WS-C3650-24PDM-L Cisco Catalyst 24-Port RJ-45 PoE+ Switch

Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L 24 Ports Managed Switch Overview

The Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L is a high-performance, 24-port managed switch designed for enterprise networking environments. This switch ensures reliable connectivity, scalable expansion options, and robust management capabilities for modern networks.

Key Features of Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model/SKU: WS-C3650-24PDM-L
• Switch Type: Managed Layer 3 switch
• Port Configuration: 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Uplink Support: Yes, with modular expansion
• Stackable: Supports multiple switches in a single stack

Technical Specifications

Port and Network Capabilities

• Total Network Ports: 24 Gigabit Ethernet
• Uplink Slots: 2 x 10G SFP+ uplink modules
• Modular Expansion: Yes, stackable with dedicated stack ports
• Supported Network Technologies:
  • 10/100/1000Base-TX
  • 10GBase-X
  • Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet

Media and Performance

• Compatible Media Types: Twisted pair and fiber optic connections
• Switching Capacity: 92 Gbps for the 24-port model
• Maximum MAC Addresses: 32,000
• IPv4 Routing Capacity: Up to 24,000 routes, including ARP
• Stacking Bandwidth: 160 Gbps for high-performance network stacks

Expansion and Connectivity Options

Expansion Slots

• Total SFP+ Slots: 2
• Shared SFP Slot: Not supported

Management and Protocol Support

• Fully Manageable: Yes, with advanced Layer 4 features
• Supports extensive network protocol configuration for enterprise environments

Power and Physical Specifications

Power Requirements

• Power Source: Standard power supply
• Redundant Power Support: Not available

Form Factor and Dimensions

• Rack-Mountable Design: 1U
• Physical Size: 1.7" H x 17.5" W x 11.6" D
• Weight: Approximately 12.26 lbs

Environmental and Eco-Friendly Features

• Eco-Friendly Design: Yes
• Certifications: RoHS-5 compliant for environmental safety

Wireless Capabilities

Wireless Management Support

• Maximum Access Points per Switch/Stack: 25
• Maximum Wireless Clients Supported: 1,000
• Total WLANs Supported: 64
• Maximum Wireless Bandwidth: Up to 20 Gbps on 24-port models

Compatible Wireless Access Points

• Aironet 3700 Series
• Aironet 3600 Series
• Aironet 3500 Series
• Aironet 2600 Series
• Aironet 1600 Series
• Aironet 1260, 1140, 1040 Series

Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L Managed Switch

The Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L 24 Ports Managed Switch is a high-performance networking solution designed for modern enterprise networks that demand reliability, scalability, and advanced feature sets. As part of the Cisco Catalyst 3650 series, this switch integrates seamless Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities, providing organizations with the flexibility to manage traffic efficiently while ensuring robust security and minimal downtime. Its 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports support high-speed data transfers, making it ideal for environments where bandwidth-intensive applications are the norm, including multimedia communications, cloud computing, and large-scale file transfers.

High Performance and Scalability

The WS-C3650-24PDM-L is engineered to handle the ever-increasing data loads of modern networks. Equipped with 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports, each capable of delivering full-duplex connectivity, it ensures uninterrupted data flow even during peak usage hours. The switch supports Power over Ethernet (PoE), enabling the deployment of IP phones, wireless access points, and other networked devices without requiring additional power sources. This feature reduces clutter, simplifies installation, and minimizes the total cost of ownership.

Scalability is a core advantage of this managed switch. It allows network administrators to stack multiple switches using Cisco’s StackWise technology, creating a unified system with up to nine switches that can be managed as a single entity. This capability is particularly beneficial for growing enterprises, as it provides a pathway for network expansion without the need for complex reconfiguration. The switch also supports modular uplink options, which ensure that as the network evolves, high-speed connectivity can be extended to core routers or aggregation layers seamlessly.

Advanced Layer 3 Routing Capabilities

Unlike basic Layer 2 switches, the WS-C3650-24PDM-L incorporates full Layer 3 routing capabilities, including support for OSPF, EIGRP, and RIP protocols. This allows the switch to perform routing functions traditionally handled by dedicated routers, reducing latency and optimizing internal network traffic. By managing both switching and routing within a single device, enterprises can achieve higher network efficiency and reduce the complexity of their infrastructure.

The switch supports static routing, dynamic routing, and inter-VLAN routing, allowing traffic to move between different segments of the network efficiently. This capability is critical in multi-department environments where different teams or functions operate on separate VLANs but need secure and fast communication between them. Furthermore, the integrated routing engine ensures rapid convergence in the event of topology changes, which enhances network resilience and reduces downtime.

Comprehensive Security Features

Security is a top priority for any enterprise network, and the Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L addresses this through a wide range of integrated features. Network administrators can enforce access control policies using IEEE 802.1X authentication, ensuring that only authorized devices and users gain access to the network. The switch also supports MAC address filtering, IP source guard, and dynamic ARP inspection to prevent common network attacks and mitigate internal threats.

Advanced security features such as Cisco TrustSec enable policy-based access control across the network, allowing organizations to segment traffic based on user roles or device types. This ensures sensitive data remains protected, even in highly connected environments. In addition, support for Secure Shell (SSH) and Simple Network Management Protocol version 3 (SNMPv3) provides encrypted management sessions, safeguarding administrative communications from eavesdropping or tampering.

Quality of Service and Traffic Management

One of the defining strengths of the WS-C3650-24PDM-L is its comprehensive Quality of Service (QoS) functionality. The switch allows administrators to prioritize traffic based on application, user, or device, ensuring that latency-sensitive applications such as voice over IP and video conferencing receive the bandwidth they require. Advanced queuing mechanisms and traffic shaping capabilities reduce congestion, optimize network utilization, and improve the overall user experience.

Dynamic QoS features such as Auto-QoS simplify configuration by automatically applying best-practice QoS settings based on the detected traffic type. This feature reduces administrative overhead while ensuring critical services maintain high performance. Furthermore, the switch supports differentiated services (DiffServ), enabling more granular control of traffic flows and aligning network resources with business priorities.

Reliability and Redundancy

Enterprises rely on network uptime to maintain productivity and service continuity, and the Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L delivers reliability through multiple redundant mechanisms. The switch features hot-swappable power supplies and fans, which allow maintenance without interrupting network operations. StackWise technology also contributes to resilience by providing failover capabilities within a stack; if one switch fails, the remaining units continue to operate, minimizing disruption.

Link aggregation support further enhances reliability by combining multiple physical connections into a single logical link, distributing traffic evenly and providing automatic failover in case of a port failure. Additionally, support for Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) ensures loop-free network topology, allowing for fast recovery from network topology changes.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Considerations

Modern network infrastructure not only demands performance but also energy efficiency. The WS-C3650-24PDM-L incorporates Cisco EnergyWise technology to monitor and manage energy consumption across the network. By intelligently controlling the power supplied to devices, the switch helps reduce operational costs and supports organizational sustainability goals. PoE+ capabilities deliver only the necessary amount of power to connected devices, further minimizing energy waste.

The switch is designed to operate in a wide range of environmental conditions, supporting varying temperatures and humidity levels commonly found in enterprise data centers and wiring closets. Its compact form factor and intelligent airflow design optimize cooling efficiency, prolonging component lifespan while reducing the overall energy footprint of the network.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L is suitable for a variety of deployment scenarios, including enterprise campus networks, branch offices, and mid-sized data centers. In a campus environment, the switch provides seamless connectivity for users, devices, and wireless access points, supporting high-density deployments with PoE+ capabilities. Branch offices benefit from its Layer 3 capabilities, allowing for efficient traffic management between remote locations without relying solely on central routers.

Data centers and server rooms can utilize the switch as an aggregation or access layer solution, leveraging its high-speed ports and stacking capability to provide redundancy and scalability. Its advanced QoS, security, and routing features make it particularly valuable in environments where diverse applications coexist and require differentiated handling to maintain performance and security.

Integration with Cisco Ecosystem

The WS-C3650-24PDM-L is fully compatible with the broader Cisco ecosystem, including Cisco DNA Center, Cisco Identity Services Engine, and Cisco Prime Infrastructure. This integration enables centralized network management, automated provisioning, and comprehensive monitoring. Administrators can leverage analytics and insights to optimize network performance, predict potential issues, and enforce security policies consistently across the network.

Integration with Cisco DNA Center also provides support for Software-Defined Access (SD-Access), allowing administrators to segment the network logically based on business needs rather than physical topology. This reduces complexity, simplifies policy management, and enhances security by isolating sensitive applications and data flows.

Software Features and Licensing

The WS-C3650-24PDM-L runs on Cisco IOS Software, offering a rich set of features for network management, security, and automation. Licensing options include IP Base and IP Services, each providing different levels of functionality to meet specific organizational requirements. IP Base licensing includes essential Layer 2 and limited Layer 3 routing capabilities, while IP Services unlocks full advanced routing protocols, multicast services, and enhanced security features.

Administrators benefit from modular software architecture, enabling selective activation of features based on operational requirements. This flexibility allows organizations to scale functionality without replacing hardware, extending the lifecycle of the switch and maximizing return on investment.

Competitive Advantages and Industry Relevance

The Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L stands out in the competitive landscape of managed switches due to its combination of performance, reliability, and feature richness. Its 24-port configuration meets the needs of small to medium enterprises, while its stackability and Layer 3 routing ensure it remains relevant as networks grow. Organizations benefit from Cisco’s global support infrastructure, extensive documentation, and ongoing software updates, which provide confidence in long-term operational stability.

Industry relevance is reinforced by the switch’s adherence to networking standards and certifications, including IEEE 802.3, 802.1Q, and 802.1p, ensuring interoperability with third-party devices and adherence to best practices. Its role in modern enterprise networking strategies, including SD-Access adoption and PoE-driven device deployments, underscores its value in both current and emerging networking environments.