463-7672 Dell 48 Ports Rack-mountable Switch

Dell Networking Rack-Mountable Switch Overview

The 463-7672 Dell Networking S3148p is a robust, fully managed Layer 3 switch engineered for enterprises, mid-size businesses, and advanced network infrastructures. Equipped with 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+), and advanced software-defined networking (SDN) capabilities, the S3148p offers exceptional performance, scalability, and intelligent traffic management. Ideal for top-of-rack, wiring closet, or campus aggregation deployments, this switch ensures smooth connectivity with high-speed data throughput and comprehensive security.

High Port Density and Flexible Connectivity

The Dell S3148p boasts a high-density configuration of 48 ports, enabling simultaneous connections to numerous endpoints such as servers, access points, IP phones, and surveillance systems. Supporting IEEE 802.3at PoE+, it delivers up to 30W per port, powering devices without the need for separate power cables or outlets. This simplifies infrastructure, lowers costs, and streamlines network deployments.

Dedicated Uplinks and Optional Stacking

In addition to its 48 Gigabit Ethernet access ports, the Dell S3148p includes 4 x 10GbE SFP+ uplink ports. These uplinks ensure fast interconnectivity with aggregation or core layers of the network, facilitating smooth data flows and load balancing. The switch also supports optional hardware stacking for up to 6 switches, allowing centralized management and simplified configuration for clustered units.

Layer 3 Switching Capabilities

The Dell Networking S3148p is a true Layer 3 switch, delivering essential routing functions such as OSPF, BGP, VRRP, static routing, and policy-based routing. These capabilities make it a powerful alternative to traditional routers in campus and enterprise environments, providing better performance, reduced latency, and more efficient network segmentation.

Multicast Support and Dynamic Routing

Advanced multicast support including IGMP snooping, MLD snooping, and PIM protocols enables optimized multimedia and video traffic distribution. Dynamic routing ensures flexible path selection based on network topology and traffic demands, allowing IT administrators to maintain high availability and efficiency across complex infrastructures.

Enterprise-Class Performance and Reliability

The 463-7672 Dell S3148p offers wire-speed performance across all ports, ensuring that no packet is delayed or dropped under peak workloads. Backed by a switching capacity of up to 260 Gbps and a forwarding rate of 193.6 Mpps, the switch is built for high-throughput environments. It supports jumbo frames and cut-through switching for latency-sensitive applications like VoIP and video conferencing.

Redundant Power and Hot-Swap Components

To ensure business continuity, the S3148p can be deployed with dual redundant, hot-swappable power supplies and fans. These features reduce downtime and facilitate easier maintenance without disrupting service. The switch also supports energy-efficient Ethernet (EEE) for reduced power consumption during idle periods, aligning with green IT goals.

Advanced Network Security and Access Control

Security is paramount in enterprise networking, and the S3148p includes robust features to safeguard data and prevent unauthorized access. The switch supports 802.1X network access control, dynamic VLAN assignment, RADIUS, and TACACS+ for centralized authentication and user management. Port security, DHCP snooping, and dynamic ARP inspection add further protection against spoofing and man-in-the-middle attacks.

ACLs and Role-Based Access

Access Control Lists (ACLs) allow administrators to enforce traffic policies at a granular level. Role-based access control (RBAC) provides different user groups with tailored permissions, facilitating a secure and manageable environment without compromising functionality for end-users or support teams.

Scalability and Network Automation

Designed with scalability in mind, the Dell Networking S3148p supports a wide range of features tailored for growing organizations and evolving IT infrastructures. Whether scaling horizontally with switch stacking or vertically with aggregation layers, the S3148p adapts to network demands while minimizing administrative overhead through automation tools.

Support for SDN and Open Networking

This model is compatible with open standards-based networking protocols, making it suitable for software-defined network (SDN) deployments. It can integrate with orchestration platforms and virtualized environments to enable agile, policy-driven networking. This empowers IT departments to manage traffic dynamically based on application and business requirements.

RESTful API and CLI Options

Network management is simplified through a range of interfaces, including a command-line interface (CLI), web GUI, and RESTful APIs. These options provide flexible control over configurations, firmware updates, and troubleshooting. SNMP v1/v2/v3 support also enables integration with centralized monitoring and alerting platforms.

Deployment Scenarios for the Dell S3148p

The 463-7672 Dell Networking S3148p is a versatile switch suited for diverse use cases, ranging from campus edge switching to high-performance workgroup aggregation. Its robust architecture and comprehensive feature set make it suitable for demanding enterprise environments that require secure, high-speed, and scalable connectivity.

Use in Enterprise Edge and Access Layers

In enterprise deployments, the Dell S3148p excels as an access layer switch connecting end-user devices to the network. With PoE+ support and auto-sensing ports, it is ideal for VoIP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras. Its Layer 3 routing capabilities help segregate user groups and optimize traffic flows toward the core network.

Data Center Top-of-Rack Switching

For small to mid-sized data centers, the S3148p serves effectively as a top-of-rack switch. Its high port density and 10GbE uplinks allow direct server connections while aggregating traffic upstream. This setup supports virtualization and high-bandwidth applications such as VDI and data backup systems.

Retail and Branch Office Environments

The switch is well-suited for branch office deployments where limited IT staff and space constraints exist. The rack-mountable 1U form factor fits neatly into standard enclosures, and PoE+ simplifies installation of peripheral devices. Integrated diagnostics and remote management capabilities enable easy troubleshooting and centralized oversight.

Environmental and Physical Specifications

The Dell Networking S3148p is engineered for durability and resilience. Designed to operate in a range of temperature and humidity conditions, it is housed in a sturdy metal chassis that provides EMI shielding and passive cooling support. Mounting brackets ensure compatibility with standard 19-inch racks.

Form Factor and Dimensions

• Form Factor: 1U Rack-mountable
• Dimensions (WxDxH): Approx. 17.3 x 15.7 x 1.7 inches
• Weight: Approximately 12.1 lbs

Environmental Compliance and Efficiency

The switch complies with RoHS, REACH, and other global environmental regulations. It supports power-saving features such as Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) and intelligent port power sensing, which reduce electricity consumption in low-traffic scenarios or during periods of inactivity.

Management and Configuration Features

The Dell S3148p includes a comprehensive set of management tools for rapid configuration, monitoring, and maintenance. Whether managing a single switch or a fleet of units, Dell's intuitive tools help streamline IT operations and ensure consistent policy enforcement across the network.

Command-Line Interface (CLI)

The CLI provides full access to advanced settings, scripting capabilities, and real-time diagnostics. Experienced administrators can automate configurations and run commands in batch to streamline deployment processes and reduce manual errors.

Web-Based GUI and Smart Wizard

For less experienced users, the graphical web interface offers guided configuration, real-time status indicators, and performance dashboards. Smart Wizard tools enable basic VLAN setup, link aggregation, and QoS configurations with minimal training.

SNMP, Syslog, and RMON Support

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) support ensures compatibility with third-party monitoring solutions. Syslog and RMON capabilities offer event logging and traffic analysis for performance tuning and forensic troubleshooting. These tools help administrators detect and resolve network anomalies proactively.

Quality of Service (QoS) and Traffic Optimization

The Dell S3148p features advanced QoS policies for prioritizing critical applications and traffic types. With eight hardware queues per port and support for Layer 2/3 classification, the switch ensures voice, video, and business-critical traffic receive the bandwidth and low latency they require.

Traffic Shaping and Bandwidth Control

Administrators can define rate-limiting rules and burst controls for granular traffic shaping. This helps enforce SLAs and prevents congestion during peak usage, ensuring that essential services continue to operate seamlessly.

DSCP, CoS, and ACL-based Prioritization

Traffic can be classified and managed using Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP), Class of Service (CoS), or ACL-based rules. These mechanisms facilitate intelligent packet prioritization across VLANs, subnets, or departments for consistent performance across distributed teams.