C1000-24T-4X-L Cisco Catalyst 24-Ports Gigabit Ethernet Switch

Key Applications and Deployment Scenarios

The versatility of the Cisco C1000-24T-4X-L makes it suitable for a wide array of networking environments. Its blend of high-density Gigabit access and high-speed uplinks addresses specific connectivity challenges across different organizational structures.

Small to Medium Business Core/ Aggregation

For many SMBs, this switch can serve as the central networking hub. The 24 Gigabit ports connect end-user devices, IP phones, and wireless access points, while the 10G SFP+ uplinks can be used to connect to a server or storage device with 10G connectivity, ensuring fast data access and backup operations without creating a bottleneck.

Branch Office Connectivity

In distributed enterprises, each branch requires a reliable, managed switch. The C1000-24T-4X-L provides secure, segmented connectivity for local users and devices. Its Layer 3 Lite capabilities allow for local routing between VLANs (e.g., separating guest Wi-Fi from corporate resources), reducing latency and WAN traffic back to the headquarters.

Voice and Data Convergence

With support for advanced QoS and Power over Ethernet (PoE) models available in other variants, the series is built for unified communications. While the 24T model has non-PoE ports, it can seamlessly interconnect with PoE switches and prioritize voice traffic, ensuring crystal-clear VoIP call quality even during periods of high network utilization.

Educational and Campus Networks

In classrooms and campus buildings, the switch delivers high-performance connectivity for student devices, digital learning tools, and faculty workstations. The 10G uplinks are essential for aggregating traffic from multiple such switches and connecting to the campus core, supporting bandwidth-intensive applications like video streaming and online testing platforms.

Technical Specifications and Hardware Details

Understanding the hardware architecture is crucial for assessing the switch's capabilities and planning deployments. The C1000-24T-4X-L is built with a robust internal design to ensure consistent performance.

Port Configuration and Performance

The switch's port layout is its most defining physical characteristic, offering a balanced design for both access and uplink requirements.

24 x Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 Ports

These 10/100/1000BASE-T ports provide standard connectivity for a vast majority of network devices, including desktop computers, laptops, printers, and IP cameras. They support auto-negotiation and auto-MDI/MDIX, simplifying cable connections.

4 x 1G/10G SFP+ Uplink Ports

These flexible uplink ports are a significant asset. They can accept either 1Gigabit or 10Gigabit SFP/SFP+ transceivers, allowing network architects to choose the appropriate speed and fiber/copper medium for their uplink connections based on distance and budget. This future-proofs the investment, enabling an upgrade to 10G without replacing the entire switch.

Switching Capacity and Forwarding Rate

The switch is engineered with a high-performance switching fabric. With a total switching capacity of up to 128 Gbps and a forwarding rate of up to 95.2 Mpps (million packets per second), it can handle line-rate traffic on all ports simultaneously, preventing internal congestion and ensuring low-latency performance for real-time applications.

Power and Physical Design

Operating on an AC power supply, the switch is designed for standard rack-mount installation (1RU height). Its fanless or quiet fan design (depending on specific SKU) makes it suitable for office environments where noise is a concern. Robust metal construction ensures durability for long-term deployment.

Advanced Feature Set: Beyond Basic Switching

The Cisco C1000-24T-4X-L is a *managed* switch, distinguishing it from unmanaged or smart switches. Its LAN Base software feature set provides comprehensive control over the network environment.

Layer 3 Lite Routing Capabilities

This feature set allows the switch to perform basic routing functions, offloading this task from the core router and improving network efficiency.

Static Routing

Network administrators can manually configure specific routes for traffic between VLANs or to defined network destinations, providing precise control over the path of network traffic.

RIP (Routing Information Protocol)

For more dynamic environments, the switch supports RIP version 1 and 2. This allows it to learn routes from other routers and switches dynamically, simplifying network management as the topology changes.

Comprehensive Security Suite

Security is integrated at multiple levels to protect the network infrastructure and the data flowing through it.

Access Control Lists (ACLs)

Standard, Extended, and IPv6 ACLs provide granular control to permit or deny traffic based on IP address, protocol, and port number, enforcing security policies directly at the switch level.

Port Security

This feature limits the number of MAC addresses allowed on a port and can specify which MAC addresses are permitted, preventing unauthorized devices from connecting to the network.

IEEE 802.1X Authentication

It supports network access control through 802.1X, requiring users or devices to authenticate before being granted access to the network, integrating with RADIUS servers like Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE).

DHCP Snooping and IP Source Guard

These features work in tandem to prevent rogue DHCP servers from distributing incorrect IP addresses and to ensure that devices use only their assigned IP addresses, mitigating IP spoofing attacks.

Enhanced Quality of Service (QoS)

To ensure optimal performance for critical applications, the switch offers sophisticated traffic classification and prioritization.

It supports classification based on Layer 2 (CoS), Layer 3 (DSCP), and Layer 4 (TCP/UDP ports). Policies can be created to prioritize latency-sensitive traffic like voice and video, ensuring consistent user experience even during congestion.

Manageability and Automation

Cisco provides multiple pathways for switch management, catering to different skill levels and operational preferences.

Cisco IOS Command-Line Interface (CLI)

The industry-standard Cisco IOS CLI offers powerful, scriptable control for experienced network professionals, enabling detailed configuration and troubleshooting.

Web-based Management Interface

A graphical user interface (GUI) simplifies setup and day-to-day monitoring for administrators who prefer a visual tool, providing wizards for common tasks.

Network Plug-and-Play

This feature simplifies deployment by allowing a new switch to automatically download its configuration from a predefined server, drastically reducing provisioning time for multiple switch rollouts.

Comparison and Selection Considerations

When evaluating the C1000-24T-4X-L, it's important to consider it within the broader Catalyst 1000 series and against competing offerings.

Within the Catalyst 1000 Series Family

The Catalyst 1000 series includes several models; choosing the right one depends on specific needs for Power over Ethernet (PoE), uplink speed, and port count.

C1000-24T-4X-L vs. PoE Models (e.g., C1000-48P-4X-L)

The "24T" model provides data-only ports. If connecting devices like IP phones, wireless access points, or surveillance cameras that require power over Ethernet, a "P" (PoE+) or "P+" (UPoE) model is necessary. The "48P" variant offers 48 PoE+ ports for higher density.

C1000-24T-4X-L vs. Models with 1G Uplinks Only

Some models in the series feature 1G SFP uplink ports instead of 10G SFP+. The 4X model is future-proofed for higher bandwidth demands, making it a more strategic choice for growing networks or bandwidth-intensive applications.