Cisco WS-C3650-48PD-L Catalyst

Cisco WS-C3650-48PD-L Catalyst Switch Overview

The Cisco Catalyst WS-C3650-48PD-L is a powerful enterprise-grade access layer switch designed to support today’s bandwidth-intensive and device-rich environments. As a core member of the Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series, it combines wired and wireless network capabilities into a single platform with unified access. Featuring 48 full PoE+ Gigabit Ethernet ports, this switch provides up to 30W of power per port, ideal for powering IP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras—helping reduce infrastructure complexity and streamline deployment.

With advanced Layer 3 features and the LAN Base software image, the WS-C3650-48PD-L supports routing protocols such as static routing, RIP, and OSPF, ensuring efficient traffic management across large networks. The switch also includes flexible uplink options with either 2× 10G SFP+ or 4× 1G SFP ports, offering high-speed connectivity to core networks or aggregation layers.

Cisco’s StackWise-480 technology enables stacking of up to nine switches, creating a single, highly resilient unit that simplifies network management and supports scalability. Coupled with enterprise-level security features like 802.1X authentication and Access Control Lists (ACLs), this switch safeguards sensitive data and restricts unauthorized access.

Engineered with redundancy in mind, the WS-C3650-48PD-L supports dual redundant power supplies and hot-swappable fans, maximizing uptime for mission-critical applications. Whether deployed in enterprise campus LANs, educational institutions, or distributed branch networks, this switch delivers the performance, flexibility, and security needed to build reliable and future-ready infrastructure.

Key Features and Benefits

The Cisco WS-C3650-48PD-L switch combines high port density with powerful features like 48 PoE+ ports to power devices directly via Ethernet. It offers flexible uplink options with 10G and 1G ports for scalable connectivity. Built-in Layer 3 routing supports efficient traffic management with protocols like OSPF and RIP. Its StackWise-480 technology allows stacking up to nine switches as one, simplifying expansion and management.

Advanced security features such as ACLs and 802.1X protect the network, while redundant power supplies ensure high reliability. Managed through Cisco IOS, this switch delivers a secure, scalable, and easy-to-manage solution ideal for enterprise networks.

• 48 PoE+ Ethernet Ports for Simplified Deployment

Equipped with 48 PoE+ ports, the WS-C3650-48PD-L supports up to 30 watts per port, allowing it to power a wide array of network devices directly through Ethernet cables. This eliminates the need for separate power adapters, significantly reducing installation complexity and costs. Devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, and surveillance cameras can be easily connected and powered, enabling efficient deployment of converged enterprise networks.

• Flexible Uplink Connectivity Options

The switch offers versatile uplink choices, including 2 × 10 Gigabit SFP+ ports or 4 × 1 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports. This flexibility ensures that network architects can optimize bandwidth and integrate the switch seamlessly into existing network topologies, supporting high-speed data transfer and uplink redundancy.

• Comprehensive Layer 3 Routing

Running on the Cisco IOS LAN Base feature set, the WS-C3650-48PD-L delivers essential Layer 3 routing capabilities critical for enterprise networks. It supports static routing and dynamic routing protocols such as RIP and OSPF, enabling efficient traffic management and improved network segmentation. These routing functions help enterprises maintain optimal data flow and responsiveness across large-scale networks.

• Scalable StackWise-480 Architecture

One of the standout features is Cisco’s proprietary StackWise-480 technology, which allows up to nine Catalyst 3650 switches to be interconnected and managed as a single logical unit. This stacking capability simplifies network management, improves redundancy, and dramatically enhances scalability, making it easy for businesses to expand their networks without disrupting operations.

• Enhanced Security and Access Control

Security remains a priority with the WS-C3650-48PD-L. The switch incorporates advanced security measures including Access Control Lists (ACLs), 802.1X authentication, and DHCP snooping. These features safeguard the network by preventing unauthorized access, ensuring secure authentication of devices, and protecting against common network attacks, making it well-suited for sensitive enterprise environments.

• High Availability and Reliability

Designed for mission-critical applications, the switch includes dual redundant power supplies and fans to maximize uptime. This redundancy ensures continuous network operation even in the event of hardware failures, protecting business continuity and minimizing costly downtime.

• Intuitive and Robust Management

The WS-C3650-48PD-L runs on Cisco IOS Software, providing a flexible and powerful management platform. Network administrators benefit from a user-friendly CLI and graphical interfaces, as well as support for Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and Cisco Prime Infrastructure. These tools facilitate seamless configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting, reducing operational complexity and accelerating network maintenance.

Technical Specifications at a Glance

Why Choose the Cisco WS-C3650-48PD-L?

The Cisco Catalyst WS-C3650-48PD-L stands out as a future-ready switch offering a robust blend of high port density, PoE+ power, advanced Layer 3 routing, and enterprise-class security features. Its flexible uplink options and stackable architecture provide scalability and operational simplicity, making it an ideal choice for growing businesses. The switch supports converged networking applications such as IP telephony, wireless LAN backhaul, and video surveillance, enabling organizations to deploy unified communications and modern IT services efficiently.

By delivering high availability and powerful management tools, the WS-C3650-48PD-L reduces downtime and operational costs while empowering IT teams to maintain tight control over network performance and security. It is an optimal solution for enterprise campuses, branch offices, and data centers seeking to build resilient, scalable, and secure network infrastructures.

You can also visit the manufacturer’s website link for more information.

You can also visit the Cisco WS-C3750X-24S-S Catalyst , Cisco WS-C3560-48PS-S Catalyst , Catalyst Switches pages if you wish.