In-Depth Technical Analysis and Pricing of Cisco C1000-24T-4G-L Switch

1. Product Overview

The Cisco C1000-24T-4G-L is a member of Cisco’s Catalyst 1000 Series switches, designed specifically for small to medium-sized businesses and branch office environments requiring reliable, secure, and scalable network infrastructure. This fixed-configuration, Layer 2 switch offers 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 4 Gigabit SFP uplink ports, delivering a balance of performance, simplicity, and advanced features tailored for enterprise edge deployments.

Engineered to provide seamless integration with Cisco’s extensive networking ecosystem, the C1000-24T-4G-L supports essential Layer 2 switching capabilities, robust security features, and energy-efficient operation. It is optimized for ease of deployment and management, making it an ideal choice for IT teams seeking to enhance network reliability without the complexity of advanced Layer 3 routing.

The “L” suffix in the model number denotes the LAN Base software image, which provides a comprehensive set of Layer 2 features, including VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol variants, and basic QoS, while excluding advanced Layer 3 routing functionalities. This makes the device well-suited for environments where Layer 2 switching suffices and cost-effectiveness is a priority.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Physical and Interface Specifications

The Cisco C1000-24T-4G-L switch features a compact form factor with dimensions approximately 44.5 cm (width) x 25.5 cm (depth) x 4.4 cm (height), suitable for desktop or rack-mount installation using the included mounting kit. The device weighs roughly 3.5 kg, facilitating easy deployment in constrained spaces.

The switch provides 24 fixed 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-45 ports supporting auto-negotiation and auto-MDIX, enabling seamless connection to a wide range of Ethernet devices without manual crossover cables. Additionally, it includes 4 dedicated Gigabit SFP uplink ports, allowing fiber optic connectivity for extended reach and network segmentation.

2.2 Performance and Switching Capacity

The C1000-24T-4G-L delivers a switching capacity of 56 Gbps and a forwarding rate of up to 41.67 million packets per second (Mpps), ensuring wire-speed performance across all ports simultaneously. This throughput supports high-density user environments and bandwidth-intensive applications such as video conferencing, VoIP, and cloud services.

The device’s MAC address table supports up to 8,000 entries, accommodating a substantial number of connected devices and reducing the risk of address table overflow in dynamic network topologies. The switch also supports jumbo frames up to 9,216 bytes, optimizing performance for large data transfers and storage area network (SAN) traffic.

2.3 Software and Protocol Support

Running the LAN Base software image, the C1000-24T-4G-L supports a comprehensive suite of Layer 2 protocols and features, including:

• VLAN support with up to 256 VLANs simultaneously
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid STP (RSTP), and Multiple STP (MSTP) for loop prevention and redundancy
• Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) for port channeling and increased bandwidth
• Quality of Service (QoS) with classification and prioritization based on 802.1p, DSCP, and ACLs
• IGMP Snooping for efficient multicast traffic management
• Security features such as 802.1X port-based authentication, DHCP snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), and IP Source Guard

The switch supports Cisco’s Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) versions 1, 2c, and 3, enabling integration with enterprise network management systems for monitoring and configuration. Additionally, it supports Cisco Network Plug and Play (PnP) for zero-touch provisioning, simplifying deployment in distributed environments.

2.4 Power and Environmental Specifications

The C1000-24T-4G-L operates on an internal power supply with an input voltage range of 100-240 VAC at 50/60 Hz, supporting global deployment without the need for external power adapters. The device’s typical power consumption is approximately 20 watts under normal load, with energy-efficient Ethernet (IEEE 802.3az) support to reduce power usage during low traffic periods.

Operating temperature ranges from 0°C to 45°C, with relative humidity tolerance between 10% and 90% non-condensing, making it suitable for standard office and data center environments. The device complies with RoHS and WEEE environmental standards.

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 Enterprise-Grade Reliability and Security

The Cisco C1000-24T-4G-L is engineered to deliver high availability and secure connectivity essential for mission-critical business applications. Its support for Spanning Tree Protocol variants ensures network loops are prevented, maintaining stable and resilient network topologies. Link aggregation capabilities enable redundancy and load balancing across multiple physical links.

Security is a paramount consideration, with features such as 802.1X port-based authentication preventing unauthorized device access, DHCP snooping and Dynamic ARP Inspection mitigating common network attacks like IP spoofing and ARP poisoning, and IP Source Guard ensuring IP address integrity on a per-port basis. These mechanisms collectively harden the network edge against internal and external threats.

3.2 Simplified Management and Deployment

The switch supports Cisco Network Plug and Play (PnP), enabling automated device discovery and configuration when connected to a Cisco network infrastructure. This reduces deployment time and operational overhead