WS-C3650-48TQ-L Cisco Catalyst 48 Ports Managed Switch

Cisco WS-C3650-48TQ-L Catalyst Ethernet Switch Overview

The Cisco WS-C3650-48TQ-L is a high-performance 48-port managed switch, engineered for modern enterprise networks. Designed for both desktop and 1U rack-mount installations, this switch offers robust Gigabit Ethernet connectivity along with advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 features.

Key Product Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: WS-C3650-48TQ-L
• Product Type: Managed Switch
• Ports: 48 x 10/100/1000 + 4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+
• Enclosure: Desktop or 1U Rack-Mountable
• Stackable: Yes

Performance and Capacity Specifications

• Switching Capacity: 176 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 130.95 Mpps
• IPv4 Routes: 24,000
• Virtual Interfaces (VLANs): 255
• Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs): 1,000
• MAC Address Table: 32,000 entries
• Jumbo Frame Support: Up to 9,198 bytes

Advanced Switching Features

• Layer 2 Switching with ARP support
• Trunking and VLAN management
• IGMP Snooping for multicast optimization
• Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and Multiple STP (MSTP)
• DHCP Snooping and Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI)
• Port Aggregation Protocol (PAgP) & Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)
• Access Control Lists (ACLs) and Quality of Service (QoS)
• Remote Switch Port Analyzer (RSPAN) and Uni-directional Link Detection (UDLD)
• Energy Efficient Ethernet compliance

Routing & Management Support

• Static IP Routing capabilities
• Remote management via SNMP v1, v2c, v3, RMON 1-3 & 9
• CLI, Telnet, and SSH support for secure administration

Industry Compliance & Standards

• IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3z, 802.3ab
• IEEE 802.1d, 802.1q, 802.1p, 802.1w, 802.1s, 802.1x, 802.1ab (LLDP)
• IEEE 802.3af/at, 802.3ad (LACP), and 802.3x

Power & Reliability

• Power Supply: AC 120/230V, 50/60 Hz
• Optional Power Redundancy: Available for critical network environments

Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series Enterprise Ethernet Switching Platform

The Cisco WS-C3650-48TQ-L Catalyst 48 Ports Ethernet Switch belongs to the Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series, a highly regarded family of enterprise-class Ethernet switches engineered to support converged wired and wireless access networks. This category focuses on fixed-configuration Layer 3 switches that deliver advanced performance, scalability, and resiliency for modern business environments. Designed to meet the growing demands of bandwidth-intensive applications, unified communications, and mobility-driven workflows, the Catalyst 3650 Series plays a critical role in enterprise access layer architectures. The 48-port configuration provides extensive connectivity for endpoint devices while maintaining consistent performance across the network infrastructure.

This category emphasizes enterprise-grade Ethernet switching that supports both data and voice traffic, enabling organizations to consolidate network services without compromising reliability. The Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series integrates hardware-based switching and routing capabilities, ensuring predictable throughput and low latency. By combining advanced Quality of Service mechanisms, robust security features, and centralized management, this category addresses the core requirements of campus networks, branch offices, and distributed enterprise deployments.

High-Density 48-Port Ethernet Switching for Access Layer Networks

The Cisco WS-C3650-48TQ-L is designed to support high-density Ethernet connectivity, making it an ideal choice for access layer deployments where numerous wired devices must connect seamlessly. The 48 Ethernet ports provide ample capacity for workstations, IP phones, printers, access points, and other networked devices. This density allows organizations to reduce the number of switches required per wiring closet, simplifying network design and lowering operational complexity.

Within this category, emphasis is placed on consistent performance under heavy loads. The Catalyst 3650 architecture ensures that all ports can operate simultaneously at line rate, minimizing bottlenecks and maintaining a smooth user experience. This capability is particularly valuable in enterprise environments where multiple applications, including cloud services, video conferencing, and collaboration tools, compete for network resources.

Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 Capabilities

The Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series category highlights robust Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching features that support scalable and resilient network architectures. The WS-C3650-48TQ-L supports advanced VLAN configurations, trunking, and spanning tree enhancements that improve network stability and reduce convergence times. These capabilities are essential for maintaining uptime in complex enterprise environments where multiple switches operate in interconnected topologies.

At the Layer 3 level, this category includes support for dynamic routing protocols, inter-VLAN routing, and policy-based routing. These features enable the switch to function as both an access and distribution layer device in smaller networks or branch locations. By integrating routing intelligence directly into the switch, organizations can reduce reliance on external routers, streamline traffic flows, and improve overall network efficiency.

Enterprise-Class Performance and Switching Architecture

The Catalyst 3650 Series is built on a high-performance switching architecture that delivers predictable throughput and low latency across all ports. This category focuses on switches designed to handle enterprise workloads without degradation in performance. The WS-C3650-48TQ-L benefits from dedicated hardware forwarding, ensuring that packet processing remains efficient even during peak usage periods.

This level of performance is particularly relevant for organizations deploying real-time applications such as voice over IP and video conferencing. The switch’s ability to prioritize traffic and maintain consistent performance ensures that critical applications receive the bandwidth and low latency they require, contributing to improved productivity and user satisfaction.

Scalability and Network Growth Support

The Cisco WS-C3650-48TQ-L category addresses the need for scalable network solutions that can grow alongside business requirements. The Catalyst 3650 Series supports stacking technology, allowing multiple switches to operate as a single logical unit. This capability simplifies management while increasing port density and aggregate bandwidth.

Scalability within this category also extends to software features and licensing. The LAN Base feature set provides essential enterprise functionality, while optional upgrades enable additional services as network needs evolve. This flexible approach ensures that organizations can start with a solid foundation and expand capabilities without replacing core hardware.

Integrated Security Features for Enterprise Networks

Security is a defining characteristic of the Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series category. The WS-C3650-48TQ-L incorporates advanced security mechanisms designed to protect network infrastructure and connected devices. Features such as port-based authentication, access control lists, and secure management protocols help safeguard against unauthorized access and internal threats.

This category emphasizes proactive security at the access layer, where most endpoints connect to the network. By enforcing policies directly at the switch port level, organizations can reduce the attack surface and ensure compliance with corporate security standards. This approach is particularly effective in environments with a mix of corporate-owned and guest devices.

Traffic Segmentation and Policy Enforcement

The Catalyst 3650 Series supports robust traffic segmentation through VLANs and virtual routing instances. This capability allows organizations to isolate different types of traffic, such as voice, data, and guest access, improving both security and performance. Policy enforcement at the switch level ensures that each traffic class receives appropriate treatment based on organizational priorities.

Within this category, policy-driven networking enables consistent application of security and quality policies across the entire access layer. This consistency simplifies network administration and reduces the risk of configuration errors that could compromise security or performance.

Quality of Service and Application Optimization

The Cisco WS-C3650-48TQ-L category places strong emphasis on Quality of Service capabilities designed to optimize application performance. Advanced QoS features allow administrators to classify, mark, and prioritize traffic based on application requirements. This ensures that latency-sensitive applications such as voice and video receive preferential treatment over less critical traffic.

By integrating QoS directly into the switching hardware, the Catalyst 3650 Series delivers reliable performance without introducing processing delays. This hardware-based approach is essential for maintaining service quality in high-demand enterprise networks where multiple applications compete for bandwidth.

Support for Unified Communications and Collaboration

The Catalyst 3650 Series is optimized to support unified communications deployments, including IP telephony and video collaboration platforms. The WS-C3650-48TQ-L provides the necessary performance, reliability, and traffic prioritization to ensure clear voice calls and smooth video sessions. This makes the category well suited for organizations that rely heavily on real-time communication tools.

Integration with Cisco collaboration ecosystems further enhances the value of this category. The switch can automatically recognize and prioritize traffic from Cisco endpoints, simplifying deployment and reducing the need for manual configuration.

Centralized Management and Operational Efficiency

Ease of management is a key focus of the Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series category. The WS-C3650-48TQ-L supports centralized management tools that provide visibility into network performance, configuration, and security status. These capabilities enable administrators to monitor and manage the network more effectively, reducing downtime and operational costs.

This category supports automation and programmability features that streamline routine network tasks. By leveraging standardized management interfaces, organizations can integrate the switch into broader network management frameworks, improving consistency and reducing administrative overhead.

Reliability and High Availability Design

The Catalyst 3650 Series is engineered for high availability, ensuring continuous network operation even in demanding environments. Redundant power supply options and robust hardware components contribute to increased uptime. This focus on reliability makes the WS-C3650-48TQ-L a dependable choice for mission-critical enterprise networks.

High availability features within this category also include fast convergence mechanisms and intelligent failover capabilities. These features minimize disruption during network changes or hardware failures, maintaining a stable and resilient network infrastructure.

Enterprise Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The Cisco WS-C3650-48TQ-L Catalyst 48 Ports Ethernet Switch category is well suited for a wide range of enterprise deployment scenarios. It is commonly used in campus networks, branch offices, and large corporate environments where reliable and scalable access layer switching is required. The combination of high port density, advanced features, and robust performance makes this category a versatile choice for organizations across various industries.

From supporting daily office operations to enabling advanced digital initiatives, the Catalyst 3650 Series provides the foundation for secure, high-performance networking. Its ability to adapt to evolving requirements ensures long-term value and alignment with enterprise networking strategies.