Cisco MS450-12-HW Managed Switch Meraki Cloud L3 MS450-12 QSFP+ Rack-mountable

Cisco MS450-12-HW Ethernet Switch Specifications

General Overview

• Model: MS450-12-HW
• Type: Managed Ethernet Switch
• Enclosure Type: Rack-Mountable, 1U

Performance and Capabilities

Switching and Forwarding

• Switching Capacity: 104 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 77.38 Million Packets Per Second (Mpps)
• Forwarding Table Capacity: 128,000 Entries

Network Interfaces

• Ports:
  • 12 x 40 Gigabit QSFP+
  • 2 x 100 Gigabit QSFP28 (Uplink)
• Management Port: 1 x RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet
• Stacking Ports: 2 x Network Stack Device Ports

Layer 3 and Management Features

Layer 3 Capabilities

• DHCP Failover: Supported

Management and Upgrades

• Management Interface: Web-Based, Seamless Firmware Upgrades
• Remote Diagnostics: Aggregated Event and Configuration Change Logs with Instant Search

Power and Environmental Specifications

Power Requirements

• Power Input: 100 - 240 VAC, 47 - 63 Hz
• Power Device: Internal Power Supply

Environmental Conditions

• Operating Temperature: 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C)

Security and Compliance

Security Features

• Port-Based Security: IEEE 802.1X

Regulatory Compliance

• Compliance: RoHS Certified

Scalable Stacking

• Stacking Capability: Physical Stacking of Up to 8 Switches
• Stack Bandwidth: 160 Gbps (Compatible with MS410/425)

Additional Features

• Fan Modules: Field-Replaceable, Hot-Swappable Fans
• Fabric: Non-Blocking Fabric

Cloud Feature: Meraki Cloud

Streamlined Network Management

The Cisco MS450-12-HW Managed Switch is equipped with the Meraki Cloud feature, which offers users a streamlined network management experience. With Meraki Cloud, users can easily configure and monitor their network devices from a centralized dashboard, eliminating the need for complex and time-consuming manual configurations. This feature is particularly beneficial for organizations with multiple locations or distributed networks, as it allows for easy management and control of all network devices from a single interface.

Real-Time Visibility and Monitoring

One of the key advantages of the Meraki Cloud feature is its ability to provide real-time visibility and monitoring of network performance. Through the dashboard, users can view detailed analytics and reports on network traffic, device health, and application usage. This level of visibility enables IT administrators to quickly identify and troubleshoot any issues that may arise, ensuring optimal network performance and minimizing downtime.

Remote Troubleshooting and Support

The Meraki Cloud feature also offers remote troubleshooting and support capabilities. IT administrators can remotely access network devices and perform diagnostics, configuration changes, or firmware updates without the need for physical presence. This feature not only saves time but also reduces the cost associated with on-site visits, making it an ideal solution for organizations with limited IT resources or geographically dispersed networks.

Scalability and Flexibility

With the Meraki Cloud feature, scaling and expanding a network becomes effortless. Adding new devices or locations to the network can be done seamlessly through the cloud dashboard, eliminating the need for complex manual configurations. This scalability and flexibility make the Cisco MS450-12-HW Managed Switch an ideal choice for growing organizations or those planning to expand their network infrastructure in the future.

Enhanced Security Features

Meraki Cloud also offers robust security features to protect the network from various threats. The cloud dashboard provides a comprehensive view of network security settings, allowing administrators to easily configure firewall rules, implement content filtering, and monitor traffic for potential security breaches. Additionally, the Meraki Cloud feature enables automatic firmware updates to ensure that the network devices are always up-to-date with the latest security patches.

Centralized Policy Management

Another significant advantage of the Meraki Cloud feature is its centralized policy management capabilities. Administrators can define and enforce network policies across all devices from a single location, ensuring consistent security settings and access controls throughout the network. This centralized approach simplifies policy management and reduces the risk of configuration errors or inconsistencies that could compromise network security.

Reduced IT Complexity and Costs

By leveraging the Meraki Cloud feature, organizations can significantly reduce IT complexity and costs. The simplified network management and remote troubleshooting capabilities eliminate the need for specialized on-site IT personnel or extensive training. Additionally, the cloud-based nature of this feature eliminates the need for costly hardware controllers or dedicated management software, further reducing upfront and ongoing expenses.

Increased Productivity and Efficiency

The Meraki Cloud feature enhances productivity and efficiency by providing IT administrators with a comprehensive view of network performance and status. With real-time visibility and monitoring, administrators can quickly identify bottlenecks or issues and take proactive measures to resolve them. This proactive approach minimizes downtime, ensures optimal network performance, and ultimately increases overall productivity within the organization.

Layer Feature: L3

Advanced Routing Capabilities

The Cisco MS450-12-HW Managed Switch features Layer 3 (L3) capabilities, which provide advanced routing functionalities. With L3 support, the switch can perform complex routing tasks such as dynamic routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP) and inter-VLAN routing. This feature is particularly important for organizations with large and complex networks that require efficient and reliable routing capabilities.

Improved Network Performance

By offloading routing tasks to the switch, rather than relying solely on external routers, the Layer 3 feature can significantly improve network performance. With faster and more efficient routing, data packets can be delivered more quickly and accurately, reducing latency and improving overall network responsiveness. This is especially beneficial for organizations that rely on real-time applications or handle large amounts of data traffic.

Enhanced Security

Layer 3 switches offer enhanced security features compared to Layer 2 switches. With L3 support, administrators can implement Access Control Lists (ACLs) to control traffic flow based on specific criteria such as source or destination IP addresses, protocols, or ports. This granular control allows for better network segmentation and protection against unauthorized access or malicious activities.

Scalability and Flexibility

Layer 3 switches are highly scalable and flexible, making them suitable for growing networks or organizations with changing network requirements. These switches can handle a larger number of VLANs and IP subnets compared to Layer 2 switches, allowing for the creation of more complex network topologies. The scalability and flexibility of the Layer 3 feature make it an ideal choice for organizations that anticipate future network expansion or changes in their network architecture.

Simplified Network Management

Despite their advanced capabilities, Layer 3 switches provide simplified network management. By consolidating routing functions within the switch itself, administrators can manage both switching and routing configurations from a single device. This centralized management approach reduces complexity, minimizes the risk of misconfigurations, and simplifies troubleshooting processes.

Optimized Traffic Flow

Layer 3 switches optimize traffic flow by directing data packets along the most efficient path based on routing protocols and policies. This intelligent routing ensures that data takes the shortest and fastest route, reducing congestion and improving overall network performance. Optimized traffic flow is particularly important for organizations that rely on bandwidth-intensive applications or services, such as video conferencing or cloud-based solutions.

Cost-Effective Solution

Implementing Layer 3 switches can be a cost-effective solution compared to using separate routers and Layer 2 switches. By combining both switching and routing functionalities in a single device, organizations can reduce hardware costs and simplify their network infrastructure. Additionally, the centralized management and simplified configurations provided by Layer 3 switches can reduce ongoing maintenance and management expenses.

High Availability and Redundancy

Layer 3 switches offer high availability and redundancy features to ensure continuous network operation. Through mechanisms such as Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) or Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP), these switches can provide failover capabilities in case of link or device failures. This redundancy ensures that critical network services remain accessible, minimizing downtime and maintaining business continuity.

Ports Feature: 12

Sufficient Connectivity Options

The Cisco MS450-12-HW Managed Switch comes with 12 ports, providing users with sufficient connectivity options for their network devices. These ports can be used to connect various devices such as computers, servers, printers, or other networking equipment. The availability of multiple ports ensures that organizations have the flexibility to accommodate their current and future connectivity needs.

Increased Network Performance

Having 12 ports allows for improved network performance by distributing network traffic across multiple connections. This helps prevent bottlenecks and congestion that could occur with limited port availability. With more ports available, data packets can be transmitted simultaneously, resulting in faster communication between devices and improved overall network performance.

Network Expansion Possibilities

The 12 ports on the Cisco MS450-12-HW Managed Switch offer network expansion possibilities. As organizations grow or add new devices to their network, having additional ports ensures that there is room for expansion without the need for additional switches or complex network reconfigurations. This scalability allows organizations to easily accommodate future network growth and changes.

Flexibility in Network Design

The availability of 12 ports provides flexibility in network design. Organizations can create different VLANs or subnets and assign them to specific ports as needed. This flexibility allows for better network segmentation and isolation, enhancing security and performance. Additionally, the ability to connect devices directly to the switch without the need for additional intermediary devices simplifies network design and reduces complexity.

Improved Device Management

Having 12 ports simplifies device management by allowing direct connections between devices and the switch. This eliminates the need for additional hardware such as hubs or switches, reducing complexity and potential points of failure. Direct connections also make it easier to troubleshoot and manage individual devices, as they can be easily identified and accessed through their respective ports.

Redundancy and Link Aggregation

With 12 ports, organizations can implement redundancy and link aggregation techniques to enhance network reliability and performance. Redundancy can be achieved by connecting critical devices or servers to multiple ports, ensuring that if one port fails, traffic can be automatically rerouted through the redundant link. Link aggregation, also known as port trunking, combines multiple ports into a single logical link, increasing bandwidth and providing load balancing capabilities.

Cost-Effective Solution

The 12 ports on the Cisco MS450-12-HW Managed Switch offer a cost-effective solution for organizations with moderate connectivity needs. Instead of investing in larger switches with more ports than necessary, organizations can save costs by opting for a switch with an appropriate number of ports. This cost-effectiveness is particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses with limited budgets or those with specific connectivity requirements.

Future-Proof Investment

The availability of 12 ports ensures that the Cisco MS450-12-HW Managed Switch is a future-proof investment. Organizations can easily add or remove devices without the need for additional switches, reducing the need for costly hardware upgrades. The flexibility and scalability provided by the 12 ports allow organizations to adapt their network infrastructure as their needs evolve, ensuring long-term usability and value.

Interface Feature: QSFP+

High-Speed Connectivity

The Cisco MS450-12-HW Managed Switch features a QSFP+ (Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus) interface, which provides high-speed connectivity options. The QSFP+ interface supports data transfer rates of up to 40 Gbps, making it suitable for bandwidth-intensive applications or high-performance networks. This high-speed connectivity ensures fast and reliable data transmission between devices, reducing latency and improving overall network performance.

Flexible Network Architecture

The QSFP+ interface offers flexibility in network architecture by supporting various connectivity options. It can be used with different types of cables, such as copper or fiber optic cables, allowing organizations to choose the most appropriate medium for their specific needs. The flexibility offered by the QSFP+ interface enables organizations to design their network architecture based on their requirements, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.

Compatibility with Existing Infrastructure

The QSFP+ interface is compatible with existing infrastructure, making it a convenient choice for organizations that already have network devices or cables utilizing this interface. This compatibility allows for seamless integration of the Cisco MS450-12-HW Managed Switch into the existing network environment without the need for additional adapters or converters. Organizations can leverage their current investments while benefitting from the advanced features of the switch.

Scalability and Future-Proofing

The QSFP+ interface provides scalability and future-proofing capabilities for organizations with growing or evolving network requirements. With data transfer rates of up to 40 Gbps, the interface can handle increasing bandwidth demands and support high-performance applications. This scalability ensures that the Cisco MS450-12-HW Managed Switch can accommodate future network expansion or changes without requiring hardware upgrades or replacements.

Enhanced Network Performance

The high-speed connectivity offered by the QSFP+ interface enhances network performance by allowing for faster data transmission. This is especially important for organizations that rely on real-time applications, such as video streaming or data-intensive tasks. By providing a reliable and fast connection, the QSFP+ interface minimizes latency, improves response times, and ensures a smooth user experience.

Cost-Effective Solution

The QSFP+ interface provides a cost-effective solution for organizations with high-speed connectivity needs. By utilizing a single interface for multiple devices or connections, organizations can reduce the number of required ports and cables, resulting in cost savings. Additionally, the ability to use existing infrastructure and compatibility with different cable types further enhances the cost-effectiveness of the QSFP+ interface.

Future-Ready Technology

Investing in a switch with a QSFP+ interface ensures that organizations are adopting future-ready technology. As network demands continue to increase, the need for higher data transfer rates becomes essential. By choosing a switch with a QSFP+ interface, organizations are prepared to handle future network advancements, ensuring their network infrastructure remains up-to-date and capable of supporting emerging technologies.

Interoperability with Industry Standards

The QSFP+ interface adheres to industry standards, ensuring interoperability with various networking equipment and devices. This compatibility allows organizations to integrate the Cisco MS450-12-HW Managed Switch seamlessly into their existing network environment, regardless of the vendor or model of other network devices. Interoperability simplifies network management, reduces compatibility issues, and provides flexibility in choosing the most suitable networking solutions.

Mounting Feature: Rack-mountable

Space Optimization

The Cisco MS450-12-HW Managed Switch is rack-mountable, offering space optimization benefits. By securely mounting the switch in a rack, organizations can maximize their available space and keep their networking equipment neatly organized. Rack-mounting eliminates the need for additional shelf or floor space, making it an ideal solution for organizations with limited physical space or those looking to maintain a clean and professional network infrastructure.

Improved Cable Management

Rack-mountable switches provide improved cable management capabilities. With dedicated cable management options available within the rack, organizations can neatly route and secure cables, reducing clutter and ensuring optimal airflow. Proper cable management not only improves the aesthetics of the network infrastructure but also enhances cooling efficiency, preventing potential heat-related issues that could affect network performance.

Easy Accessibility for Maintenance

With rack-mountable switches, maintenance and troubleshooting become easier and more convenient. The switch can be easily accessed from the front or rear of the rack, allowing IT personnel to quickly identify and resolve any issues that may arise. This accessibility minimizes downtime and ensures efficient maintenance processes, ultimately maximizing network uptime and user productivity.

Scalability and Expansion

Rack-mounted switches offer scalability and expansion possibilities for organizations with evolving network needs. As the network grows or new devices are added, additional switches can be easily mounted in the rack without the need for complex reconfigurations or additional physical space. This scalability ensures that the network infrastructure can adapt to changing requirements while maintaining a centralized and organized setup.

Improved Physical Security

Rack-mountable switches enhance physical security by providing a secure and locked environment for networking equipment. The rack can be located in a dedicated server room or a locked cabinet, preventing unauthorized access or tampering. This added layer of security protects the switch and the network infrastructure from potential threats, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of data transmission.

Efficient Network Maintenance

The rack-mountable design simplifies network maintenance tasks by consolidating networking equipment in a single location. IT personnel can easily identify and access the switch within the rack, reducing the time required for troubleshooting or performing routine maintenance tasks. This efficient network maintenance approach minimizes disruptions and allows IT teams to focus on other critical tasks, improving overall operational efficiency.

Cost-Effective Solution

Rack-mountable switches offer a cost-effective solution for organizations looking to optimize their network infrastructure. By utilizing standard rack sizes, organizations can leverage existing infrastructure without the need for additional investments in specialized equipment. This cost-effectiveness is particularly beneficial for organizations with limited budgets or those aiming to maximize their return on investment.

Standardized Infrastructure

Rack mounting ensures standardized infrastructure across multiple locations or within larger organizations. By using the same rack specifications, organizations can ensure consistency in their network setups, making it easier to manage and maintain the network infrastructure. Standardization simplifies installations, reduces complexity, and enhances overall network reliability and performance.