Cisco 2960 vs. Cisco 3850- A comparison review
There are many features and capabilities which differentiate the Cisco 2960 from the Cisco 3850. Take a look as we highlight and compare both from these product lines as we try to establish which of these LAN networking switch series is better.
Cisco’s Catalyst Series is a wide collection of Switches, all of which are designed for overall network improvements for different sized enterprises. Among the more popular members within this collection include the Cisco 2960 and Cisco 3850 product lines.
Although they share the main Catalyst family, each offers very different Cisco Switch capabilities and integrated technologies, with separate features. To discover what each of these series has to offer and how they differ from one another, take a look at Cisco 2960 vs. Cisco 3850 for further insight.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Cisco 2960 and Cisco 3850?
Cisco 2960 |
Cisco 3850 |
|
Stacking |
N/a |
StackWise-480 |
Layering |
Layer 2 |
Layer 4 |
NetFlow |
No |
Yes |
Modular uplinks |
No |
Yes |
Cisco 2960 vs. Cisco 3850 – How these two series compare
Flexible Netflow
NetFlow has emerged as a standard feature for flow technology, and is a central key feature for new switch models. It increases availability and offers impressive flow details for comprehensive network analysis. The 3850 boosts its application control and visibility by offering 48000 flow for 48 port models and 24000 flow for 12 and 24 port models. The flow data can be tracked by the EEM for improved switch efficiency. This technology is not available on the 2960 switch, which limits the capacity of analysis and operation for users, making the 3859 a better choice.
Layer Networking Acess
Layering standardizes and computes the communication capacity of a computing or telephony system without looking into their built in specifications. Layer 2 switches monitor data transfer between adjacent nodes on WAN or across nodes on LAN Layer 3 switches provide an approach for transferring data from the host to destination through multiple networks using IP addresses. Most Layer 3 options also offer Layer 2 benefits. Layer 4 switches offer Layer 2 and 3 benefits, in addition to using the TCP and DHP to provide flow control, multiplexing and reliability. The 2960 offers Layer 2 benefits, while the impressive 3850 offers Layer 4 benefits ensuring greater value in this regard. That said, the 2960 switch is Layer 3 aware, offering a few perks such as an enhanced QoS to suit user needs.
Cisco 2960 vs. Cisco 3850- A comparison review
Cisco 2960
The Cisco 2960 collection is one of Cisco’s legendary switches. Since its introduction, the 2960 collection as a whole has gained a lot of traction for its diverse features over a single platform. Many features and tools working together make these models not only efficient but also easy to use.
Features
These devices are designed with various intelligence features that help improve the network. Since the collection is known as Cisco’s Intelligent Ethernet switches, these devices offer intelligence services even at the network edge. This is important for users with high bandwidth demands. Additionally, Intelligence at the network edge is serves to increase computational power, for highly sensitive data.
Cisco IOS is integrated into the 2960 series’ design. With it, users can access good security on their networks with superior managing tools. Security on these devices is enhanced to protect important information within the network keep unauthorized access off, guarding user privacy and help maintain uninterrupted operations. In fact, this and many other tools working together help improve the network redundancy on these models.
Management and Administration on 2960 switches is tailored to reduce network complexity while improving operational excellence. Some of the notable management tools on these devices include CAN. This networking assistant makes network configuration and upgrade almost as easy as it makes troubleshooting and maintenance.
Advanced QoS, granular rate limiting ACL multicast services among other benefits are the result of the intelligence services on these devices Advanced QOS for instance includes prioritization and packet classification features that allow easy deployment and use.
C2960X-48LPS
- Memory storage capacity: 512.0
- LAN Lite models have reduced functionality and scalability for small deployments with basic requirements.
The Cisco Catalyst WS-C2960X-48LPS switch features 48 10/100/1000 base-T POE ports which also support UPOE. The switch offers a USB interface for file backup, distribution and management. It offers a 107.1 Mpps forwarding rate and a 108 Gbps bandwidth performance. This switch is optimized for security -and offers features such as a Serial Port Analyzer, 802.1X, threat detection and port protection. It also offers trust anchor technology, access control lists, a BPDU guard and other frameworks for rounded protection.
Ideally, the 2960 is designed to be very easy to use, and features a host of protocols to enhance user experience. The model supports VLAN minimization, LACP, RSPAN, layer 2 trace routes and autosecure services to provide operational simplicity. The Cisco 2960 switch facilitates power management with built in frameworks for optimal consumption. It offers energy efficient Ethernet, switch hibernation mode and EnergyWise technology to provide effective control over this aspect.
Cisco 3850
The Cisco Catalyst 3850 is an enterprise class collection of Switches which includes stackable devices with an appealing range of features. Compared to its predecessors, this series is well equipped with operational enhancements for even better performance, and more reliable security.
Features
While there are many models on this collection, the devices share some pretty impressive features. Staring off with the software, 3850 gadgets provides capabilities that are suited in convergence of wireless and wired access points on a single platform. These enterprise-class switches provide next generation switching technology and other features that encourage digital innovation in your business.
These switches are powered by CDNA technology which allows these devices to support digital organizations. Using multigigabit technologies, these Cisco switches allow for network improvements with minimal difficulty. The series is designed with various technologies that deliver great performance across your network.
Various tools on the Cisco 3850 are dedicated to easy management and administration. Some of these tools including Cisco’s SmarOperations feature together with other deployment and control tools allow users to set up and quickly and very easily.
StackWise and Stack Power technologies enable users to stack these switch series. You can stack up to 9 3850 which will give you a total of 480Gbps stacking bandwidth. When stacked, the series becomes a single unit. The unit allows users to manage, control and configure in a single plane.
The series features IEEE 802.1x, Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol and other quality security features. They protect both wired and wireless clients against unauthorized attackers and users or data breaches. Various deployment options are available with the series including the campus and branch deployment scenarios.
Cisco WS-C3850-48P
- Total Number of Network Ports- 48
- Media Type Supported- Twisted Pair
The 48 port Cisco Catalyst WS-C3850-48P is a dynamic switch that offers 10/100/1000Mbps POE ports. It features Cisco’s energy efficient ethernet for lower power consumption. It also supports StackWise and StackPower technology which provides resiliency, scalability and power redundancy. The borderless network offers high availability and IP routing, as well as superior Qos. It features a 472 Gbps bandwidth performance alongside a 130.85 Mpps forwarding rate. Additional detailed security features including flexible user authentication, dynamic inspection protocols against attackers and encrypted traffic through the use of SNMP and other similar protocols are available on this device.
The switch connects well with compatible options and features multiple settings for automated reconfiguration. It supports autonegotiation, smartports and smart install which will help ensure seamless integration of new switches. It offers true stacking and allows you to manipulate multiple switch configurations from a single access point.
Now, Let’s compare the C2960X-48LPS to the Cisco WS-C3850-48P
WS-C2960X-48LPS |
WS-C3850-48P |
|
Number of ports |
48 |
48 |
Integrated security |
√ |
√ |
Bandwidth performance |
108 Gbps |
472Gbps |
Forwarding rates |
107.1 Mpps |
130.85 Mpps |
In conclusion
The 2960 and 3850 feature great capabilities for use different sized networks. While they feature some similarities, these models are quite different, and are geared towards different applications.
