Cisco CATALYST 3650 24 PORT DATA 2X10G UPLINK IP BASE

Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series Switch – WS-C3650-24TD-S

The WS-C3650-24TD-S is a high‑performance, layer‑3 managed switch designed for enterprise data centers and campus networks. It delivers robust connectivity with 24 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) ports, two 10 G SFP+ uplinks, and two additional 1 G uplink options, making it ideal for scalable network architectures.

Key Technical Specifications

• Port Configuration: 24 × RJ‑45 Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) ports; 2 × SFP+ 10 Gbps uplink slots; 2 × optional 1 Gbps uplinks.
• Switching Capacity: 200 Gbit/s switching fabric, enabling high‑throughput data paths across the device.
• Forwarding Rate: Up to 5.6 Mpps (million packets per second) with full duplex operation.
• Layer‑3 Capabilities: Static routing, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and RIP; supports IPv4/IPv6 routing protocols for dynamic network management.
• Power Supply: Dual redundant 250 W AC power supplies (optional), ensuring continuous operation in critical environments.
• Form Factor: 1‑U rackmount, consuming minimal floor space while providing maximum port density.
• Operating System: Cisco IOS XE with advanced features such as Software‑Defined Access (SD-Access) and Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) integration.

Advanced Features & Capabilities

• Virtual Switching System (VSS): Enables two Catalyst 3650 switches to operate as a single logical switch, providing seamless redundancy and simplified management.
• StackWise‑X: Allows up to eight Catalyst 3650 units to stack together, creating a unified, high‑availability platform with aggregated bandwidth of up to 1.6 Tbps.
• Quality of Service (QoS): Supports per‑port and per‑traffic-class QoS policies, ensuring latency‑sensitive applications receive priority treatment.
• Security Features: Port security, MAC address filtering, dynamic ARP inspection, DHCP snooping, and IEEE 802.1X authentication for robust network protection.
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) Optional: While the base model does not include PoE, it can be upgraded with PoE+ modules to power devices such as VoIP phones or wireless access points.
• Energy Efficiency: Implements Cisco EnergyWise technology, dynamically adjusting power consumption based on traffic load.

Deployment Scenarios

The WS-C3650-24TD-S excels in a variety of network environments:

• Campus Core Layer: Serves as a robust core switch, aggregating traffic from distribution layers while providing high‑speed uplinks to backbone routers.
• Data Center Fabric: Acts as an access or aggregation point within data center topologies, supporting virtual machine mobility and storage networking.
• Branch Office Connectivity: Offers a compact yet powerful solution for branch offices requiring layer‑3 routing and secure VPN termination.
• High‑Availability Networks: When stacked or configured with VSS, delivers fault tolerance and seamless failover for mission‑critical applications.

Management & Automation

The switch integrates seamlessly with modern network management platforms:

• Cisco DNA Center: Enables intent‑based networking, automated provisioning, and real‑time analytics.
• REST API & NETCONF: Facilitates programmatic configuration and integration with custom automation scripts.
• Troubleshooting Tools: Built‑in diagnostics such as ping, traceroute, and port mirroring aid in rapid issue resolution.

Software Ecosystem

The WS-C3650-24TD-S runs Cisco IOS XE, a modular operating system that supports continuous feature updates without downtime. Key software modules include:

• IOS XE Core: Provides the foundational networking stack.
• SD‑Access Module: Enables zero‑touch provisioning and policy enforcement across distributed networks.
• ACI Connector: Allows integration with Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure for unified application management.

Performance Benchmarks

In controlled lab environments, the switch demonstrates:

• Full duplex throughput of 200 Gbit/s across all ports simultaneously.
• Latency below 50 µs for small packet sizes (64 bytes) under typical traffic loads.
• Packet loss rates less than 0.01% when operating at 90% port utilization.

Conclusion

The Cisco Catalyst WS-C3650-24TD-S is a versatile, high‑performance switch that combines layer‑3 routing, advanced security, and scalable stacking capabilities in a compact 1‑U form factor. Its rich feature set and robust software ecosystem make it an excellent choice for enterprises seeking reliable, future‑proof networking infrastructure.