In-Depth Technical Analysis and Pricing of Cisco WS-C2960X-48LPS-L Switch

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst WS-C2960X-48LPS-L is a high-performance Layer 2 managed switch designed for enterprise campus and branch office networks. As part of the Cisco Catalyst 2960-X series, this model delivers advanced switching capabilities, robust security features, and energy-efficient operation, making it an ideal choice for organizations seeking scalable, reliable, and secure network infrastructure.

Engineered to support high-density Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, the WS-C2960X-48LPS-L provides 48 10/100/1000 Mbps ports with Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) support, enabling seamless integration of IP telephony, wireless access points, and other PoE-enabled devices. The switch runs Cisco IOS Software with LAN Base feature set, offering essential Layer 2 switching functionalities with limited Layer 3 static routing capabilities.

This switch is optimized for energy efficiency through Cisco EnergyWise technology and supports Cisco FlexStack-Plus for stacking up to eight switches, allowing simplified management and increased scalability. The WS-C2960X-48LPS-L is designed to meet the demands of modern enterprise networks requiring high availability, security, and ease of management.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Hardware Specifications

The WS-C2960X-48LPS-L switch features a fixed configuration with 48 RJ-45 10/100/1000 Mbps ports, all supporting PoE+ with a total power budget of 740W. Additionally, it includes four dual-purpose uplink ports that can operate as either 1G SFP or 10/100/1000 RJ-45 ports, providing flexible connectivity options for aggregation or uplink to core switches.

The switch chassis is a compact 1RU form factor, optimized for rack mounting in standard 19-inch racks. It supports Cisco FlexStack-Plus technology via a dedicated stacking port, enabling stacking bandwidth of up to 80 Gbps and allowing up to eight switches to be managed as a single logical unit.

2.2 Performance and Capacity

The WS-C2960X-48LPS-L delivers a switching capacity of 216 Gbps and a forwarding rate of 107.1 Mpps (million packets per second), ensuring wire-speed performance across all ports. The switch supports a MAC address table size of 16,000 entries and a Layer 2 forwarding rate optimized for enterprise traffic patterns.

The device supports up to 32,000 IPv4 unicast routes and 16,000 IPv4 multicast routes, although its Layer 3 capabilities are limited to static routing and basic routing protocols due to the LAN Base IOS feature set.

2.3 Power and Environmental Specifications

The WS-C2960X-48LPS-L is powered by an internal fixed power supply rated at 715W, supporting PoE+ with a total power budget of 740W for connected devices. The switch supports Cisco EnergyWise technology, which dynamically manages power consumption based on network usage, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.

Operating temperature ranges from 0°C to 45°C, with storage temperature from -40°C to 70°C. The device complies with industry standards for electromagnetic emissions and safety certifications, ensuring reliable operation in enterprise environments.

2.4 Software and Protocol Support

The WS-C2960X-48LPS-L runs Cisco IOS Software with the LAN Base feature set, providing comprehensive Layer 2 switching features including VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid STP (RSTP), Multiple STP (MSTP), Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), and Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities.

Security features include 802.1X port-based authentication, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), IP Source Guard, DHCP Snooping, and Access Control Lists (ACLs) to protect against unauthorized access and network attacks. The switch supports SNMP v1/v2c/v3 for network management and integrates with Cisco Prime Infrastructure for centralized monitoring.

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 High-Density PoE+ Support

With 48 PoE+ capable ports delivering up to 30W per port and a total power budget of 740W, the WS-C2960X-48LPS-L supports a wide range of powered devices including IP phones, wireless access points, security cameras, and IoT endpoints. This high-density PoE+ capability simplifies network design by eliminating the need for separate power cabling and power injectors.

3.2 FlexStack-Plus Stacking Technology

Cisco FlexStack-Plus technology enables stacking of up to eight WS-C2960X switches with an 80 Gbps stacking bandwidth. This feature allows network administrators to manage multiple switches as a single entity, simplifying configuration, firmware upgrades, and troubleshooting while providing redundancy and high availability.

3.3 Energy Efficiency and Environmental Responsibility

The switch incorporates Cisco EnergyWise technology, which monitors and controls power consumption across the network. Features such as Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) and intelligent power management reduce energy usage during low traffic periods, contributing to lower operational expenses and a reduced carbon footprint.

3.4 Robust Security Features

Security is paramount in enterprise networks, and the WS-C2960X-48LPS-L addresses this with comprehensive Layer 2 security mechanisms. 802.1X authentication ensures only authorized devices connect to the network, while DHCP Snooping and Dynamic ARP Inspection prevent common network attacks such as IP spoofing and man-in-the-middle attacks.

3.5 Simplified Management and Automation