WS-C3650-48PS-E Cisco Catalyst 3650 L3 Switch 48 Ports 4 Expansion Slots

Cisco WS-C3650-48PS-E Catalyst 3650 Layer 3 Switch Overview

The Cisco WS-C3650-48PS-E is a high-performance Layer 3 managed switch, designed to support demanding enterprise networks. With 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 4 expansion slots, it ensures robust connectivity, flexible deployment, and advanced network management capabilities.

Key Manufacturer Details

• Brand: Cisco
• Part Number: WS-C3650-48PS-E
• Product Type: Network Switch
• Port Configuration: 48 Ports

Technical Specifications

Device Configuration

• Managed, stackable Layer 3 switch
• Enclosure: Desktop or 1U rack-mountable
• Interfaces: Gigabit Ethernet
• Ports: 48 x 10/100/1000 (PoE+) + 4 x SFP
• Power over Ethernet: PoE+ with 390W budget

Performance and Capacity

• Switching Capacity: 176 Gbps
• Forwarding Performance: 130.95 Mpps
• IPv4 Routes Supported: 24,000
• NetFlow Entries: 48,000
• Virtual Interfaces (VLANs): 4,000
• Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs): 1,000
• MAC Address Table: 32,000 entries
• Jumbo Frame Support: Up to 9,198 bytes

Advanced Routing & Protocol Support

• BGP-4, IS-IS, RIP-1, RIP-2
• PIM-SM, PIM-DM, PIM-SSM
• Static IP routing and Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
• OSPFv3, EIGRP for IPv6, and RIPng

Remote Management & Monitoring

• SNMP v1, v2c, v3
• RMON 1, 2, 3, 9
• CLI, Telnet, SSH support

Layer 2 & Advanced Features

• Layer 2 switching with ARP support
• VLAN support, trunking, and port aggregation (PAgP, LACP)
• IGMP and MLD snooping for multicast optimization
• Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and MSTP
• Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) and Uni-directional Link Detection (UDLD)
• Virtual Route Forwarding (VRF-lite)
• Quality of Service (QoS) and ACL support
• Energy Efficient Ethernet and Flexible NetFlow (FNF)
• Remote Switch Port Analyzer (RSPAN)

Compliance & Standards

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

Power & Redundancy

• AC Input: 120/230 V, 50/60 Hz
• Optional power redundancy for uninterrupted operation

Cisco WS-C3650-48PS-E Catalyst 3650 48 Ports L3 Switch

The Cisco WS-C3650-48PS-E Catalyst 3650 Layer 3 Switch 48 Ports 4 Expansion Slots is a high-performance enterprise-grade network switch designed to meet the demands of modern business networks. As a member of the renowned Catalyst 3650 series, this switch integrates advanced routing, switching, and security capabilities into a single platform. Built for scalability, reliability, and efficiency, it serves as a cornerstone for businesses seeking seamless network connectivity with enhanced intelligence and simplified management.

Advanced Layer 3 Switching Capabilities

Layer 3 switching is a critical feature for organizations requiring high-speed routing between multiple subnets or VLANs. The Cisco WS-C3650-48PS-E provides comprehensive Layer 3 support, including static routing, Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). These routing protocols allow enterprises to efficiently manage internal and external traffic, ensuring optimized performance and reduced latency across complex network architectures.

Integrated Routing and Switching

This switch seamlessly combines Layer 2 switching with Layer 3 routing, eliminating the need for separate devices while maintaining high-speed packet forwarding. Its integrated routing capabilities allow businesses to segment networks effectively and control traffic flow between VLANs without sacrificing performance. With hardware-based routing acceleration, the WS-C3650-48PS-E minimizes latency and ensures low network jitter, making it ideal for real-time applications such as VoIP and video conferencing.

Support for IPv4 and IPv6

Modern networks are transitioning to IPv6 due to IPv4 address exhaustion. The Cisco WS-C3650-48PS-E supports both IPv4 and IPv6 routing, ensuring future-proof network deployments. With dual-stack support, network administrators can maintain compatibility with legacy IPv4 infrastructure while preparing for IPv6 adoption, allowing seamless integration and migration without service interruptions.

Port Density and Expansion Capabilities

The Cisco WS-C3650-48PS-E offers 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing extensive connectivity for a large number of devices within a network. These ports support Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+), enabling the switch to deliver power directly to connected devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras. This feature reduces the need for additional power supplies and simplifies cabling infrastructure.

Expansion Slots for Modular Flexibility

In addition to its 48 ports, the switch includes four expansion slots that support modular uplinks, enabling flexible connectivity options such as 10 Gigabit Ethernet or fiber uplinks. This modularity allows organizations to adapt their networks to evolving bandwidth requirements without replacing the entire switch. Administrators can scale network capacity by adding expansion modules to meet the growing demands of high-traffic environments.

Enhanced Redundancy and Reliability

Designed for enterprise-grade reliability, the WS-C3650-48PS-E supports redundant power supplies and hot-swappable modules, minimizing downtime in mission-critical environments. With Cisco StackWise-480 technology, multiple switches can be interconnected to form a single logical unit, providing simplified management, increased redundancy, and higher overall throughput. This stacking capability allows seamless network expansion while maintaining consistent performance.

Security and Network Management

Security is a core component of the Cisco Catalyst 3650 series. The WS-C3650-48PS-E incorporates advanced security features to protect the network from unauthorized access, malware, and cyber threats. Integrated security measures include Access Control Lists (ACLs), port security, dynamic ARP inspection, and DHCP snooping, which collectively ensure that network traffic remains secure and compliant with organizational policies.

Identity-Based Networking Services

The switch supports Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), enabling identity-based network access control. Network administrators can define policies that automatically adjust access permissions based on user roles, device types, or location. This dynamic approach enhances network security and ensures that only authorized devices and users gain access to sensitive resources, reducing the risk of internal and external threats.

Comprehensive Management Tools

Managing a large-scale network can be complex, but the WS-C3650-48PS-E simplifies network administration with Cisco’s suite of management tools. Cisco DNA Center integration allows centralized monitoring, automation, and analytics, providing actionable insights into network performance, application usage, and security threats. With advanced reporting and troubleshooting tools, administrators can quickly identify and resolve issues, improving overall operational efficiency.

Quality of Service and Traffic Prioritization

To support modern applications such as VoIP, video streaming, and cloud services, the Cisco WS-C3650-48PS-E provides robust Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms. Administrators can prioritize critical traffic, ensuring low latency and minimal packet loss for time-sensitive applications. QoS policies can be dynamically adjusted based on network conditions, enabling optimal performance even during periods of high traffic demand.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Energy efficiency is increasingly important for businesses seeking to reduce operational costs and environmental impact. The Cisco WS-C3650-48PS-E includes Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) technology, which reduces power consumption during periods of low network activity. PoE+ efficiency features further minimize energy usage while maintaining reliable power delivery to connected devices. These energy-saving technologies contribute to greener, more cost-effective network operations.

Robust Software Features

The switch operates on Cisco IOS XE software, providing a consistent and feature-rich environment for enterprise networks. IOS XE offers advanced features such as network automation, programmability, virtualization support, and enhanced monitoring capabilities. Software-defined networking (SDN) readiness enables the switch to integrate with modern cloud and hybrid network environments, allowing businesses to adopt flexible, scalable, and efficient networking strategies.

Application Visibility and Control

Cisco WS-C3650-48PS-E includes Application Visibility and Control (AVC) functionality, allowing administrators to monitor application traffic, detect performance issues, and apply traffic-shaping policies. This capability ensures that critical applications receive the bandwidth they require while non-essential traffic is managed efficiently. AVC enables organizations to optimize user experience and maintain high network performance even in complex, multi-application environments.

Wireless Integration and Mobility

The Catalyst 3650 series introduces integrated wireless controller capabilities, allowing the WS-C3650-48PS-E to manage wireless access points directly from the switch. This convergence of wired and wireless management reduces operational complexity, enhances mobility, and provides seamless roaming for users across the network. Organizations can deploy unified wired and wireless networks with simplified monitoring and configuration.

Scalable Wireless Architecture

With support for multiple access points and centralized wireless management, this switch is ideal for businesses with growing wireless demands. The integrated wireless controller supports advanced features such as seamless handoff, rogue access point detection, and policy enforcement, providing secure and reliable wireless connectivity throughout the organization. This scalable architecture ensures high performance for mobile devices, IoT endpoints, and guest networks.

Seamless User Experience

The integration of wireless management into the WS-C3650-48PS-E enhances user experience by providing consistent connectivity and reduced network interruptions. Employees, customers, and devices benefit from optimized bandwidth allocation and fast roaming between access points. Network administrators can configure and monitor wireless policies alongside wired traffic, creating a cohesive and efficient network infrastructure.

Support for Advanced Wireless Security

Wireless security is enforced using enterprise-grade protocols such as WPA3, 802.1X authentication, and rogue AP detection. The Cisco WS-C3650-48PS-E ensures that both wired and wireless segments of the network maintain consistent security policies, protecting sensitive data and preventing unauthorized access. This unified approach simplifies compliance and strengthens the organization’s overall cybersecurity posture.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The Cisco WS-C3650-48PS-E Catalyst 3650 Layer 3 Switch is suitable for a wide range of enterprise deployments, including campus networks, data centers, branch offices, and high-density environments. Its combination of high port density, Layer 3 capabilities, modular expansion, and PoE+ support makes it an ideal choice for organizations seeking scalable, reliable, and secure networking solutions.

Campus Network Backbone

In campus networks, the WS-C3650-48PS-E serves as a reliable backbone switch, interconnecting multiple access layer switches and providing high-speed routing between VLANs. Its support for advanced QoS ensures that critical applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, and cloud services operate without disruption. Redundancy features and stacking capabilities further enhance network reliability in high-traffic educational and corporate environments.

Branch Office Deployment

For branch offices, the WS-C3650-48PS-E delivers a compact, all-in-one solution that supports wired and wireless connectivity, PoE devices, and secure remote access. Its Layer 3 routing capabilities simplify inter-branch communication, while integrated security features protect sensitive data. Branch deployments benefit from centralized management through Cisco DNA Center, allowing consistent policy enforcement and streamlined troubleshooting across multiple locations.

Data Center Access Layer

In data center environments, the switch functions as an access layer device, connecting servers, storage systems, and network appliances. Its high port density and PoE+ support enable flexible deployment of IP-based devices such as cameras, phones, and wireless APs. With modular uplinks and robust Layer 3 capabilities, the WS-C3650-48PS-E ensures low-latency traffic forwarding and efficient bandwidth utilization for demanding workloads.