Cisco WS-C2960S-24PSL-RF Datasheet and Price: Expert Technical Overview

1. Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst WS-C2960S-24PSL-RF is a member of the Cisco Catalyst 2960-S Series, designed to deliver enterprise-class Layer 2 switching with advanced features tailored for mid-sized to large enterprise campus networks. This fixed-configuration switch is engineered to provide robust Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities, high port density, and enhanced security features, making it an ideal choice for converged data, voice, and video applications.

The “24PSL” designation indicates 24 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports with PoE support, while the “RF” suffix denotes the inclusion of redundant power supply support and fan tray options, enhancing reliability and uptime in mission-critical environments. The WS-C2960S-24PSL-RF is optimized for energy efficiency, operational simplicity, and scalability, supporting Cisco’s industry-leading IOS software for comprehensive network management and security.

This switch is widely deployed in enterprise access layer deployments, providing seamless integration with Cisco’s broader campus architecture. It supports advanced QoS, security, and management features that enable IT administrators to maintain high network performance and availability.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Hardware Specifications

The WS-C2960S-24PSL-RF features 24 fixed 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports with PoE+ (Power over Ethernet Plus) support, delivering up to 370W of total PoE power budget. This enables powering of IP phones, wireless access points, and other PoE-enabled devices without requiring additional power infrastructure.

The switch includes 4 dual-purpose uplink ports supporting either 1G SFP or 1G RJ-45 connections, providing flexible uplink options to aggregation or core layers. The switch architecture is based on a fixed, non-modular design with a switching capacity of 176 Gbps and forwarding rate of 130.95 Mpps (million packets per second), ensuring wire-speed performance across all ports.

Redundancy is supported via optional redundant power supplies (RPS) and a field-replaceable fan tray, which are critical for maintaining continuous operation in environments requiring high availability. The device supports Cisco EnergyWise technology for power management and efficiency.

2.2 Software and Protocol Support

The WS-C2960S-24PSL-RF runs Cisco IOS Software with LAN Base feature set, providing Layer 2 switching capabilities including VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) variants (PVST+, Rapid PVST+), Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), and advanced QoS features.

Security features include 802.1X port-based authentication, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), IP Source Guard, DHCP Snooping, and Access Control Lists (ACLs) to mitigate common Layer 2 attacks and enforce network access policies.

Management is facilitated through Cisco Network Assistant, CLI, SNMP, and web-based GUI, enabling flexible administration and monitoring. The switch supports IPv4 and limited IPv6 management capabilities.

2.3 Physical and Environmental Specifications

The switch is designed for rack-mount deployment with a 1RU form factor, measuring approximately 44.5 cm (17.5 inches) in width and 28 cm (11 inches) in depth. It weighs approximately 5.5 kg (12 lbs).

Operating temperature ranges from 0°C to 45°C, with relative humidity tolerance between 10% and 90% non-condensing. The device complies with various regulatory standards including FCC Class A, CE Mark, and UL certifications.

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 Power over Ethernet (PoE+) Support

The WS-C2960S-24PSL-RF supports IEEE 802.3at PoE+ standard, delivering up to 30W per port with a total power budget of 370W. This capability simplifies network deployments by powering IP phones, wireless access points, security cameras, and other PoE-enabled devices directly from the switch, eliminating the need for separate power supplies and reducing cabling complexity.

3.2 Enhanced Security Features

Security is paramount in enterprise networks, and this switch incorporates multiple layers of protection. 802.1X port-based authentication ensures only authorized devices can access the network. Dynamic ARP Inspection and IP Source Guard prevent spoofing attacks, while DHCP Snooping protects against rogue DHCP servers. These features collectively harden the network against common Layer 2 threats.

3.3 Scalability and Flexibility

With 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 4 uplink ports supporting SFP or copper connections, the WS-C2960S-24PSL-RF offers flexible connectivity options to scale with growing network demands. Link aggregation allows bundling multiple physical links into a single logical link for increased bandwidth and redundancy.

3.4 Energy Efficiency

Cisco EnergyWise technology enables intelligent power management by monitoring and controlling power consumption of connected devices and the switch itself. This reduces operational costs and supports green IT initiatives without compromising performance.

3.5 Reliability and Redundancy

The inclusion of redundant power supply support and a field-replaceable fan tray ensures high availability and minimizes downtime. These features are critical in enterprise environments where continuous network operation is essential.

3.6 Simplified Management

The switch supports multiple management interfaces including CLI, SNMP, Cisco Network Assistant, and web GUI, providing network administrators with versatile tools for configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting. Integration with Cisco Prime Infrastructure further enhances centralized management capabilities.