C1-WS3650-48FQ/K9 Cisco One Catalyst 3650 48 Ports Full PoE 4x10G Uplink

Comprehensive Overview of the Cisco Catalyst 3650 Switch

The Cisco C1-WS3650-48FQ/K9 Catalyst 3650 Series switch is a high-performance networking solution designed for enterprise-grade access layer deployments. This managed Ethernet switch delivers advanced scalability, reliable connectivity, and robust Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities to support modern business networks.

Key Highlights of the Cisco C1-WS3650-48FQ/K9

• 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports with full PoE support
• 4 high-speed 10 Gigabit SFP+ uplink interfaces
• Optimized for campus and branch network environments
• Reliable Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series architecture

Manufacturer and Product Identification

Cisco Systems Product Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Part Number: C1-WS3650-48FQ/K9
• Product Line: Cisco Catalyst
• Series: 3650
• Model: WS-C3650-48FQ

Product Classification

• Product Name: Catalyst WS-C3650-48FQ Ethernet Switch
• Device Type: Managed Ethernet Switch

Interfaces, Ports, and Connectivity Options

Port Configuration and Network Capacity

This Cisco Catalyst switch is engineered to handle high-density network traffic with a fixed-port configuration, making it ideal for businesses requiring consistent and dependable performance.

• Total network ports: 48
• 48 x Gigabit Ethernet access ports
• Uplink support: Yes
• Non-modular, fixed configuration design
• No dedicated stack ports

High-Speed Uplink Interfaces

• 4 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports
• SFP+ based connectivity for flexible fiber deployments

Media Support and Network Performance

Supported Cabling and Media Types

• Twisted pair cabling for copper connections
• Optical fiber support for long-distance, high-speed links

Ethernet and Network Technologies

• Gigabit Ethernet for access layer connectivity
• 10 Gigabit Ethernet for uplink and backbone integration
• 1000Base-T network standard
• 10GBase-X network technology

Expansion Slots and I/O Capabilities

Expansion Slot Configuration

The Cisco WS-C3650-48FQ switch includes built-in expansion flexibility to support evolving network requirements without additional hardware complexity.

• Total expansion slots: 4
• Expansion slot type: SFP+
• Number of SFP+ slots: 4

Ideal Use Cases

• Enterprise campus networks
• Branch office deployments
• High-density PoE device environments
• Organizations requiring scalable and secure switching

Core Architectural Advantage: The Unified Access Data Plane

Unlike traditional standalone switches, the Catalyst 3650 series, including the 48FQ/K9 model, is built on the innovative Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). This custom silicon is the engine behind its remarkable capabilities, enabling feature consistency, high-performance forwarding, and deep programmability. The UADP ASIC allows the switch to run Cisco's IOS XE operating system—the same robust OS found on enterprise-grade routers and core switches—providing a consistent operational experience across the entire network. This foundation is critical for supporting advanced features like application visibility, flexible NetFlow, and policy enforcement at the access edge, ensuring the network is an active participant in business outcomes rather than just passive plumbing.

Deep Dive: Specifications of the Catalyst 3650 48FQ/K9

The Cisco C1-WS3650-48FQ/K9 is meticulously specified to handle the most power-intensive and bandwidth-hungry access layer deployments. Its configuration is purpose-built to eliminate bottlenecks and provide headroom for growth.

Port Configuration & Power Capacity

The switch's front panel is dominated by its 48 Ethernet ports, but their capability is what sets this model apart.

RJ-45 Ethernet Port Details

All 48 ports are auto-sensing 10/100/1000BASE-T ports with PoE capability. They support IEEE 802.3af (PoE), 802.3at (PoE+), and the high-power 802.3bt (PoE++, or UPOE) standards. This versatility means a single switch can power a mixed portfolio of devices—from standard VoIP phones and wireless access points (using PoE/PoE+) to advanced collaboration endpoints, point-of-sale systems, building management controllers, and even some compact lighting systems that require the higher wattage of PoE++ (up to 60W per port, with a Class 8 rating).

Power Budget Considerations

The switch is equipped with a substantial internal power supply, typically offering a total power budget of 1150W or more. This budget is managed dynamically; the switch intelligently allocates power based on the connected device's negotiated requirements and can prioritize power delivery to critical ports in the event of a budget shortfall. This ensures mission-critical devices, like a wireless controller or a security phone, remain operational even if the overall power demand spikes.

High-Speed Uplink Connectivity

To prevent the 48 Gigabit access ports from becoming bottlenecked, the switch is outfitted with four built-in 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports.

Uplink Port Technology

These four ports are implemented as SFP+ (Enhanced Small Form-Factor Pluggable) cages, providing flexibility in physical connectivity. Network administrators can populate these with a variety of SFP+ transceivers—such as 10GBASE-SR (multimode fiber), 10GBASE-LR (single-mode fiber), or 10GBASE-T (copper RJ-45)—to seamlessly connect to the network core, aggregation switches, or high-capacity servers. This flexibility allows for cost-effective integration into existing cabling plants and supports both short-reach and long-distance uplink scenarios.

Stacking with StackWise-160

A defining feature of this switch is its support for Cisco StackWise-160 technology. Using a dedicated, high-speed stacking cable, up to eight Catalyst 3650 switches can be logically combined into a single, unified stacking unit. This virtual stack presents as one managed entity, simplifying configuration, management, and troubleshooting. Crucially, StackWise-160 provides an aggregate stacking bandwidth of 160 Gbps, creating a resilient backplane that ensures inter-switch traffic (east-west traffic within the stack) does not congest the uplinks, maintaining optimal performance for all connected users and devices.

Deployment Scenarios & Ideal Use Cases

The combination of high-density PoE and 10G uplinks makes the Cisco Catalyst 3650 48FQ/K9 an ideal fit for specific challenging environments.

Advanced Unified Workspace & Smart Building

Modern offices are transforming into intelligent workspaces. A single conference room may contain a video conferencing unit, multiple digital screens, an access control reader, and environmental sensors—all powered via Ethernet. This switch can power them all simultaneously while handling the high-definition video streams and data transfers, with the 10G uplinks ensuring a flawless collaboration experience back to the data center or cloud.

High-Density & High-Performance Wireless

With the proliferation of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E access points that require higher power (often PoE+) and generate more uplink traffic, network edge switches need greater capacity. This switch can power dozens of these advanced APs while using its 10G uplinks to aggregate the massive wireless traffic backhaul, preventing wireless performance from being limited by switch uplink capacity.

Software & Management Capabilities

The hardware is only half the story. The true intelligence of the Catalyst 3650 lies in its software and management ecosystems.

Cisco IOS XE: The Feature-Rich Network Operating System

Running IOS XE provides carrier-grade stability and a vast feature set at the access layer. This includes advanced security with TrustSec group-based policy enforcement, precision timing with IEEE 1588v2 for time-sensitive applications, and robust multicast support for media distribution. Its programmability via APIs (RESTCONF/NETCONF) enables integration with modern IT automation tools.

Catalyst Center & SD-Access Integration

For organizations seeking intent-based networking, this switch is a full participant in Cisco's Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) architecture when managed by Catalyst Center.

Automated Provisioning & Policy

Catalyst Center allows for zero-touch provisioning of the switch. Once physically installed, it can automatically download its configuration, join the fabric, and apply pre-defined policies. This eliminates manual, error-prone CLI configuration for each switch.

Group-Based Policy Enforcement

Security is transformed from IP-based to identity-based. Policies are defined for *users* and *device types* (e.g., "Guests," "Corporate IoT," "Finance Department"), not IP addresses. The switch, acting as a fabric edge node, dynamically enforces these policies, segmenting traffic and controlling access regardless of where a user or device connects on the network.

Resilience, Security, and Sustainability Features

Enhanced Resiliency

Beyond StackWise-160's redundancy, the switch offers features like Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS) for topologies where stacking isn't feasible, and redundant, hot-swappable power supplies (with an external RPS module) for deployments where power continuity is paramount.

Comprehensive Security Suite

Security is built-in, not bolted-on. Features include:

MACsec Encryption: Provides hop-by-hop Layer 2 encryption on 10G uplinks, ensuring data confidentiality even over physical plant you don't control.
Device Trust & 802.1X: Authenticates every device attempting to connect to the network before granting access.
Cisco TrustSec: Implements security group tags (SGTs) for scalable segmentation and policy enforcement.
Embedded Event Manager (EEM): Allows creation of custom scripts to automatically respond to network events, enhancing operational security.

Energy Efficiency & Sustainability

The switch incorporates Cisco's EnergyWise technology, which allows it to measure and manage power consumption of connected PoE devices. It can collaborate with endpoints to intelligently power down or reduce energy use during off-hours (e.g., dimming PoE-powered lights, putting phones into low-power mode). The switch itself is designed for efficiency, using ASIC technology that delivers high performance per watt, contributing to lower operational costs and a reduced carbon footprint for the IT infrastructure.