MS225-48-HW Cisco 48 Ports Ethernet Switch 10/100/1000Base-T 4 x SFP+ 10GbE

Cisco MS225-48-HW Managed Ethernet Switch Overview

The Cisco MS225-48-HW is a high-performance 48-port managed switch designed for robust network infrastructures. Perfect for enterprises and data centers, it combines advanced features with reliable Gigabit and 10GbE connectivity.

Key Product Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• SKU/Part Number: MS225-48-HW
• Device Type: Managed Ethernet Switch
• Port Count: 48 Ports + 4 x 10GbE SFP+ Uplinks
• Mounting: 1U Rack-mountable chassis

Technical Specifications

Performance & Management

• Managed switch with stackable design
• Supports up to 8 units in a stack
• Gigabit Ethernet ports: 48 x 10/100/1000Base-T
• 10 Gigabit SFP+ uplinks: 4 ports for high-speed connections

Standards & Compliance

• IEEE 802.1d (Spanning Tree Protocol)
• IEEE 802.1q (VLAN tagging)
• IEEE 802.1p (QoS prioritization)
• IEEE 802.3af/at (PoE support)
• IEEE 802.3ad (LACP link aggregation)
• IEEE 802.1w (Rapid Spanning Tree)
• IEEE 802.1x (Network access control)
• IEEE 802.1ab (LLDP)

Advanced Features

• Flow control and auto-negotiation for seamless traffic management
• VLAN support for network segmentation
• IGMP snooping for efficient multicast traffic
• Syslog, email, and SMS alerts for real-time monitoring
• Broadcast storm protection for network stability
• Firmware upgradeable for future-proof networking
• Cloud-managed configuration for simplified administration
• Support for Quality of Service (QoS) and jumbo frames
• Role-based access control (RBAC) and Cisco Discovery Protocol
• Root guard and BPDU protection to prevent network loops

Connectivity & Expansion Options

• 48 x RJ-45 1000Base-T ports for standard network connections
• 4 x 10GbE SFP+ uplinks for high-speed backbone integration

Power and Redundancy

• Internal AC power supply (120/230 V, 47-63 Hz)
• Optional power redundancy for uninterrupted operation

Cisco MS225 Series Managed Access Switch Architecture

The Cisco MS225-48-HW 48 Ports Ethernet Switch 10/100/1000Base-T with 4 x SFP+ 10GbE uplinks belongs to the Cisco Meraki MS225 family, a category of enterprise-grade managed access switches designed to deliver high performance, centralized cloud management, and scalable Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities. This category focuses on access-layer switching solutions that seamlessly integrate switching, security, visibility, and simplified operations into a single cloud-managed platform. The MS225 series is engineered to meet the demands of modern enterprise networks where reliability, consistent throughput, and simplified configuration are essential for daily business operations.

Within this category, the MS225-48-HW stands out as a fixed-configuration access switch optimized for dense user environments such as corporate offices, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and distributed enterprise branch networks. The category emphasizes unified management through the Meraki Dashboard, allowing administrators to monitor, configure, and troubleshoot the switch remotely without the complexity of traditional command-line-based management. This architectural approach significantly reduces operational overhead while maintaining advanced networking capabilities expected from enterprise-grade Cisco hardware.

Enterprise-Class Hardware Design and Port Density

The Cisco MS225-48-HW category is defined by its high port density and robust hardware design. With forty-eight 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet ports, this switch category is specifically tailored for environments that require extensive wired connectivity for workstations, IP phones, printers, wireless access points, and IoT devices. The dense port configuration supports large numbers of endpoints without the need for multiple smaller switches, helping to simplify network topology and reduce rack space consumption.

In addition to copper access ports, the category includes four dedicated SFP+ 10GbE uplink interfaces. These uplinks enable high-speed connectivity to aggregation or core switches, ensuring sufficient bandwidth for upstream traffic and minimizing bottlenecks in data-intensive environments. The presence of 10GbE uplinks positions this category as a future-ready solution capable of supporting increasing data loads driven by cloud applications, unified communications, and high-definition multimedia traffic.

Non-Blocking Switching Fabric and Throughput Efficiency

The MS225-48-HW category is engineered with a non-blocking switching architecture that ensures consistent wire-speed forwarding across all ports. This design enables simultaneous full-bandwidth communication between connected devices without performance degradation. Such efficiency is critical in enterprise environments where multiple users and applications generate concurrent traffic streams, including voice, video, and data.

High switching capacity and forwarding rates within this category ensure that latency-sensitive applications maintain optimal performance. By prioritizing deterministic throughput and low-latency switching, the MS225 series supports real-time collaboration tools, VoIP systems, and cloud-based productivity platforms without compromise.

Energy-Efficient Design for Modern Networks

The Cisco MS225-48-HW category also incorporates energy-efficient hardware components that align with modern sustainability goals. Intelligent power management and efficient cooling mechanisms help reduce overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable performance. This focus on efficiency is particularly valuable in large deployments where cumulative power savings contribute to lower operational costs over time.

Cloud-Managed Switching with Cisco Meraki Dashboard

A defining characteristic of the Cisco MS225-48-HW category is its integration with the Cisco Meraki cloud-managed architecture. Unlike traditional managed switches that rely on localized configuration and manual monitoring, this category leverages the Meraki Dashboard to provide centralized visibility and control. Administrators can manage one switch or thousands of switches from a single interface, regardless of physical location.

The cloud-managed model simplifies deployment by enabling zero-touch provisioning. Once the switch is connected to the network and associated with an organization in the Meraki Dashboard, it automatically downloads its configuration. This capability significantly reduces deployment time and minimizes the need for on-site technical expertise, making the category ideal for distributed enterprises with multiple branch locations.

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Capabilities for Scalable Networks

The Cisco MS225-48-HW category supports advanced Layer 2 and basic Layer 3 features that enable flexible network design and segmentation. At the access layer, these capabilities provide the foundation for secure, efficient communication between devices while supporting scalable growth.

Layer 2 features such as VLAN support and spanning tree protocols allow administrators to segment network traffic logically and prevent loops. This segmentation improves security and performance by isolating different types of traffic, such as guest access, voice communications, and corporate data.

Inter-VLAN Routing and Static Routing Support

Within the category, Layer 3 capabilities include inter-VLAN routing and static routing, enabling efficient traffic flow between network segments without requiring an external router for basic routing functions. This capability simplifies network architecture and reduces latency by keeping routing decisions closer to the edge.

By supporting static routes, the MS225-48-HW category enables connectivity between different IP subnets and upstream gateways. This functionality is particularly beneficial in branch office deployments where streamlined routing is required without the complexity of full dynamic routing protocols.

Quality of Service for Traffic Prioritization

Quality of Service mechanisms are integral to the Cisco MS225-48-HW category, ensuring that critical applications receive appropriate priority. By classifying and prioritizing traffic such as voice and video, the switch maintains consistent performance even during periods of high network utilization.

QoS policies within this category help organizations deliver predictable application performance, which is essential for collaboration platforms, video conferencing systems, and other real-time services.

Deployment Scenarios and Industry Applications

The Cisco MS225-48-HW category is versatile and adaptable, making it suitable for a wide range of deployment scenarios. In enterprise office environments, the high port density supports large numbers of users and devices while maintaining reliable performance. Educational institutions benefit from simplified management and scalability as student and staff device counts fluctuate.

Healthcare facilities leverage the category’s reliability and security features to support critical systems and patient data while maintaining compliance requirements. Retail and distributed branch networks benefit from zero-touch provisioning and centralized management, enabling rapid deployment and consistent configuration across locations.

Scalability for Growing Networks

Scalability is a defining attribute of the MS225-48-HW category. As organizations grow, additional switches can be added and managed seamlessly through the Meraki Dashboard. This scalability ensures that the network can evolve alongside business requirements without major architectural changes.

The combination of 10GbE uplinks and cloud-managed control positions the category as a long-term investment capable of supporting emerging technologies and increasing bandwidth demands.

Reliability and Operational Continuity

Reliability is central to the Cisco MS225-48-HW category, with enterprise-grade components and robust design ensuring continuous operation. The ability to monitor health metrics and receive alerts through the dashboard allows administrators to address potential issues proactively.

This focus on operational continuity makes the category a trusted choice for organizations that depend on uninterrupted network access to support mission-critical applications and services.