Cisco WS-C3850-24P-E Catalyst

Cisco WS-C3850-24P-E – 24 Port PoE+ Layer 3 Switch for High-Density Enterprise Access

The Cisco WS-C3850-24P-E is a high-performance, 24 port PoE+ Layer 3 switch built to support modern enterprise networks with a convergence of wired and wireless access, intelligent power management, and rich traffic analytics. As part of the Cisco Catalyst 3850 series, it delivers robust Layer 2 to Layer 4 switching, high-availability stacking, and secure access control—making it ideal for midsize to large enterprise edge deployments.

24 Full PoE+ Ports with 435W Budget

At its core, the WS-C3850-24P-E provides 24 10/100/1000 Mbps PoE+ ports compliant with IEEE 802.3at. This enables direct powering of devices like IP phones, wireless access points, video surveillance cameras, and IoT endpoints—without needing external PoE injectors. With a total PoE budget of 435W, the switch efficiently handles high-density device environments such as schools, retail floors, and office buildings.

Support for StackPower allows for power sharing and redundancy across a stack of switches, optimizing power resources and minimizing downtime in case of PSU failure. Hot-swappable power supplies make maintenance seamless in production networks.

Layer 3 Routing with IP Services Image

The integrated IP Services feature set elevates this switch from a basic access device to a fully capable Layer 3 routing platform. It supports:

• Static and dynamic routing (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, RIP)
• Policy-Based Routing (PBR) and VRF-Lite for network segmentation
• Multicast routing (PIM, IGMP snooping)
• QoS for prioritizing voice, video, and business-critical traffic
• Access Control Lists (ACLs) for enhanced security

This routing flexibility enables scalable, segmented, and secure infrastructure in multi-branch deployments and high-traffic enterprise networks.

Stackable Design with StackWise-480 and StackPower

The switch leverages Cisco’s StackWise-480 technology, allowing up to 9 units to be combined into a single logical switch with 480 Gbps of unified bandwidth. Stacking simplifies management, offers high availability through stateful failover, and supports centralized firmware upgrades and configuration across the stack.

Combined with StackPower for shared power pooling, this switch architecture ensures power and data redundancy—ideal for organizations that can’t afford interruptions in connectivity or service delivery.

Unified Wired and Wireless Management

What sets the Cisco WS-C3850-24P-E apart from other stackable PoE switches is its native integration of wireless controller functionality. It can manage up to 100 access points and 2000 wireless clients per stack, making it an ideal convergence platform for networks that support both wired and wireless devices. This unification enhances mobility, streamlines policy enforcement, and reduces operational complexity.

Switching Capacity and Forwarding Performance

In terms of performance, the WS-C3850-24P-E offers a switching capacity of 92 Gbps and a forwarding rate of 68.4 Mpps. These figures ensure that the switch can handle traffic-intensive applications such as real-time video streaming, VoIP, virtual desktops, and large file transfers without degradation in performance.

Enterprise-Class Security and Traffic Visibility

Security is a cornerstone of Cisco’s access switches. The WS-C3850-24P-E includes:

• IEEE 802.1X for port-based access control
• DHCP Snooping to prevent rogue IP allocations
• Dynamic ARP Inspection and IP Source Guard for Layer 2 integrity
• MACsec encryption for Layer 2 traffic security

In addition, the switch supports Flexible NetFlow, which provides detailed insights into traffic flows, user behavior, and application patterns across wired and wireless environments. This visibility helps administrators optimize performance, identify anomalies, and implement effective policy controls.

Hardware Specifications and Design

• Form Factor: 1RU rack-mountable chassis
• Dimensions: ~4.45 × 44.5 × 44.5 cm
• Weight: Approx. 7.9 kg (17.5 lb)
• Memory: 4 GB DRAM and 2 GB Flash
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C
• Humidity Tolerance: 10–95% non-condensing
• Redundant power options and StackPower support

Use Cases for Cisco WS-C3850-24P-E in Enterprise Networks

This Cisco enterprise access switch is perfectly suited for environments such as educational campuses, healthcare facilities, multi-floor office buildings, and hospitality networks. With 24 high-performance PoE+ ports, it supports dense device installations while delivering high-speed traffic forwarding and granular control over user access.

Stackable architecture and native wireless controller capabilities also make it ideal for growing organizations that require scalable infrastructure without complex overlays. Its Layer 3 IP Services image gives the flexibility to manage segmentation, routing, and security in a way that fits evolving business requirements.

Scalability and Investment Protection

The Cisco WS-C3850-24P-E is not only a powerful switch today but also a future-ready platform. Its modular power supplies, stacking options, and wireless integration mean that organizations can scale their networks without replacing core hardware. Additionally, ongoing support for Cisco DNA Center ensures seamless migration to intent-based networking and automation in the future.

Why Choose Cisco WS-C3850-24P-E?

When you choose the Cisco WS-C3850-24P-E 24 port PoE+ switch, you’re investing in more than just hardware. You’re deploying a solution that combines high-density PoE, Layer 3 enterprise routing, unified wireless control, and advanced telemetry into one compact 1RU chassis. Whether you’re looking to upgrade legacy switches or implement a new access-layer design, this model provides the resiliency, scalability, and intelligence needed in today’s dynamic IT environments.

To explore further technical specifications, refer to the official Cisco Catalyst 3850 datasheet.