C1000-48FP-4X-L Cisco 48 Ports Ethernet Switch

Product Overview of Cisco C1000-48FP-4X-L 48 Ports Switch

The Cisco Catalyst C1000-48FP-4X-L is a high-performance managed Ethernet switch designed for modern enterprise and small-to-medium business networks. Built for reliability and scalability, this rack-mountable switch delivers consistent Gigabit connectivity, advanced management options, and secure network control for growing IT environments.

Manufacturer and Model Details

• Brand: Cisco
• Model Number: C1000-48FP-4X-L
• Series: Catalyst 1000
• Device Category: Managed Network Switch

Design and Build Specifications

Designed for professional networking setups, this Cisco Catalyst switch features a durable rack-mountable enclosure that fits seamlessly into standard server racks.

• Rack-mount form factor
• Enterprise-grade construction
• Optimized airflow for continuous operation

Port Configuration and Connectivity

High-Density Ethernet Ports

• 48 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Ideal for connecting workstations, IP phones, and access points

Uplink Interfaces

• 4 x Gigabit SFP uplink ports
• Supports high-speed fiber connectivity

Additional Interfaces

• 48 x 1000Base-T RJ-45 ports
• 4 x 1000Base-X SFP uplinks
• 1 x RJ-45 management port
• 1 x Mini-USB Type-B console port
• 1 x USB Type-A port

Performance and Processing Power

Efficient Hardware Architecture

Powered by an ARM-based processor, the Cisco C1000-48FP-4X-L ensures stable performance for daily network operations.

• ARM processor clocked at 800 MHz
• Optimized for traffic handling and management tasks

Routing and Switching Protocols

Advanced Network Control

• IGMP and MLD for multicast traffic management
• MLDv2 support
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
• Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)
• Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP)

Remote Management and Security Features

Comprehensive Management Protocols

This Cisco managed switch supports a wide range of remote monitoring and administration tools, making network management simple and secure.

• SNMP v1, v2c, and v3
• RMON 1 and RMON 2
• Telnet and SSH / SSH-2
• HTTP and TFTP
• Command Line Interface (CLI)
• NTP and ICMP support
• DHCP integration
• TACACS+ and RADIUS authentication

Deep Dive: Anatomy of the C1000-48FP-4X-L Switch

Understanding the physical and logical architecture of this switch is key to appreciating its capabilities. The model designation itself tells a story: 48FP indicates 48 downlink Ethernet ports all capable of delivering PoE/PoE+, 4X denotes four dedicated 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports, and L signifies the LAN Base feature set, which includes advanced Layer 3 functionality. This configuration is purpose-built for aggregating a high density of power-hungry devices like IP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras, while providing high-bandwidth, non-blocking uplinks to the network core.

Port Configuration and Hardware Specifications

The front panel of the C1000-48FP-4X-L is a study in efficient design. It hosts 48 RJ-45 10/100/1000BASE-T ports, each capable of automatically negotiating speed and duplex. Critically, all 48 ports support the IEEE 802.3af (PoE) and 802.3at (PoE+) standards, with a total power budget sufficient to energize a full suite of devices. The four SFP-based uplink ports offer flexible connectivity options; they can accept 1G SFP or 10G SFP+ transceivers, allowing network architects to tailor uplink capacity and media type (copper or fiber) to their specific infrastructural needs. This flexibility future-proofs the investment, enabling a smooth transition to 10G uplinks as bandwidth demands grow.

Performance and Switching Capacity

Beneath the surface, a powerful switching ASIC delivers non-blocking, wire-speed performance. With a high switching capacity and packet forwarding rate, the switch ensures that latency-sensitive applications like voice and video experience no degradation, even when all ports are operating at full capacity. The architecture supports advanced traffic management features, including hardware-based Quality of Service (QoS) queues, ensuring mission-critical traffic is prioritized across the network.

Power over Ethernet: Unleashing Device Connectivity and Simplification

PoE is more than a convenience; it is a strategic technology that reduces cabling complexity, lowers installation costs, and enhances deployment flexibility. The C1000-48FP-4X-L’s robust PoE capabilities are a centerpiece of its value proposition.

Comprehensive PoE/PoE+

The switch delivers up to 30W per port under the 802.3at (PoE+) standard, capable of powering a vast array of devices: from standard IP phones and basic access points to more demanding equipment like pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, advanced video phones, and thin clients. The automatic detection and power negotiation eliminate the risk of damage to non-PoE devices, providing a plug-and-play experience.

Intelligent Power Management

Beyond simple power delivery, the switch features Cisco’s Universal Power Over Ethernet (UPOE) readiness and intelligent power management. Administrators can set power allocation priorities per port, ensuring that the most critical devices (e.g., a primary WAP or security door lock) maintain power during budget constraints. The switch also provides detailed, real-time power consumption monitoring per device and in aggregate, aiding in capacity planning and energy efficiency reporting.

Advanced Layer 3 Features: Routing Intelligence at the Access Edge

The LAN Base software image elevates this switch from a simple Layer 2 aggregator to an intelligent routing node. By bringing essential routing functions to the network edge, it improves performance, reduces load on core routers, and creates more efficient, segmented network designs.

Static and Dynamic Routing

The switch supports static routing for simple, predictable path control. More importantly, it implements dynamic routing protocols, including Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) for IPv4 and IPv6, and Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) stub routing. This allows the switch to dynamically learn and advertise routes, enabling resilient, self-healing network architectures where the access layer can reroute traffic in case of a link failure.

IPv6 Readiness

With the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses, dual-stack operation is a necessity. The C1000-48FP-4X-L provides comprehensive IPv6 support in both hardware and software. It can perform IPv6 routing, manage IPv6 ACLs (Access Control Lists), and support DHCPv6, ensuring the network is fully prepared for the growing influx of IPv6-capable devices and applications.

Enterprise-Grade Security: Protecting the Network Perimeter

In today's threat landscape, security must be embedded at every layer of the network. The Catalyst C1000-48FP-4X-L integrates a multi-faceted security framework to protect data, manage user access, and defend against attacks.

Network Access Control and Authentication

The switch acts as a policy enforcement point for Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and supports 802.1X authentication, MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB), and Web Authentication. This allows for dynamic, role-based access control, where a device’s or user’s identity determines which VLAN they are placed in and what resources they can access. Guest networking becomes secure and easily manageable.

Threat Mitigation and Visibility

Features like DHCP Snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), and IP Source Guard work in concert to prevent common Layer 2 man-in-the-middle and spoofing attacks. Storm control protects switch bandwidth from being consumed by broadcast, multicast, or unicast storms. Additionally, support for sFlow and NetFlow-Lite provides granular traffic visibility and analytics, essential for monitoring, forensics, and anomaly detection.

Simplified Management and Automation

Operational efficiency is critical, especially for organizations with limited IT staff. The C1000-48FP-4X-L offers a spectrum of management tools designed to simplify day-zero deployment, day-to-day operations, and troubleshooting.

Diverse Management Interfaces

The switch can be managed through a familiar, built-in web interface (GUI), a powerful command-line interface (CLI) accessible via console or SSH, or through SNMP. For centralized management of multiple switches, it is fully compatible with Cisco DNA Center and Cisco Prime Infrastructure. These platforms enable software image management, bulk configuration, policy application, and network assurance across the entire wired and wireless infrastructure from a single pane of glass.

Plug-and-Play and Digital Transformation

Cisco’s Plug-and-Play (PnP) technology allows for zero-touch deployment. A new switch can be pre-staged in a cloud portal and, when connected to the network, automatically download its configuration, software image, and licenses. Features like Smartport Macros auto-configure ports for specific device types (e.g., IP phone, access point), applying the correct VLAN, QoS, and security settings instantly, reducing human error and configuration time.

Resilience and High Availability

Network downtime is not an option. The C1000-48FP-4X-L is engineered for reliability and includes features that maximize uptime and provide graceful recovery from failures.

Hardware and Protocol Redundancy

The switch supports 802.1s Multiple Spanning Tree (MST) and 802.1w Rapid Spanning Tree (RSTP) for creating loop-free, redundant Layer 2 topologies with fast convergence. At Layer 3, the dynamic routing protocols (OSPF) provide path redundancy. For power, the switch includes a redundant power supply (RPS) connector, allowing it to be paired with an optional external RPS unit for continuous operation in the event of an internal power supply failure.

Quality of Service (QoS) for Optimized Application Performance

To ensure a superior user experience for voice, video, and critical applications, the switch employs sophisticated QoS. It can classify traffic based on Layer 2 (CoS), Layer 3 (DSCP), or Layer 4 (TCP/UDP port) information. Once classified, traffic can be marked, policed, and scheduled into one of eight hardware queues with strict priority or weighted round-robin scheduling. This guarantees that real-time traffic, like a VoIP call or video conference, receives the low latency and jitter performance it requires, even on a congested network.

Ideal Deployment Scenarios for the C1000-48FP-4X-L

The versatility of this switch makes it suitable for a wide range of environments. Its high PoE port density and advanced feature set solve specific business challenges.

Modern Workspace and Collaboration Hub

In office environments, the switch can power and connect a desk with an IP phone, a wireless access point, and a video conferencing system, while providing the QoS and security policies needed to keep collaboration tools running flawlessly. The Layer 3 routing capability allows for efficient segmentation of departments or floors into separate VLANs/subnets.

Secure and Smart Campus Networks

For schools and universities, the switch is ideal for classroom and dormitory deployments. It can power a multitude of devices—from access points for student connectivity to cameras for campus safety. The advanced security features help protect sensitive student data and research information, while the PoE management simplifies the rollout of digital learning tools.