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

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst C1000-24T-4X-L is a member of Cisco’s renowned Catalyst 1000 Series, designed specifically for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and branch office deployments requiring reliable, secure, and scalable network infrastructure. This fixed-configuration Layer 2 switch offers a robust combination of performance, security, and ease of management, making it an ideal choice for organizations seeking enterprise-grade features without the complexity or cost of higher-end Catalyst models.

Engineered to deliver seamless connectivity, the C1000-24T-4X-L supports 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities and 4 10-Gigabit SFP+ uplink ports, enabling high-bandwidth aggregation and future-proofing network expansion. The switch runs Cisco IOS Software, providing a familiar command-line interface (CLI) and advanced network features that align with Cisco’s enterprise standards.

This model is optimized for ease of deployment and management, featuring Cisco’s Digital Network Architecture (DNA) Essentials, which simplifies network automation, assurance, and security. The C1000-24T-4X-L is designed to support critical business applications, voice, video, and wireless access points, ensuring consistent performance and operational efficiency.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Hardware Specifications

The Cisco Catalyst C1000-24T-4X-L is a fixed-configuration switch with the following hardware characteristics:

• Ports: 24 x 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-45 ports supporting PoE/PoE+ (Power over Ethernet Plus) with a total PoE power budget of up to 370W.
• Uplink Ports: 4 x 10-Gigabit SFP+ slots for fiber or direct attach copper (DAC) modules, enabling high-speed uplinks to core switches or servers.
• Switching Capacity: 128 Gbps switching fabric, ensuring non-blocking throughput for all ports simultaneously.
• Forwarding Rate: Up to 95.24 Mpps (million packets per second), supporting high-performance data forwarding.
• MAC Address Table: Supports up to 16,000 MAC addresses, accommodating large network environments.
• Jumbo Frames: Supports jumbo frames up to 9216 bytes, optimizing performance for large data transfers.
• Dimensions: 44.5 mm (H) x 442 mm (W) x 257 mm (D), suitable for standard 19-inch rack mounting.
• Weight: Approximately 3.5 kg.
• Power Supply: Internal redundant power supply with auto-sensing 100-240V AC input.
• Cooling: Front-to-back airflow with quiet, variable-speed fans optimized for data center and office environments.

2.2 Software and Protocol Support

The C1000-24T-4X-L runs Cisco IOS Software with a comprehensive feature set tailored for Layer 2 switching and basic Layer 3 static routing. Key software capabilities include:

• Layer 2 Switching: VLAN support (up to 255 VLANs), VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP), Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid STP (RSTP), Multiple STP (MSTP).
• Layer 3 Features: Static routing, DHCP relay, and limited Layer 3 routing capabilities suitable for SMB environments.
• Security: 802.1X port-based authentication, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), IP Source Guard, DHCP Snooping, Access Control Lists (ACLs) for traffic filtering.
• Quality of Service (QoS): Supports classification, marking, queuing, and scheduling to prioritize voice, video, and data traffic.
• Management: CLI, Cisco Network Assistant (CNA), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) v1/v2c/v3, RMON, and web-based GUI.
• Automation and Assurance: Cisco DNA Essentials support for network automation, telemetry, and assurance via Cisco DNA Center.

2.3 Environmental and Compliance Specifications

The switch is designed to meet stringent environmental and regulatory standards:

• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F).
• Storage Temperature: -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F).
• Humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing.
• Certifications: UL, CE, FCC Class A, RoHS compliant, and ENERGY STAR qualified.

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 Enterprise-Grade Performance and Reliability

The Cisco Catalyst C1000-24T-4X-L delivers enterprise-class performance with a non-blocking architecture and wire-speed forwarding. The inclusion of 4 x 10-Gigabit SFP+ uplinks enables high-bandwidth aggregation, essential for data-intensive applications and future network growth. The switch’s hardware redundancy and robust cooling design ensure high availability and operational continuity in demanding environments.

3.2 Advanced Security Features

Security is paramount in modern networks, and the C1000-24T-4X-L incorporates multiple layers of protection.