WS-C3850-48P-L Cisco Catalyst 3850 Managed Poe+ Rack-Mountable 48 Port Switch

Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series 48-Port Managed Switch Overview

The Cisco WS-C3850-48P-L is a high-performance enterprise-grade managed switch engineered for scalable network infrastructures. Designed with advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities, this rack-mountable solution delivers reliable connectivity, intelligent traffic handling, and robust Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) support for modern business environments.

General Product Details

• Brand: Cisco
• Model Number: WS-C3850-48P-L
• Product Category: Managed Ethernet Switch
• Port Configuration: 48 Gigabit Ethernet Ports

Form Factor and Physical Design

Installation Flexibility

• Compact 1U chassis optimized for standard server racks
• Supports both desktop placement and rack-mount deployment
• Designed for enterprise wiring closets and data center environments

Port Density and Connectivity

Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces

• 48 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports
• Auto-negotiation for speed and duplex settings
• Auto MDI/MDI-X for simplified cabling

Power over Ethernet Plus Capabilities

• Integrated PoE+ support for IP phones, wireless access points, and cameras
• Total PoE power budget of up to 435 watts
• Efficient power allocation with Cisco StackPower technology

Switching Performance Metrics

High-Speed Data Handling

• Switching throughput up to 176 Gbps
• Stacking bandwidth reaching 480 Gbps with Cisco StackWise-480
• Optimized packet forwarding for latency-sensitive applications

Routing and Network Scalability

Advanced Capacity Specifications

• Supports up to 24,000 IPv4 routing entries
• MAC address table accommodates 32,000 entries
• Up to 1,000 switched virtual interfaces (SVIs)
• Handles 48,000 Flexible NetFlow records

Jumbo Frame and Traffic Optimization

• Jumbo frame support up to 9,198 bytes
• Improved efficiency for large data transfers
• Enhanced throughput for storage and virtualization traffic

Management and Monitoring Options

Remote Administration Protocols

• SNMP v1, v2c, and v3 for secure network monitoring
• SSH and Telnet for command-line management
• RMON 1 and 2 for detailed traffic analysis
• CLI-based configuration and troubleshooting

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Feature Set

Traffic Control and Segmentation

• VLAN tagging and trunking support
• IGMP and MLD snooping for multicast efficiency
• Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) and link aggregation

Security and Access Management

• Access Control Lists (ACLs) for traffic filtering
• DHCP snooping and Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI)
• 802.1X authentication with RADIUS integration
• STP Root Guard and Uni-Directional Link Detection (UDLD)

Spanning Tree and Redundancy

• Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)
• Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP)
• Per-VLAN Rapid Spanning Tree Plus (PVRST+)

Quality of Service and Traffic Prioritization

Optimized Network Performance

• Advanced Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms
• Shaped Round Robin (SRR) scheduling
• Layer 3 load balancing for efficient resource utilization

Energy Efficiency and Reliability

Power and Environmental Standards

• Supports AC input voltage of 120V/230V at 50–60 Hz
• Energy Efficient Ethernet for reduced power consumption
• Optional redundant power supply for enhanced uptime

Industry Standards and Compliance

IEEE Protocol Support

• IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, and 802.3ab Ethernet standards
• IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging and 802.1P traffic prioritization
• IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at PoE standards
• IEEE 802.3ad for Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)

Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Managed Switch Architecture

The Cisco WS-C3850-48P-L 48 Port Catalyst 3850 Managed Switch represents a highly advanced enterprise-grade switching platform designed to support modern converged networks. Built on Cisco’s Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) ASIC, this category of switches delivers consistent wired and wireless policy enforcement, application visibility, and scalable performance across access layer deployments. The Catalyst 3850 series integrates switching, routing, wireless controller functionality, and security services into a single, resilient hardware platform, making it suitable for medium to large enterprise environments that require reliability, flexibility, and long-term scalability.

This managed switch category emphasizes centralized control with distributed intelligence. Each Cisco WS-C3850-48P-L unit operates independently yet can seamlessly join a stack to function as a single logical switch. This architectural approach enhances redundancy, simplifies management, and allows administrators to scale network capacity without redesigning the infrastructure. The rack-mountable form factor ensures compatibility with standard data center and wiring closet installations, reinforcing its role as a core access-layer component.

Unified Access Data Plane and Performance Efficiency

The Unified Access Data Plane is fundamental to the Catalyst 3850 family, enabling consistent policy enforcement across wired and wireless connections. With the WS-C3850-48P-L, network traffic is processed with predictable latency and high throughput, ensuring that mission-critical applications maintain optimal performance even during peak usage periods. The hardware-based forwarding capabilities allow the switch to handle large volumes of traffic while maintaining low CPU utilization, which is critical for enterprise environments that depend on real-time services.

This switch category supports advanced Quality of Service mechanisms that prioritize voice, video, and data traffic without compromising overall network stability. By maintaining deterministic performance characteristics, the Catalyst 3850 series ensures that organizations can deploy unified communications, collaboration platforms, and cloud-based applications with confidence.

48-Port PoE+ Connectivity and Power Delivery

The Cisco WS-C3850-48P-L is equipped with forty-eight Power over Ethernet Plus capable ports, making it a central power distribution point for connected devices. This category of managed switches is specifically designed to support modern endpoint ecosystems that include IP phones, wireless access points, security cameras, and IoT devices. By delivering both data and power through a single Ethernet cable, PoE+ reduces cabling complexity and lowers deployment costs.

PoE+ support enables higher power output per port compared to earlier PoE standards, ensuring compatibility with power-hungry devices. This capability is especially valuable in enterprise networks where high-performance wireless access points and advanced surveillance systems require reliable power sources. The managed power allocation features allow administrators to monitor consumption, enforce limits, and prioritize critical devices to maintain uninterrupted operations.

Intelligent Power Management and Reliability

Power management within the Catalyst 3850 category is designed to optimize energy efficiency without sacrificing performance. The WS-C3850-48P-L dynamically allocates power based on device requirements, preventing unnecessary power draw and reducing operational costs. This intelligent approach also enhances reliability by ensuring that essential devices remain powered even during partial power constraints.

Redundant power supply options further strengthen the resilience of this switch category. In enterprise deployments, the ability to maintain continuous operation during power supply failures is crucial. The Catalyst 3850 series supports hot-swappable power supplies, minimizing downtime and simplifying maintenance procedures.

Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switching Capabilities

The Cisco WS-C3850-48P-L belongs to a category of managed switches that deliver robust Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality. At the access layer, it provides advanced VLAN management, spanning tree enhancements, and link aggregation features that ensure efficient traffic segmentation and redundancy. These capabilities allow organizations to design flexible network topologies that can adapt to evolving business requirements.

Layer 3 features within this switch category include static routing and dynamic routing protocol support, enabling efficient inter-VLAN communication and optimized traffic paths. By integrating routing capabilities directly into the access layer, the Catalyst 3850 reduces dependency on upstream devices and enhances overall network efficiency.

Scalable Routing and Network Segmentation

Scalability is a defining characteristic of the Catalyst 3850 series. The WS-C3850-48P-L supports extensive routing tables and multiple virtual networks, making it suitable for environments with complex segmentation requirements. Network administrators can implement granular access controls and policies that align with organizational security and compliance standards.

This category of switches also supports multicast routing, which is essential for applications such as video streaming and enterprise-wide communications. By efficiently managing multicast traffic, the Catalyst 3850 ensures optimal bandwidth utilization and consistent application performance.

StackWise Technology and High Availability

StackWise technology is a cornerstone feature of the Cisco Catalyst 3850 category, enabling multiple switches to operate as a single logical unit. With the WS-C3850-48P-L, stacking simplifies network management by presenting a unified configuration and management interface. This approach reduces administrative overhead and minimizes configuration errors.

High availability is enhanced through stack-level redundancy. In the event of a hardware failure, traffic is automatically rerouted through remaining stack members, ensuring uninterrupted network connectivity. This level of resilience is critical for enterprise environments where downtime can result in significant operational and financial impacts.

Simplified Expansion and Investment Protection

The stacking capabilities of the Catalyst 3850 series provide a clear path for network expansion. Organizations can add new switches to the stack as demand grows, without requiring major architectural changes. This scalability protects existing investments and allows IT teams to respond quickly to changing business needs.

StackWise technology also supports distributed forwarding, which enhances performance by allowing each switch in the stack to participate in traffic processing. This distributed approach ensures consistent throughput and minimizes bottlenecks as the network scales.

Security Integration and Policy Enforcement

Security is deeply integrated into the Cisco WS-C3850-48P-L and the broader Catalyst 3850 category. The switch supports advanced access control mechanisms, including port-based authentication and network segmentation, to protect against unauthorized access. These features enable organizations to enforce security policies at the network edge, reducing the attack surface.

By integrating security directly into the switching fabric, the Catalyst 3850 provides real-time threat detection and mitigation capabilities. Network administrators can monitor traffic patterns, identify anomalies, and respond proactively to potential security incidents.

Consistent Wired and Wireless Security Policies

The unified architecture of the Catalyst 3850 ensures that security policies are applied consistently across wired and wireless connections. This consistency simplifies policy management and reduces the risk of misconfigurations. For enterprises with diverse endpoint types, this unified approach enhances overall security posture.

The WS-C3850-48P-L supports integration with centralized security and identity management systems, allowing for dynamic policy enforcement based on user roles and device characteristics. This capability is essential for modern enterprise networks that prioritize both security and user mobility.

Wireless Integration and Converged Access

The Cisco Catalyst 3850 series is designed to support converged access deployments, integrating wired and wireless networking into a single platform. The WS-C3850-48P-L can function as a wireless controller, managing access points directly without the need for separate controller appliances. This integration reduces hardware complexity and simplifies network design.

Converged access enables seamless mobility for users and devices, ensuring consistent connectivity as endpoints move between wired and wireless environments. This capability is particularly valuable in enterprise campuses, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions where mobility is a core requirement.

Optimized Wireless Performance and Management

Wireless performance within the Catalyst 3850 category is optimized through centralized radio resource management and traffic prioritization. The WS-C3850-48P-L ensures that wireless traffic receives the same level of performance and security as wired traffic, delivering a consistent user experience.

Integrated wireless management tools provide visibility into access point performance, client behavior, and RF conditions. This visibility enables proactive troubleshooting and optimization, reducing downtime and enhancing overall network reliability.

Enterprise Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The Cisco WS-C3850-48P-L is ideally suited for a wide range of enterprise deployment scenarios. In corporate campuses, it serves as a reliable access-layer switch that supports high-density user environments and diverse endpoint requirements. In branch offices, it provides centralized management and robust security features that align with enterprise standards.

This category of managed switches is also well-suited for environments that require high levels of uptime and performance, such as healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and manufacturing plants. The combination of PoE+, advanced security, and scalable performance makes the Catalyst 3850 a versatile solution for complex network infrastructures.

Long-Term Scalability and Operational Efficiency

Long-term scalability is a key consideration in enterprise networking, and the Catalyst 3850 series addresses this need through modular design and software-driven features. The WS-C3850-48P-L supports software upgrades and feature enhancements that extend its useful life and adapt to evolving technology requirements.

Operational efficiency is further enhanced through energy-efficient design, intelligent power management, and simplified administration. These characteristics reduce total cost of ownership while delivering the performance and reliability expected from enterprise-class networking equipment.