Cisco SRW224G4-K9

Key Specifications:

• Ports: The SRW224G4-K9 has 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports (10/100/1000 Mbps), providing high-speed connectivity for a variety of network devices, such as desktops, printers, and servers.

• Non-PoE (Power over Ethernet): The SRW224G4-K9 model does not provide PoE support. This means it won’t supply power to devices like IP cameras or VoIP phones via the Ethernet cable. For PoE functionality, you would need to look at other models like the SRW224G4P-K9 (which supports PoE).

• Layer 2 Managed Switch: Layer 2 means the switch operates primarily at the data link layer (Ethernet frames) for forwarding traffic. Layer 2 switches don’t provide routing between subnets (that’s the job of a router), but they are excellent at handling Ethernet frames and forwarding traffic based on MAC addresses.

• VLAN Support: The switch supports Virtual LANs (VLANs), which allow network administrators to segment network traffic into different logical networks. This is useful for improving security, reducing broadcast traffic, and better managing network resources.

• Web-based Management: The SRW224G4-K9 comes with a web-based graphical user interface (GUI), which makes it easy to configure and monitor the network without the need for command-line interface (CLI) skills. It also has an SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) interface for more advanced network management.

• Quality of Service (QoS): QoS allows you to prioritize certain types of traffic, which is particularly important in voice and video communication. For example, you could give higher priority to VoIP traffic to ensure calls are clear and uninterrupted, even during high network usage.

• Security Features:

  • Access Control Lists (ACLs): ACLs allow you to filter traffic based on IP addresses, allowing for more granular security control.
  • Port Security: You can limit access to certain ports based on MAC addresses, helping prevent unauthorized devices from connecting to your network.
  • 802.1X Port-Based Authentication: This can be used to control access to the network via authentication (typically used with enterprise security systems).

• Broadcast Storm Control: The SRW224G4-K9 helps prevent network congestion by limiting broadcast traffic. Broadcast storms can occur when too much broadcast traffic floods a network, and this feature helps protect against that.

• Ethernet Link Aggregation: The switch supports Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), which allows multiple Ethernet links to be grouped together for increased bandwidth and redundancy.

• Environmental Features:

  • Energy Efficient: Cisco incorporates energy-saving features in this switch to reduce power consumption while maintaining performance, which helps lower operational costs.

Performance:

• Throughput: With Gigabit ports, the switch is capable of supporting high-speed data transfer (up to 1 Gbps per port). It is ideal for environments where large files or high-volume traffic are common.

• Switching Capacity: The SRW224G4-K9 has a switching capacity of up to 48 Gbps, which refers to the total amount of data the switch can handle across all its ports at once. This makes it well-suited for medium-sized networks.

• Forwarding Rate: It has a forwarding rate of 35.7 million packets per second (pps), which is how quickly the switch can process and forward network traffic.

Benefits:

• Ease of Use: Cisco’s web-based interface allows for easy configuration, even for non-experts. It eliminates the need for advanced CLI commands, which is beneficial for small businesses or those with less technical networking staff.

• Scalability: The 24 ports are ideal for growing small-to-medium-sized businesses. As your network expands, you can easily add more devices to the switch, and with the ability to configure VLANs and manage traffic, you can optimize performance.

• Reliability: Cisco is known for producing highly reliable networking hardware, and this switch is no different. It is designed to run in demanding environments and to provide a stable network connection.

Use Cases:

• Small to Medium Businesses (SMBs): If you need a network switch with basic management capabilities, this device is a great option. It allows for the segmentation of the network into VLANs, prioritization of traffic (for applications like VoIP), and enhanced security for your office network.

• VoIP Networks: The QoS functionality is useful for networks where voice communication (VoIP) needs to be prioritized to ensure quality, especially when the network is under heavy load.

• Surveillance Systems: If you have an IP-based surveillance system, VLAN support helps separate camera traffic from other types of data traffic, improving security and performance.

Cisco Support and Warranty:

• Cisco Smart Net Total Care: If you need extended support, Cisco provides additional service contracts like Smart Net Total Care. These contracts offer 24/7 technical support, hardware replacements, and software updates.

Limitations:

• No PoE Support: This model does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). If you need PoE for devices like IP cameras, wireless access points, or phones, you would need to consider a different model in Cisco’s lineup (such as the SRW224G4P-K9).

• Layer 2 Only: While a Layer 2 switch is sufficient for most small business needs, it does not provide routing capabilities (which is handled by a router or a Layer 3 switch).