WS-C3650-48FS-S Cisco Catalyst 3650 Ethernet Switch (48 Ports)

Cisco WS-C3650-48FS-S Catalyst 3650 Series Switch Overview

The Cisco WS-C3650-48FS-S is a high-performance, Layer 3 managed Ethernet switch designed for enterprise networks. Ideal for demanding environments, it delivers reliable connectivity with advanced features for both desktop and rack-mount installations.

Key Product Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: WS-C3650-48FS-S
• Device Category: Ethernet Switch
• Ports: 48 x 10/100/1000 PoE+ + 4 x SFP
• Deployment: Desktop or 1U Rack-Mountable

Technical Specifications

Switch Architecture

• Layer 3, managed, stackable switch
• Supports high-density Gigabit Ethernet connections
• Jumbo frame support up to 9,198 bytes

Performance & Capacity

• Switching Capacity: 176 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 130.95 Mpps
• IPv4 Routes: Up to 24,000
• NetFlow Entries: 48,000
• VLAN Support: 1,000 Virtual Interfaces and SVIs
• MAC Address Table: 32,000 entries

Power and PoE Details

• PoE Standard: PoE+
• Power Budget: 775W
• Input Voltage: AC 120/230V, 50/60 Hz
• Redundancy: Optional power supply support

Networking & Routing Features

• Supports OSPF, RIP v1/v2, RIPng, and static IP routing
• Enhanced Layer 2 switching with ARP support
• VLAN trunking and IGMP/MLD snooping for multicast management
• Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), Multiple Spanning Tree (MSTP), and PVRST+ for loop prevention
• Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) and DHCP snooping for security
• Link Aggregation with LACP and PAgP support

Remote Management Capabilities

• Telnet, SSH, and CLI access
• SNMP v1, v2c, v3 monitoring
• Remote Switch Port Analyzer (RSPAN) and RMON (1,2,3,9)
• Flexible NetFlow (FNF) for traffic analytics

Advanced Security & QoS

• Access Control List (ACL) enforcement
• Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization for critical traffic
• Radius authentication support
• Uni-directional Link Detection (UDLD)
• Energy Efficient Ethernet for reduced power consumption

Compliance & Standards

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

Cisco WS-C3650-48FS-S 48 Ports Ethernet Switch

The Cisco WS-C3650-48FS-S Catalyst 3650 48 Ports Ethernet Switch represents a significant advancement in enterprise networking solutions. Designed for high-performance environments, this switch provides a seamless combination of flexibility, scalability, and security. With 48 fixed ports, it delivers robust connectivity options that accommodate a broad range of network devices, ensuring uninterrupted communication across the enterprise infrastructure. The Catalyst 3650 series is widely recognized for its reliability, making it a preferred choice for IT professionals managing mid-sized to large networks.

Advanced Performance and Switching Capabilities

Performance is a key differentiator for the Cisco WS-C3650-48FS-S. Equipped with advanced Layer 3 routing capabilities, it supports a wide variety of routing protocols, including OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP, allowing organizations to optimize their internal and external traffic routing efficiently. The 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports deliver high throughput and low latency, which is essential for handling demanding applications such as video conferencing, cloud-based services, and high-volume data transfers. The switch also supports stacking technology, enabling multiple switches to function as a single unit, which simplifies management and enhances overall network performance.

Integrated Security Features

Security is paramount in modern networks, and the WS-C3650-48FS-S addresses this requirement through a range of integrated features. The switch supports IEEE 802.1X port-based network access control, allowing administrators to enforce user authentication and prevent unauthorized access. It also includes advanced threat detection and mitigation capabilities, including dynamic ARP inspection, IP source guard, and DHCP snooping. These features protect the network from common attacks while maintaining high levels of efficiency. Additionally, the switch can integrate with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) to provide enhanced policy enforcement and secure network segmentation, ensuring sensitive data remains protected.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Considerations

The Cisco Catalyst 3650 series is designed with energy efficiency in mind. With support for Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), the WS-C3650-48FS-S reduces power consumption during periods of low network activity. This feature helps organizations lower operational costs and reduce their environmental footprint. The switch also complies with industry-standard environmental regulations, ensuring safe operation in a wide range of conditions. Its compact form factor allows for easy integration into existing rack environments without compromising airflow or cooling efficiency.

Scalability and Flexibility

Scalability is a core advantage of the WS-C3650-48FS-S. The switch supports Cisco StackWise-160 technology, which enables up to nine switches to be interconnected in a single stack, allowing for centralized management and simplified network expansion. This flexibility is critical for businesses experiencing rapid growth or requiring adaptable network infrastructures. Furthermore, the switch offers modular uplink options, providing 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity to core or distribution layers, ensuring that high-bandwidth traffic is efficiently routed through the network.

Quality of Service (QoS) Capabilities

For networks with mixed traffic types, QoS plays a vital role in ensuring performance consistency. The Catalyst 3650 48 Ports Ethernet Switch provides advanced QoS mechanisms that prioritize critical applications such as VoIP, video streaming, and real-time data processing. Administrators can define traffic classes and apply policies that guarantee bandwidth allocation, reduce latency, and prevent congestion. These QoS capabilities make the WS-C3650-48FS-S an ideal solution for enterprises that demand predictable network performance and high user satisfaction.

Stacking and Network Simplification

The stacking functionality of the WS-C3650-48FS-S simplifies network operations significantly. With StackWise-160 technology, network administrators can configure multiple switches to operate as a single logical entity. This reduces configuration complexity, streamlines monitoring and troubleshooting, and improves redundancy. In the event of a switch failure within the stack, traffic is automatically rerouted through the remaining switches, ensuring network resilience and uninterrupted connectivity. Stackable architecture also allows IT teams to scale the network gradually without requiring significant upfront investments.

Enhanced Management and Automation

Cisco has designed the WS-C3650-48FS-S with management efficiency in mind. The switch supports Cisco DNA Center, which enables centralized management, network automation, and policy-driven operations. Through automation, tasks such as device provisioning, software updates, and security policy enforcement can be executed rapidly, reducing administrative overhead. Integration with Cisco Prime Infrastructure further provides comprehensive visibility into network health, performance metrics, and device inventory, allowing IT teams to proactively address potential issues before they impact users. These management capabilities make the Catalyst 3650 an ideal choice for enterprises seeking operational efficiency and network reliability.

Redundancy and Reliability Features

Reliability is a hallmark of the Catalyst 3650 series. The WS-C3650-48FS-S includes redundant power supply options and supports hot-swappable components, ensuring continuous operation in mission-critical environments. In addition, it offers resilient software architecture with support for In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU), which allows network administrators to update system software without downtime. Redundant uplink modules and stack-based failover mechanisms further enhance the switch’s fault tolerance. These features make the WS-C3650-48FS-S suitable for high-availability deployments in enterprise campuses, data centers, and other demanding network environments.

Advanced Layer 3 Routing and Multicast Support

Layer 3 routing capabilities on the WS-C3650-48FS-S enable seamless integration of multiple subnets within an enterprise network. The switch supports static and dynamic routing protocols, ensuring optimized paths for internal and external traffic. Additionally, it provides multicast routing support with protocols such as PIM-SM and PIM-DM, which is essential for streaming applications, video distribution, and collaborative platforms. These capabilities allow organizations to design scalable, high-performance networks that accommodate evolving application requirements without compromising efficiency or security.

Comprehensive Connectivity Options

The WS-C3650-48FS-S features a wide range of connectivity options to meet diverse enterprise requirements. With 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports and optional uplink modules supporting 10 Gigabit Ethernet, the switch can accommodate a mix of end-user devices, servers, and core network interconnections. Each port supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) to power IP phones, wireless access points, and other PoE-enabled devices, reducing the need for additional power infrastructure. The combination of high port density, PoE support, and uplink flexibility makes the Catalyst 3650 an optimal solution for both campus and branch office deployments.

Network Analytics and Monitoring

For performance monitoring and network diagnostics, the WS-C3650-48FS-S provides integrated telemetry and analytics features. These include NetFlow-Lite, which enables traffic analysis for bandwidth usage, application monitoring, and security auditing. Coupled with Cisco DNA Assurance, administrators can gain actionable insights into network performance, detect anomalies, and proactively mitigate potential issues. This level of visibility allows IT teams to maintain optimal network performance and deliver consistent user experiences across all connected devices and applications.

Integration with Wireless Networks

The Catalyst 3650 series is designed to unify wired and wireless networks under a single management framework. The WS-C3650-48FS-S can act as a wireless controller for up to 25 access points, providing centralized management and simplified deployment for wireless networks. This integration enables seamless mobility, policy enforcement, and quality of service across both wired and wireless domains. Organizations benefit from a unified network architecture, reducing complexity and improving operational efficiency while ensuring consistent user experiences across all endpoints.

Ideal Use Cases for Cisco Catalyst 3650

The WS-C3650-48FS-S is ideal for enterprise campuses, branch offices, and data center access layers where high port density, reliability, and advanced feature sets are required. It is particularly suited for organizations with growing network demands, high-bandwidth applications, and a need for integrated security policies. Whether deployed as a standalone access switch or as part of a stacked configuration, the Catalyst 3650 ensures efficient traffic handling, robust security, and simplified network management.

Support for Modern Applications

Modern enterprise applications such as video conferencing, VoIP telephony, cloud services, and collaboration platforms demand high-performance networking equipment. The WS-C3650-48FS-S addresses these requirements with low-latency switching, advanced QoS capabilities, and reliable PoE support. By prioritizing critical traffic and enabling smooth integration of wired and wireless networks, the Catalyst 3650 ensures uninterrupted application performance, which is crucial for productivity and operational continuity in enterprise environments.

Long-Term Investment and Upgrade Path

Investing in the WS-C3650-48FS-S provides a long-term, scalable solution for enterprise networks. Its modular uplinks, stackable architecture, and support for advanced routing protocols ensure that organizations can expand their networks without replacing existing infrastructure. Additionally, Cisco’s commitment to software updates, security patches, and feature enhancements prolongs the useful life of the switch, delivering sustained value for enterprise IT investments.