C1000-24T-4G-L Cisco Catalyst 24 Ports Manageable Switch

Product Overview of C1000-24T-4G-L Cisco 24 Ports Switch

The Cisco C1000-24T-4G-L Catalyst Ethernet Switch is a reliable and high-performance managed network solution designed for small to medium-sized businesses. Built with enterprise-grade hardware, this rack-mountable switch ensures stable connectivity, efficient traffic handling, and simplified network administration.

General Information

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: C1000-24T-4G-L
• Device Category: Managed Network Switch
• Form Factor: Rack-mountable chassis
• Switch Type: Gigabit Ethernet

Core Features and Capabilities

High-Speed Port Configuration

• 24 × 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports for fast LAN connectivity
• 4 × Gigabit SFP uplink ports for flexible fiber connections
• Optimized for scalable and secure network expansion

Interface Options

• 24 × 1000Base-T RJ-45 ports
• 4 × 1000Base-X SFP uplink interfaces
• 1 × RJ-45 management port
• 1 × Mini-USB Type-B console port
• 1 × USB Type-A port

Performance and Processing

Powerful Internal Hardware

• ARM-based processor running at 800 MHz
• Designed for smooth data forwarding and low latency
• Supports consistent performance under heavy workloads

Routing and Switching Protocols

Advanced Network Protocol Support

• IGMP and MLD for multicast traffic management
• MSTP, RSTP, and STP for loop prevention and network stability
• MLDv2 for enhanced IPv6 multicast control

Remote Management and Security

Comprehensive Management Tools

• SNMP v1, v2c, and v3 for monitoring and control
• SSH and SSH-2 for secure remote access
• CLI and web-based HTTP management
• TFTP and NTP for configuration and time synchronization

Authentication and Access Control

• Supports TACACS+ and RADIUS authentication
• DHCP and ICMP support for simplified network operations
• Enhanced security for enterprise and business environments

Detailed Hardware Architecture & Specifications

At its core, the C1000-24T-4G-L is engineered for high-density Gigabit Ethernet access. Its hardware design balances performance with energy efficiency, providing a future-proof platform for connecting a wide array of devices.

Port Configuration and Uplink Strategy

The switch's port layout is meticulously planned for optimal connectivity and expansion. The "24T" denotes 24 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 ports, offering auto-negotiation and auto-MDI/MDIX functionality for plug-and-play connectivity to desktops, laptops, wireless access points, and IP phones. The "4G-L" component is critical, indicating four dedicated 1 Gigabit SFP (Small Form-Factor Pluggable) uplink ports. These fiber uplink ports provide flexible, high-speed connectivity to the network core or aggregation layer, allowing for longer distance connections over fiber optic cable and creating robust uplink redundancy.

Switching Capacity and Forwarding Performance

This switch is built on a non-blocking switching fabric architecture. With a total switching capacity of 56 Gbps and a forwarding rate of 41.7 million packets per second (Mpps), it ensures wire-speed performance across all ports simultaneously, even under full load. This eliminates bottlenecks at the access layer, supporting bandwidth-intensive applications like video conferencing, virtual desktops, and real-time data backups without performance degradation.

Power and Physical Design

The C1000-24T-4G-L operates with an AC power supply and is designed in a compact 1 rack-unit (1RU) form factor for standard 19-inch rack mounting. It features intelligent power management with IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), which reduces power consumption during periods of low data activity. A robust fan design ensures quiet and efficient cooling for deployment in wiring closets or office environments.

Advanced Software Features and Network Intelligence

Beyond its hardware, the switch's true power is unlocked through the Cisco IOS network operating system, which provides a rich set of enterprise-class features typically found in higher-end Catalyst switches.

Comprehensive Security Framework

Network security begins at the access edge. The C1000-24T-4G-L incorporates a multi-layered security approach to protect the network and its data.

Port Security and Access Control

The switch supports IEEE 802.1X port-based authentication, allowing network access control based on user identity. It integrates with RADIUS and TACACS+ servers for centralized policy management. Features like DHCP snooping, IP Source Guard, and Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) work in concert to mitigate common layer-2 attacks like ARP spoofing and DHCP starvation, creating a trusted network environment.

Access Control Lists and VLAN Security

It supports standard and extended IPv4/IPv6 Access Control Lists (ACLs) for granular traffic filtering at wire speed. Combined with robust VLAN support (IEEE 802.1Q tagging, Voice VLAN, Private VLAN edge), administrators can effectively segment network traffic, isolate sensitive departments, and prioritize voice traffic for clear VoIP communications.

Enhanced Quality of Service (QoS)

For networks converging data, voice, and video, intelligent traffic prioritization is non-negotiable. This switch offers sophisticated QoS features.

Classification, Marking, and Queuing

It supports classification and marking based on Layer 2 (CoS), Layer 3 (DSCP), and Layer 4 (TCP/UDP ports) information. With four hardware queues per port, it can implement weighted tail drop (WTD) and strict priority queuing (SPQ) algorithms. This ensures that latency-sensitive traffic, such as VoIP packets or video streams, is always prioritized over bulk data transfers, guaranteeing a high-quality user experience for real-time applications.

Simplified Management and Automation

Cisco has equipped the Catalyst 1000 series with tools to streamline network operations, reducing complexity and potential for human error.

Diverse Management Interfaces

The switch can be managed through multiple avenues: a familiar Cisco IOS Command-Line Interface (CLI) accessed via console port or Telnet/SSH, a web-based graphical interface (GUI) for intuitive point-and-click configuration, and SNMP (v1, v2c, v3) for integration with network management systems like Cisco Prime Infrastructure. This flexibility accommodates the preferences of all network administrators.

Smart Operations Features

It includes Smart Install, which allows for zero-touch deployment of multiple switches from a central director. Cisco’s DNA Center-ready capability (for limited features) enables broader network automation and assurance when integrated into a software-defined access (SDA) architecture. Features like cable diagnostics, ping support, and remote switch management further ease troubleshooting and maintenance.

Strategic Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The versatility of the Cisco C1000-24T-4G-L makes it suitable for a variety of networking environments, serving as a reliable and intelligent access layer workhorse.

Ideal for Small to Midsize Business (SMB) Core Networking

In a typical SMB setup, this switch can act as the central networking hub. The 24 copper ports connect employee workstations, printers, and shared resources, while the SFP uplinks can connect to a firewall/router for internet access or to a network-attached storage (NAS) device for high-speed file sharing. Its security features protect business data, and its QoS ensures clear internal voice calls if a VoIP phone system is deployed.

Branch Office and Enterprise Edge Connectivity

For larger enterprises with distributed locations, the C1000-24T-4G-L is perfect for branch office deployments. It provides local, high-performance switching for branch users and can use its fiber uplinks to establish a high-speed, reliable backhaul connection over WAN links to the corporate data center or headquarters. Its manageability allows IT teams at headquarters to configure and monitor the remote switch as if it were local.

Supporting Converged Networks and IoT

Modern networks carry more than just computer data. This switch excels in converged environments.

Unified Communications and Voice over IP (VoIP)

With explicit Voice VLAN and LLDP-MED (Media Endpoint Discovery) support, the switch can automatically configure and prioritize traffic for connected Cisco IP phones. This simplifies phone deployments and guarantees call quality, even during network congestion.

Wireless Access Point Aggregation

The 24 Gigabit ports provide ample density and bandwidth to power and connect multiple IEEE 802.3af/at (PoE+ models available) wireless access points, creating a high-performance wireless network. The switch efficiently handles the backhaul traffic from these APs, supporting a seamless roaming experience for mobile users.

Comparison and Considerations Within the Catalyst 1000 Family

Understanding where the C1000-24T-4G-L fits within the broader Catalyst 1000 portfolio is key to making an informed purchasing decision.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) vs. Non-PoE Models

The C1000-24T-4G-L is a non-PoE model. For deployments requiring the switch to deliver power to devices like IP phones, wireless access points, or security cameras, Cisco offers the C1000-24P-4G-L (PoE+) and C1000-24FP-4G-L (Full PoE++) variants. The choice depends entirely on the number and type of powered devices you need to support.

Uplink Flexibility: SFP vs. 10G SFP+

This model provides 1 Gigabit SFP uplinks, which are sufficient for most access-layer aggregation needs. However, for environments with higher uplink bandwidth requirements or future-proofing considerations, the Catalyst 1000 series also includes models with 10 Gigabit SFP+ uplinks (e.g., models ending in "-4X"). The 4G-L model offers a cost-effective solution where 10G uplinks are not immediately necessary.

Stacking Capabilities

It's important to note that the Catalyst 1000 series are standalone, fixed-configuration switches and do not support physical stacking via dedicated stacking cables or modules like some higher-end Catalyst series. However, they can be managed as a logical group using Cisco DNA Center or traditional network management systems for simplified multi-device configuration.