Cisco WS-C3850-24S-S – Enterprise-Grade 24-Port SFP Fiber Switch with StackWise-480 and IP Base
Cisco WS-C3850-24S-S is a highly capable and reliable enterprise-class switch from Cisco’s Catalyst 3850 Series, offering 24 SFP-based Gigabit Ethernet ports and robust Layer 3 features via the IP Base software image. Designed for midsize to large networks, it delivers scalability, advanced security, efficient traffic management, and seamless integration into fiber-rich infrastructures.
Whether deployed as a distribution layer switch or in a fiber-access environment, the WS-C3850-24S-S brings high-density fiber connectivity, resilient stacking with StackWise-480, and future-ready features including Cisco DNA support. This model is ideal for organizations with high security, bandwidth, and manageability demands—such as enterprises, hospitals, universities, and government networks.
High-Density Fiber Connectivity – 24 x Gigabit SFP Ports
This switch is equipped with 24 Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) ports, allowing users to use their choice of fiber or copper SFP transceivers for 1G connections. It’s ideal for environments that require:
- Extended-distance links between switches and buildings
- Electromagnetic interference (EMI) resistance in industrial or healthcare settings
- Aggregation points for fiber-rich campus or enterprise cores
Whether using multimode (MMF), single-mode (SMF), or copper SFP modules, administrators can customize port configurations to meet various deployment requirements.
StackWise-480 – Resilient, Unified Switching Fabric
The WS-C3850-24S-S fully supports Cisco’s StackWise-480 stacking architecture. This powerful feature enables you to combine up to nine switches into a single logical unit with a total stack bandwidth of up to 480 Gbps.
Key benefits include:
- High availability: Redundant stacking ensures that if one unit fails, others continue uninterrupted
- Single point of management: Configure, monitor, and troubleshoot the entire stack as one switch
- Investment protection: Easily add new stack members without reconfiguring the network
Hardware Specifications at a Glance
- Port Configuration: 24 x 1G SFP ports (no copper ports)
- Memory: 4 GB RAM and 2 GB Flash memory
- Stacking: StackWise-480, supports up to 9 units
- Redundancy: Optional redundant power supply
- Form Factor: 1 Rack Unit (1RU)
- Dimensions: 4.45 x 44.5 x 45 cm
- Weight: Approx. 6 kg
Advanced Quality of Service (QoS)
With enhanced QoS features, the WS-C3850-24S-S can prioritize different types of traffic such as voice, video, and mission-critical applications. It supports:
- Classification and traffic marking using DSCP or CoS
- Bandwidth management using policing and shaping techniques
- Traffic prioritization using egress queuing and congestion management
These capabilities help ensure optimal performance for latency-sensitive applications and maintain consistent user experiences even under heavy network load.
Robust Security Features
In today’s cybersecurity landscape, access control and traffic monitoring are critical. Cisco WS-C3850-24S-S includes a suite of enterprise-grade security protocols and services, such as:
- 802.1X Port-Based Authentication
- DHCP Snooping – Protects against rogue DHCP servers
- Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) – Prevents ARP poisoning attacks
- IP Source Guard – Blocks spoofed IP addresses
- Access Control Lists (ACLs) – Apply granular security policies per user or device
Combined, these features allow network administrators to build a secure and policy-enforced access layer while preventing unauthorized access and lateral movement within the network.
Energy Efficiency and Cisco EnergyWise
This model is designed to reduce overall energy usage through both intelligent hardware design and Cisco’s EnergyWise technology. Features include:
- Real-time power monitoring and control
- Automated power-down of idle ports
- Variable-speed fans for reduced noise and energy consumption
EnergyWise enables organizations to align network energy use with business priorities, helping to lower operational expenses (OpEx) and environmental footprint.
Flexible Management Options
The WS-C3850-24S-S provides multiple management interfaces and tools to accommodate different skill levels and deployment styles:
- Command Line Interface (CLI) – Ideal for network engineers seeking full control and scriptability
- Web-Based GUI – User-friendly interface for basic configuration and monitoring
- SNMP v1/v2/v3 Support – Enables integration with third-party NMS platforms
- Syslog and NetFlow – Provides real-time logging and traffic visibility
- Cisco DNA Center (optional license) – For automation, analytics, and policy-based management in SD-Access environments
Use Case Scenarios
The Cisco WS-C3850-24S-S is suitable for a wide variety of deployment scenarios, including:
- Distribution layer switch in large enterprise networks
- Fiber-access layer switch in high-interference environments like hospitals or factories
- Aggregation switch connecting multiple access switches in a campus core
- Ideal for secure environments with stringent access control requirements (e.g., finance, government)
Why Choose Cisco WS-C3850-24S-S?
If you’re looking for a reliable, scalable, and secure switch with high-density fiber ports, the WS-C3850-24S-S is a top-tier choice. It offers seamless stacking, powerful Layer 3 routing, robust QoS and security, and compatibility with Cisco’s software-defined architecture (SD-Access) via DNA readiness.
Its 24 SFP ports make it ideal for organizations shifting toward fiber infrastructure or needing long-distance connectivity, while the IP Base license ensures a strong foundation of routing and switching capabilities without requiring full enterprise licensing out of the box.
Overall, this switch is a smart investment for enterprises that demand performance, efficiency, and flexibility in their networking hardware.
For Official Specifications & Documentation
Visit the Cisco WS-C3850-24S-S Datasheet for complete technical details.
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