WS-C3850-48U-S Cisco Catalyst 3850 Switch 48 Ports Upoe IP Base

Cisco WS-C3850-48U-S Catalyst 3850 48 Port Switch Overview

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-S is a high-performance, stackable Layer 3 switch designed for enterprise-grade networking. Featuring 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports with UPOE support, this switch provides robust connectivity and advanced network management capabilities suitable for demanding environments.

Key Product Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number / SKU: WS-C3850-48U-S
• Product Type: Managed Switch
• Port Count: 48 Ports
• Sub Type: Gigabit Ethernet

Technical Specifications

Device and Performance

• Layer 3 Managed Switch, Stackable
• Switching Capacity: 176 Gbps
• Stacking Bandwidth: 480 Gbps
• IPv4 Routes Supported: 24,000
• NetFlow Entries: 48,000
• Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs): 1,000
• MAC Address Table: 32,000 entries
• Jumbo Frame Support: 9,198 bytes

Port and Power Features

• 48 x 10/100/1000 Mbps UPOE Ports
• Power over Ethernet: UPOE with 800 W budget
• Supports Cisco StackWise-480 and StackPower technologies
• Energy Efficient Ethernet for reduced power consumption

Routing and Protocol Support

• Routing Protocols: RIP-1, RIP-2, EIGRP, RIPng
• Remote Management: SNMP v1, v2c, v3, RMON1 & 2, Telnet, SSH, CLI
• Advanced Network Features:
  • Auto-negotiation & ARP Support
  • Trunking & VLAN Support
  • Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), MSTP
  • IGMP & MLD Snooping
  • Dynamic Trunking (DTP) & Port Aggregation (PAgP, LACP)
  • Quality of Service (QoS) & Access Control Lists (ACLs)
  • Virtual Routing & Forwarding (VRF-lite)
  • Dynamic ARP Inspection, STP Root Guard, UDLD
  • Layer 3 Load Balancing & Remote Switch Port Analyzer (RSPAN)
  • Flexible NetFlow (FNF)

Compliance and Standards

• IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3z, 802.1d, 802.1q, 802.3ab
• IEEE 802.1p, 802.3af, 802.3x, 802.3ad (LACP)
• IEEE 802.1w, 802.1x, 802.1s, 802.3at

Enclosure and Installation

• Desktop or Rack-mountable (1U) design
• Internal plug-in module power supply
• Installed Quantity: 1, Maximum Supported: 2
• Optional 1+1 redundant power configuration
• Power Supply: 1100 W, AC 120/230V, 50/60Hz

Enhanced Networking Features

• UPOE Support for high-power devices
• IPv6 compatibility
• DHCP Snooping for network security
• Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) support
• Shaped Round Robin (SRR) traffic management
• Universal Power over Ethernet and Energy Efficient Ethernet

Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Unified Access Switching Architecture

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-S Catalyst 3850 Switch with 48 UPOE ports and IP Base software belongs to the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series, a family of enterprise-class switches engineered to deliver a unified access layer. This category represents a major evolution in Cisco switching by integrating wired and wireless access into a single converged platform. The unified access architecture allows organizations to manage both wired Ethernet endpoints and wireless access points using a common policy framework, a shared management plane, and consistent security enforcement across the network.

Within enterprise campus environments, the Catalyst 3850 Series is widely recognized for its ability to support high-performance applications, dense endpoint connectivity, and advanced network services. The WS-C3850-48U-S model specifically targets deployments that require high port density combined with Universal Power over Ethernet capabilities, making it suitable for powering a wide range of connected devices while maintaining enterprise-grade reliability and scalability.

Enterprise-Class Hardware Design and Switching Performance

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-S switch is designed with a focus on consistent throughput, low latency, and resilience under demanding workloads. The hardware architecture supports line-rate switching across all 48 Ethernet ports, ensuring predictable performance even during peak traffic conditions. This category of switches is frequently deployed in access-layer and aggregation-layer roles where consistent data forwarding and minimal packet loss are critical.

Advanced ASICs within the Catalyst 3850 platform enable deep packet inspection, efficient forwarding, and support for modern networking features such as Quality of Service prioritization and granular traffic classification. These capabilities ensure that latency-sensitive applications like voice over IP, video conferencing, and real-time collaboration tools receive appropriate bandwidth and prioritization.

High Port Density for Scalable Network Expansion

With 48 Ethernet ports, the WS-C3850-48U-S provides ample connectivity for environments with a large number of wired endpoints. This port density is ideal for enterprise office floors, educational campuses, healthcare facilities, and retail locations where numerous devices must be connected reliably. The category emphasizes scalability, allowing organizations to expand their network without frequent hardware replacement.

The high port count also simplifies network design by reducing the number of switches required per floor or zone. This consolidation leads to easier management, reduced cabling complexity, and lower operational overhead, all of which contribute to a more efficient network infrastructure.

Universal Power over Ethernet (UPOE) Capabilities

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-S stands out in its category due to its support for Universal Power over Ethernet. UPOE extends the standard Power over Ethernet capabilities by delivering higher power levels over Ethernet cabling. This feature enables the switch to power not only traditional devices like IP phones and wireless access points, but also more power-hungry endpoints such as video surveillance cameras, digital signage, thin clients, and certain IoT devices.

By consolidating both data and power delivery over a single Ethernet cable, UPOE simplifies device deployment and reduces the need for separate electrical infrastructure. This is particularly valuable in large facilities or retrofitted buildings where installing additional power outlets can be costly and disruptive.

Support for Advanced Endpoint Devices

The UPOE functionality within the Catalyst 3850 Series ensures compatibility with a wide range of modern networked devices. As enterprises increasingly adopt smart building technologies and advanced collaboration tools, the ability to supply higher power levels becomes essential. This category addresses those requirements by offering flexible power allocation across all supported ports.

Intelligent power management features allow administrators to monitor power usage, set limits, and prioritize critical devices. This ensures optimal utilization of available power resources while maintaining network stability and protecting connected equipment.

Operational Efficiency and Cost Optimization

Deploying switches with UPOE support can significantly reduce overall infrastructure costs. By eliminating the need for additional power adapters and electrical installations, organizations can streamline deployment processes and lower capital expenditures. The WS-C3850-48U-S exemplifies this category’s focus on operational efficiency and long-term cost savings.

From a maintenance perspective, centralized power delivery simplifies troubleshooting and management. Network administrators can remotely monitor and control power to connected devices, reducing the need for on-site interventions and improving overall uptime.

IP Base Software and Network Feature Set

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-S model includes the IP Base software license, positioning it within a category that balances advanced Layer 2 and essential Layer 3 functionality. IP Base software provides robust switching features along with basic routing capabilities, making it suitable for enterprise access-layer deployments that require reliable connectivity and efficient traffic segmentation.

This software package supports features such as VLAN segmentation, inter-VLAN routing, static routing, and enhanced security controls. These capabilities allow organizations to design segmented network architectures that improve performance, security, and manageability.

Layer 2 Switching Capabilities

At the Layer 2 level, the Catalyst 3850 Series offers comprehensive switching features that support large-scale enterprise networks. These include support for multiple VLANs, spanning tree enhancements, link aggregation, and advanced Quality of Service mechanisms. Such features are essential for maintaining network stability and ensuring optimal performance across diverse traffic types.

The ability to define and manage VLANs efficiently allows organizations to separate traffic for different departments, applications, or security zones. This segmentation reduces broadcast traffic and enhances overall network efficiency.

Basic Layer 3 Routing Support

The IP Base license also enables basic Layer 3 routing functions, allowing the WS-C3850-48U-S to perform inter-VLAN routing and participate in static routing configurations. This capability reduces the need for dedicated routing devices at the access layer, simplifying network design and lowering hardware costs.

For organizations with straightforward routing requirements, this category of switches provides an optimal balance between functionality and cost, delivering essential routing services without the complexity of advanced routing protocols.

Security Features and Network Protection

Security is a fundamental aspect of the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series category, and the WS-C3850-48U-S incorporates multiple mechanisms to protect network resources and data. Integrated security features help prevent unauthorized access, mitigate threats, and enforce organizational policies across the access layer.

By embedding security directly into the switching platform, Cisco enables consistent enforcement of access controls and reduces reliance on external security appliances for basic protection.

Access Control and Policy Enforcement

The switch supports advanced access control mechanisms that allow administrators to define and enforce network access policies based on user identity, device type, or location. These capabilities are particularly important in environments with a diverse mix of corporate-owned and personal devices.

Policy-based access control ensures that users and devices only have access to the resources they are authorized to use. This minimizes the risk of data breaches and helps maintain compliance with internal and external security requirements.

Protection Against Common Network Threats

Within this category, the Catalyst 3850 Series includes features designed to mitigate common network threats such as spoofing, denial-of-service attacks, and unauthorized device connections. Built-in safeguards monitor traffic patterns and enforce rate limits to prevent malicious activity from disrupting network operations.

These security measures contribute to a resilient access-layer infrastructure that can adapt to evolving threat landscapes without sacrificing performance.

Wireless Integration and Unified Access

A defining characteristic of the Catalyst 3850 Series category is its ability to integrate wireless access control directly into the switching platform. The WS-C3850-48U-S supports Cisco Unified Access, enabling centralized management of both wired and wireless networks.

This integration simplifies network operations by allowing administrators to manage wireless access points and wired ports from a single control plane. Consistent policies can be applied across both connection types, ensuring uniform security and quality of service.

Support for Cisco Wireless Access Points

The switch can directly manage supported Cisco wireless access points, eliminating the need for separate wireless controllers in certain deployments. This capability reduces hardware requirements and simplifies network architecture, making it particularly attractive for medium-sized enterprise environments.

Unified management also improves visibility into network performance, allowing administrators to monitor both wired and wireless traffic patterns and optimize resource allocation accordingly.

Consistent User Experience Across Wired and Wireless Networks

By converging wired and wireless access, the Catalyst 3850 Series ensures a consistent user experience regardless of how users connect to the network. Policies governing bandwidth allocation, security, and application prioritization apply uniformly, reducing complexity and enhancing overall service quality.

This approach supports modern work environments where users frequently transition between wired desks and wireless mobility without interruption.

StackWise-480 Technology and High Availability

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-S supports StackWise-480 technology, a key feature within this category that enables multiple switches to operate as a single logical unit. Stacking enhances scalability, simplifies management, and improves network resilience.

By connecting multiple Catalyst 3850 switches in a stack, organizations can expand port capacity and throughput while maintaining a unified configuration and management interface.

Simplified Management Through Logical Stacking

StackWise-480 allows up to several switches to be managed as one, reducing administrative overhead and configuration complexity. Network administrators can apply configurations, updates, and policies across the entire stack simultaneously.

This approach reduces the likelihood of configuration inconsistencies and simplifies ongoing network maintenance tasks.

Resilience and Fault Tolerance

Stacking also enhances availability by providing redundancy across the stack. If one switch in the stack experiences a failure, the remaining switches continue to operate, minimizing downtime and maintaining network connectivity for end users.

This high-availability design is particularly important in mission-critical environments where uninterrupted access to network resources is essential.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-S Catalyst 3850 Switch category is well-suited for a wide range of deployment scenarios. Its combination of high port density, UPOE support, unified access capabilities, and robust security features makes it a versatile solution for enterprise networks.

Common deployment environments include corporate offices, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, hospitality venues, and retail chains. In each of these scenarios, the switch provides reliable connectivity, simplified management, and the flexibility to support evolving technology requirements.

Enterprise Campus Networks

In large enterprise campuses, the WS-C3850-48U-S serves as a reliable access-layer switch that supports thousands of endpoints. Its scalability and stacking capabilities allow networks to grow without major architectural changes.

Unified access and UPOE features support modern collaboration tools, wireless mobility, and smart building technologies within a single integrated platform.

Branch Office and Distributed Environments

For branch offices and distributed environments, this category offers centralized control with local performance. The ability to manage wired and wireless access together reduces complexity and ensures consistent policy enforcement across multiple locations.

The Catalyst 3850 Series provides a balance of performance, functionality, and manageability that aligns with the needs of distributed enterprise networks.