C1200-48P-4G48 Cisco Catalyst C1200-48P-4G 48 Ports Managed Rack-mountable Switch

Cisco Catalyst C1200-48P-4G48 Ports Rack-Mountable Switch

The Cisco Catalyst C1200-48P-4G48 Ports managed rack-mountable switch is a high-performance networking device designed to deliver enterprise-grade reliability, scalability, and simplified management for small to medium-sized businesses and branch offices. With 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 4 Gigabit SFP uplinks, this switch provides dense connectivity, robust throughput, and advanced Layer 3 smart features. It belongs to the Cisco Catalyst 1200 Series, which emphasizes affordability, security, and ease of use while maintaining the trusted Cisco quality.

Hardware Specifications and Architecture

Port Configuration

The switch includes 48 × 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 ports with Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) support, enabling seamless connectivity for IP phones, wireless access points, and surveillance cameras. Additionally, 4 × Gigabit SFP uplink ports provide flexible fiber connectivity for aggregation and distribution, ensuring scalability across multi-floor or multi-building deployments.

Performance Metrics

With a switching capacity of 104 Gb/s and a forwarding rate of 77.38 Mpps, the Cisco Catalyst C1200-48P-4G48 delivers wire-speed performance across all ports. This ensures smooth traffic handling during peak usage, supporting latency-sensitive applications such as VoIP and video conferencing while maintaining consistent throughput for data-intensive workloads.

Power Over Ethernet (PoE+) Capabilities

The integrated 375 W PoE+ budget allows the switch to power a wide range of devices directly through Ethernet cables. This eliminates the need for separate power sources, simplifying installation and reducing infrastructure costs. PoE+ support is particularly beneficial for deploying high-performance wireless access points and advanced IP cameras that require higher power levels.

Layer 3 Smart Switching Features

Routing and Segmentation

The C1200-48P-4G48 supports Layer 3 smart features, including inter-VLAN routing, enabling efficient traffic segmentation across departments or device groups. This enhances security and performance by isolating traffic flows while allowing controlled communication between VLANs.

Spanning Tree Protocols

The switch supports MSTP, PVST+, and RPVST+, providing robust loop prevention and path optimization in redundant network topologies. With support for multiple instances, administrators can fine-tune spanning tree configurations to balance traffic loads and improve resilience.

Link Aggregation

Link aggregation groups allow bundling of multiple physical links into a single logical connection, increasing bandwidth and providing redundancy. This ensures that critical connections remain available even if one physical link fails, enhancing overall network reliability.

Management and Operational Simplicity

Dashboard and Mobile App

The Cisco Business Dashboard and mobile app provide intuitive management interfaces for the Catalyst 1200 Series. Administrators can easily configure VLANs, QoS policies, and security settings without requiring deep CLI expertise. This simplifies operations for SMBs with limited IT resources.

SMB-Centric Design

The C1200-48P-4G48 is designed with SMBs in mind, offering enterprise-grade reliability at an affordable price point. Its streamlined management tools reduce complexity, enabling faster deployments and easier ongoing maintenance. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses undergoing digital transformation.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

Office Environments

In office settings, the switch provides reliable connectivity for workstations, VoIP phones, and wireless access points. PoE+ support simplifies AP deployment, ensuring optimal coverage without additional power infrastructure. VLAN segmentation enhances security by isolating guest Wi-Fi traffic from corporate resources.

Retail and Hospitality

Retail stores and hospitality venues benefit from the switch’s ability to power IP cameras, digital signage, and point-of-sale systems. High-density port availability ensures all devices remain connected, while QoS prioritization maintains smooth operation of critical applications such as payment processing.

Education and Healthcare

Schools and healthcare facilities require secure, high-performance networks to support e-learning platforms, medical devices, and surveillance systems. The C1200-48P-4G48 provides the necessary scalability and reliability, ensuring uninterrupted access to critical resources while maintaining compliance with security standards.

Security Features

Access Control

The switch supports advanced access control mechanisms, including 802.1X authentication, ensuring only authorized devices connect to the network. This prevents unauthorized access and strengthens overall network security.

Traffic Segmentation

VLANs enable logical segmentation of traffic, isolating sensitive data flows from general network traffic. This reduces the risk of data breaches and enhances compliance with industry regulations.

Denial-of-Service Protection

Built-in security features help mitigate denial-of-service attacks by monitoring traffic patterns and blocking malicious flows. This ensures consistent availability of network resources even during attempted intrusions.

Reliability and Redundancy

Redundant Uplinks

The inclusion of 4 Gigabit SFP uplinks allows for redundant connections to distribution or core switches. This ensures failover capability, maintaining connectivity during link failures or maintenance activities.

High Availability

With support for spanning tree protocols and link aggregation, the switch provides high availability in complex network topologies. These features minimize downtime and ensure continuous access to critical applications.

Integration with Cisco Ecosystem

Compatibility with Cisco Solutions

The switch integrates seamlessly with other Cisco networking solutions, including routers, firewalls, and wireless controllers. This ensures consistent policy enforcement and streamlined management across the entire network infrastructure.

Cloud-Connected Operations

Cisco’s cloud-managed approach allows administrators to monitor and configure the switch remotely, providing flexibility for distributed organizations. This supports hybrid work environments and remote branch offices with centralized IT oversight.