WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI

Key Features of Cisco WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI:

1. 24 10/100/1000 Ethernet Ports:

   • The WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI offers 24 ports of 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet, allowing for high-speed connectivity for network devices such as desktops, servers, and printers.
   • These ports support Gigabit Ethernet speeds, making the switch suitable for both modern devices that require high bandwidth and older 10/100 Mbps devices.

2. Power over Ethernet (PoE):

   • This model supports PoE (Power over Ethernet), allowing the switch to deliver power and data over a single Ethernet cable to PoE-enabled devices like IP phones, wireless access points (WAPs), and cameras.
   • This feature helps eliminate the need for additional power adapters or outlets for powered devices, simplifying cabling and reducing infrastructure costs.

3. Advanced Layer 3 Features:

   • The WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI is a Layer 3 switch, which means it can perform routing in addition to standard Layer 2 switching. This makes it more suitable for larger enterprise networks and those that require inter-VLAN routing or connections between different subnets.
   • Key Layer 3 features include static routing, RIP, and IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) snooping. It can also handle routing for VLANs on the network, making it suitable for larger deployments where multiple VLANs need to be interconnected.

4. 24 Power over Ethernet (PoE) Ports:

   • The WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI provides 24 PoE ports, each capable of delivering power to PoE-enabled devices.
   • It supports IEEE 802.3af PoE standard, with a total PoE power budget that typically provides 370W across all 24 ports (depending on the exact configuration and power draw of connected devices).
   • This makes it ideal for situations where a high density of powered devices, such as IP phones or wireless access points, needs to be connected to the network without requiring additional power supplies.

5. Cisco IOS Software (SMI):

   • The switch runs Cisco IOS (Internetwork Operating System), providing powerful network management and configuration capabilities. The SMI (Standard Multilayer Image) version of IOS provides basic Layer 3 features such as routing, but it does not include the more advanced features available in other versions (e.g., EMI, IP services).
   • SMI offers support for essential features like VLANs, ACLs (Access Control Lists), and basic QoS (Quality of Service) configurations.

6. Gigabit Uplink Ports:

   • The WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI is equipped with 2 Gigabit SFP (Small Form-Factor Pluggable) uplink ports. These fiber-optic ports are used for high-speed connectivity between switches or to connect the switch to higher-level devices like routers or core network switches.
   • The fiber links enable long-distance connections, which is useful in larger enterprise networks or in configurations that require the switch to be connected to remote locations.

7. Stacking and Redundancy:

   • The WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI supports stacking using the StackWise technology. This feature allows multiple switches to be stacked together and managed as a single unit, making network management more efficient and providing redundancy and failover capabilities in case of a switch failure.
   • This feature is beneficial for environments that need high availability and scalability in their network setup.

8. Quality of Service (QoS):

   • The WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI provides QoS features, which allow for the prioritization of certain types of network traffic. For instance, voice and video traffic can be prioritized over less critical data, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted communication for IP phones and video conferencing systems.

9. Security Features:

   • The switch includes several built-in security features to protect against unauthorized access and ensure the integrity of the network. These features include:
     • 802.1X authentication: Port-based access control to ensure only authorized devices can access the network.
     • Access Control Lists (ACLs): Allows you to filter traffic based on IP addresses, ports, and protocols to control access between different segments of the network.
     • Port Security: Prevents unauthorized devices from connecting to the switch by restricting ports based on MAC addresses.

10. Stacking Capabilities:

    • The Cisco WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI can be stacked with other 3550 series switches for scalability and redundancy. Using Cisco’s StackWise technology, multiple switches in the stack can be managed as a single entity, making it easier to scale network capacity without the complexity of individual management.

Hardware Specifications of Cisco WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI:

• Ports:
  • 24 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports (with PoE support)
  • 2 x Gigabit SFP uplink ports (for fiber-optic connections)
• PoE Power Budget: 370W (total available PoE power for all ports)
• Switching Capacity: 32 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 16.5 million packets per second (mpps)
• Power Consumption: Varies based on power draw (up to 370W with PoE enabled)
• Cooling: Internal fans for cooling
• Form Factor: 1U (rack-mounted)
• Dimensions: 1.73 x 17.5 x 10.8 inches (44 x 445 x 275 mm)
• Weight: 5.4 kg (12 lbs)

Use Cases for Cisco WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI:

1. Enterprise Access Layer:

   • The WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI is ideal for use as an access layer switch in an enterprise network, where it connects end devices (computers, printers, phones, etc.) to the network.
   • With 24 PoE ports, it can power IP phones, wireless access points, and other devices that need both power and data, reducing the need for additional power sources.

2. Small to Medium-Sized Business (SMB):

   • The WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI is a great solution for SMBs that require Layer 3 routing capabilities and PoE to support multiple devices like VoIP phones and WAPs.
   • Its PoE capability ensures that you do not need additional power sources for devices like phones or cameras, simplifying installation and maintenance.

3. Branch Offices:

   • The WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI can serve as a branch office switch that connects users to the corporate network, provides PoE to devices, and performs inter-VLAN routing to route traffic between different subnets or VLANs.
   • It’s a suitable choice for businesses with distributed network setups and requirements for reliable Layer 3 functionality.

4. IP Telephony and Wireless Networks:

   • With PoE support, the WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI is particularly well-suited for environments that use IP telephony or wireless networks.
   • It can power and provide network connectivity to IP phones, wireless access points (WAPs), and other powered devices, helping to eliminate the need for separate power sources.

5. Campus Networks:

   • The WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI is a good choice for campus networks, where multiple devices need to be connected and network management needs to be centralized.
   • The stacking feature allows the switch to scale with the growing needs of the network, providing both increased capacity and redundancy.

6. Education and Healthcare:

   • In education and healthcare environments, the WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI can be used to support a variety of connected devices like student computers, wireless access points, and telephony systems, all while providing Power over Ethernet to simplify installations.