The Cisco Catalyst WS-C3560X-48P-L is a high-performance enterprise access-layer switch designed for organizations requiring 48 Gigabit PoE+ ports, advanced Layer 2 switching, and optional Layer 3 capabilities via Cisco IOS IP Base upgrade. It is widely deployed in enterprise LANs, IP telephony, wireless access points, and surveillance networks, where reliable PoE power delivery and stable switching performance are essential.
This model belongs to the Cisco Catalyst 3560-X Series, known for its modular uplink architecture, redundant power support, and enterprise-grade reliability.
Key Features
- 48 × 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 PoE+ ports
- IEEE 802.3at PoE+ support (up to 30W per port)
- Layer 2 switching with upgradeable Layer 3 capability (IP Base license)
- Switching capacity: 160 Gbps
- Forwarding rate: ~101.2 Mpps
- Cisco IOS LAN Base feature set (default)
- Upgrade path to IP Base / IP Services (license dependent)
- Modular uplink support (1G / 10G SFP modules)
- High PoE power budget (~435W default, expandable with PSU upgrade)
- Dual redundant power supply support (1100W PSU option)
- Advanced security: ACLs, 802.1X, DHCP snooping, MACsec
- VLAN support up to 4096 VLAN IDs
- 1U rack-mount enterprise design
- StackPower compatibility (platform dependent configurations)
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | WS-C3560X-48P-L |
| Ports | 48 × Gigabit Ethernet PoE+ |
| PoE Standard | IEEE 802.3at (PoE+) |
| PoE Budget | ~435W default (expandable via PSU) |
| Switching Capacity | 160 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | ~101.2 Mpps |
| RAM | 256 MB |
| Flash Memory | 64 MB |
| Uplink Slots | Modular (C3KX-NM-1G / 10G) |
| VLAN Support | Up to 4096 VLANs |
| Routing | Layer 2 default, Layer 3 upgradeable |
| Form Factor | 1U Rack Mount |
| Power Supply | Single / Dual redundant optional |
| OS | Cisco IOS LAN Base |
Use Cases
- Enterprise IP telephony (VoIP) deployments
- Wireless access point PoE powering
- CCTV and IP surveillance systems
- Campus LAN access-layer switching
- Branch office network distribution
- VLAN-based secure enterprise segmentation
External Links & References
- Cisco Catalyst 3560-X Series Overview
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/catalyst-3560-x-series-switches/index.html - Cisco Enterprise Switching Portfolio
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/index.html - Cisco Catalyst 3560-X Datasheet (Technical Reference)
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-3560-x-series-switches/data_sheet_c78-584733.html - IEEE PoE+ Standard (802.3at)
https://standards.ieee.org/standard/802_3at-2009.html
Maintenance & Support
Preventive Maintenance
- Regular Cisco IOS firmware updates
- PoE power utilization monitoring per port
- Interface error checks (CRC, drops, collisions)
- Airflow and thermal performance inspection
- Power supply redundancy testing
Operational Monitoring
- SNMP-based performance monitoring
- Syslog event tracking and alerting
- VLAN and ACL configuration audits
- Uplink module diagnostics
- Traffic monitoring (NetFlow optional depending on license)
Lifecycle Support
- Cisco SMARTnet support (if available)
- Replacement of PSU, fans, and uplink modules
- Spare inventory planning for legacy infrastructure
- Migration planning toward Cisco Catalyst 3650/3850/9000 series
Support & SLA (Service Level Agreement)
Enterprise SLA ensures maximum uptime and operational continuity:
- Incident Response: 1–4 hours (critical environments)
- Hardware Replacement: Next Business Day (NBD options)
- Remote Troubleshooting: Layer 1–3 diagnostics
- Configuration Support: VLAN, routing, and security setup
- Firmware Upgrade Support: Cisco IOS upgrade assistance
- On-site Support: Available under enterprise contract
- Preventive Maintenance: Quarterly or bi-annual visits
This ensures stable performance for mission-critical enterprise systems such as ERP, VoIP, and surveillance networks.
FAQs
1. What is Cisco WS-C3560X-48P-L used for?
It is used as an enterprise PoE+ access switch for powering IP phones, wireless access points, and CCTV devices while providing Layer 2 switching.
2. Does it support Layer 3 routing?
Yes, but Layer 3 features require an upgrade to IP Base or IP Services license.
3. What is the PoE power budget?
The default PoE budget is approximately 435W, expandable with higher capacity power supplies.
4. Can it support 10G uplinks?
Yes, via modular uplink modules supporting 1G and 10G SFP/SFP+.
5. Is this switch still modern?
It is a legacy enterprise switch, still widely used in stable environments but replaced in new deployments by Cisco Catalyst 3650/9300 series.
6. What is the difference between P-L and PF-L models?
- P-L: Lower default PoE budget (~435W)
- PF-L: Higher default PoE budget (~800W with PSU configuration)
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