Cisco WS-C3850-48F-S Catalyst

Cisco WS-C3850-48F-S Catalyst Switch – Enterprise-Grade POE+ Networking with Scalability

The Cisco WS-C3850-48F-S is a robust and flexible enterprise-class Layer 3 switch that combines full 48-port Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) support with Cisco’s trusted Catalyst 3850 Series architecture. Purpose-built for enterprise campus networks, this switch provides enhanced scalability, simplified management, and reliable performance. Whether you’re building out access or distribution layers, this model delivers essential features for today’s evolving digital environments.

48 PoE+ Ports for Smart Device Powering

Equipped with 48 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet PoE+ ports, the WS-C3850-48F-S provides up to 30W of power per port, allowing it to efficiently power a wide range of connected devices such as VoIP phones, wireless access points, IP surveillance cameras, and building automation systems. This eliminates the need for separate power cabling, reducing deployment complexity and costs significantly. It’s the ideal solution for converged enterprise networks requiring both data and power over a single infrastructure.

Advanced Layer 2 Features with Basic Layer 3 Support

Operating on Cisco IOS with the IP Base feature set, the switch supports a comprehensive suite of Layer 2 features including VLANs (up to 1,000), Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), EtherChannel, and Link Aggregation. These features are essential for segmenting traffic, avoiding loops, and increasing fault tolerance. Basic Layer 3 capabilities are also available, including static routing and inter-VLAN routing — giving growing enterprises a path to scalable routing architecture.

StackWise Technology for Scalability

The WS-C3850-48F-S supports Cisco StackWise, allowing up to nine switches to be stacked together into a single logical unit. This stacking architecture enables up to 480 Gbps of stack throughput (with StackWise-480 modules) and provides high availability, redundancy, and seamless scalability without increasing management overhead. This is especially useful for enterprises looking to expand or modernize their networks over time.

Designed for Enterprise Access and Distribution

Designed to fit both access layer and distribution layer network roles, the WS-C3850-48F-S is ideal for various deployment scenarios. Whether it’s a branch office, corporate campus, or educational institution, this switch delivers reliable Layer 2/3 performance, robust PoE+ delivery, and streamlined configuration options. Its modular uplink slot supports various SFP/SFP+ modules, allowing flexible network integration based on speed and distance requirements.

Intelligent Management and Security

With Cisco IOS IP Base, administrators benefit from intelligent traffic management, simplified CLI, SNMP support, and web-based tools for real-time monitoring. Security features include 802.1X authentication, DHCP snooping, and dynamic ARP inspection, helping protect the network against unauthorized access and common attack vectors. The switch also supports optional upgrades to advanced services for future-proofing your infrastructure.

Key Technical Specifications

• Model: Cisco Catalyst WS-C3850-48F-S
• Ports: 48 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet PoE+ ports (up to 30W per port)
• Layer 2 Capabilities: VLAN, STP, EtherChannel, Link Aggregation
• Layer 3 Capabilities: Static routing, Inter-VLAN routing
• Stacking: Cisco StackWise support (up to 9 switches)
• Stack Bandwidth: Up to 480 Gbps with StackWise-480 module
• VLAN Support: Up to 1,000 VLANs
• Management: Cisco IOS IP Base, CLI, SNMP, Web UI
• Security: 802.1X, DHCP Snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection
• Power Supply: Supports redundant PSU
• Form Factor: 1U Rack-mountable

Ideal Use Cases

• Enterprise networks requiring reliable PoE+ for phones, APs, and cameras
• Campus environments with centralized VLAN and security policies
• Branch offices needing stackable and scalable switch infrastructure
• Organizations transitioning to Layer 3 networks with basic routing needs

To learn more, visit the official Cisco product page.