The Cisco Catalyst WS-C3560X-48PF-L is a high-density enterprise-class managed switch designed for organizations requiring 48 Gigabit PoE+ ports, advanced Layer 2/Layer 3 capabilities, and high availability architecture. It is widely deployed in enterprise access layers, IP telephony networks, CCTV systems, and wireless deployments, where reliable PoE power delivery and scalable switching are critical.
This model belongs to the Cisco Catalyst 3560-X Series, known for modular uplinks, redundant power options, and enterprise-grade Cisco IOS functionality.
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 optional Layer 3 routing (license dependent)
- Switching capacity: 160 Gbps
- Forwarding rate: ~101.2 Mpps
- Cisco IOS LAN Base feature set
- Modular uplink expansion (1G / 10G SFP modules)
- High PoE power budget (~800W depending on PSU configuration)
- Dual redundant power supply support (1100W PSU option)
- MACsec security, ACLs, 802.1X authentication
- VLAN support up to 4096 VLAN IDs
- Stackable architecture support (limited models via StackPower ecosystem)
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | WS-C3560X-48PF-L |
| Ports | 48 × Gigabit Ethernet PoE+ |
| PoE Standard | IEEE 802.3at (PoE+) |
| PoE Budget | ~800W (PSU dependent) |
| Switching Capacity | 160 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 101.2 Mpps |
| RAM | 256 MB |
| Flash Memory | 64 MB |
| Uplink Slots | Modular (1G / 10G) |
| VLAN Support | Up to 4096 |
| Routing | Static routing, RIP (license dependent) |
| Form Factor | 1U Rack Mount |
| Power Supply | Redundant (optional) |
| OS | Cisco IOS |
Use Cases
- Enterprise IP telephony (VoIP) deployments
- Wireless access point PoE distribution
- CCTV and IP surveillance systems
- Campus LAN access layer switching
- Enterprise VLAN segmentation networks
- Branch office aggregation switching
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
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 upgrades and patching
- PoE power budget monitoring per port
- Thermal checks and airflow optimization
- Interface error monitoring (CRC, drops, collisions)
- Power supply redundancy testing
Network Monitoring
- SNMP-based performance monitoring
- Syslog event tracking and alerting
- VLAN and ACL configuration audits
- Traffic monitoring (NetFlow optional)
- Uplink health and utilization tracking
Lifecycle Support
- Cisco SMARTnet support (where applicable)
- Replacement of PSU, fans, and uplink modules
- Spare inventory planning for enterprise uptime
- Migration planning toward Cisco Catalyst 3650/3850/9000 series
Support & SLA (Service Level Agreement)
Enterprise SLA ensures continuous uptime and operational stability:
- 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 (optional): Enterprise contract-based
- Preventive Maintenance: Quarterly or bi-annual visits
This ensures uninterrupted operation for mission-critical enterprise networks such as ERP, VoIP, and surveillance systems.
FAQs
1. What is Cisco WS-C3560X-48PF-L used for?
It is used as an enterprise PoE+ access switch for powering IP phones, wireless access points, and CCTV cameras.
2. Does it support full PoE+ on all ports?
Yes, it supports PoE+ on all 48 ports, but total power depends on installed PSU configuration.
3. What is the PoE power budget?
It typically supports up to ~800W PoE budget depending on power supply configuration.
4. Can it support 10G uplinks?
Yes, via modular uplink modules supporting 1G and 10G SFP/SFP+ connectivity.
5. Is this switch still modern?
It is a legacy enterprise switch, still widely used in stable environments but replaced in new deployments by Catalyst 3650/9300 series.
6. What is the difference between PF-L and P-S models?
- PF-L: LAN Base feature set (Layer 2 focused, PoE+ enabled)
- P-S: IP Base feature set (Layer 3 capable depending on license)
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.