WS-C3850-48U-L Cisco Ethernet Switch (48 Ports)

Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L Managed 48-Port Switch Overview

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L is a high-performance, stackable, 48-port Gigabit Ethernet switch designed for modern enterprise networks. Its robust features and advanced capabilities make it an ideal solution for demanding network environments.

Key Specifications

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: WS-C3850-48U-L
• Device Type: Managed Switch
• Port Count: 48 x 10/100/1000 (UPOE-enabled)
• Enclosure: Desktop or 1U rack-mountable

Power Over Ethernet (PoE) Capabilities

• PoE Type: Universal Power Over Ethernet (UPOE)
• Maximum PoE Budget: 800 W
• Supports powering high-demand devices such as IP phones, cameras, and wireless access points.

Performance & Capacity

• Switching Capacity: 176 Gbps
• Stacking Bandwidth: 480 Gbps via Cisco StackWise-480
• IPv4 Routes: 24,000
• NetFlow Entries: 48,000
• Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs): 1,000
• MAC Address Table: 32,000 entries
• Jumbo Frame Support: Up to 9,198 bytes

Remote Management & Protocols

• Supports SNMP v1, v2c, v3, RMON 1 & 2, Telnet, SSH, and CLI-based management
• Enables centralized monitoring and efficient configuration for enterprise deployments

Advanced Features & Functionalities

• Auto-negotiation and ARP support
• VLAN support with dynamic trunking (DTP) and trunk aggregation (PAgP/LACP)
• IGMP & MLD Snooping for multicast traffic optimization
• Rapid Spanning Tree (RSTP), Multiple Spanning Tree (MSTP), and Per-VLAN Rapid Spanning Tree Plus (PVRST+)
• Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) and STP Root Guard for enhanced security
• QoS, ACLs, VRF-lite, Layer 3 load balancing, and energy-efficient Ethernet
• Cisco StackPower Technology for flexible power management
• Flexible NetFlow (FNF) support for granular traffic analytics

Compliance & Standards

• IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3z, 802.3ab for Ethernet interoperability
• IEEE 802.1d, 802.1q, 802.1p, 802.1w, 802.1s, 802.1x for advanced network management
• IEEE 802.3af, 802.3at, 802.3ad (LACP) for PoE and link aggregation

Power & Redundancy

• Input Voltage: AC 120/230V, 50/60 Hz
• Redundant Power: Optional for critical uptime

Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L Manageable Switch Category

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L 48 Port Manageable Switch belongs to the enterprise-class Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series, a category designed to unify wired and wireless networking with advanced manageability, performance stability, and scalability. This category focuses on stackable Layer 3 switches that support converged access architectures, enabling organizations to simplify network management while maintaining high availability and robust security. The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L model specifically addresses environments that require dense user connectivity, intelligent power delivery, and centralized control, making it suitable for medium to large enterprise networks, campuses, branch offices, and distributed infrastructures.

Within this category, the emphasis is placed on manageability, resilience, and future-ready design. The 48-port configuration ensures high device density, while Cisco IOS software integration allows deep visibility into network traffic and device behavior. This manageable switch category is engineered for organizations that require consistent uptime, predictable performance, and policy-driven network control without sacrificing flexibility or expandability.

Enterprise-Class Manageable Switch Architecture

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L switch category is built on a modular and stackable architecture that enhances operational efficiency. These switches are designed to operate as standalone devices or as part of a unified stack, allowing multiple physical switches to function as a single logical unit. This architecture simplifies configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting while improving network resiliency.

The underlying hardware design supports high-throughput switching and advanced packet processing, ensuring that enterprise applications receive consistent bandwidth and low latency. The manageable nature of this category allows administrators to implement detailed configurations for VLANs, Quality of Service, access control, and routing protocols, all from a centralized management interface.

StackWise Technology Integration

StackWise technology is a defining characteristic of the Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L category. This capability allows multiple switches to be interconnected, forming a unified switching fabric that behaves as a single device. From an operational standpoint, StackWise simplifies network expansion and reduces administrative overhead by allowing configuration changes to be applied across the entire stack simultaneously.

The stackable design also enhances redundancy and fault tolerance. If one switch within the stack experiences a hardware issue, traffic can be dynamically rerouted through other members, maintaining uninterrupted network connectivity. This feature is particularly valuable in mission-critical environments where downtime can have significant operational and financial impacts.

Unified Control Plane Design

The category emphasizes a unified control plane that integrates both wired and wireless management. The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L is part of a converged access solution where wired and wireless policies can be applied consistently across the network. This unified approach simplifies policy enforcement and reduces configuration complexity.

By consolidating control mechanisms, network administrators gain better visibility into endpoint behavior, traffic patterns, and application performance. This design aligns with modern enterprise networking requirements, where mobility, cloud applications, and security considerations must be managed cohesively.

48 Port Configuration and Connectivity Capabilities

The 48-port configuration defines this category as a high-density access layer solution. Each port is designed to support a wide range of connected devices, including workstations, IP phones, wireless access points, and IoT endpoints. The density provided by 48 ports allows organizations to consolidate network infrastructure while maintaining ample connectivity for growing user populations.

This category is particularly suitable for office floors, classrooms, healthcare facilities, and enterprise campuses where multiple endpoints require reliable and secure network access. The manageable nature of the switch allows administrators to segment traffic effectively, ensuring optimal performance and security for each connected device.

Universal Power over Ethernet Support

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L category includes support for Universal Power over Ethernet, enabling the switch to deliver power to connected devices over standard Ethernet cabling. This capability reduces the need for additional power adapters and simplifies deployment for devices such as IP phones, security cameras, and wireless access points.

Power management features within this category allow administrators to monitor and control power usage at the port level. Intelligent power allocation ensures that critical devices receive priority, while overall energy consumption is optimized to reduce operational costs.

High-Speed Uplink Flexibility

Uplink flexibility is another defining element of this manageable switch category. The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L supports modular uplink options, allowing organizations to choose connectivity types that best align with their network architecture. This flexibility ensures seamless integration with core and distribution layers.

High-speed uplinks support bandwidth-intensive applications and reduce bottlenecks in enterprise networks. This adaptability makes the category suitable for evolving network requirements, including increased cloud traffic and data center integration.

Advanced Manageability and Cisco IOS Software

Manageability is a core attribute of the Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L category. The switch operates on Cisco IOS software, providing a rich set of features for configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting. This software platform allows administrators to implement advanced network policies while maintaining granular control over traffic flow and access permissions.

The Cisco IOS environment supports command-line and graphical management tools, enabling both experienced network engineers and IT teams to manage the infrastructure efficiently. Automation and programmability features further enhance operational agility, allowing repetitive tasks to be streamlined and configuration errors to be minimized.

Centralized Policy Management

Centralized policy management is a key advantage of this category. Network administrators can define access and security policies that apply consistently across all ports and connected devices. This ensures uniform enforcement of organizational standards, reducing the risk of misconfiguration or unauthorized access.

Policy-based management also supports scalability, making it easier to onboard new users or devices without extensive manual intervention. This capability is especially beneficial in dynamic environments where network demands change frequently.

Monitoring and Diagnostics Capabilities

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L category includes advanced monitoring and diagnostics features that provide deep insights into network performance. Real-time visibility into traffic patterns, device status, and application behavior allows administrators to identify and resolve issues proactively.

Integrated diagnostic tools help reduce mean time to repair by enabling rapid fault isolation. This proactive approach to network management enhances overall reliability and user satisfaction.

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switching Features

This category supports both Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching capabilities, making it versatile for various network roles. Layer 2 features enable efficient traffic forwarding within VLANs, while Layer 3 capabilities support routing between subnets and integration with larger network topologies.

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L category is designed to handle complex enterprise traffic patterns, ensuring optimal routing decisions and minimizing latency. This dual-layer functionality allows organizations to deploy the switch at the access or distribution layer, depending on their architectural needs.

Routing Protocol Support

Support for dynamic routing protocols enhances the adaptability of this manageable switch category. By participating in routing decisions, the switch can optimize traffic paths and respond dynamically to network changes.

This capability ensures consistent performance even in large or distributed networks, where traffic patterns can fluctuate significantly throughout the day.

Traffic Segmentation and VLAN Management

Traffic segmentation is a fundamental requirement in modern enterprise networks, and this category excels in VLAN management. Administrators can create multiple virtual networks within a single physical infrastructure, improving security and performance.

Effective VLAN management reduces broadcast traffic and ensures that sensitive data remains isolated, aligning with organizational compliance and security requirements.

Security Features and Network Protection

Security is a central focus of the Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L category. The manageable nature of the switch allows for the implementation of comprehensive security policies that protect against unauthorized access and network threats.

Built-in security features support authentication, authorization, and accounting mechanisms, ensuring that only trusted devices and users gain network access. These capabilities are essential for maintaining data integrity and regulatory compliance.

Access Control and Authentication

The category supports advanced access control mechanisms that allow administrators to define who can connect to the network and under what conditions. Authentication protocols verify device and user identities before granting access.

This approach reduces the risk of unauthorized access and enhances overall network security posture.

Threat Detection and Mitigation

Threat detection capabilities within this category help identify suspicious activity and potential vulnerabilities. By monitoring traffic patterns and enforcing security policies, the switch can mitigate threats before they impact network operations.

This proactive security approach is critical for protecting enterprise networks against evolving cyber threats.

Scalability and Future-Ready Design

The Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L category is engineered with scalability in mind. Its stackable architecture, modular uplinks, and robust software capabilities ensure that the network can grow alongside organizational needs.

This future-ready design allows enterprises to protect their investment while adapting to emerging technologies and increasing bandwidth demands.

Support for Growing User Demands

The high port density and performance capabilities of this category make it suitable for environments experiencing continuous growth. New devices and users can be added without compromising network stability.

This scalability ensures long-term usability and reduces the need for frequent hardware replacements.

Integration with Modern Network Architectures

The category is designed to integrate seamlessly with modern network architectures, including software-defined networking and cloud-based services. This compatibility allows organizations to modernize their infrastructure incrementally.

By aligning with contemporary networking trends, the Cisco WS-C3850-48U-L category supports digital transformation initiatives and evolving business requirements.