C1-WS3650-24PD/K9 Cisco Catalyst 3650 24 Port PoE 2x10G Uplink

Product Overview

The Cisco C1-WS3650-24PD/K9 is a powerful and reliable managed Ethernet switch designed for modern enterprise networks. As part of the Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series, this switch delivers high-speed connectivity, advanced Layer 3 capabilities, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, making it ideal for growing business environments.

General Information

Manufacturer Details

• Brand: Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Product Line: Cisco Catalyst
• Series: 3650
• Part Number: C1-WS3650-24PD/K9

Interfaces and Ports

Network Connectivity

• Total of 24 Gigabit Ethernet network ports
• Dedicated uplink ports for faster data transmission
• Non-modular, fixed-configuration design

Port Configuration

• 24 x Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports
• 2 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports

Performance Specifications

Supported Media Types

• Twisted Pair cabling
• Optical Fiber connectivity

Ethernet & Network Technologies

• Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed access
• 10 Gigabit Ethernet for uplink performance
• Support for 1000Base-T and 10GBase-X standards

I/O Expansion Capabilities

Expansion Slots

The switch includes built-in expansion flexibility to accommodate future network upgrades.

Slot Details

• Total Expansion Slots: 2
• Slot Type: SFP+
• Number of SFP+ Ports: 2

Network and Communication

Layer Support

This Cisco Catalyst switch supports Layer 3 routing, enabling efficient traffic management and advanced network control.

Management Features

• Fully manageable for simplified network administration
• Designed for enterprise-level monitoring and configuration

Key Highlights

• 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports with PoE support
• 2 high-speed 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports
• Advanced Layer 3 switching features
• Enterprise-grade performance and reliability

Power Specifications

Power Supply Information

• Integrated power supply
• Supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) for connected devices
• Reliable power source for continuous operation

Deep Dive: The Cisco C1-WS3650-24PD/K9 Model

The Cisco C1-WS3650-24PD/K9 is a 24-port Gigabit Ethernet switch that represents a specific, powerful configuration within the broader Catalyst 3650 family. Its part number breaks down its key features: '24PD' indicates 24 ports with full PoE+ support, and '2x10G' signifies the inclusion of two 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports. The '/K9' designation denotes the inclusion of advanced security and IP Services feature sets. This model is more than just a switch; it's an integrated network node that runs Cisco's IOS XE operating system, bringing router-like features and deep programmability to the access layer.

Core Hardware Architecture & Performance

The Catalyst 3650 is built on a forwarding architecture designed for deterministic performance. It leverages a multi-core CPU and dedicated hardware for switching and queuing, ensuring that control plane management and data plane forwarding operate efficiently without interference.

Switching Capacity and Forwarding Rates

With a substantial backplane switching capacity, this model supports wire-speed switching across all 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports and the two 10G uplinks simultaneously. The forwarding rate is engineered to handle full-duplex traffic on all ports, preventing bottlenecks even during peak utilization periods, which is critical for latency-sensitive applications like video conferencing or real-time data acquisition.

Memory and Scalability

Equipped with ample DRAM and flash memory, the C1-WS3650-24PD/K9 supports the full suite of Cisco IOS XE features, including advanced routing protocols, security policies, and programmability stacks like Python. This headroom allows the switch to scale in functionality over its lifecycle, adapting to new network roles without requiring a hardware replacement.

Power over Ethernet (PoE++) Capabilities Demystified

A defining characteristic of the "PD" variant is its comprehensive Power over Ethernet support. This technology simplifies deployment by delivering both data and electrical power over standard Ethernet cabling (CAT5e/6/6A).

PoE+ (802.3at) and Beyond

The switch provides full IEEE 802.3at PoE+ on all 24 ports, capable of delivering up to 30 watts per port. This is sufficient to power a vast array of devices, including:

802.11ac and Wi-Fi 6/6E Access Points

Advanced IP phones with color touch displays

Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) surveillance cameras
Thin clients and point-of-sale systems

Power Budget and Management

The unit is typically equipped with a robust power supply offering a total PoE power budget of up to 740W or more. Intelligent power management features are critical:

Cisco Universal Power Over Ethernet (UPOE)

While standard PoE+ offers 30W, some configurations or future-ready models support UPOE, capable of delivering up to 60W per port. This can power larger devices like video conferencing systems, building automation controllers, or even desktop computers, further consolidating infrastructure.

EnergyWise Technology

Cisco's EnergyWise allows IT administrators to monitor, manage, and optimize power consumption across connected devices. Policies can be set to power down devices during off-hours, creating significant energy savings and supporting corporate sustainability goals.

High-Speed Uplinks and Stacking: The Network Backbone Connection

The inclusion of two 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10G) uplink ports is a transformative feature that future-proofs the network access layer, preventing uplink congestion as bandwidth demands escalate.

Uplink Module Flexibility

The C1-WS3650-24PD/K9 typically features Network Module (NM) slots or embedded fixed ports for uplinks. Common supported uplink modules include:

Twinax SFP+ (10GBase-CU) for short, cost-effective DAC connections.SR (Short Range) or LR (Long Range) fiber SFP+ modules for connecting to distribution switches across longer distances.
1G SFP modules for legacy backbone connections.

This flexibility allows network architects to choose the most appropriate and cost-effective medium for their specific data center or wiring closet environment.

StackWise-480 Technology

Beyond simple uplinks, the Catalyst 3650 series features Cisco's StackWise-480 technology. This allows up to 9 individual switches to be logically grouped into a single, unified stack.

Simplified Management and High Availability

A stack appears as one device to the network management system, drastically simplifying configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting. It also provides high availability; if the master switch in the stack fails, a subordinate switch automatically takes over with minimal disruption.

Resilient Stack Ring

The stack is formed using special stack cables, creating a 480 Gbps ring architecture. If one stack cable is disconnected, the ring automatically heals, maintaining full bandwidth for data forwarding, ensuring network resilience at the access layer.

Network Programmability and Automation

The Catalyst 3650 running IOS XE is a platform for network automation, a critical component of intent-based networking.

Model-Driven Programmability

It supports YANG data models and interfaces like NETCONF and RESTCONF, allowing automation tools (Ansible, Puppet, Chef) to configure and manage the switch programmatically, replacing error-prone CLI scripting.

On-Box Python Scripting

Network administrators can write and execute Python scripts directly on the switch, enabling localized automation for tasks like proactive health checks, dynamic configuration changes, or custom event responses.

Security at the Access Edge

As the point where end-users and devices connect, the access layer is the first line of defense. The C1-WS3650-24PD/K9 is fortified with a comprehensive suite of security features.

TrustSec and Software-Defined Segmentation

Cisco's TrustSec technology uses Security Group Tags (SGTs) to classify traffic based on its source (user, device, application) rather than just IP address. This allows for scalable, policy-based access control across the entire network, ensuring a finance user's traffic is restricted appropriately whether they plug in at headquarters or a branch office.

Advanced Threat Protection

Integrated security features work in concert to mitigate threats:

Dynamic ARP Inspection & IP Source Guard

These features prevent common ARP spoofing and IP address theft attacks, ensuring traffic comes from legitimate, assigned sources.

802.1X and MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB)

Provides robust network access control for authenticating users and devices. MAB extends this to devices that don't support 802.1X, like printers or IoT sensors, by using their MAC address as a credential.

Applications and Deployment Scenarios

The versatility of the Cisco Catalyst 3650 24PD with 10G uplinks makes it suitable for a wide range of environments.

Enterprise Campus and Branch Offices

It serves as an ideal access layer switch in main campus buildings or larger branch offices, providing abundant PoE for phones and APs while using the 10G uplinks for high-speed connectivity back to the core network.

Enhanced Wireless Deployment

As a Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) ASIC-based switch, it works seamlessly with Cisco wireless LAN controllers and Catalyst 9800 series in SD-Access deployments, providing consistent policy enforcement for both wired and wireless clients from a single platform.

IoT and Digital Building Convergence

The high PoE budget and support for various IoT protocols make it perfect for converging building management systems (lighting, HVAC, security cameras, access control) onto the IT network, simplifying management and enabling data correlation.

Comparison and Considerations

Understanding where this model fits within the broader portfolio is key to making an informed decision.

Catalyst 3650 vs. Catalyst 3850

The Catalyst 3850, the successor in some contexts, often offers higher stacking bandwidth (StackWise-480 vs. StackWise-160 in older 3650s, though the C1 model features 480), slightly higher forwarding rates, and more advanced UADP ASIC iterations. The 3650 often represents a highly cost-effective solution for deployments where the absolute peak performance of the 3850 is not required.

Catalyst 3650 vs. Catalyst 1000

The Catalyst 1000 series is a more entry-level, fixed-configuration access switch. It lacks the stacking capability, advanced routing features (IP Services), and deep programmability of the Catalyst 3650. The 3650 is for organizations that need scalability, convergence, and future-proofing.