WS-C3850-48W-S Cisco Managed Layer 2 Ethernet Switch with 48 Ports

Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S 48 Ports L2 Ethernet Switch Overview

The Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S is a high-performance managed Layer 2 Ethernet switch, designed to deliver robust network connectivity and exceptional reliability. Ideal for enterprise and data center deployments, this 48-port switch is part of the renowned Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series.

Key Features of the Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model/Part Number: WS-C3850-48W-S
• Product Type: Managed Ethernet Switch
• Sub Type: 48 Ports
• Product Series: Catalyst 3850

Technical Specifications

• Switch Type: Layer 2 Ethernet
• Total Ports: 48
• PoE+ Capable Ports: 48
• Port Varieties: Gigabit Ethernet, Uplink Ports (3 Slots)

Media & Performance Capabilities

• Supported Cable Types: Twisted Pair
• Ethernet Standards: 10G Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
• Network Protocols: 10/100/1000Base-T, 1000Base-X, 10GBase-X

Expansion and Upgrade Options

• Expansion Slots: 3
• Slot Type: Uplink Module Compatible
• Scalable Design for Future Network Growth

Network Layer & Communication

• Supported Layer: Layer 2 Switching
• Optimized for High-Speed Data Transmission

Management & Monitoring

• Fully Manageable Switch
• Management Interfaces Include:
• Command-Line Interface (CLI)
• Remote Monitoring (RMON 1/2)
• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP 1/2c/3)
• Telnet
• VLAN Configuration
• Management Information Base (MIB)

Power & Redundancy

• Power over Ethernet (PoE) Ports: 48 RJ-45 PoE+ Enabled
• Power Supply: External
• Supports Redundant Power Supply for Enhanced Reliability

Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S Managed Layer 2 Ethernet Switch

The Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S Managed Layer 2 Ethernet Switch with 48 Ports belongs to the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series, a family of enterprise-grade switching platforms designed to deliver scalable, secure, and high-performance wired networking. This category of switches is widely deployed in enterprise campus environments, branch offices, educational institutions, healthcare networks, and industrial infrastructures where reliability, intelligent traffic management, and centralized control are essential. The 48-port configuration provides extensive connectivity for wired devices while maintaining advanced management and power capabilities that support modern digital workplaces.

This managed Layer 2 Ethernet switch category focuses on delivering consistent network performance with robust switching capacity, advanced quality of service handling, and seamless integration into Cisco’s broader networking ecosystem. Designed to support high-density access layer deployments, the Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S ensures that organizations can connect large numbers of endpoints such as IP phones, wireless access points, workstations, printers, surveillance systems, and IoT devices without compromising network stability.

Enterprise-Class Layer 2 Switching Architecture

The Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S operates as a managed Layer 2 Ethernet switch, optimized for efficient traffic forwarding within local area networks. This category of switches emphasizes MAC address learning, VLAN segmentation, and advanced switching intelligence to ensure low-latency communication between connected devices. The architecture is built on Cisco’s proven ASIC technology, delivering predictable throughput and minimizing packet loss during peak usage periods.

Layer 2 switching within the Catalyst 3850 series supports scalable network designs by enabling logical segmentation through VLANs. This allows enterprises to separate departments, applications, and user groups while maintaining a unified physical infrastructure. The switch category is ideal for organizations that require strong access-layer performance without the overhead of complex routing configurations at every network edge.

High-Density 48-Port Configuration

The 48-port design of the Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S provides extensive connectivity for enterprise environments with high endpoint density. This category is particularly suitable for office floors, classrooms, call centers, and collaborative workspaces where numerous wired connections are required. Each port is engineered to deliver consistent Ethernet performance, ensuring stable connectivity for bandwidth-sensitive applications such as voice, video conferencing, and real-time collaboration tools.

The port density also supports network expansion and future growth, allowing organizations to onboard additional devices without immediate hardware upgrades. This scalability is a key advantage of the Catalyst 3850 switch category, enabling IT teams to plan for long-term infrastructure needs while maintaining operational efficiency.

Advanced Power over Ethernet Capabilities

The Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S switch category is designed to support Power over Ethernet technologies, enabling the delivery of electrical power alongside data over standard Ethernet cabling. This capability simplifies network deployments by reducing the need for separate power supplies for connected devices. The switch can efficiently power IP telephony systems, wireless access points, surveillance cameras, and other PoE-enabled endpoints.

Power management within this category is intelligently controlled, allowing administrators to monitor power consumption and allocate power budgets dynamically. This ensures that critical devices receive priority power delivery while maintaining overall system efficiency. The integration of PoE capabilities aligns with modern enterprise requirements for flexible and cost-effective network installations.

Optimized Power Distribution for Access Layer Devices

The switch category emphasizes efficient power distribution across all 48 ports, supporting simultaneous operation of multiple powered devices. This is particularly beneficial in environments where IP-based communications and wireless connectivity are core to daily operations. By consolidating power delivery through the network switch, organizations can streamline cabling infrastructure and reduce installation complexity.

The managed nature of the Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S allows administrators to configure power policies, monitor usage patterns, and ensure compliance with organizational energy standards. This level of control enhances operational reliability and contributes to lower total cost of ownership.

Centralized Management and Cisco IOS Software

The Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S Managed Layer 2 Ethernet Switch category is built around Cisco IOS Software, providing a comprehensive management interface that supports both command-line and graphical administration. This ensures compatibility with existing Cisco network environments and allows IT teams to leverage familiar tools and workflows. The management capabilities enable detailed configuration of VLANs, port security, quality of service, and monitoring features.

Centralized management is a defining characteristic of this category, allowing administrators to maintain consistent policies across the network. The switch integrates seamlessly with Cisco network management platforms, supporting automation, monitoring, and troubleshooting at scale. This reduces administrative overhead and improves response times to network events.

Scalable Network Control and Visibility

The management framework within the Catalyst 3850 switch category provides deep visibility into network performance and device behavior. Administrators can monitor traffic patterns, identify potential bottlenecks, and implement proactive measures to maintain optimal performance. This visibility is essential in enterprise environments where network uptime directly impacts productivity and service delivery.

Advanced monitoring features support compliance and auditing requirements by providing detailed logs and performance metrics. This ensures that organizations can maintain secure and well-documented network operations while meeting regulatory standards.

Quality of Service and Traffic Prioritization

The Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S switch category includes advanced Quality of Service mechanisms designed to prioritize critical network traffic. This is especially important in converged networks where voice, video, and data traffic share the same infrastructure. The switch can classify, queue, and schedule traffic to ensure that latency-sensitive applications receive the necessary bandwidth and low-latency handling.

By implementing intelligent QoS policies, organizations can maintain consistent performance for business-critical applications even during periods of high network utilization. This capability is integral to the Catalyst 3850 series and supports the demands of modern digital communication environments.

Support for Real-Time Applications

The ability to prioritize real-time traffic such as VoIP and video conferencing makes this switch category well-suited for collaborative workplaces. The switch ensures smooth call quality and uninterrupted video streams by minimizing jitter and packet loss. This contributes to improved user experience and supports enterprise communication strategies.

Traffic prioritization also extends to critical data applications, ensuring that essential business processes remain responsive regardless of network load. This balanced approach to traffic management enhances overall network efficiency.

Security Features for Enterprise Networks

The Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S Managed Layer 2 Ethernet Switch category incorporates robust security features designed to protect enterprise networks from unauthorized access and internal threats. These features include port-based access control, secure VLAN configurations, and support for authentication mechanisms. By enforcing security policies at the access layer, organizations can reduce the risk of network breaches and data exposure.

Security integration within this category aligns with Cisco’s holistic approach to network protection, enabling seamless coordination with broader security architectures. This ensures that the access layer remains a strong first line of defense in enterprise network designs.

Controlled Access and Policy Enforcement

The managed capabilities of this switch allow administrators to define and enforce access policies on a per-port basis. This ensures that only authorized devices and users can connect to the network. Such control is essential in environments with high device turnover or guest access requirements.

Policy enforcement mechanisms contribute to network stability by preventing misconfigured or malicious devices from disrupting operations. This enhances trust in the network infrastructure and supports secure digital transformation initiatives.

Stackable Design and Network Scalability

The Cisco Catalyst 3850 switch category is known for its stackable design, allowing multiple switches to operate as a single logical unit. This feature enhances scalability and simplifies management in growing networks. By stacking switches, organizations can expand port capacity and performance without increasing management complexity.

Stacking also improves resilience by enabling redundancy and load sharing across multiple units. This ensures continuous network availability and supports mission-critical operations that require high uptime.

Unified Control Across Stacked Switches

Stacking technology within this category allows administrators to manage multiple switches through a single interface. This unified control simplifies configuration and reduces the risk of inconsistencies across the network. It also facilitates rapid deployment of new switches as network demands evolve.

The stackable architecture aligns with enterprise requirements for scalable, high-performance access layer solutions that can adapt to changing business needs.

Reliability and Hardware Resilience

The Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S Managed Layer 2 Ethernet Switch category is engineered for continuous operation in demanding enterprise environments. High-quality components, efficient cooling systems, and robust power designs contribute to long-term reliability. This ensures that the switch can support critical network functions without frequent maintenance or downtime.

Reliability is a core value of the Catalyst 3850 series, making it a trusted choice for organizations that depend on uninterrupted network connectivity. The switch category is suitable for deployment in environments where performance consistency and hardware durability are paramount.

Designed for Long-Term Enterprise Deployment

The durable construction and enterprise-grade design of this switch category support long operational lifecycles. This reduces replacement frequency and helps organizations maximize their infrastructure investments. Consistent performance over time ensures that network services remain dependable as business requirements evolve.

Hardware resilience also supports disaster recovery and business continuity strategies by minimizing the risk of unexpected failures at the access layer.

Integration with Modern Network Architectures

The Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S switch category integrates seamlessly with modern network architectures, including software-defined networking and centralized policy frameworks. This compatibility ensures that organizations can adopt new technologies and management paradigms without replacing existing hardware. The switch supports flexible deployment models that align with evolving enterprise IT strategies.

Integration capabilities extend to wireless infrastructures, security platforms, and network analytics tools, enabling a cohesive and intelligent network environment. This adaptability makes the Catalyst 3850 series a versatile choice for organizations pursuing digital transformation.

Support for Unified Wired and Wireless Networks

This switch category plays a key role in unified network designs where wired and wireless infrastructures are managed cohesively. By supporting centralized control and consistent policy enforcement, the switch enhances user mobility and simplifies network administration. This is particularly beneficial in dynamic work environments with a mix of wired and wireless endpoints.

The ability to integrate with advanced network solutions ensures that the Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S remains relevant in modern enterprise deployments.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S Managed Layer 2 Ethernet Switch category is well-suited for a wide range of deployment scenarios. In corporate offices, it provides reliable access-layer connectivity for employees and collaborative systems. In educational institutions, it supports classrooms, laboratories, and administrative networks with consistent performance and centralized management.

Healthcare facilities benefit from the switch’s reliability and security features, ensuring stable connectivity for medical devices and information systems. Retail environments can leverage the high port density and PoE capabilities to support point-of-sale systems, digital signage, and surveillance infrastructure.

Adaptability Across Industries

The versatility of this switch category allows it to adapt to the specific needs of various industries. Its managed features, scalability, and robust performance make it suitable for both small-scale deployments and large enterprise networks. This adaptability underscores the value of the Cisco Catalyst 3850 series as a foundational networking solution.

By supporting diverse use cases, the Cisco WS-C3850-48W-S Managed Layer 2 Ethernet Switch category delivers a balanced combination of performance, control, and reliability that meets the demands of modern organizations.