C1000-8FP-2G-L Cisco Catalyst C1000 SFP 8-Port Managed Switch

Cisco C1000-8FP-2G-L Catalyst C1000 Managed Network Switch

The Cisco C1000-8FP-2G-L is a high-performance, rack-mountable managed switch designed for enterprise and small business networks. It offers reliable Gigabit connectivity with advanced management features to optimize your network infrastructure.

Manufacturer Details

• Brand: Cisco
• Model Number: C1000-8FP-2G-L
• Device Category: Managed Network Switch
• Enclosure: Rack-mountable
• Connection Type: Gigabit Ethernet

Primary Specifications

Port Configuration

• 8 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet Ports
• 2 x Combo Gigabit SFP Uplink Ports

Interface Options

• 8 x 1000BASE-T RJ-45 Ports
• 2 x 1000BASE-T / 1000BASE-X RJ-45/SFP Uplinks
• 1 x Management RJ-45 Port
• 1 x Mini-USB Type B Port
• 1 x USB Type A Port

Performance & Processing

• ARM Processor at 800 MHz

Supported Networking Protocols

• IGMP, MLD, MLDv2
• Spanning Tree Protocols: STP, RSTP, MSTP

Advanced Management Features

• SNMP Versions: v1, v2c, v3
• RMON 1 & 2 Support
• Telnet & CLI Access
• HTTP and HTTPS Web Management
• TFTP Firmware Upgrade
• SSH and SSH-2 Secure Management
• NTP Time Synchronization
• ICMP and DHCP Support
• User Authentication via TACACS+ and RADIUS

Ideal Applications

• Small to medium-sized business networks
• Enterprise office environments
• Data centers requiring high-performance switching
• Remote network management and monitoring setups

Understanding the Cisco Catalyst C1000-8FP-2G-L Switch

This specific model, the C1000-8FP-2G-L, is engineered for professionals who require reliable, fiber-based network segments. Unlike common copper switches, this device features eight fixed Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) ports, allowing network administrators to choose the appropriate optical transceiver (e.g., Gigabit SFP, SFP+) or copper SFP module to match their existing fiber cabling infrastructure for distances up to tens of kilometers. The "2G" denotes two additional 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet copper uplink ports, providing flexibility for connecting to servers, network storage, or upstream routers using standard Ethernet cables. The "L" in the model suffix indicates it is a LAN Base feature set license, offering advanced Layer 3 static routing capabilities.

Key Hardware Specifications and Form Factor

At its core, the C1000-8FP-2G-L is a compact, rack-mountable (1RU) switch built for durability and continuous operation. Its port configuration is its defining characteristic, making it an ideal choice for specific deployment scenarios.

Port Configuration and Flexibility

8 x SFP Ports: These ports support a wide range of Cisco-certified SFP modules (sold separately), enabling connections over multimode or single-mode fiber for backbone links, connections between wiring closets, or links to devices in electrically noisy environments where copper is unsuitable.
2 x 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet Ports: These RJ-45 ports auto-negotiate speed and duplex, and support Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), providing versatile copper connectivity for key devices or uplinks.
1 x Console Port (RJ-45): For out-of-band management and initial configuration via CLI.

Performance and Power Specifications

The switch delivers non-blocking, wire-speed performance across all ports, ensuring minimal latency for data-intensive applications. It features a robust switching capacity capable of handling the aggregated throughput of all its Gigabit interfaces. For power, it supports an internal, fixed AC power supply. Notably, while the switch itself does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE) – as the SFP ports are data-only – its design emphasizes reliability for critical network links.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The unique all-SFP design of the C1000-8FP-2G-L makes it perfectly suited for several key networking roles where fiber optic cabling is either preferred or required.

Fiber Aggregation Switch in MDF/IDF Closets

In a campus or large office building, this switch excels as a compact aggregation point in a Main Distribution Frame (MDF) or Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF). It can consolidate fiber uplinks from multiple access-layer switches (like copper-based C1000 models) located on different floors or wings, backhauling their traffic over high-bandwidth, interference-free fiber links to the core network.

Backbone Connectivity for Harsh Environments

Manufacturing floors, warehouses, and outdoor installations often have high levels of electromagnetic interference (EMI) or require longer distances between buildings. Copper Ethernet is susceptible to EMI and is distance-limited. Deploying the C1000-8FP-2G-L with the appropriate ruggedized SFP modules creates a reliable backbone immune to these issues, ensuring network stability for critical operations.

Server Farm or Storage Area Network (SAN) Connectivity

For small to midsize data centers or server rooms, the switch can provide dedicated, high-throughput fiber connections to servers equipped with fiber network interface cards (NICs) or to storage arrays. This setup reduces latency for server-to-server communication and access to centralized storage, improving application performance.

Advanced Software Features

Beyond its hardware, the value of the C1000-8FP-2G-L is unlocked through its comprehensive Cisco IOS-based software and the LAN Base feature set. It provides enterprise-class functionality in a manageable package.

Layer 3 Static Routing (LAN Base)

The included LAN Base license enables static routing capabilities. This allows the switch to perform inter-VLAN routing, efficiently forwarding traffic between different IP subnets/VLANs locally without hair-pinning all traffic to an external router. This improves network performance and simplifies design for segmented networks.

Enhanced Security and Access Control

Security is built-in, not bolted-on. The switch offers a suite of features to protect the network infrastructure and data:

Port Security: Limits MAC addresses per port to prevent unauthorized device access.
802.1X Authentication: Provides identity-based network access control for users and devices.
ACLs (Access Control Lists): Filters traffic based on IP addresses, protocols, and ports to enforce security policies.
DHCP Snooping: Prevents rogue DHCP servers from disrupting network operation.
Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI): Protects against ARP spoofing and man-in-the-middle attacks.

Quality of Service (QoS) for Prioritized Traffic

To ensure voice, video, and critical application traffic receives priority, the switch supports advanced QoS. It can classify, police, mark, and queue traffic based on Layer 2 (CoS) and Layer 3 (DSCP) parameters, minimizing jitter and latency for real-time protocols even during periods of high network utilization.

Resilience and High Availability Features

Network uptime is paramount. The C1000-8FP-2G-L incorporates several features to maximize reliability and facilitate quick recovery from faults.

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Enhancements

The switch supports Rapid PVST+ and MSTP, enabling fast convergence and loop-free redundant paths within the network topology. This ensures that if one uplink fails, traffic is rerouted in a matter of seconds with minimal disruption.

Smartports and Energy Efficiency

Cisco Smartports macros allow for one-touch configuration of optimized settings for specific device types (e.g., wireless access point, IP phone, switch). Furthermore, the switch leverages Cisco EnergyWise technology to monitor and reduce power consumption across the network, contributing to lower operational costs and a greener footprint.

Integration and Compatibility

As part of the broader Cisco ecosystem, the C1000-8FP-2G-L is designed to work seamlessly with other Cisco products and solutions.

Compatible SFP Modules

The switch is compatible with a vast array of Cisco SFP and SFP+ transceivers, such as the GLC-SX-MMD (multimode), GLC-LH-SMD (single-mode long-haul), and the 10G SFP+ modules for future bandwidth upgrades on supported ports. It is crucial to use Cisco-supported optics to ensure full interoperability and diagnostic capabilities via Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM).

Part of the Catalyst Family

It operates under the unified Cisco IOS software, ensuring a consistent configuration experience and operational workflow with other Catalyst switches, from the access layer to the core. This simplifies training for IT staff and streamlines network-wide policy implementation.