C1000-24T-4G-L Cisco Catalyst 24 Ports Ethernet Switch

Enterprise Network Switch Overview

The Cisco Catalyst C1000-24T-4G-L is a reliable and scalable managed Ethernet switch designed for small to mid-sized business networks. Built for performance, security, and simplified management, this switch delivers consistent connectivity and advanced traffic control for modern IT infrastructures.

Product Identification Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco Systems
• Model Number: C1000-24T-4G-L
• Product Category: Managed Network Switch
• Form Factor: Rack-mountable design
• Switch Technology: Gigabit Ethernet

High-Performance Switching Capabilities

This Cisco Catalyst switch is engineered to deliver high-speed data transmission with enhanced reliability. It supports advanced Layer 2 features, making it ideal for secure and efficient LAN deployments.

Port Configuration and Connectivity

• 24 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports for wired devices
• 4 x Gigabit SFP uplink ports for fiber or high-speed connections
• Optimized for seamless data flow and network expansion

Interface Options

• 24 x 1000Base-T RJ-45 interfaces
• 4 x 1000Base-X SFP uplink interfaces
• 1 x RJ-45 dedicated management port
• 1 x Mini-USB Type-B console port
• 1 x USB Type-A port for additional management flexibility

Processing Power and Performance

Equipped with an efficient ARM-based processor running at 800 MHz, this switch ensures stable performance for daily network operations, traffic prioritization, and administrative tasks.

Supported Routing and Spanning Tree Protocols

• IGMP and MLD for multicast management
• STP, RSTP, and MSTP for loop prevention
• Enhanced network resilience and redundancy

Advanced Network Management and Security

The Cisco C1000-24T-4G-L offers extensive remote management features, allowing administrators to monitor, configure, and secure the network with ease.

Remote Management Protocols

• SNMP v1, v2c, and v3 for network monitoring
• SSH and SSH-2 for secure remote access
• HTTP, TFTP, and CLI-based configuration
• TACACS+ and RADIUS for authentication and access control
• NTP, DHCP, ICMP, and RSTP support

Deep Dive: The C1000-24T-4G-L Model Architecture

The model identifier "C1000-24T-4G-L" is a precise blueprint of the switch's capabilities. C1000 denotes its series family; 24T specifies 24 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 ports for wired device connections; 4G indicates the presence of four dedicated 1G SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) uplink ports for flexible fiber or copper uplinks; and the L suffix signifies it is a LAN Base feature set model. This architecture provides a balanced configuration, offering high-density desktop Gigabit Ethernet access while ensuring ample and flexible uplink bandwidth to aggregate traffic to network cores or service provider links.

Hardware Specifications and Performance

Built for continuous operation, the C1000-24T-4G-L is housed in a compact, rack-mountable 1RU form factor. Its non-blocking switching fabric delivers wire-speed performance across all ports simultaneously, ensuring that bandwidth-intensive applications experience no internal bottlenecks. The switch features a robust forwarding rate and ample MAC address table size to support extensive networks. The inclusion of energy-efficient Ethernet (EEE) and various power-saving modes aligns with green IT initiatives, dynamically reducing power consumption during periods of low link utilization without compromising performance.

Port Configuration Breakdown

24 x Gigabit Ethernet Copper Ports (10/100/1000 Mbps): Auto-negotiating and auto-MDI/MDIX ports for connecting computers, IP phones, wireless access points, and other network devices.
4 x 1G SFP Uplink Ports: Hot-swappable ports supporting a wide range of Cisco SFP modules for fiber (multimode or single-mode) or copper uplinks, enabling long-distance connections and network segmentation.
1 x Console Port (RJ-45): For out-of-band management and initial configuration.

Key Features and Benefits for Your Business Network

Choosing the Cisco C1000-24T-4G-L goes beyond acquiring ports; it's about investing in a network edge that is intelligent, resilient, and secure. Its integrated feature set addresses common business challenges around network availability, threat management, and operational simplicity.

Advanced Layer 2 Switching and Lite Layer 3 Routing

Under the LAN Base software image, this switch excels at advanced Layer 2 features. It supports comprehensive VLAN (IEEE 802.1Q) tagging, port-based and protocol-based VLANs, and VLAN trunking for logical network segmentation. Spanning Tree Protocol (STP, RSTP, MSTP) ensures loop-free topology and high network availability. Crucially, the "Lite Layer 3" functionality provides static routing and Routing Information Protocol (RIP) capabilities, allowing inter-VLAN routing without requiring a dedicated external router. This enables efficient traffic flow between departmental networks (e.g., Finance, HR, Operations) directly at the switch level.

Quality of Service (QoS) for Critical Applications

In a converged network, voice and video traffic cannot tolerate latency or jitter. The C1000-24T-4G-L employs sophisticated QoS mechanisms. It supports classification and marking based on Layer 2 (CoS), Layer 3 (DSCP), and Layer 4, alongside trusted boundary features for Cisco IP Phones. Weighted Tail Drop (WTD) and Strict Priority Queuing (SPQ) ensure that real-time traffic is prioritized and delivered smoothly, guaranteeing clear VoIP calls and stable video conferences even during peak network usage.

Comprehensive Security Suite

Network security starts at the access edge. This switch incorporates a multi-layered security approach:

Port Security: Limits MAC addresses per port to prevent unauthorized device access.
IEEE 802.1X Authentication: Provides role-based network access control using RADIUS servers for user and device authentication.
ACLs (Access Control Lists): Both standard and extended IP ACLs permit or deny traffic based on IP address, protocol, and port numbers.
DHCP Snooping & IP Source Guard: Mitigate DHCP spoofing and IP address theft attacks.
Storm Control: Protects against broadcast, multicast, or unicast traffic storms.

Simplified Management and Operational Efficiency

Ease of management is a cornerstone of the Catalyst 1000 Series. The C1000-24T-4G-L offers multiple intuitive management pathways suitable for IT professionals of all skill levels.

Cisco Catalyst Dashboard and CLI

For web-based management, the switch features an embedded web interface (GUI) that provides a visual dashboard for monitoring status, configuring ports, and setting up VLANs and security. For network administrators accustomed to granular control, the switch offers a full-featured Cisco IOS Command-Line Interface (CLI), consistent with higher-end Catalyst switches, enabling scriptable configurations and advanced troubleshooting.

Network Plug-and-Play and Cisco DNA Center Compatibility

Leveraging Cisco's Plug-and-Play connectivity, the switch can simplify initial deployment in centralized management environments. Furthermore, it is compatible with Cisco DNA Center for intent-based networking, allowing for centralized provisioning, policy application, and assurance across the network fabric when integrated into a larger Cisco infrastructure.

Resilience and High Availability Features

Business continuity depends on network uptime. The switch supports features like Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS) for sub-50ms convergence in ring topologies, link aggregation (LACP) for increased bandwidth and redundancy between switches, and dual firmware images for resilient, hitless software upgrades. Its fanless design (in most models) also enhances hardware reliability by reducing moving parts.

Ideal Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The versatility of the Cisco C1000-24T-4G-L makes it a fit for a wide array of business environments.

Small to Medium Business (SMB) Core/Edge Switching

As the primary network switch for an SMB, it connects all employee workstations, shared printers, and servers. Its Lite Layer 3 routing allows internal segmentation between guest and corporate networks or different departments, while the SFP uplinks can connect to an internet router or a firewall.

Branch Office and Remote Office Connectivity

In distributed enterprises, this model is perfect for branch offices requiring local switching performance and reliability. Its security features ensure the branch network complies with corporate policies, and its manageability allows for remote support from a central IT team.

Educational Environments and Clinic Networks

Schools and clinics benefit from its port density for classrooms or patient rooms, QoS for e-learning or telemedicine applications, and robust security to protect sensitive data and manage user access across different groups (students, faculty, patients, administrative staff).

Surveillance and IoT Network Foundations

For physical security deployments, the switch can power IP cameras via Power over Ethernet (note: the C1000-24T-4G-L is a non-PoE model; PoE variants are available separately) and provide a segregated VLAN for surveillance traffic. Its reliability ensures the surveillance network is always operational.

Comparing Within the Catalyst 1000 Series Portfolio

Understanding where the C1000-24T-4G-L fits helps in making an informed selection. The Catalyst 1000 Series includes variants with 8, 24, or 48 ports, with or without PoE/PoE+ support, and with different uplink configurations (combo ports, dedicated SFP). The "L" (LAN Base) software is compared to the "S" (Standard) image, with LAN Base offering more advanced features like Lite Layer 3 routing, enhanced security, and more comprehensive QoS. Prospective buyers should assess their need for PoE to connect devices like phones and access points, their required uplink flexibility, and whether inter-VLAN routing is needed at the switch level.