WS-C3560X-24U-S Cisco Catalyst 24 Ports Manageable Switch

Cisco WS-C3560X-24U-S Catalyst Switch

The Cisco WS-C3560X-24U-S Catalyst series is a stackable, manageable switch engineered for enterprise-grade networking. With advanced features, high-speed connectivity, and robust design, it ensures reliable performance for modern IT infrastructures.

General Information

• Manufacturer: Cisco Systems
• Part Number: WS-C3560X-24U-S
• Product Name: Stackable Managed Switch

Technical Specifications

Port Configuration

• 24 x 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
• Supports Cisco UPoE delivering up to 60W per port

Performance Metrics

• Switching Capacity: 160 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 64.5 Mpps to 101.2 Mpps
• DRAM: 256 MB
• Flash Memory: 64 MB
• MAC Address Table: 12,000 entries
• VLAN Support: Up to 1,005 VLANs

Management Features

• Command Line Interface (CLI)
• SNMPv3 for secure monitoring
• Remote Monitoring (RMON)
• Secure Shell (SSH)
• Telnet access

Power and Expansion

• Dual hot-swappable modular power supplies supported
• 1 x Network Module slot for optional 1G/10G uplinks

Physical Characteristics

Dimensions

• 1.75 x 17.5 x 19.5 inches (4.45 x 44.5 x 49.5 cm)

Weight

• Approximately 15.87 lbs (7.2 kg)

Environmental Conditions

• Operating Temperature: -5°C to 45°C (23°F to 113°F)

WS-C3560X-24U-S Switching for Scalable Networks Overview

The Cisco WS-C3560X-24U-S Catalyst 3560X 24 Ports Manageable Switch represents a robust and highly adaptable category of enterprise-grade access layer switching solutions designed to meet the performance, reliability, and scalability requirements of modern business networks. This category focuses on advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching capabilities combined with intelligent services, power efficiency, and long-term operational stability. Built for organizations that demand consistent uptime and predictable network behavior, this class of switch supports evolving workloads while maintaining compatibility with established infrastructure standards.

Within this category, the emphasis is placed on managed switching that allows administrators to exert granular control over traffic flows, security policies, and network segmentation. The Cisco Catalyst 3560X family, and specifically the WS-C3560X-24U-S model, is positioned as a versatile solution capable of supporting data, voice, and video traffic concurrently. This makes it suitable for environments where convergence is critical and network reliability directly impacts business productivity.

Energy Efficiency and Power Management Capabilities

Energy efficiency is a defining characteristic of the Cisco Catalyst 3560X category. The WS-C3560X-24U-S incorporates intelligent power management features that allow organizations to reduce operational costs while maintaining performance. Cisco EnergyWise technology enables the monitoring and control of power consumption across connected devices, providing administrators with visibility into energy usage patterns.

This focus on energy-aware networking aligns with broader sustainability goals and helps organizations comply with internal or regulatory energy efficiency standards. By dynamically adjusting power allocation based on device requirements and usage schedules, this category supports environmentally responsible IT operations without sacrificing reliability or functionality.

Advanced Manageability and Control

Manageability is a central theme of the Catalyst 3560X category, and the WS-C3560X-24U-S exemplifies this through its comprehensive management features. As a fully managed switch, it supports a wide range of configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting tools that enable network administrators to maintain precise control over network behavior. This level of manageability is essential in enterprise environments where networks must adapt quickly to changing business requirements.

The switch supports industry-standard management protocols, allowing integration into existing network management systems. Command-line interface access, along with graphical management options, ensures flexibility in how administrators interact with the device. This adaptability makes the category suitable for organizations with varying levels of technical expertise and operational complexity.

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switching Capabilities

The Cisco WS-C3560X-24U-S belongs to a category that bridges the gap between traditional Layer 2 switching and more advanced Layer 3 routing functions. This dual capability allows organizations to implement network segmentation through VLANs while also enabling inter-VLAN routing directly on the switch. By handling routing tasks at the access layer, this category reduces the need for additional routing hardware and simplifies network design.

Layer 3 features in this category support scalable network architectures by allowing intelligent traffic forwarding decisions based on IP addressing. This results in improved performance and reduced latency for applications that rely on fast and reliable communication between different network segments.

Quality of Service for Traffic Prioritization

Quality of Service is a critical component of the Catalyst 3560X category, especially in environments where multiple types of traffic coexist. The WS-C3560X-24U-S supports advanced QoS mechanisms that allow administrators to prioritize latency-sensitive traffic such as voice and video over less critical data flows. This ensures consistent performance for real-time applications even during periods of high network utilization.

QoS capabilities in this category are designed to be flexible and granular, enabling policy definitions based on traffic type, source, destination, or application. This level of control is essential for maintaining service quality in converged networks where different applications have distinct performance requirements.

Features and Network Protection

Security is a foundational element of the Cisco Catalyst 3560X category. The WS-C3560X-24U-S is designed to support a comprehensive set of security features that protect the network from unauthorized access, threats, and misconfigurations. These features are integrated directly into the switching platform, allowing security to be enforced at the network edge where it is most effective.

This category emphasizes proactive security measures, including access control, traffic monitoring, and threat mitigation. By implementing security policies at the switch level, organizations can reduce the attack surface and prevent potential issues from propagating deeper into the network.

Network Segmentation and Isolation

Network segmentation is an important security strategy supported by the Catalyst 3560X category. Through the use of VLANs and routing capabilities, the WS-C3560X-24U-S enables organizations to isolate different types of traffic and user groups. This isolation helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive resources and limits the impact of potential security incidents.

By combining segmentation with access control policies, this category supports a layered security approach that enhances resilience against both internal and external threats.

Scalability and Future-Ready Design

The Cisco WS-C3560X-24U-S category is designed with scalability in mind, allowing organizations to grow and adapt their networks over time. The fixed-port configuration provides a stable foundation, while modular uplink options within the broader 3560X family support expansion and higher bandwidth connectivity as requirements evolve.

This future-ready design ensures that investments in this category remain relevant as network demands increase. Organizations can deploy these switches with confidence, knowing that they support emerging technologies and higher traffic volumes without requiring frequent hardware replacements.

Redundancy and Fault Tolerance

Fault tolerance features are an integral part of the Catalyst 3560X category. While the WS-C3560X-24U-S is a fixed-configuration switch, it supports design strategies that enhance overall network resilience. Features such as link aggregation and rapid convergence protocols help maintain connectivity in the event of link failures.

By supporting redundancy at the network design level, this category enables organizations to build robust infrastructures that can withstand component failures without significant service disruption.

Distributed and Campus Networks

In distributed and campus network architectures, the Catalyst 3560X category serves as a reliable access layer solution. The WS-C3560X-24U-S can be deployed across multiple locations, providing consistent performance and management capabilities. This uniformity simplifies network design and ensures a consistent user experience across the organization.

The category’s support for scalable architectures makes it well-suited for organizations with multiple buildings or campuses that require centralized control and distributed connectivity.