C1000FE-24T-4GL Cisco 24-Ports Catalyst 1000 FE Ethernet Switch

Detailed Technical Specifications

A deep dive into the hardware specifications of the C1000FE-24T-4GL reveals the engineering considerations that make it a reliable workhorse for business-critical networks.

Port Configuration and Connectivity Details

The switch's port layout is its defining characteristic. The 24 Auto-MDIX Fast Ethernet ports support 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX standards, automatically negotiating speed and duplex while correcting for crossover cables. The two Gigabit Ethernet combo ports (Gigabit Ethernet 1/0/25 and 1/0/26) each share their physical connection with an SFP slot (SFP 1/0/25 and 1/0/26). This means for each combo pair, you can use either the RJ-45 port or the SFP slot, but not both simultaneously. This provides crucial flexibility.

Uplink Strategy: Combo Ports and SFP Technology

The combo port design is a significant advantage. For short runs within a rack or to a nearby server, the built-in copper Gigabit ports offer a zero-cost, high-speed connection. For longer distances, connecting between buildings, or linking to a fiber-based backbone, administrators can install the appropriate SFP module (e.g., 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX, or 1000BASE-LH) into the dedicated SFP slots. The two additional dedicated SFP slots (SFP 1/0/27 and 1/0/28) are independent, providing a total of four potential Gigabit uplink paths—two via fiber (dedicated SFP slots) and two configurable via either copper or fiber (the combo ports). This allows for diverse uplink strategies, including link aggregation for increased bandwidth and redundancy.

Performance and Switching Capacity

With a switching capacity of 13.6 Gbps and a forwarding rate of 10.1 Mpps (million packets per second), the C1000FE-24T-4GL is engineered to handle traffic from all ports at line rate without oversubscription on the uplinks. This non-blocking architecture ensures that performance remains consistent even under high load, preventing latency and packet loss for time-sensitive applications like voice and video.

Power and Physical Specifications

The switch operates on an internal, fixed power supply. It is fanless, ensuring silent operation with zero moving parts for increased reliability. Its dimensions are standard for a 1RU switch, and it features a front-to-back airflow design, optimizing cooling in standard rack enclosures. The device supports 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE) on select models, but the C1000FE-24T-4GL itself is a non-PoE model, focusing its power budget on pure switching functions.

Advanced Software Features and Management Capabilities

Beyond its hardware, the true value of the C1000FE-24T-4GL lies in its comprehensive software feature set, which brings enterprise-class network control to a compact form factor.

Layer 2 Switching and VLAN Management

The switch supports full IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging, allowing for the creation of up to 255 VLANs (4094 VLAN IDs). This enables logical network segmentation for security, broadcast control, and policy application. Features like VLAN Trunking (VTP) and Private VLANs (PVLAN) provide advanced isolation options. It also supports Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid STP (RSTP), and Multiple STP (MSTP) for robust loop prevention and network resiliency.

Quality of Service (QoS) for Optimized Application Delivery

To ensure critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and priority, the switch offers sophisticated QoS mechanisms. It supports classification and marking based on Layer 2 (CoS), Layer 3 (DSCP), and Layer 4 information. Policing, shaping, and congestion management through Weighted Tail Drop (WTD) and Strict Priority Queuing (SPQ) allow network administrators to prioritize voice, video, and mission-critical data traffic, guaranteeing a consistent user experience even during congestion.

Network Security and Access Control

Security is multi-layered. At the port level, features like Storm Control, DHCP Snooping, IP Source Guard, and Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) protect against common attacks and rogue devices. IEEE 802.1X authentication provides port-based network access control (NAC), integrating with RADIUS servers for user and device authentication. Access Control Lists (ACLs) offer granular control to permit or deny traffic based on IP address, protocol, or port number.

Ideal Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The Cisco C1000FE-24T-4GL is not a one-size-fits-all switch; it excels in specific network architectures where its combination of Fast Ethernet access and Gigabit uplinks provides optimal value.

Small and Medium-Sized Business (SMB) Core/Aggregation

For a small business with a server hosting line-of-business applications, this switch can act as a cost-effective core. Employee devices connect via the 24 FE ports, while the server and firewall/router connect via the high-speed Gigabit uplinks (copper or fiber). This prevents the server connection from becoming a bottleneck for the entire office.

Enterprise Branch Office or Remote Site

In a branch office, the switch provides reliable local connectivity for employees. The Gigabit SFP ports can be used with long-reach optics to create a fiber backhaul link to the corporate headquarters or data center over leased lines or dark fiber, ensuring a high-performance, reliable connection for centralized services and cloud applications.

Retail and Hospitality Environments

In retail stores, the switch can connect point-of-sale systems, digital signage, inventory kiosks, and back-office PCs. The silent operation is ideal for store floors. The Gigabit uplinks ensure fast credit card processing and inventory synchronization with central servers. The robust security features help maintain PCI DSS compliance for cardholder data environments.

Educational Institutions and Classrooms

In a school or university setting, the switch can be deployed in a classroom or lab where older desktop computers or thin clients only require Fast Ethernet. The high-speed uplinks aggregate traffic from multiple such switches in a wiring closet back to the main campus network core, supporting e-learning platforms and digital resources without requiring a full Gigabit upgrade to every endpoint.

Managed Service Provider (MSP) Deployments

For MSPs, the C1000FE-24T-4GL offers a standardized, manageable, and reliable platform for diverse customer sites. Its feature set allows for the implementation of consistent security and QoS policies across a managed fleet. The CLI consistency with other Cisco switches simplifies operations for MSP technicians.

Comparison and Considerations

Understanding where the C1000FE-24T-4GL fits relative to other models is key to making an informed purchasing decision.

C1000FE-24T-4GL vs. Fully Gigabit Catalyst 1000 Models

Cisco offers Catalyst 1000 switches with 24 or 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports (e.g., C1000-24T-4G-L). The choice hinges on endpoint requirements. If all connected devices benefit from or require Gigabit speeds (e.g., modern laptops, video production workstations, network-attached storage), a fully Gigabit model is the better investment. The C1000FE model is a cost-optimized solution for legacy or low-bandwidth device environments.