WS-C2960-24LT-L Cisco Catalyst Switch with 24 Ports

Product Outline

The Cisco WS-C2960-24LT-L Catalyst Managed Switch is a reliable and enterprise-grade networking solution designed to deliver secure, scalable, and efficient connectivity. Built by Cisco Systems, Inc., this switch is ideal for small to medium-sized business networks requiring dependable Fast Ethernet performance and Power over Ethernet support.

Main Product Information

• Manufacturer: Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Model / SKU: WS-C2960-24LT-L
• Product Name: Cisco Catalyst C2960-24LT-L Ethernet Switch
• Product Category: Managed Ethernet Switch

Key Performance Features

This Cisco Catalyst switch is engineered to enhance network efficiency, offering multiple Ethernet interfaces and advanced management capabilities suitable for business-critical environments.

Port Configuration and Connectivity

• 16 Fast Ethernet RJ-45 ports (10/100Base-TX)
• 8 Power over Ethernet (PoE) RJ-45 ports
• 2 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports (10/100/1000Base-T)

Power over Ethernet (PoE) Capability

Integrated Power over Ethernet functionality enables the switch to supply power directly to compatible devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras, minimizing additional cabling requirements.

Electrical and Power Specifications

• Input Voltage: 110V AC / 220V AC
• Supported Voltage Range: 100V AC to 240V AC

Physical Design

Designed for professional network environments, the Cisco WS-C2960-24LT-L features a compact and rack-mountable form factor for easy deployment in server rooms and data centers.

Dimensions and Form Factor

• Height: 1.73 inches
• Width: 17.50 inches
• Depth: 13 inches
• Mounting Style: Rack-mountable

Deep Dive: Cisco WS-C2960-24LT-L Specifications & Hardware

The Cisco WS-C2960-24LT-L is a Layer 2 managed, Fast Ethernet switch designed for fixed-configuration deployment. Its hardware architecture is built for durability and consistent performance in typical office and light industrial environments.

Core Hardware Specifications

The physical design of the 2960-24LT-L is optimized for standard rack mounting, featuring a 1RU form factor. It operates with a passive, fanless design, which translates to silent operation—a critical feature for deployment in open offices, classrooms, or retail spaces where noise reduction is valued.

Port Configuration and Uplinks

The switch's primary interface configuration consists of 24 10/100 (Fast Ethernet) Ethernet ports. These ports provide ample connectivity for the majority of desktop devices, legacy equipment, and peripherals that do not require Gigabit speeds. For network uplink and connectivity to servers or backbone switches, the device is equipped with 2 dual-purpose uplink ports. These ports can function as either 10/100/1000BASE-T copper Gigabit Ethernet ports or as SFP-based fiber Gigabit Ethernet slots, offering valuable flexibility in uplink media selection based on distance, cost, and existing cabling infrastructure.

Power Specifications and Environmental

The switch is powered by an internal, fixed AC power supply. It supports the Cisco EnergyWise technology, allowing for power consumption monitoring and management to support green IT initiatives. Its operational temperature range supports typical controlled office environments.

Performance and Switching Capacity

With a forwarding bandwidth of up to 6.5 Gbps and a packet forwarding rate of approximately 3.9 Mpps, the 2960-24LT-L is well-suited for its intended role as an access switch. Its switching fabric ensures non-blocking performance for the configured 10/100 ports and uplinks, preventing internal congestion and maintaining smooth data flow for connected devices.

Software Features and Management Capabilities

As a managed switch, the true value of the Cisco WS-C2960-24LT-L lies in its software intelligence and comprehensive feature set. It runs Cisco IOS Software, providing a consistent, reliable, and feature-rich operating system familiar to network administrators worldwide.

Layer 2 Switching Features

The switch offers a full suite of Layer 2 switching protocols to ensure efficient and loop-free network operation. It supports IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and its rapid convergence variants—Rapid PVST+ and MSTP—for robust redundancy. VLAN support is extensive, allowing for up to 255 VLANs (normal and extended range) to segment network traffic for security and performance. VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) support simplifies VLAN management across the network.

Quality of Service (QoS) for Traffic Prioritization

In converged networks carrying voice, video, and data, traffic prioritization is paramount. The 2960-24LT-L provides advanced QoS features based on IEEE 802.1p Class of Service (CoS) and IP Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP). It supports multiple egress queues per port, allowing critical traffic like VoIP (using Auto-QoS for simplified deployment) to be prioritized, ensuring clear voice calls and uninterrupted video streams even during periods of high network utilization.

Security and Access Control Mechanisms

Network security starts at the access edge. This switch integrates multiple layers of protection. It supports IEEE 802.1X port-based authentication, using RADIUS servers to validate users and devices before granting network access. Port security features allow administrators to lock down MAC addresses to specific ports. Additional features like DHCP snooping, IP Source Guard, and Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) work in concert to mitigate common LAN-based attacks such as ARP spoofing and DHCP starvation.

Management Interfaces and Tools

Administrators can manage the switch through multiple avenues: a familiar Cisco IOS Command-Line Interface (CLI) accessed via console, Telnet, or SSH; a web-based graphical interface (Cisco Network Assistant or the embedded web GUI); and support for SNMPv1, v2c, and v3 for integration with network management systems like Cisco Prime Infrastructure. This flexibility accommodates different administrator preferences and operational workflows.

Ideal Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The Cisco WS-C2960-24LT-L is strategically positioned for specific network environments where its balance of cost, features, and performance delivers optimal value.

Small to Midsize Business (SMB) Backbone

For SMBs, this switch often serves as a dependable core or distribution layer switch, connecting departmental workgroups, providing server connectivity via its Gigabit uplinks, and enforcing basic security and QoS policies across the organization.

Enterprise Branch Office and Remote Site

In distributed enterprise networks, the 2960-24LT-L is a perfect fit for remote branches, retail outlets, or satellite offices. Its manageability allows central IT teams to provision and monitor it remotely, ensuring policy consistency. The silent operation is ideal for office spaces, and the robust security helps protect the branch network edge.

Educational Environments and Classrooms

Schools and universities benefit from its quiet, fanless design for classroom and lab deployments. The ability to create separate VLANs for students, faculty, and guests enhances security, while QoS ensures educational video and e-learning applications perform reliably.

VoIP and Converged Network Ready

With its robust QoS and ability to classify voice traffic automatically (Auto-QoS), this switch is an excellent platform for deploying Cisco IP phones and unified communications solutions. It can provide Power over Ethernet (PoE) pass-through in specific wiring closet scenarios when connected to a PoE source.

Comparison and Considerations

When evaluating the WS-C2960-24LT-L, it's important to understand its place within the broader switch landscape to make an informed purchasing decision.

Within the Cisco 2960 Series Family

The "LT-L" designation indicates it is part of the LAN Lite software image family. Compared to the LAN Base image, the LAN Lite image offers a subset of features—most notably, it lacks advanced capabilities like static Layer 3 routing, IPv6 routing, and more advanced security access control lists (ACLs). For networks requiring only robust Layer 2 functionality, LAN Lite is a cost-effective choice.

Fast Ethernet vs. Gigabit Ethernet Access

The most significant consideration is its 10/100 port speed. In an era where Gigabit to the desktop is common, this switch is best suited for environments where end-device bandwidth requirements are modest (e.g., task workers, point-of-sale systems, legacy equipment) or where cost constraints are primary. For bandwidth-intensive users or new deployments, a Gigabit access switch like the Cisco Catalyst 2960X might be more future-proof.