WS-C3850-24UW-S Cisco Catalyst 24 Ports Switch

Product Overview

The Cisco WS-C3850-24UW-S Catalyst 3850 Series switch is a high-performance Ethernet switching solution designed for modern enterprise networks. Built to deliver reliability, scalability, and advanced routing capabilities, this Cisco Catalyst switch is ideal for businesses seeking efficient network management and robust connectivity.

Manufacturer and Brand Information

Cisco Systems, Inc.

• Brand: Cisco
• Product Line: Catalyst
• Series: 3850
• Model Number: WS-C3850-24UW-S
• Model Name: Catalyst 3850-24U Ethernet Switch
• Device Type: Managed Ethernet Switch

Network Ports and Connectivity

Port Configuration and Expansion

• 24 high-speed Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Integrated uplink port for enhanced network expansion
• Stackable design for simplified scalability
• Non-modular architecture for stable deployment

Port Details

• 24 x 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet ports
• Supports twisted pair cabling

Performance and Network Capabilities

Advanced Ethernet Technology

• Gigabit Ethernet support for high data throughput
• Optimized for enterprise-grade networking
• Reliable Layer 3 switching and routing

Supported Network Standards

• 10/100/1000Base-T network technology
• Layer 3 protocol support for enhanced traffic control

Management and Control Features

Smart and Secure Network Administration

• Fully manageable switch for centralized control
• Designed to simplify monitoring and configuration
• Ideal for complex enterprise environments

Power Supply and Redundancy

Reliable Power Design

• Internal power supply included
• Redundant power supply support for higher uptime
• Ensures continuous operation in mission-critical networks

Physical Specifications

Form Factor and Mounting Options

• Rack-mountable or standalone deployment
• Compatible with standard 1U rack space

Dimensions

• Height: 1.8 inches
• Width: 17.7 inches
• Depth: 17.5 inches

Ideal Use Cases

• Enterprise office networks
• Data centers and IT infrastructures
• Businesses requiring scalable and secure switching

Unveiling the WS-C3850-24UW-S: Model-Specific Excellence

The "WS-C3850-24UW-S" model designation provides a detailed blueprint of the switch's capabilities. It signifies a 24-port configuration with a critical combination of connectivity options. The "UW" indicates it includes both Universal PoE+ (UPOE) and standard PoE+ capabilities, while the "-S" suffix denotes it comes with the IP Services feature set, offering advanced Layer 3 routing, security, and multicast features. This specific configuration is engineered to power the most demanding access layer devices, from high-performance wireless access points to advanced collaboration endpoints, all while providing the intelligence to manage them holistically.

Core Architectural Advantages

Beyond its port count, the Catalyst 3850's strength lies in its innovative architecture, centered around the concept of Unified Access.

Cisco Unified Access Data Plane (UADP) ASIC

At the heart of every Catalyst 3850 switch is the custom-designed UADP application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). This chipset delivers several key benefits:

Consistent Policy Enforcement: Apply the same security and quality-of-service (QoS) policies regardless of whether a client connects via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
High Performance: Provides line-rate, low-latency switching for all ports, ensuring smooth application performance.

Converged Wired and Wireless with Cisco StackWise

The Catalyst 3850 uniquely integrates a WLAN controller within the switch stack. This groundbreaking approach eliminates the need for a separate physical wireless LAN controller appliance.

StackWise-480 Technology

The switch utilizes StackWise-480, creating a logical, single management entity from up to 9 physical switches. The stack behaves as one unit, with a unified control plane and a high-speed 480 Gbps stack ring for inter-switch communication, ensuring seamless roaming and consistent policy application across the entire stack.

Benefits of Embedded Wireless Controller

This integration reduces capital and operational expenses, simplifies deployment, and scales to support thousands of access points and tens of thousands of wireless clients directly from the switch stack.

Detailed Technical Specifications and Capabilities

The WS-C3850-24UW-S is packed with features that address modern network demands for power, speed, security, and control.

Connectivity and Power Specifications

The switch offers a versatile mix of port types to cater to diverse connectivity needs.

Ethernet Port Configuration

24 x RJ-45 Ports: All 24 ports support 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet. They are also capable of delivering IEEE 802.3af (PoE), 802.3at (PoE+), and Cisco Universal PoE (UPOE) power.
4 x SFP+ Uplink Ports: The switch includes four dedicated 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ uplink ports for high-speed connectivity to the network core or aggregation layer, providing ample bandwidth for aggregated access layer traffic.

Advanced Power over Ethernet (PoE) Capabilities

The "UW" in the model name highlights its superior power delivery:

Universal PoE (UPOE): Delivers up to 60 watts per port (Type 3 & 4), enabling support for advanced devices like Cisco TelePresence endpoints, advanced point-of-sale systems, building automation controllers, and thin clients—all over standard Ethernet cabling.
Total PoE Budget: The switch provides a robust power budget, typically up to 740W, allowing administrators to fully utilize all ports with PoE devices simultaneously.
Energy Management: Features like Cisco EnergyWise allow for granular monitoring and control of power consumption, helping organizations meet sustainability goals.

Software and Feature Set: IP Services

The inclusion of the IP Services software image (denoted by "-S") transforms this access switch into a powerful routing platform.

Advanced Layer 3 Routing

Supports full dynamic routing protocols, including:

Open Shortest Path First (OSPFv2/v3)Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP)
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM) for multicast routing.

This allows the switch to perform inter-VLAN routing and act as a distribution layer device in smaller or collapsed core designs.

Comprehensive Security Suite

Security is built-in at multiple levels:

TrustSec Technology

Cisco's Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) precursor uses Security Group Tags (SGTs) to enforce policy based on user and device identity, rather than just IP address, enabling scalable segmentation.

Advanced Threat Protection

Features like Control Plane Policing (CoPP), Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), IP Source Guard, and DHCP Snooping protect the switch infrastructure and connected hosts from malicious attacks.

Performance and Scalability

Engineered for high-density, high-performance environments.

Switching Capacity: Offers a substantial backplane switching capacity, ensuring non-blocking performance for all ports simultaneously.
Forwarding Rate: A high packet-forwarding rate enables it to handle large amounts of traffic with minimal latency, critical for real-time applications like voice and video.
Scalability: Through StackWise-480, a single logical unit can scale to hundreds of Gigabit Ethernet ports and dozens of 10 Gigabit uplinks, growing seamlessly with network demands.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The versatility of the Catalyst 3850-24UW-S makes it suitable for a wide range of enterprise applications.

High-Density Wireless Access Deployment

Ideal for deploying 802.11ac Wave 2 or newer Wi-Fi 6/6E access points. The integrated wireless controller, high PoE+ budget, and 10G SFP+ uplinks ensure the switch can power and backhaul multiple high-performance APs without bottleneck, providing a superior wireless experience.

Unified Communications and Collaboration Hub

Perfect for powering and connecting IP phones, video conferencing units (like Cisco TelePresence), and collaboration screens. UPOE delivers the necessary power for these advanced endpoints, while robust QoS mechanisms (including medianet) prioritize voice and video traffic to ensure crystal-clear communications.

Enterprise Branch or Campus Access Layer

Serves as a reliable, feature-rich access switch for connecting end-users, printers, and IoT devices. The IP Services feature set allows it to perform local routing at the branch, reducing traffic backhaul to the main data center and improving application performance for local users.

IoT and Digital Building Aggregation

With UPOE's ability to deliver higher wattage, the switch can power a vast array of IoT devices—from security cameras and digital signage to building management sensors and lighting controls—converging these systems onto a single, secure, and manageable network infrastructure.

Programmability with Open APIs

Supports a variety of programmatic interfaces for automation and integration:

YANG Data Models

Supports NETCONF and RESTCONF using OpenConfig and native YANG models, allowing for model-driven, consistent configuration management.

Python and Scripting

On-box Python scripting capabilities enable the automation of operational tasks directly on the switch, providing flexibility for custom automation workflows.

Traditional Management Interfaces

For administrators accustomed to classic methods, the switch offers a full suite of options including Cisco IOS CLI, a web-based graphical interface (GUI), and SNMPv3 support for integration with enterprise management platforms.