Managed Switch Cisco Small Business 2960-X 24 Ports PoE L2/L3

The Cisco Small Business 2960-X 24 Ports PoE L2/L3 is a managed Gigabit Ethernet switch designed for small to medium-sized networks. It provides 24 RJ-45 Gigabit ports with optional Power over Ethernet (PoE/PoE+), a switching capacity of 216 Gbit/s and a MAC address table supporting 16,000 entries. The switch is a compact 1U rack-mountable unit with a black enclosure and runs Cisco IOS software, combining Layer 2 and basic Layer 3 features for campus and branch access deployments.

Advantages

This managed switch supports advanced Layer 2 and limited Layer 3 functionality that simplifies traffic segmentation and routing at the access layer. Integrated PoE/PoE+ capability allows powering IP phones, wireless access points and other powered devices directly through the Ethernet ports, reducing cabling complexity. The device offers enterprise-class reliability with stacking capability and enhanced application visibility via Cisco IOS, enabling straightforward device and network management. Its 1U compact form factor and standardized rack-mount design ease installation in typical server racks.

Suitable for

• Small and medium office networks requiring centralized management and PoE for endpoints
• Branch offices and campus access layers handling user devices and wireless access points
• Environments that need a balance of Layer 2 switching and basic Layer 3 routing
• Installations where rack-mounted, space-saving equipment is preferred

Key specifications

• 24 RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet ports (10/100/1000)
• Power over Ethernet (PoE/PoE+) support on appropriate ports
• Switching capacity: 216 Gbit/s
• MAC address table size: 16,000 entries
• Managed switch with Cisco IOS software and stacking capability
• Supported networking standards include IEEE 802.1Q, 802.1p, 802.1x, 802.3af/at and others for interoperability
• Form factor: 1U rack-mountable, black chassis
• Weight: approximately 5.8 kg

How to use

Mount the switch in a standard 19-inch rack using the included rack ears or place it on a stable shelf. Connect uplink and endpoint devices to the RJ-45 Gigabit ports using Cat5e or Cat6 cables. If using PoE devices, verify port PoE budget and connect powered devices directly without separate power supplies. Access the device through the console port, web-based interface or SSH to configure VLANs, Layer 3 interfaces, QoS and security features using Cisco IOS commands or management tools. For stacking, follow Cisco stacking procedures to connect and configure stack members.

Recommendations

Plan PoE power requirements before deployment to ensure the switch can support all powered devices simultaneously. Use VLAN segmentation and access control lists to separate traffic types and enhance security. Keep IOS firmware up to date and monitor device health and interface statistics through SNMP or Cisco management tools to maintain network reliability.