Cisco WS-C3850-24XS-E Catalyst

Cisco WS-C3850-24XS-E Fiber Layer 3 Switch – Enterprise-Grade 10G SFP+ Connectivity

The Cisco WS-C3850-24XS-E is a powerful and stackable Layer 3 switch designed to meet the high-performance networking demands of modern enterprises. With 24 ports of 10G SFP+ fiber connectivity, it offers reliable, low-latency, and secure data transmission over long distances. This switch is a key solution for organizations that require scalable and resilient network infrastructure with advanced routing capabilities.

Overview of Cisco WS-C3850-24XS-E Switch

Part of Cisco’s renowned Catalyst 3850 series, the WS-C3850-24XS-E delivers robust switching capacity combined with industry-leading features such as Cisco’s IP Services software suite. This makes it ideal for core network deployments, campus aggregation layers, and fiber-first access networks. Its fiber-optic design eliminates electromagnetic interference (EMI), ensuring consistent and stable connections even in electrically noisy environments like data centers and industrial campuses.

High-Speed 10G SFP+ Fiber Ports

The switch boasts 24 ports of 10G SFP+ fiber connectivity, enabling high-bandwidth data transfers essential for applications such as virtualization, cloud computing, and multimedia streaming. These fiber ports allow long-distance data transmission without loss of signal quality, making it perfect for multi-building campuses and high-rise offices.

Advanced Layer 3 Routing with IP Services

Equipped with the IP Services IOS XE license, the WS-C3850-24XS-E supports a full suite of dynamic routing protocols including OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and VRF-Lite. These features allow seamless integration into complex network topologies, supporting multicast routing, policy-based routing, and DHCP relay functions. Enterprise-grade Quality of Service (QoS) features ensure optimal traffic management and prioritization.

Stackable Enterprise Switch with StackWise-480 Technology

This switch supports Cisco’s StackWise-480 technology, enabling up to nine units to be connected and managed as a single system with a shared bandwidth of 480 Gbps. This stacking capability provides network administrators with enhanced scalability, simplified management, and increased redundancy for mission-critical environments.

Robust Switching Capacity and Forwarding Performance

The WS-C3850-24XS-E offers a massive 320 Gbps switching capacity and a forwarding rate of 454.55 million packets per second (Mpps). These specifications ensure that the switch can handle high data volumes efficiently without bottlenecks, making it suitable for networks with heavy traffic demands and latency-sensitive applications.

Enhanced Traffic Visibility with Flexible NetFlow

One of the standout features of this Cisco switch is its integration with Flexible NetFlow technology. Flexible NetFlow provides detailed insights into network traffic patterns, including application-level analysis, traffic profiling, and policy enforcement across Layers 2 to 4. This capability helps network operators optimize performance, enforce security policies, and quickly diagnose network issues.

Technical Specifications and Hardware Reliability

• Compact 1RU rack-mountable chassis measuring approximately 4.45 × 45 × 44.5 cm
• Memory configuration: 4 GB DRAM and 4 GB Flash for robust software operation
• Supports stacking up to 9 switches for increased capacity and redundancy
• Power consumption of approximately 715W AC ensuring stable and efficient energy use

Benefits of Cisco WS-C3850-24XS-E for Enterprise Networks

Deploying the Cisco WS-C3850-24XS-E Layer 3 switch in enterprise networks ensures a future-proof, high-performance infrastructure capable of handling complex routing, large data volumes, and advanced traffic monitoring. The fiber-based 10G SFP+ ports offer secure and interference-free connections, which are essential in dense network environments such as financial institutions, data centers, and governmental campuses.

With full IP Services routing capabilities and flexible stacking options, this switch supports both scalability and operational efficiency, reducing downtime and simplifying management. The integration of Flexible NetFlow enables real-time traffic analytics, improving network visibility, security posture, and compliance adherence.

For organizations in need of a reliable, scalable, and high-throughput network switch, the Cisco WS-C3850-24XS-E stands out as a comprehensive solution, combining fiber-optic connectivity with advanced Layer 3 routing and network analytics.

For detailed specifications and further technical insights, refer to the official Cisco Catalyst 3850 datasheet.