WS-C3650-24PDM-L Cisco 24 Ports Managed Switch Gigabit Ethernet

Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L Managed Switch Overview

The Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L is a high-performance, 24-port managed Gigabit Ethernet switch designed for enterprise networks. Engineered to deliver reliability, scalability, and advanced networking capabilities, this switch is ideal for modern data centers and high-traffic environments.

Key Product Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: WS-C3650-24PDM-L
• Product Category: Network Switch
• Port Count: 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports

Technical Specifications

Network Ports & Uplink

• Total Gigabit Ports: 24
• Uplink Port Support: Available
• Modular & Stackable: Yes, supports stacking for increased bandwidth
• Expansion Slots: 2 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink slots

Media & Performance Capabilities

Supported Media Types

• Twisted Pair (Copper)
• Optical Fiber (SFP/SFP+)
• Ethernet Standards: Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet
• Network Protocols: 10/100/1000Base-TX, 10GBase-X

Performance Metrics

• Switching Capacity: 92 Gbps for 24-port variants
• MAC Address Table: Up to 32,000 entries
• IPv4 Routing Capacity: 24,000 routes (including ARP)
• Stacking Bandwidth: 160 Gbps for optimal multi-switch performance

Expansion & Connectivity Options

• Total Expansion Slots: 2 SFP+ slots
• Dedicated SFP Slot: No, all slots independent

Management & Protocol Features

• Fully Manageable: Yes, supports advanced network management
• Supported Layer: Layer 4 switching

Power & Physical Specifications

Power Supply Details

• Primary Power Source: AC Power Supply
• Redundant Power Support: Not supported

Physical Dimensions

• Form Factor: 1U rack-mountable design
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.7" x 17.5" x 11.6"
• Weight: Approximately 12.26 lbs

Environmental & Compliance Features

• Eco-Friendly Design: Yes, RoHS-5 compliant
• Responsible Material Sourcing and Disposal

Wireless Capabilities

Connectivity & Client Support

• Maximum Access Points per Switch/Stack: 25
• Maximum Wireless Clients per Switch/Stack: 1,000
• Total WLANs Supported: 64
• Wireless Bandwidth Capacity: Up to 20 Gbps on 24-port models

Compatible Wireless Access Points

• Aironet Series Supported: 1040, 1140, 1260, 1600, 2600, 3500, 3600, 3700

Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L 24 Ports Managed Switch

The Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L is a high-performance 24-port managed switch designed for modern enterprise networks that require reliability, scalability, and advanced feature sets. As part of Cisco's Catalyst 3650 series, this switch provides integrated Gigabit Ethernet ports and supports both power over Ethernet (PoE) and enhanced Layer 3 routing capabilities. Ideal for mid-sized enterprise networks, this switch enables seamless integration of voice, video, and data services while maintaining secure and efficient network management. The WS-C3650-24PDM-L also supports Cisco's advanced IOS XE software, delivering extensive automation, monitoring, and network segmentation options, making it a cornerstone for both wired and wireless access networks.

Key Features and Capabilities

High-Density Gigabit Ethernet Ports

Equipped with 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports, the WS-C3650-24PDM-L ensures robust connectivity for multiple devices, including IP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras. Each port supports auto-negotiation and auto-MDI/MDIX, which simplifies cabling and reduces network complexity. The high-density design allows for the consolidation of multiple network devices into a single chassis, reducing equipment costs and optimizing rack space usage in enterprise environments.

Power Over Ethernet (PoE) Functionality

One of the most important capabilities of the WS-C3650-24PDM-L is its PoE support, which allows the switch to deliver power directly to connected devices over Ethernet cabling. This eliminates the need for separate power supplies for devices like IP phones, wireless access points, and surveillance cameras, streamlining installation and reducing electrical infrastructure costs. The switch provides PoE+ capabilities, delivering up to 30 watts per port, which ensures compatibility with a wide range of network devices and supports future network expansion.

Advanced Layer 3 Routing

Unlike traditional Layer 2 switches, the Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L provides full Layer 3 routing capabilities, including support for OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and static routing. This allows the switch to handle inter-VLAN routing efficiently, reducing the dependency on dedicated routers and optimizing traffic flow within enterprise networks. The enhanced routing features also include multicast routing support, quality of service (QoS) configurations, and IPv6 compatibility, enabling businesses to maintain high network performance even under heavy traffic loads.

Network Management and Automation

Cisco IOS XE Software Integration

The WS-C3650-24PDM-L runs Cisco IOS XE, a modular operating system designed to simplify network management and automation. IOS XE supports model-driven programmability, allowing IT administrators to configure and manage the network using APIs, scripts, or network management software. The integration of IOS XE enhances network visibility and provides detailed analytics on traffic patterns, port utilization, and device performance, which aids in proactive network maintenance and troubleshooting.

Stacking and Scalability

Cisco StackWise-160 technology enables multiple WS-C3650 switches to be stacked together, creating a single logical switch with up to nine units. This stacking capability increases network resilience, simplifies management, and allows for scalable network expansion without increasing complexity. By stacking multiple switches, enterprises can manage a larger number of ports as a single entity, reducing operational overhead and providing seamless failover support in case of device failure.

Redundancy and High Availability

The WS-C3650-24PDM-L supports redundant power supplies and fans, ensuring uninterrupted network performance in critical enterprise environments. In addition, the switch includes features like Virtual Switching System (VSS) and Hot Standby Routing Protocol (HSRP) to maintain network uptime and provide continuous connectivity. Redundancy features are essential in data centers, branch offices, and campus networks where network downtime can have significant operational and financial consequences.

Security Features and Compliance

Comprehensive Network Security

Security is a core aspect of the Cisco WS-C3650-24PDM-L. The switch provides advanced access control lists (ACLs), 802.1X port-based authentication, and dynamic ARP inspection, which protect the network from unauthorized access and malicious attacks. Integrated security features allow administrators to enforce policies at the port level, segment the network, and isolate critical assets to prevent lateral movement of threats. Additionally, the switch supports Secure Shell (SSH) and SNMPv3 for encrypted management sessions, ensuring that sensitive administrative access remains protected.

Support for Cisco TrustSec

Cisco TrustSec technology simplifies policy enforcement and network segmentation by identifying and classifying network devices and users. The WS-C3650-24PDM-L can assign security group tags and enforce access control policies based on user roles, device types, and traffic types, rather than relying solely on IP addresses. This enhances security posture across wired and wireless networks and ensures compliance with internal and external security regulations.

Performance Optimization and Quality of Service

High Throughput and Low Latency

The WS-C3650-24PDM-L is engineered to handle high traffic volumes with low latency, making it suitable for demanding applications such as video conferencing, VoIP, and real-time collaboration. The switch provides non-blocking architecture and hardware-based forwarding, ensuring that packets are processed efficiently and delivered with minimal delay. High throughput and predictable latency are critical for maintaining the performance of latency-sensitive applications across the enterprise network.

Advanced QoS Capabilities

Quality of Service (QoS) features allow IT administrators to prioritize network traffic based on application type, port, or user profile. The WS-C3650-24PDM-L includes granular QoS policies that support voice, video, and data convergence, ensuring that high-priority traffic receives the bandwidth it requires while lower-priority traffic is appropriately managed. These capabilities are crucial for maintaining performance consistency in unified communications and multimedia-intensive environments.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

Enterprise Campus Networks

In campus environments, the WS-C3650-24PDM-L functions as an access layer switch, connecting end-user devices to the core network. Its PoE capabilities make it ideal for supporting IP phones, wireless access points, and surveillance systems. With Layer 3 routing and stacking options, the switch ensures seamless traffic flow across the campus while simplifying management and network monitoring.

Branch Office and Remote Locations

For branch offices, the WS-C3650-24PDM-L provides enterprise-grade features in a compact and cost-effective package. Its ability to handle multiple services such as routing, security, and PoE in a single switch reduces the need for multiple devices, lowering deployment complexity and operational costs. Advanced management capabilities also enable centralized control from a headquarters location, allowing IT teams to monitor and configure remote sites efficiently.

Data Center Access Layer

In data center environments, the WS-C3650-24PDM-L can serve as an access layer switch, connecting servers, storage devices, and aggregation switches. Its high throughput, low latency, and redundancy features ensure reliable connectivity for mission-critical workloads. Additionally, support for VXLAN and software-defined networking (SDN) integrations allows the switch to adapt to modern data center architectures and virtualization requirements.

Integration with Wireless Networks

The WS-C3650-24PDM-L supports Cisco Unified Access architecture, enabling tight integration with wireless LAN controllers and access points. The switch can deliver both data and power to wireless devices, while its IOS XE software ensures consistent policy enforcement across wired and wireless domains. This integration is key for enterprises deploying converged networks that support mobile devices, IoT endpoints, and secure wireless connectivity.