MS355-24X2-HW Cisco Meraki 24 Ports Switch

Cisco MS355-24X2-HW 24 Port Managed Switch Overview

The Cisco MS355-24X2-HW is a high-performance 24-port managed switch designed for modern enterprise networks. Engineered for reliability, scalability, and flexibility, it seamlessly integrates into data centers and large office infrastructures, delivering robust Layer 3 switching capabilities.

Manufacturer & Product Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model / SKU: MS355-24X2-HW
• Product Type: Network Switch
• Sub-Type: 24-Port Managed Switch

Key Technical Specifications

• Device Type: 24-Port L3 Managed Stackable Switch
• Ethernet Subtype: Gigabit
• Port Configuration:
  • 8 × 1/2.5/5/10GBase-T
  • 16 × 10/100/1000Base-T
  • 4 × 10 Gigabit SFP+
  • 2 × QSFP+
• Enclosure: 1U Rack-Mountable
• Maximum Stack Units: 8
• Switching Capacity: 352 Gbps

Interface Details

• 8 × 100/1000/2.5G/5G/10GBase-T RJ-45 ports
• 16 × 1000Base-T RJ-45 ports
• 4 × 10G LAN SFP+ uplink ports
• 2 × Stacking interfaces

Compliance & Standards

• IEEE 802.1d, 802.1q, 802.1p
• IEEE 802.3af, 802.3at (PoE support)
• IEEE 802.3ad (LACP)
• IEEE 802.1w (Rapid Spanning Tree)
• IEEE 802.1x, 802.1ab (LLDP)

Advanced Features

• Flow Control and Auto-Negotiation
• ARP Support and VLAN Management
• Port Mirroring and Syslog Integration
• Email & SMS Alerts for Network Monitoring
• Broadcast Storm Control for Improved Stability
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) & Rapid STP Support
• DHCP Server, Relay, and Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI)
• Uni-Directional Link Detection (UDLD) and LLDP Support
• Static Routing and Crossover Detection
• BPDU Guard, Root Guard, and Loop Guard
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Push Notifications

Cisco MS355‑24X2‑HW Meraki 24 Ports Switch Category

The Cisco MS355‑24X2‑HW Meraki 24 Ports Managed Switch category represents a high‑performance segment of cloud‑managed enterprise switching solutions designed to serve campus, data center access, and high‑density environments where reliability, scalability, and intelligent management are critical. This category of switches centers around the MS355 series, with the MS355‑24X2‑HW model offering powerful Layer 3 switching combined with cloud orchestration via the Cisco Meraki Dashboard, giving administrators deep visibility and control without traditional on‑premises management complexity. The switches in this category are engineered for environments requiring multigigabit access, stacked performance, advanced routing capabilities, and robust security features, making them ideal for organizations seeking to modernize their network infrastructure with simplified deployment and comprehensive control.

Cloud‑Managed Architecture and Meraki Dashboard Integration

At the core of the Cisco MS355‑24X2‑HW category is the cloud‑managed architecture that transforms how network operations are conducted. Instead of relying solely on local command‑line interfaces or legacy management software, these switches leverage the Cisco Meraki Dashboard, a web‑based user interface that provides centralized management for all devices across the network. Administrators can monitor traffic patterns, configure VLANs, provision policies, and apply firmware updates from anywhere, significantly reducing operational overhead. The dashboard also supports zero‑touch provisioning, which accelerates deployment by allowing new switches to be configured automatically as soon as they connect to the network, eliminating manual staging. Historical per‑port and per‑client usage statistics enable IT teams to understand utilization trends and diagnose performance issues proactively, while integrated tools such as remote packet capture and cable testing assist with troubleshooting.

Key Cloud‑Managed Benefits

Cloud‑managed networking represents the modern standard for enterprise environments that span multiple physical sites or that require a hands‑off management model. The Meraki Dashboard supports email and mobile push notifications for network events, combined event and configuration change logs with instant search, and integrated management of wired and wireless networks in a unified platform. This integration simplifies the administration of mixed environments where switches, wireless access points, and security appliances must work in concert to support business demands.

Hardware Specifications and Physical Integration

The Cisco MS355‑24X2‑HW is built on a robust hardware platform capable of delivering multi‑gigabit connectivity where it matters most. This model includes 24 multigigabit (mGig) RJ‑45 ports that support speeds from 100 Mbps up to 10 Gbps, ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure while future‑proofing your network for bandwidth‑intensive applications and devices such as 802.11ax wireless access points, servers, and workstations. Uplink flexibility is provided via either 2 × 40G QSFP+ or 4 × 10G SFP+ ports, allowing high‑speed aggregation to core switches or data center links. In addition, the switch has 2 × 100G QSFP28 stacking ports that enable physical stacking of up to 8 switches with up to 400 Gbps of stacking bandwidth, simplifying large deployments with unified management and consistent configuration across all units.

Form Factor and Mounting

The MS355‑24X2‑HW switch category is designed to fit 1U rack spaces, making it suitable for standard network racks in server rooms and closets. The 1.72” x 19.08” x 20.34” (H x W x D) rack‑mountable form factor supports enterprise installation standards and ensures compatibility with a wide range of rack accessories and cable management solutions. Its solid build quality contributes to long‑term durability in mission‑critical environments where uptime is essential.

Advanced Switching and Routing Capabilities

The Cisco MS355‑24X2‑HW falls within the managed Layer 3 switch category, offering advanced routing features in addition to traditional Layer 2 switching. This capability allows the switch to participate in static routing, dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF, and support multicast routing, enabling more complex network designs without the need for additional routers. VLAN support up to 4094 VLANs with 802.1Q tagging and trunking enables network segmentation for security and traffic prioritization, while features such as link aggregation with up to 8 ports per aggregate and support for multichassis link aggregation ensure that traffic can be distributed across multiple physical links for both redundancy and increased throughput.

Quality of Service and Traffic Management

Within high‑performance networks, Quality of Service (QoS) is crucial for prioritizing traffic such as voice, video, and critical application data. The MS355‑24X2‑HW supports 802.1p QoS with multiple queues and configurable DSCP‑to‑CoS mapping, enabling granular control over traffic prioritization. Broadcast storm control and multicast filtering with IGMP Snooping further refine traffic handling, reducing unnecessary load on the network and improving overall performance during peak usage periods.

Security and Access Control

Security is an integral part of the MS355‑24X2‑HW category, which includes support for IEEE 802.1X authentication to enforce network access policies for endpoints and users. DHCP snooping and dynamic ARP inspection provide protection against common network attacks, while IPv4 and IPv6 access control lists (ACLs) enable administrators to define rules that govern traffic flow based on source, destination, and protocol type. Role‑based access control within the Meraki Dashboard further allows fine‑grained administrative privileges, reducing the risk of unauthorized changes to network configuration.

Power Over Ethernet (PoE) and Multigigabit Support

Many deployments require the distribution of power directly through network cabling to connected devices, and the MS355‑24X2‑HW category supports Unified Power over Ethernet (UPoE) with up to 740W of total power available. This enables the switch to power a range of devices including VoIP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras without separate power supplies, streamlining cabling and installation. Multigigabit support on the RJ‑45 ports ensures that devices capable of higher speeds can take full advantage of the network’s throughput without necessitating separate fiber connections at every endpoint.

Energy Efficiency and Flexible Power Options

The MS355‑24X2‑HW incorporates a modular power supply design with hot‑swappable units available for redundancy configurations. This design allows organizations to improve uptime by replacing a power supply without powering down the switch. Energy efficiency is also considered within the hardware design, balancing operational requirements with reduced power usage when compared to older legacy switches. Monitoring of power usage through the Meraki Dashboard provides insights into load and consumption patterns, helping identify opportunities for energy optimization.

Stacking for Scalability and Simplified Management

Stacking is a standout feature of the MS355‑24X2‑HW category, enabling multiple physical switches to operate as a single logical device. Physical stacking with dedicated QSFP28 stacking ports allows up to 8 switches to share configuration and monitoring data seamlessly, greatly simplifying network expansions and reducing administrative overhead. Virtual stacking complements this by extending unified management to large port counts across many devices, giving IT teams a consolidated view of even the largest deployments. Stacking bandwidth of 400 Gbps ensures that interswitch communication remains fast and does not become a bottleneck, supporting high throughput environments such as enterprise campuses or data center access layers.

Performance Metrics and Throughput

The performance of the MS355‑24X2‑HW is reflected in its high switching capacity of 640 Gbps and forwarding rates of hundreds of millions of packets per second, which provide the processing power needed for modern network demands including large file transfers, virtualization traffic, and cloud services connectivity. Jumbo frame support up to 9600 bytes supports optimized performance for storage or virtualization workloads that benefit from larger frame sizes.

Use Cases and Ideal Deployments

Switches within the Cisco MS355‑24X2‑HW category are ideal for a range of enterprise applications including campus networks at universities, hospitals, corporate headquarters, remote branches, and other environments where robust performance and simplified management are key. The multigigabit capability makes these switches especially suited for organizations deploying the latest Wi‑Fi 6 access points that require greater than gigabit throughput to realize their full potential. Likewise, integration with existing Meraki MX security appliances and MR wireless access points facilitates a unified network ecosystem that supports converged wired and wireless administration.

Comparisons Within Cisco Meraki Switch Portfolio

Compared to other Meraki switch models, the MS355 series provides a balance of multigigabit density, stacking capability, and cloud‑managed simplicity that is not always present in lower‑end access switches. While other models may offer fewer ports or limited stacking capabilities, the MS355‑24X2‑HW stands out for combining a full suite of Layer 3 features with high‑density mGig ports and uplinks capable of supporting future‑ready networks.

Growing Network Demands and Future Proofing

As businesses adopt more connected devices and bandwidth‑intensive applications, the scalability and flexibility of the MS355‑24X2‑HW category enable organizations to meet current needs while providing room for growth. Whether expanding wireless capacity, adding IP‑based security cameras, or segmenting networks for compliance or performance, these switches deliver a comprehensive platform that adapts to evolving requirements.

Integration With Existing Infrastructure

The Cisco MS355‑24X2‑HW category is designed to integrate smoothly with existing network infrastructures including core routers, firewalls, servers, and storage systems. Compatible with standard Ethernet and fiber uplink configurations, multigigabit speeds, and advanced routing protocols, these switches fit into diverse environments without requiring wholesale redesigns. They also support industry‑standard networking protocols that ensure interoperability with third‑party devices and services.