In-Depth Technical Analysis and Pricing of Cisco WS-C2960X-24PD-L Switch

1. Product Overview

The Cisco WS-C2960X-24PD-L is a member of the Cisco Catalyst 2960-X series, designed to deliver enterprise-class Layer 2 and basic Layer 3 switching capabilities with enhanced security, scalability, and energy efficiency. This fixed-configuration switch is engineered to meet the demands of modern campus and branch office networks, providing robust performance, simplified management, and advanced features that support digital transformation initiatives.

As part of Cisco’s widely adopted Catalyst 2960-X family, the WS-C2960X-24PD-L model offers 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports with Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) capabilities, enabling it to power IP endpoints such as VoIP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras directly through the network cable. The “PD” suffix indicates PoE+ support, while the “L” denotes the LAN Base software image, which provides essential Layer 2 features with limited Layer 3 static routing.

This switch is optimized for energy efficiency, featuring Cisco’s EnergyWise technology and innovative hardware design to reduce power consumption without compromising performance. It supports Cisco FlexStack-Plus technology, allowing up to four switches to be stacked and managed as a single logical unit, simplifying network scalability and management.

The WS-C2960X-24PD-L is ideal for organizations seeking a reliable, cost-effective solution for access-layer switching with PoE+ support, suitable for small to medium-sized enterprise networks, branch offices, and campus environments.

2. Product Specifications

2.1 Hardware Specifications

The WS-C2960X-24PD-L switch is built on a fixed form factor chassis with the following key hardware specifications:

• Ports: 24 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports with PoE+ (802.3at) support
• Uplink Ports: 4 x 1G SFP (Small Form-Factor Pluggable) slots for fiber or copper uplinks
• Switching Capacity: 216 Gbps switching fabric
• Forwarding Rate: Up to 107.1 Mpps (million packets per second)
• MAC Address Table Size: 16,000 entries
• Layer 2 Forwarding: Wire-speed Layer 2 switching
• Layer 3 Routing: Static routing support (LAN Base image)
• PoE Power Budget: 370W total PoE power budget to power connected devices
• Stacking: Supports FlexStack-Plus stacking module (up to 4 switches, 80 Gbps stack bandwidth)
• Dimensions: 44.5 cm x 28.1 cm x 4.4 cm (17.5″ x 11.1″ x 1.73″)
• Weight: Approximately 4.5 kg (9.9 lbs)
• Power Supply: Internal redundant power supply options available
• Cooling: Front-to-back airflow with variable speed fans

2.2 Software Specifications

The WS-C2960X-24PD-L runs Cisco IOS Software with the LAN Base feature set, which includes:

• Layer 2 switching features: VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid PVST+, Multiple Spanning Tree (MST)
• Basic Layer 3 static routing capabilities
• Quality of Service (QoS) for traffic prioritization
• Security features: 802.1X port-based authentication, DHCP snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), IP Source Guard
• EnergyWise technology for power management and monitoring
• Support for SNMP, RMON, and NetFlow for network monitoring and management
• Flexible management options: CLI, Cisco Network Assistant, Cisco Prime Infrastructure

2.3 Environmental and Compliance Specifications

The WS-C2960X-24PD-L is designed to operate efficiently in enterprise environments with the following environmental specifications:

• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
• Storage Temperature: -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F)
• Operating Humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing
• Compliance: UL, CE, FCC Class A, RoHS, WEEE
• Energy Efficiency: Cisco EnergyWise certified, compliant with IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet

3. Features and Benefits

3.1 Advanced Power over Ethernet (PoE+) Support

The WS-C2960X-24PD-L supports IEEE 802.3at PoE+, delivering up to 30W per port with a total power budget of 370W. This capability enables the switch to power a wide range of devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, security cameras, and other PoE-enabled endpoints without requiring separate power supplies. The intelligent power management system dynamically allocates power to connected devices, optimizing energy consumption and ensuring reliable operation.

3.2 Scalability with FlexStack-Plus Technology

FlexStack-Plus stacking technology allows up to four WS-C2960X switches to be interconnected via a