WS-C3750X-24T-S Cisco Catalyst Switch, 24 Port, Layer 3, Rack-mountable, 10/100/1000base Module

Product Overview

The Cisco WS-C3750X-24T-S Catalyst Switch is a high-performance Layer 3 networking solution designed for enterprise-grade environments. This rack-mountable and stackable switch delivers reliable Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, making it ideal for business networks that require scalability, speed, and advanced routing capabilities.

General Product Information

• Brand: Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Model / SKU: WS-C3750X-24T-S
• Product Category: Layer 3 Managed Switch

Core Networking Features

Engineered to enhance network efficiency, this Cisco Catalyst switch supports advanced switching and routing functions while ensuring seamless data transmission across connected devices.

Port & Connectivity Specifications

• 24 high-speed Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Supports 10/100/1000Base-T LAN connectivity
• Dedicated RJ-45 network management port
• Optimized for secure and stable wired networking

Expansion & Scalability Options

• 1 network module expansion slot (1 total / 1 available)
• Designed for future network growth
• Supports switch stacking for enhanced performance

Physical Design & Installation

The compact 1U rack-mountable form factor allows easy installation in standard server racks, making it suitable for data centers and enterprise IT infrastructures.

Form Factor & Mounting

• Rack-mountable and stackable design
• Compatible with 1U rack units
• Space-saving and professional-grade build

Dimensions & Weight

• Height: 1.75 inches
• Width: 17.50 inches
• Depth: 18 inches
• Approximate Weight: 15.60 lbs

Unpacking the WS-C3750X-24T-S: Model Number Breakdown and Core Positioning

Understanding the product nomenclature is key to grasping its capabilities. In Cisco WS-C3750X-24T-S: "WS" indicates a Wiring Closet switch; "C3750X" denotes the Catalyst 3750-X series; "24" signifies 24 Ethernet ports; "T" designates Twisted-pair (copper) ports supporting 10/100/1000BASE-T; and "S" indicates it includes IP Base feature set software. This model is the foundational unit in the 3750-X lineup, providing full Layer 3 routing with IP Base, which includes static routing, RIP, EIGRP stub, and policy-based routing. It serves as the access layer cornerstone for networks requiring more intelligence and control than a basic Layer 2 switch can provide.

Hardware Architecture and Build Quality

Cisco engineered the 3750-X series with modularity and redundancy at its core. Unlike its fixed-configuration predecessors, the 3750-X features a field-replaceable power supply and fan tray, dramatically improving uptime and serviceability.

Chassis and Form Factor

The switch features a rugged, 1RU rack-mountable metal chassis built for installation in standard 19-inch racks. Its robust construction ensures proper heat dissipation and longevity in demanding environments.

Modular Power Supply (PSU) Design

A key differentiator is the hot-swappable, modular power supply. The base unit often ships with a single AC power supply, but it can be equipped with redundant PSUs (AC or DC) for critical deployments. The modular bay supports Cisco's Enhanced Power-over-Ethernet Plus (PoE+) modules, allowing networks to adapt to future needs without a forklift upgrade.

Fan Tray Redundancy

The field-replaceable fan tray operates with redundant fans. In the event of a fan failure, the system continues to operate while alerting administrators, enabling proactive maintenance without immediate downtime.

Port Configuration and Interface Capabilities

The "24T" in the model name specifies twenty-four 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 ports. These auto-sensing, auto-negotiating ports provide seamless connectivity to a vast array of devices, from desktop PCs and VoIP phones to access points and servers.

Gigabit Ethernet Performance

Each port delivers wire-speed Gigabit performance, eliminating network bottlenecks at the access layer. Full-duplex operation on all ports doubles the effective throughput, ensuring smooth data transfer for bandwidth-intensive applications.

Flexible Uplink Options via Network Module Slot

Beyond the 24 fixed copper ports, the switch includes a dedicated network module slot on the rear. This slot supports a variety of uplink modules, such as:

4-port 1 Gigabit Ethernet SFP Module: For fiber uplinks using SFP transceivers (e.g., 1000BASE-SX, LX, LH).
2-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ Module: For high-bandwidth aggregation to the network core using 10G SFP+ optics.

This modularity future-proofs the investment, allowing organizations to upgrade uplink capacity as network demands grow.

Layer 3 Switching and Routing Capabilities (IP Base Feature Set)

The inclusion of the IP Base software feature set elevates this switch from a simple connectivity device to an intelligent network traffic director. It performs hardware-based routing and switching at wire speed.

Key Routing Protocols Supported

IP Base provides essential routing protocols for enterprise segmentation and traffic flow control:

Static Routing: For simple, predictable, and secure path control.
RIP (Routing Information Protocol) Versions 1 & 2: For dynamic routing in smaller networks.
EIGRP Stub Routing: Allows the switch to participate in an Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol domain, ideal for hub-and-spoke topologies common in branches.
Policy-Based Routing (PBR): Enforces complex routing decisions based on source IP, application, or other criteria, overriding the routing table for specific traffic flows.

Advanced IP Services

Beyond routing, the switch offers services critical for modern IP networks:

DHCP Server/Relay: Can dynamically assign IP addresses or relay requests to a central server.
Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP): Provides default gateway redundancy for downstream hosts, ensuring network availability.
Access Control Lists (ACLs): Both standard and extended IP ACLs for granular security policy enforcement.

StackWise-Plus Technology: Unified Management and High Availability

A hallmark of the Catalyst 3750 series is its stacking technology. The 3750-X utilizes StackWise-Plus, a 64 Gbps stacking interconnect that logically combines up to 9 individual switches into a single, unified entity.

Benefits of a Stacked Configuration

Deploying multiple WS-C3750X-24T-S switches in a stack yields significant operational advantages:

Single Management Point

The entire stack is managed as one device through one IP address, simplifying configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting across what could be hundreds of ports.

Cross-Stack EtherChannel

EtherChannel links can be formed using ports from different stack members, providing resilient, multi-switch uplinks that prevent a single switch failure from bringing down a critical trunk connection.

Redundant Stack Masters

The stack elects a master and a standby master. If the master switch fails, the standby assumes control within seconds, with minimal disruption to network traffic, providing switch-level redundancy.

Security and Network Policy Enforcement

Enterprise security starts at the access layer. The WS-C3750X-24T-S incorporates a comprehensive suite of security features to protect the network infrastructure and sensitive data.

Port Security and Identity Services

Controls device access based on MAC address, with violation modes for shutting down ports or restricting unknown devices. Integration with Cisco Identity-Based Networking Services (IBNS) allows for user-based policy enforcement using 802.1X authentication.

Advanced Threat Mitigation

Features like Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), IP Source Guard, and DHCP Snooping work in concert to prevent common layer-2 attacks such as ARP spoofing, IP address spoofing, and rogue DHCP servers.

Secure Management Access

Supports encrypted management via SSH (v2) and SNMPv3, alongside role-based access control (RBAC) and TACACS+/RADIUS authentication for network administrators.

Quality of Service (QoS) for Optimized Application Delivery

In a converged network carrying voice, video, and data, prioritizing traffic is non-negotiable. This switch offers sophisticated, hardware-based QoS.

AutoQoS for Simplified Deployment

Cisco AutoQoS feature can automatically generate QoS configurations based on best practices for VoIP deployments, dramatically reducing configuration complexity and potential for error.

Energy Efficiency and Manageability

The switch is designed with energy-saving technologies like Cisco EnergyWise, which allows for granular power management of connected devices (like IP phones and access points) and the switch itself based on policy. Its variable-speed fans and efficient ASICs reduce power consumption and heat output. It is fully manageable via Cisco Prime Infrastructure or the traditional command-line interface (CLI) and web GUI.

Ideal Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The versatility of the Cisco WS-C3750X-24T-S makes it suitable for a wide range of environments.

Enterprise Wiring Closet / Access Layer

Its primary role, connecting end-user devices, VoIP phones, and wireless access points. Layer 3 capabilities allow for inter-VLAN routing at the edge, offloading this task from the core.

Branch Office Aggregation

In a regional or branch office, a stack of these switches can provide all network services—routing, switching, security, and redundancy—in a compact footprint.

Medium-Sized Business Core

For smaller organizations, a stacked 3750-X configuration can serve as the entire network core, providing high availability, inter-VLAN routing, and connectivity to servers and the WAN.