WS-C3650-48FQM-E Cisco Layer 3 Managed Ethernet Switch - 48 Ports

Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E Catalyst 3650 Series Overview

The Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E belongs to the Catalyst 3650 family, engineered for enterprise-grade access layer deployments. This managed Ethernet switch integrates advanced routing intelligence, high port density, and scalable architecture to support modern campus and branch networks.

Core Product Identification

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model / SKU: WS-C3650-48FQM-E
• Product Category: Layer 3 Managed Ethernet Switch
• Series Classification: Catalyst 3650
• Port Density: 48-port configuration

Port Architecture and Connectivity Options

Access and Uplink Interfaces

• 48 integrated Gigabit Ethernet access ports
• 4 dedicated 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink interfaces
• Designed to support high-speed aggregation and backbone connections

Supported Network Standards

• 10/100/1000Base-TX compatibility
• 10GBase-X uplink support
• Optimized for mixed-speed enterprise environments

Media Flexibility

• Twisted-pair copper cabling support
• Optical fiber connectivity for extended reach
• Adaptable to diverse infrastructure requirements

Advanced Switching and Routing Capabilities

Layer Intelligence

• Layer 3 switching with enhanced routing functionality
• Layer 4 awareness for improved traffic handling
• Optimized packet processing for enterprise workloads

Performance and Throughput

• Switching fabric capacity up to 176 Gbps
• High-speed data forwarding for bandwidth-intensive applications
• Designed for low latency and consistent performance

Forwarding Rate Benchmarks

• 3650-24TS: 41.66 Mpps
• 3650-48TS: 77.37 Mpps
• 3650-48FQM-E: 130.95 Mpps
• 3650-12X48UQ: 291.66 Mpps

Scalability and Expansion Features

Stacking and Modularity

• Built-in stacking support for simplified scaling
• Stacking bandwidth up to 160 Gbps
• Modular design allows future upgrades and flexibility

Addressing and Routing Capacity

• Supports up to 32,000 MAC address entries
• Handles as many as 24,000 IPv4 routes
• Up to 48,000 flow entries on 48-port models

Wireless Integration and Mobility Support

Unified Wired and Wireless Design

• Supports up to 25 wireless access points
• Manages as many as 1,000 concurrent wireless clients
• Up to 64 WLANs configurable per deployment

Wireless Performance Metrics

• Aggregate wireless throughput up to 40 Gbps
• Seamless integration with Cisco wireless architectures

Compatible Access Point Series

• Cisco Aironet 3700 Series
• Cisco Aironet 3600 Series
• Cisco Aironet 3500 Series

Management and Control Capabilities

Network Administration

• Fully manageable switch for centralized control
• Supports multiple management and monitoring protocols
• Designed for simplified configuration and maintenance

Power and Hardware Design

Power Characteristics

• Operates using a standard internal power supply
• Redundant power supply not supported

Physical Form Factor

• 1U rack-height design
• Rack-mountable or standalone deployment
• Compact footprint for space-efficient installations

Dimensions and Weight

• Height: 1.7 inches
• Width: 17.5 inches
• Depth: 11.6 inches
• Approximate weight: 12.65 lbs

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Compliance

Sustainable Design Approach

• Engineered to meet environmentally responsible standards
• Energy-efficient technologies reduce operational costs
• Optimized power usage without sacrificing performance

Enterprise-Class Layer 3 Managed Ethernet Switching Architecture

The Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E Layer 3 Managed Ethernet Switch represents a robust enterprise networking category designed to deliver high-performance, scalable, and secure switching for modern campus and branch environments. This category focuses on advanced Layer 3 switching capabilities combined with integrated services that support converged data, voice, and video traffic across a unified network infrastructure. The 48-port configuration addresses the needs of medium to large organizations that require dense connectivity, predictable performance, and consistent policy enforcement across access and distribution layers.

Layer 3 managed Ethernet switches within this category are engineered to operate beyond basic packet forwarding, providing intelligent routing, traffic segmentation, and policy-based control. The Cisco 3650 Series, including the WS-C3650-48FQM-E model, integrates hardware-based forwarding with software-driven intelligence, ensuring low latency and high throughput even under heavy network loads. This architectural approach supports enterprises transitioning toward software-defined networking while maintaining backward compatibility with traditional network designs.

Integrated Cisco IOS XE Software Platform

The switching category built around the Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E leverages the Cisco IOS XE operating system, which combines the reliability of Cisco IOS with the flexibility of a Linux-based architecture. This platform allows modular processes, enhanced resiliency, and faster feature innovation, making it well-suited for mission-critical enterprise environments. IOS XE enables continuous operation during upgrades and supports advanced programmability features that are increasingly important for automation and orchestration.

By running IOS XE, this category of Layer 3 managed switches enables administrators to deploy consistent configurations, apply granular security policies, and monitor network health in real time. The operating system supports both traditional command-line management and modern APIs, allowing integration with network management platforms and automation tools. This dual management capability ensures long-term relevance as enterprise networks evolve.

High-Density 48-Port Switching for Scalable Networks

The 48-port form factor is a defining characteristic of this category, offering high-density connectivity that supports large numbers of endpoints without requiring excessive rack space. Designed for access-layer deployment, the Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E category provides sufficient port density to accommodate desktops, IP phones, wireless access points, and other networked devices in enterprise offices, educational campuses, and healthcare facilities.

High port density also simplifies network expansion by reducing the need for additional switches as organizations grow. This scalability makes the category particularly attractive for enterprises planning long-term infrastructure investments. The design balances port availability with performance, ensuring that each connection benefits from consistent throughput and minimal congestion.

Optimized Throughput and Forwarding Performance

Switches in this category are engineered with dedicated switching ASICs that deliver wire-speed forwarding across all ports. The Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E supports simultaneous Layer 2 and Layer 3 traffic without performance degradation, making it suitable for environments with mixed workloads. This capability ensures that real-time applications such as voice over IP and video conferencing receive priority handling alongside traditional data traffic.

Advanced buffering and queue management mechanisms further enhance performance by preventing packet loss during traffic bursts. These features contribute to predictable application performance, which is critical for business operations that rely on network availability and responsiveness.

Advanced Layer 3 Routing and Network Segmentation

The Layer 3 managed switch category represented by the Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E extends beyond simple VLAN-based segmentation to include dynamic routing and advanced traffic control. This allows organizations to implement hierarchical network designs where routing decisions are made closer to the edge, reducing latency and improving overall efficiency. Integrated routing protocols enable seamless communication between network segments without relying solely on centralized routers.

Layer 3 functionality in this category supports enterprise-grade routing features that simplify network design and enhance resiliency. By distributing routing intelligence across the access layer, organizations can reduce bottlenecks and improve fault tolerance, ensuring continuous connectivity even during network changes or failures.

Support for Dynamic Routing Protocols

Dynamic routing support is a key aspect of this category, enabling the Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E to participate in complex enterprise routing topologies. Protocols such as OSPF and EIGRP allow the switch to dynamically learn and adapt to network paths, ensuring optimal routing decisions at all times. This capability is essential for organizations with multiple subnets, redundant links, or geographically distributed campuses.

Dynamic routing reduces administrative overhead by automating route updates and minimizing the risk of misconfiguration. This makes the category suitable for IT teams seeking to balance performance with operational efficiency.

Virtual LAN and Inter-VLAN Routing Capabilities

Network segmentation through VLANs is fundamental to enterprise security and traffic management. The Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E category supports extensive VLAN configurations, allowing administrators to logically separate users, devices, and applications within the same physical infrastructure. Inter-VLAN routing capabilities enable efficient communication between these segments while maintaining policy control.

This approach enhances security by limiting broadcast domains and controlling access between network segments. It also improves performance by reducing unnecessary traffic propagation, making the category ideal for environments with diverse user groups and application requirements.

Policy-Based Routing and Traffic Control

Policy-based routing within this category allows administrators to define custom forwarding rules based on traffic characteristics rather than solely on destination addresses. This enables sophisticated traffic engineering, such as directing specific applications over preferred paths or prioritizing critical business services. The Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E supports these policies through hardware-assisted processing, ensuring that advanced traffic control does not compromise performance.

Such capabilities are particularly valuable in converged networks where multiple types of traffic coexist. By enforcing policies at the switch level, organizations gain finer control over network behavior and user experience.

Security and Access Control Features

Security is a core focus of the Layer 3 managed Ethernet switch category, and the Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E exemplifies this emphasis through integrated security mechanisms. These switches are designed to protect the network edge, where the majority of threats originate, by enforcing authentication, authorization, and accounting policies directly at the point of connection.

By embedding security features into the switching infrastructure, this category reduces the need for additional appliances and simplifies overall network design. The result is a more cohesive and manageable security posture that aligns with enterprise compliance requirements.

Network Access Control and Authentication

Support for network access control protocols enables the Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E category to authenticate users and devices before granting network access. This ensures that only authorized endpoints can connect, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential breaches. Integration with centralized authentication services allows consistent policy enforcement across the entire network.

Authentication mechanisms operate transparently to users while providing administrators with visibility and control over network access. This balance between security and usability is a defining characteristic of the category.

Traffic Monitoring and Threat Mitigation

Built-in monitoring features allow administrators to observe traffic patterns, detect anomalies, and respond to potential threats in real time. The Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E category supports detailed traffic statistics and logging, enabling proactive network management and faster incident response.

By identifying unusual behavior at the switch level, organizations can mitigate threats before they propagate deeper into the network. This proactive approach enhances overall security and minimizes downtime.

Secure Management and Control Plane Protection

Management plane security is critical in enterprise environments, and this category includes features designed to protect administrative access to the switch. Secure protocols, role-based access control, and control plane protection mechanisms ensure that management interfaces are safeguarded against unauthorized use and denial-of-service attacks.

These features contribute to the overall reliability and trustworthiness of the switching infrastructure, making the Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E category suitable for sensitive and regulated environments.

Converged Network Support and Application Awareness

The Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E Layer 3 managed switch category is optimized for converged networks where data, voice, and video traffic share the same infrastructure. This convergence reduces operational complexity and costs while enabling advanced collaboration and communication services. The switch architecture supports application-aware networking, allowing it to recognize and prioritize different types of traffic.

Application awareness ensures that latency-sensitive services receive appropriate treatment, enhancing user experience and productivity. This capability is increasingly important as enterprises adopt unified communications and cloud-based applications.

Quality of Service for Business-Critical Applications

Quality of Service mechanisms are integral to this category, enabling fine-grained control over traffic prioritization. The Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E supports multiple queues and scheduling algorithms that ensure critical applications maintain consistent performance even during periods of congestion.

By enforcing QoS policies at the access layer, organizations can guarantee service levels for key applications without overprovisioning bandwidth. This efficient use of resources aligns with modern network optimization strategies.

Support for Unified Communications and Collaboration

Unified communications platforms rely on reliable and predictable network performance. The Layer 3 managed switch category addressed by the Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E is designed to support IP telephony, video conferencing, and collaboration tools through integrated traffic management and prioritization features.

This support enables seamless communication experiences across the enterprise, fostering collaboration and reducing the impact of network-related issues on business operations.

Application Visibility and Analytics

Advanced analytics capabilities provide visibility into application usage and performance across the network. The Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E category enables administrators to identify bandwidth-intensive applications, monitor trends, and make informed decisions about capacity planning and optimization.

Application-level insights contribute to more effective network management and help align infrastructure investments with business priorities.

Deployment Flexibility and Enterprise Use Cases

The Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E Layer 3 managed Ethernet switch category is designed for flexible deployment across a wide range of enterprise scenarios. Its feature set supports use cases ranging from campus access switching to aggregation in branch offices. This versatility allows organizations to standardize on a single switching platform across multiple environments.

Standardization simplifies training, maintenance, and spare parts management, reducing operational costs and complexity. The category’s adaptability ensures that it remains relevant as organizational needs evolve.

Campus Network Access Layer Integration

In campus environments, the 48-port Layer 3 managed switch serves as a reliable access layer component that connects end users to core network resources. The Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E category supports high user densities and diverse device types, making it suitable for educational institutions, corporate campuses, and healthcare facilities.

Its advanced features enable seamless integration with distribution and core layers, ensuring consistent policy enforcement and efficient traffic flow throughout the network.

Branch Office and Remote Site Connectivity

For branch offices and remote locations, this category provides enterprise-grade functionality in a compact and manageable form factor. The Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E supports routing, security, and application optimization features that reduce reliance on centralized infrastructure.

This localized intelligence improves performance for branch users and enhances resilience by enabling continued operation even during connectivity disruptions.

Long-Term Reliability and Investment Protection

Enterprise networking investments require long-term reliability and scalability. The Layer 3 managed switch category exemplified by the Cisco WS-C3650-48FQM-E is built to deliver consistent performance over extended lifecycles. Its support for software upgrades, feature expansion, and integration with evolving network architectures ensures that organizations can adapt to future requirements without replacing core infrastructure.

This focus on longevity and adaptability makes the category a strategic choice for enterprises seeking a dependable and future-ready switching solution.