C1000-8T-2G-L Cisco 8 Ports Ethernet Switch

Product Outline of Cisco C1000-8T-2G-L 8 Ports Ethernet Switch

The Cisco Catalyst C1000-8T-2G-L is a compact and reliable Layer 2 Ethernet switch designed for small businesses, branch offices, and enterprise edge networks. It delivers secure, high-speed connectivity with a combination of Gigabit Ethernet ports and flexible fiber uplinks, making it ideal for modern network environments.

General Product Information

• Brand: Cisco
• Model Number: C1000-8T-2G-L
• Product Family: Catalyst
• Series: 1000
• Device Type: Managed Ethernet Switch

Port Configuration and Connectivity

This Cisco Catalyst 1000 Series switch offers a versatile port layout to support copper and fiber-based network connections.

• 8 × 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 ports
• 2 × Gigabit Ethernet combo ports (RJ-45/SFP)
• Dedicated uplink support for network expansion
• Modular design for enhanced flexibility
• No stack port for simplified deployment

Port Details

• Total Network Ports: 8
• Uplink Ports Available: Yes
• Combo TP/SFP Ports: 2

Performance and Network Technologies

Built for dependable performance, the switch supports Gigabit Ethernet speeds and multiple network standards to ensure smooth data transmission.

• Ethernet Technology: Gigabit Ethernet
• Network Standards Supported:
  • 1000Base-T
  • 1000Base-X
• Compatible Media Types:
  • Twisted Pair (Copper)
  • Optical Fiber

Expansion and SFP Capabilities

The Cisco C1000-8T-2G-L switch provides scalable connectivity through shared SFP slots, allowing seamless integration into existing fiber networks.

• Total Expansion Slots: 2
• Slot Type: SFP (mini-GBIC)
• Shared SFP Slots: Yes
• Number of SFP Ports: 2

Environmental and Operating Conditions

Engineered for durability, this switch operates reliably across a wide range of temperatures, altitudes, and humidity levels.

Operating Environment

• Operating Temperature (Sea Level): -5°C to 50°C
• Operating Temperature (Up to 5,000 ft): -5°C to 45°C
• Operating Temperature (Up to 10,000 ft): -5°C to 40°C
• Maximum Operating Altitude: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
• Operating Humidity: 5% to 90% at 40°C (non-condensing)

Storage Conditions

• Storage Temperature: -25°C to 70°C (-13°F to 158°F)
• Storage Altitude: Up to 15,000 ft (4,500 m)
• Storage Humidity: 5% to 95% at 65°C (non-condensing)

Core Architecture and Hardware Specifications

At its heart, the Cisco Catalyst C1000 Series is built for performance-per-watt efficiency and silent operation. The 8T-2G-L model is a fanless switch, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments like offices, clinics, or retail spaces. Its compact, rugged metal enclosure ensures durability while facilitating easy installation in wiring closets, on desktops, or even mounted on a wall.

Port Configuration and Uplink Flexibility

The port arrangement of the C1000-8T-2G-L is strategically designed for versatility and future-proofing.

Eight Copper 10/100/1000BASE-T Ports

These auto-sensing, auto-negotiating RJ-45 ports provide high-speed connectivity to a wide array of endpoints. They are perfect for connecting desktop computers, VoIP phones, wireless access points (supporting Power-over-Ethernet on PoE models), printers, and security cameras. Each port supports IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), which reduces power consumption during periods of low data activity, contributing to lower operational costs and a greener footprint.

Two Combo Gigabit SFP Uplink Ports

This is a critical feature that elevates the switch beyond basic connectivity. The two SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) slots are "combo" ports, meaning they share their logical connection with the last two copper RJ-45 ports (Ports 9 and 10 on the unit). You can use either the copper port *or* the corresponding SFP port, but not both simultaneously. This provides immense flexibility for uplink connections:

Fiber Optic Connectivity: Insert SFP modules (sold separately) to connect via fiber optic cable. This allows for long-distance connections to a core switch or router in another building (up to kilometers, depending on the module), immunity to electromagnetic interference, and enhanced security.
Copper Uplink Redundancy: Use the standard RJ-45 ports for short-distance, cost-effective uplinks over Cat5e/6 cable.

This combo design lets network administrators choose the most appropriate and cost-effective medium for their specific uplink needs without being locked into a single technology.

Performance and Switching Capacity

The switch features a non-blocking switching architecture, ensuring all ports can operate at wire speed simultaneously without congestion. With a high switching capacity and forwarding rate, it handles traffic-intensive applications like video conferencing, large file transfers, and unified communications with ease, preventing bottlenecks at the network edge.

Advanced Layer 2 Features for Intelligent Switching

Beyond simple connectivity, the Cisco C1000-8T-2G-L is a fully managed switch, offering a rich suite of Layer 2 features that optimize traffic flow, enhance reliability, and simplify management.

VLAN (Virtual LAN) Support

Segmenting a network into VLANs is essential for security, performance, and broadcast control. This switch supports IEEE 802.1Q tagging and a large number of VLANs, allowing you to logically separate departments (e.g., Finance, HR, Guest Wi-Fi) even if they are physically connected to the same switch. This isolation improves security by restricting broadcast domains and containing potential network threats.

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Enhancements

To prevent network loops and ensure a stable, loop-free topology, the switch supports multiple Spanning Tree protocols:

IEEE 802.1D (Traditional Spanning Tree)IEEE 802.1w (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol - RSTP) for much faster convergence
IEEE 802.1s (Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol - MSTP) for mapping multiple VLANs to a single spanning tree instance, optimizing network resource utilization.

Quality of Service (QoS) for Prioritized Traffic

In a converged network carrying data, voice, and video, QoS is non-negotiable. The C1000 switch classifies and prioritizes traffic based on:

IEEE 802.1p CoS (Class of Service): Prioritizes traffic at Layer 2 using VLAN tag information.
DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point): Prioritizes traffic at Layer 3/IP level for more granular control.

This means real-time applications like VoIP or video streams can be given higher priority over general web browsing, ensuring crystal-clear calls and jitter-free video, even during periods of high network utilization.

Link Aggregation (EtherChannel)

For increased uplink bandwidth and redundancy, the switch supports IEEE 802.3ad Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP). You can bundle multiple physical ports (e.g., the two SFP ports) into a single logical EtherChannel. This provides load balancing across the links and fault tolerance; if one link fails, traffic is automatically redirected through the remaining active links with minimal disruption.

Robust Security Features to Protect the Network Edge

Security must start at the access layer, where devices connect to the network. The C1000-8T-2G-L incorporates multiple Cisco and industry-standard security mechanisms.

Port Security and IEEE 802.1X Authentication

Control which devices can access your network. Port Security allows you to lock a switch port to a specific device's MAC address, preventing unauthorized devices from connecting. For dynamic, centralized authentication, the switch supports IEEE 802.1X, which can integrate with a RADIUS server (like Cisco Identity Services Engine) to validate user or device credentials before granting network access.

ACLs (Access Control Lists) and DHCP Snooping

ACLs provide granular control over what traffic is permitted or denied on the network. DHCP Snooping is a vital security feature that acts as a firewall between untrusted hosts and trusted DHCP servers. It prevents rogue DHCP servers (which could hand out incorrect IP information) from operating on the network, a common attack vector.

Storm Control and Secure Management

The switch can detect and suppress broadcast, multicast, or unicast traffic storms that can cripple a network. For management security, it supports SSH (Secure Shell) v2 and SNMPv3 for encrypted CLI and monitoring sessions, preventing credential interception. Additionally, role-based access control (RBAC) allows administrators to assign different privilege levels to IT staff.

Simplified Management and Deployment Options

Cisco understands that not all organizations have dedicated networking experts. The C1000 series offers flexible management options to suit different skill levels.

Cisco Business Mobile App and Web Interface

For unprecedented ease of setup, the switch can be initially configured using the intuitive Cisco Business mobile app. Simply power the switch, use your smartphone to scan the QR code on the unit, and follow the guided setup on your phone. For day-to-day management, a user-friendly, graphical web interface (GUI) provides access to most configuration and monitoring features without requiring command-line knowledge.

Ideal Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The versatility of the Cisco C1000-8T-2G-L makes it suitable for a broad spectrum of environments.

Small to Medium-Sized Business (SMB) Core/Access Layer

As the main switch in a small office, it provides reliable, high-speed connectivity for all employees, with the SFP uplinks ready to connect to an internet router or a storage server. Its manageability allows the business to implement secure guest networks and prioritize business-critical applications.

Branch Office or Remote Site Connectivity

In a distributed enterprise, this switch is perfect for remote sites. The fiber SFP uplinks can connect back to corporate headquarters over a leased line or dark fiber, providing a fast, reliable, and secure link. Local switching ensures traffic between branch users remains local for performance.

Educational Environments and Classroom Labs

Its fanless, silent operation makes it ideal for classrooms or computer labs. The robust security features help IT departments manage student and faculty network access, while VLANs can separate administrative traffic from student lab networks.