PoE budget that can deliver up to 120 watts total to attached devices, allowing for mixed deployments of high-draw and low-draw PoE devices while avoiding immediate need for an external power distribution solution. Complementing the access ports are two combo RJ45/SFP uplink ports which can be used for flexible uplinks to aggregation switches, routers, or fiber runs, enabling network designers to mix copper and fiber uplinks based on distance and redundancy requirements. These connectivity characteristics make the switch ideal for compact wiring closets, small wiring rooms, and edge-of-network placements where both power and bandwidth are required.

Performance, Switching Capacity and Forwarding

The CBS350-8FP-2G delivers non-blocking switching performance appropriate for converged business applications. With a switching capacity designed to handle the aggregate line-rate traffic of all ports, the unit ensures low latency forwarding for voice, video and data. Packet forwarding rates and hardware acceleration mean that latency-sensitive flows such as IP telephony and streaming video are prioritized and maintained even under peak load conditions. The hardware is engineered to support full-duplex gigabit traffic across the access ports while the uplink ports provide headroom for aggregated traffic flows toward the core or data center. Measured forwarding rates place the device squarely in the class of true gigabit edge switches capable of sustaining multiple concurrent demanding sessions without packet starvation.

Software Features and Management Options

Cisco equips the Business 350 Series with a flexible management plane that supports multiple management paradigms to suit varied operational preferences. Administrators can manage the CBS350-8FP-2G through an intuitive web-based GUI, a command line interface (CLI) for scriptable tasks and advanced configuration, and SNMP for integration into third-party network monitoring and management suites. The switch supports role-based administration and secure management protocols, enabling operators to delegate responsibilities while maintaining audit trails and access controls. For organizations that prefer centralized orchestration, the 350 Series is documented with administrative guides and downloadable firmware via Cisco’s support portals, and it integrates with widely used network orchestration and monitoring tools, making the CBS350 family a seamless addition to mature IT environments.

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Capabilities

The CBS350-8FP-2G primarily operates as a Layer 2 managed switch with advanced Layer 2+ features that extend the flexibility of network topologies. It supports a rich VLAN implementation for traffic segmentation, Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol for enhanced topology resilience, link aggregation to build higher-capacity links using multiple physical ports, and IGMP snooping for multicast efficiency. For scenarios requiring limited Layer 3 services at the edge, the platform provides static routing and basic inter-VLAN routing capabilities to simplify small network designs without requiring a full router for simple east-west communication. These Layer 2 and small-scale Layer 3 features make it viable for distributed branch offices, retail locations, education facilities, and corporate satellite sites.

Security and Access Control

Security is a central piece of the CBS350 design, reflecting the needs of environments where guest access, BYOD, and IoT devices co-exist with protected corporate resources. The switch supports IEEE 802.1X port-based access control, MAC address filtering, and dynamic VLAN assignment to enforce authentication and policy at the edge. Access control lists (ACLs) and first-hop security features including DHCP snooping and ARP inspection help prevent common network-based attacks and contain misbehaving devices. The device also supports secure management channels including HTTPS and SSH to protect administrative sessions, together with role-based management that allows organizations to constrain who can change which configuration elements. These protections reduce exposure from lateral threats while enabling flexible network segmentation and visitor access models.

Quality of Service and Traffic Prioritization

To ensure predictable delivery of latency-sensitive services such as voice and video, the CBS350-8FP-2G implements comprehensive Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms. QoS features include classification based on 802.1p, DSCP, and ACLs, flexible queuing, and rate limiting that allow operators to shape traffic and prioritize critical flows. When combined with its PoE capabilities, administrators can set prioritization rules for powered devices, guaranteeing that IP phones or wireless controllers receive the necessary bandwidth and low jitter required for quality communications. The QoS toolkit enables administrators to tune the network to match specific business priorities and to maintain service levels through periods of congestion without manual intervention.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The CBS350-8FP-2G fits a variety of realistic deployment patterns. In a small office, it can serve as the primary access switch, powering VoIP handsets and wireless access points while providing secure VLAN segmentation between corporate, guest, and IoT zones. In retail or branch environments, the switch offers simplified installation of PoE cameras and point-of-sale devices thanks to its consolidated power budget and flexible uplinks. For education and healthcare, the switch’s combination of PoE, security features, and management options supports dense device populations and compliance with operational isolation policies. A common pattern is to place the CBS350-8FP-2G at the edge with aggregated uplinks to a distribution switch or firewall, using its static routing and VLAN features to handle local breakout and segmentation while preserving centralized routing and policy enforcement at higher network layers.

Small Office and Home Office (SOHO) Environments

For small businesses and advanced home offices, the CBS350-8FP-2G is a professional alternative to unmanaged consumer switches. It offers predictable performance, secure management, and power for devices without requiring an electrician or separate power strips. Its ease of administration coupled with built-in diagnostics such as cable testing and port statistics helps non-specialist administrators to troubleshoot connectivity issues quickly, preserving productivity and minimizing the time to remediate network problems. The compact chassis and modest noise profile also make it suitable for office rooms and small wiring closets where space is limited.

Enterprise Branch and Retail Rollouts

In enterprise branch rollouts, the CBS350-8FP-2G minimizes operational complexity by delivering a consistent feature set across sites. The availability of features such as VLANs, ACLs, PoE, and uplink flexibility allows centralized IT teams to deploy repeatable templates and configurations. Remote management via SNMP and secure web interfaces enables rapid troubleshooting and firmware distribution without physical site visits. Retail environments benefit from the switch’s PoE budget to power cameras and wireless APs while retaining the ability to segment payment systems from guest Wi-Fi using the switch’s security and VLAN capabilities.