WS-C4948-10GE-S Cisco Catalyst 4900 Layer 3 Twisted Pair Ethernet Switch

Enterprise-Grade Layer 3 Switching Performance

The Cisco WS-C4948-10GE-S Catalyst 4900 series switch is engineered for high-density network environments that require reliable Layer 3 routing and advanced traffic handling. Built for enterprise and data center deployments, this model delivers consistent throughput, low latency, and scalable connectivity.

Core Hardware Overview

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model / SKU: WS-C4948-10GE-S
• Product Classification: Managed Network Switch
• Switch Category: Layer 3 Ethernet Switch

High-Density Port Configuration

Designed to support bandwidth-intensive operations, this Catalyst switch provides a generous number of Ethernet connections suitable for aggregation and access-layer roles.

Available Network Interfaces

• 48 × RJ-45 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet ports
• 1 × RJ-45 console port for system administration
• 1 × RJ-45 10/100Base-TX dedicated management interface

Optimized for Gigabit Connectivity

All primary Ethernet ports support Gigabit speeds, enabling seamless data transfer for servers, workstations, and network appliances across demanding infrastructures.

Advanced Expansion & Scalability

The switch architecture allows future growth by incorporating modular uplink capabilities, making it suitable for evolving network requirements.

Expansion Slot Details

• Total expansion slots: 2
• Slot type: X2 modules

Flexible Network Growth

These expansion options allow administrators to enhance uplink capacity or adapt the switch to changing traffic patterns without replacing the core hardware.

Physical Design & Installation Specifications

With a compact rack-mountable form factor, this Cisco switch integrates efficiently into standard data center and enterprise racks.

Chassis Dimensions

• Height: 1.75 inches
• Width: 17.5 inches
• Depth: 16 inches

Weight & Build Quality

• Approximate weight: 17.2 lbs
• Durable construction designed for continuous operation

Ideal Deployment Scenarios

• Enterprise core or aggregation switching
• High-performance campus networks
• Data center access-layer environments
• Mission-critical network infrastructures

Enterprise-Class Layer 3 Switching Architecture

The Cisco WS-C4948-10GE-S Catalyst 4900 Layer 3 Ethernet Switch belongs to a high-performance enterprise switching category designed to support demanding campus aggregation, data center edge, and core network environments. This category focuses on fixed-configuration Layer 3 switches that combine advanced routing intelligence with wire-speed performance, enabling organizations to manage large volumes of traffic with predictable latency and robust reliability. The Catalyst 4900 series is recognized for its non-blocking architecture, which ensures consistent throughput across all ports even during peak utilization periods, making it suitable for mission-critical network deployments.

Layer 3 switching within this category provides the ability to perform both traditional switching and IP routing at hardware speed. This allows enterprises to consolidate network layers, reduce complexity, and improve overall performance. The WS-C4948-10GE-S model integrates advanced routing protocols directly into the switch fabric, ensuring that inter-VLAN routing, policy-based routing, and multicast forwarding are handled efficiently. This capability is especially valuable in environments where scalability and low-latency traffic forwarding are required.

High-Density Twisted Pair Ethernet Connectivity

A defining characteristic of the Cisco WS-C4948-10GE-S category is its emphasis on high-density twisted pair Ethernet connectivity. With forty-eight Ethernet ports, this class of switches is engineered to support extensive endpoint connections, including servers, workstations, IP phones, and network appliances. Twisted pair copper interfaces provide cost-effective and flexible cabling options, allowing organizations to leverage existing infrastructure while still achieving high data rates and reliable signal integrity.

The density of Ethernet ports in this category supports network consolidation by reducing the number of devices required in wiring closets or data center racks. This not only simplifies network management but also lowers power consumption and cooling requirements. The Catalyst 4900 series design prioritizes efficient airflow and power distribution, which aligns with modern enterprise requirements for sustainable and space-efficient networking solutions.

10 Gigabit Ethernet Uplink Capabilities

Within this category, the inclusion of 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks plays a critical role in supporting high-bandwidth aggregation and core connectivity. The WS-C4948-10GE-S model offers dedicated 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces that enable seamless integration with high-speed backbone networks. These uplinks are designed to handle large data transfers, virtualization traffic, and storage replication workloads without creating bottlenecks.

10 Gigabit Ethernet support enhances the switch’s ability to serve as an aggregation point between access-layer switches and core routers. This ensures that traffic from multiple access segments can be efficiently consolidated and forwarded upstream. The hardware-based forwarding engine ensures that even at high throughput levels, packet processing remains consistent and reliable.

Non-Blocking Switching Fabric and Throughput Optimization

The Catalyst 4900 category emphasizes a non-blocking switching fabric that allows all ports to operate at full line rate simultaneously. This design ensures predictable performance and minimizes packet loss, which is essential for latency-sensitive applications such as voice, video, and real-time data analytics. The WS-C4948-10GE-S leverages Cisco’s proven ASIC technology to deliver wire-speed performance across Layer 2 and Layer 3 operations.

Throughput optimization is achieved through intelligent buffering and queue management mechanisms that prioritize critical traffic while maintaining fairness across flows. This ensures that quality of service policies are enforced consistently, even during periods of congestion. Enterprises benefit from improved application performance and enhanced user experience across the network.

Advanced Layer 3 Routing and Network Intelligence

The Cisco WS-C4948-10GE-S category is built around advanced Layer 3 routing capabilities that extend beyond basic IP forwarding. Support for dynamic routing protocols allows these switches to participate fully in complex network topologies, adapting quickly to changes in network conditions. This makes the Catalyst 4900 series suitable for large-scale deployments where resilience and rapid convergence are critical.

Layer 3 intelligence within this category enables features such as inter-VLAN routing, access control enforcement, and traffic segmentation. By handling these functions directly within the switch hardware, organizations can reduce reliance on external routers and simplify their network architecture. This consolidation leads to lower latency and improved operational efficiency.

Scalable VLAN and Subnet Management

Scalability is a core attribute of the Catalyst 4900 Layer 3 switch category. The WS-C4948-10GE-S supports extensive VLAN and subnet configurations, enabling enterprises to segment their networks according to organizational, functional, or security requirements. This segmentation enhances performance by limiting broadcast domains and improves security by isolating sensitive resources.

Efficient VLAN management also supports multi-tenant environments and departmental separation within large organizations. The switch’s ability to route traffic between VLANs at wire speed ensures that segmentation does not come at the cost of performance. This balance of scalability and efficiency is a key reason why the Catalyst 4900 series remains relevant in enterprise networking.

Policy-Based Routing and Traffic Control

Policy-based routing is an important feature within this category, allowing network administrators to define custom forwarding rules based on traffic characteristics. The WS-C4948-10GE-S can route traffic differently depending on source, destination, or application type, enabling optimized use of network resources. This is particularly useful for directing specific traffic flows to dedicated links or security appliances.

Traffic control mechanisms integrated into the switch ensure that network policies are enforced consistently. These mechanisms include rate limiting, traffic shaping, and prioritization, all of which contribute to predictable network behavior. Enterprises can align network performance with business priorities by ensuring that critical applications receive the resources they require.

Multicast and High-Availability Routing Features

The Catalyst 4900 category supports advanced multicast routing capabilities, which are essential for applications such as video streaming, financial data distribution, and collaborative communications. The WS-C4948-10GE-S handles multicast replication efficiently at the hardware level, reducing unnecessary traffic and conserving bandwidth.

High-availability routing features further enhance the reliability of this category. Support for redundant paths and fast convergence protocols ensures minimal downtime in the event of link or device failures. This resilience is critical in enterprise environments where network availability directly impacts productivity and revenue.

Security and Access Control Integration

Security is a fundamental consideration in the Cisco WS-C4948-10GE-S Catalyst 4900 category. These switches integrate comprehensive access control and security features directly into the switching platform, enabling organizations to protect their networks without sacrificing performance. Hardware-based enforcement ensures that security policies are applied consistently at line rate.

Access control lists allow administrators to define granular rules governing which devices and users can access specific network resources. By implementing these controls at the switch level, enterprises can reduce the attack surface and prevent unauthorized access before traffic reaches sensitive systems. This proactive approach to security aligns with modern network defense strategies.

Network Segmentation and Isolation

Network segmentation is a key security strategy supported by this category. The WS-C4948-10GE-S enables logical isolation of traffic through VLANs and routing policies, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected. Segmentation also supports compliance requirements by limiting access to regulated resources.

Isolation at the switch level reduces the risk of lateral movement by malicious actors within the network. By controlling traffic flows between segments, the Catalyst 4900 series helps organizations maintain a strong security posture while still enabling efficient communication where required.

Hardware-Based Security Enforcement

Hardware-based security enforcement ensures that access control and filtering functions do not impact overall performance. The WS-C4948-10GE-S leverages dedicated processing resources to apply security policies at wire speed. This capability is particularly important in high-throughput environments where software-based enforcement could introduce latency.

The integration of security features into the switching hardware simplifies network design by reducing the need for additional appliances. This consolidation lowers operational complexity and total cost of ownership while maintaining robust protection against threats.

Monitoring, Logging, and Visibility

Visibility into network activity is essential for effective security management. The Catalyst 4900 category provides extensive monitoring and logging capabilities that allow administrators to track traffic patterns and detect anomalies. Detailed visibility supports faster incident response and more informed decision-making.

Logging and monitoring features also support compliance and auditing requirements. By maintaining detailed records of network activity, organizations can demonstrate adherence to regulatory standards and internal policies. This level of transparency enhances trust and accountability within the IT environment.

Operational Efficiency and Manageability

The Cisco WS-C4948-10GE-S Catalyst 4900 category is designed to deliver operational efficiency through simplified management and robust reliability. These switches support centralized management tools that allow administrators to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot the network from a single interface. This reduces administrative overhead and improves response times.

Operational efficiency is further enhanced by the switch’s modular software architecture, which allows features to be enabled as needed. This flexibility ensures that organizations can adapt their network capabilities over time without requiring hardware replacement. The result is a future-ready switching platform that supports evolving business requirements.

Reliability and Continuous Operation

Reliability is a hallmark of the Catalyst 4900 series category. The WS-C4948-10GE-S is engineered for continuous operation in demanding environments, with components designed for long service life and stable performance. Redundant power options and robust cooling systems contribute to high availability.

Continuous operation capabilities ensure that critical network services remain available even during maintenance or unexpected events. This reliability is essential for enterprises that depend on their networks to support core business functions and customer-facing services.

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Design

Energy efficiency is an increasingly important consideration in enterprise networking. The Catalyst 4900 category incorporates efficient power utilization and advanced thermal design to minimize energy consumption. Optimized airflow and component placement ensure effective heat dissipation, reducing the need for excessive cooling.

Lower energy consumption translates to reduced operating costs and a smaller environmental footprint. This aligns with organizational sustainability goals while maintaining high performance and reliability.

Lifecycle Support and Long-Term Value

The Cisco WS-C4948-10GE-S category delivers long-term value through robust lifecycle support and compatibility with established Cisco networking ecosystems. Enterprises benefit from consistent software updates, security patches, and technical support that extend the useful life of the hardware.

This long-term support model ensures that investments in Catalyst 4900 switches continue to deliver value over time. By combining performance, scalability, security, and manageability, this category remains a trusted choice for enterprise Layer 3 switching deployments.