The Cisco Catalyst WS-C3560X-24P-S is a high-performance Layer 3 managed enterprise switch designed for secure, scalable access-layer deployments. It provides 24 Gigabit PoE+ ports, modular uplink flexibility, and advanced Cisco IOS capabilities, making it ideal for enterprise LANs, IP telephony, wireless access points, and surveillance networks.
Key Features
- 24 × 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet PoE+ ports (IEEE 802.3at)
- Up to 30W PoE per port (power budget dependent)
- Layer 2 switching + Layer 3 static routing
- Modular uplink slot (supports 1G / 10G modules)
- Switching capacity: ~160 Gbps
- Forwarding rate: ~65.5 Mpps
- 1U rack-mount enterprise-grade chassis
- Dual redundant power supply support
- Advanced security: ACLs, 802.1X, DHCP snooping, MACsec
- VLAN support up to 4096 VLAN IDs
- Cisco IOS IP Base feature set
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | WS-C3560X-24P-S |
| Ports | 24 × Gigabit RJ-45 PoE+ |
| Uplinks | Modular (1G / 10G optional) |
| PoE Budget | ~435W (typical PSU dependent) |
| Form Factor | 1U Rack Mount |
| Switching Capacity | ~160 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | ~65.5 Mpps |
| Memory | 256 MB RAM |
| Flash | 64 MB |
| VLAN Support | Up to 4096 |
| Routing | Static, RIP, basic L3 |
| OS | Cisco IOS IP Base |
External References & Documentation
- Cisco Catalyst Switching Portfolio
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/index.html - Cisco Catalyst 3560-X Series Overview
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/catalyst-3560-x-series-switches/index.html - WS-C3560X Series Datasheet (Technical PDF)
https://www.router-switch.com/pdf2html/pdf/ws-c3560x-24p-s-datasheet.pdf - IEEE PoE+ Standard (802.3at)
https://standards.ieee.org/standard/802_3at-2009.html
Use Cases
- Enterprise access-layer switching
- IP telephony (VoIP) infrastructure
- Wireless access point power distribution
- CCTV / IP surveillance systems
- Branch office network aggregation
- VLAN-segmented enterprise networks
Maintenance & Support
Preventive Maintenance
- Cisco IOS firmware updates and patch management
- Periodic port and PoE load monitoring
- Cleaning of airflow vents and thermal inspection
- Power supply redundancy checks
- Uplink module verification and diagnostics
Network Operations Monitoring
- SNMP-based device health monitoring
- Interface error tracking (CRC, drops, collisions)
- Syslog and NetFlow analysis for traffic visibility
- VLAN and ACL configuration audits
- PoE utilization monitoring per port
Hardware Lifecycle Support
- Cisco SMARTnet (if active coverage applies)
- Replacement of failed PSU, fan modules, or uplink cards
- Spare hardware planning for end-of-life environments
- Migration support toward newer Catalyst platforms
Support & SLA (Service Level Agreement)
For enterprise environments, SLA-backed support ensures uptime and operational stability:
- Incident Response Time: 1–4 hours (critical infrastructure)
- Hardware Replacement: Next Business Day (NBD) options
- Remote Troubleshooting: Layer 1–3 diagnostics support
- Configuration Assistance: VLAN, routing, and security setup
- Firmware Upgrade Support: IOS upgrade planning and execution
- Optional On-Site Support: Available under enterprise contract
- Preventive Maintenance: Scheduled quarterly/bi-annual visits
A structured SLA ensures stable performance for business-critical services such as VoIP, ERP systems, and surveillance networks.
FAQs
1. What is Cisco WS-C3560X-24P-S used for?
It is used as an enterprise access switch providing PoE+ for IP phones, APs, and cameras with Layer 3 capabilities.
2. Does it support PoE on all 24 ports?
Yes, all 24 ports support PoE+, but total output depends on the installed power supply and power budget.
3. Can it support 10G uplinks?
Yes, via optional modular uplink modules supporting 1G or 10G SFP/SFP+.
4. Is this switch still suitable for modern networks?
Yes, for stable enterprise environments, though it is a legacy Catalyst model compared to newer 9300 series.
5. What is the main difference between 24P-S and 24T-S?
- 24P-S: PoE+ enabled ports
- 24T-S: Non-PoE Gigabit Ethernet ports
6. How many devices can it power?
Up to 24 PoE devices, depending on total power budget and per-device consumption.
Conclusion
The Cisco Catalyst WS-C3560X-24P-S remains a dependable enterprise switch offering PoE+ capability, modular uplinks, and Layer 3 features. It is widely deployed in enterprise LANs, branch offices, and surveillance networks due to its reliability, flexible design, and proven Cisco IOS stability.






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