C1-WS3650-24TS/K9 Cisco Catalyst 3650 24 Ports Ethernet Switch

Cisco Catalyst 3650-24TS Managed Ethernet Switch Overview

The Cisco C1-WS3650-24TS/K9 Catalyst 3650 series switch is a high-performance, enterprise-grade networking solution designed to deliver reliable Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. Built for modern business networks, this switch ensures scalability, stability, and seamless data transmission across your infrastructure.

Manufacturer and Product Identification

Cisco Systems Product Information

• Manufacturer: Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Product Line: Cisco Catalyst
• Product Series: 3650
• Part Number: C1-WS3650-24TS/K9
• Product Type: Ethernet Network Switch

Interfaces, Ports, and Connectivity

Network Port Configuration

This Cisco Catalyst switch is equipped with multiple network interfaces to support high-speed data traffic and efficient network management.

Port Details

• Total available network ports: 24
• Gigabit Ethernet access ports: 24
• Uplink support for enhanced network expansion
• Stacking capability for simplified scalability

Design Characteristics

• Fixed configuration (non-modular)
• Enterprise-ready switching platform

Expansion and Uplink Capabilities

Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Options

The Catalyst 3650-24TS switch offers flexible expansion features to meet growing network demands.

SFP Expansion Slots

• Total expansion slots: 4
• Slot type: SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable)
• Number of SFP ports: 4
• Supports both copper and fiber uplinks

Performance and Network Technologies

Supported Media Types

• Twisted pair cabling
• Optical fiber connections

Ethernet and Networking Standards

• Gigabit Ethernet technology
• 1000Base-T for copper connections
• 1000Base-X for fiber networking

Advantages of Choose the Cisco Catalyst 3650-24TS Switch

• Reliable Cisco switching performance
• High-speed Gigabit connectivity
• Scalable design with SFP uplinks
• Ideal for business, campus, and enterprise environments

Understanding the C1-WS3650-24TS/K9 Catalyst 3650 Platform Architecture

At its core, the C1-WS3650-24TS/K9 Catalyst 3650 is more than a simple switch; it is a programmable network platform. Its architecture is designed to handle the diverse and growing demands of modern network edges, where users, devices, and applications converge.

Hardware Design & Stacking Technology

The physical design of the Catalyst 3650, including the 24-port model, is built for resilience and scalability. A key differentiator is its sophisticated stacking technology.

StackWise®-160 Technology

Unlike traditional switches that operate as independent nodes, the Catalyst 3650 series utilizes Cisco StackWise-160 technology. This allows up to nine individual switches to be interconnected and operate as a single, logical unit. The stack creates a high-speed, 160 Gbps backplane for inter-switch communication, ensuring that traffic between switches in the stack does not bottleneck. This simplifies management (a single IP address for the entire stack), enhances redundancy (if one switch fails, others continue operating), and enables flexible, pay-as-you-grow scalability.

Power over Ethernet (PoE/PoE+) Capabilities

Many Catalyst 3650 variants, including common configurations of the 24-port model, offer Universal PoE (UPOE) and PoE+ support. This allows the switch to deliver data and electrical power over standard Ethernet cables to a wide array of devices, such as:

Wireless Access Points: Powering and connecting Cisco Aironet access points for seamless wireless coverage.
IP Phones: Providing reliable voice-over-IP (VoIP) services.
Video Surveillance Cameras: Simplifying installation of security systems.
Building Automation Devices: Supporting IoT sensors and controllers.

The Cisco IOS XE Operating System

The C1-WS3650-24TS/K9 Catalyst 3650 runs on Cisco IOS XE, a modern, Linux-based operating system that provides a robust foundation for feature richness, stability, and programmability. IOS XE separates the control plane and data plane processes, enhancing overall system stability and enabling in-service software upgrades (ISSU) with minimal downtime.

Deep Dive: Key Features & Capabilities

The feature set of the Catalyst 3650 24-port switch is comprehensive, addressing critical needs for performance, security, and manageability at the network edge.

Advanced Security & Identity Management

In an era of sophisticated threats, the switch provides layered security starting at the access port.

TrustSec® & Software-Defined Access (SD-Access)

The Catalyst 3650 is a fundamental hardware component for Cisco's SD-Access solution. It supports Cisco TrustSec technology, which uses Security Group Tags (SGTs) to enforce policy based on user and device identity, not just IP address. This enables micro-segmentation, containing threats and ensuring compliance by controlling communication between workloads regardless of where they are on the network.

Network Access Control (NAC)

Integrated support for 802.1X, MAB, and Web Authentication allows the switch to act as an enforcement point. It can dynamically assign devices to VLANs, apply ACLs, and control QoS settings based on authentication policies defined in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), ensuring only authorized users and devices gain network access.

Optimized Performance for Converged Networks

The switch is engineered to handle real-time applications without compromise.

Quality of Service (QoS)

Advanced QoS features include deep packet classification, marking, policing, and scheduling. This allows network administrators to prioritize latency-sensitive traffic like voice and video, ensuring clear VoIP calls and smooth video conferencing even during periods of high network utilization.

Energy Efficiency

The Catalyst 3650 incorporates Cisco EnergyWise technology, which monitors and manages power consumption of connected PoE devices and the switch itself. It can power down ports during off-hours or adjust power based on predefined policies, leading to significant cost savings and supporting sustainability goals.

Deployment Scenarios & Use Cases

The versatility of the Cisco Catalyst 3650 24-port switch makes it suitable for a multitude of environments.

Enterprise Branch Office

As a compact, stackable solution, it is ideal for branch offices requiring a full set of enterprise features. It provides secure connectivity for employees, powers branch wireless access points and phones, and can be managed centrally from the headquarters using Cisco DNA Center.

Campus Network Access Layer

In educational institutions or corporate campuses, rows of these switches can be deployed in wiring closets. Stacking simplifies management across hundreds of ports, while advanced security features protect the network from student or guest device access.

Mid-Sized Business Core

For small to mid-sized businesses, a stack of Catalyst 3650 switches can serve as the entire network core, providing routing, switching, and wireless controller functionality in one resilient system, eliminating the need for separate, expensive appliances.

Management & Programmability

Moving beyond traditional CLI management, the Catalyst 3650 embraces modern operational models.

Cisco DNA Center Integration

The switch is fully managed by Cisco DNA Center, a centralized network controller. DNA Center enables:

Zero-Touch Provisioning: Automatically deploy and configure new switches out of the box.
Assurance: Use machine learning to monitor network health, proactively identify issues, and provide insights for troubleshooting.
Fabric Automation: Easily deploy and manage SD-Access fabrics for intent-based networking.

Model-Driven Programmability

With support for YANG data models, NETCONF, and RESTCONF APIs, the switch can be integrated into existing automation tools and workflows. Network operations teams can use Python scripts or Ansible playbooks to automate repetitive configuration tasks, ensure consistency, and accelerate service changes.

Specifications & Considerations

When evaluating the C1-WS3650-24TS/K9 or similar models, understanding the technical details is crucial for proper planning.

Port Configuration & Uplinks

The "24TS" designation typically indicates 24 Ethernet data ports (often a mix of 10/100/1000BASE-T) and additional SFP-based uplink ports for fiber connectivity. These SFP (Small Form-Factor Pluggable) slots provide flexibility in connecting to the network core using Gigabit or 10-Gigabit fiber or copper transceivers, allowing for high-bandwidth uplinks based on distance and media requirements.

Power Supply & Redundancy

Models are available with fixed or redundant power supply options. For mission-critical deployments, selecting a model with a hot-swappable redundant power supply (RPS) is recommended to ensure maximum uptime in case of a PSU failure.