Cisco 2960

Types of Cisco 2960

The Cisco Catalyst 2960 switches are next-generation LAN access switches with a modular design. They are flexible and can provide services to various customers, including enterprise branch offices, telecommuters, small offices, and midsize businesses. These switches come in different series and models, making them suitable for numerous applications.

The Catalyst 2960 series consist of several models:

• Cisco Catalyst 2960-L Series: This series provides secure, enterprise-class wired and wireless access while allowing IT to visualize, automate, and protect the network. The switches in this series are energy efficient and offer Layer 2 switching for small to medium-sized networks. They have a fixed configuration and a variety of port options, making them ideal for access and edge-layer deployments.
• Cisco Catalyst 2960-X Series: The switches in this series are designed for easy deployment and include integrated diagnostics for troubleshooting. They support enhanced PoE, which allows voice, video, and wireless services to be deployed on a single network. The 2960-X series switches offer Layer 2 and basic Layer 3 switching and are a cost-effective solution for customers requiring secure, energy-efficient access to wired networks.
• Cisco Catalyst 2960-Plus Series: These switches upgrade the Cisco Catalyst 2960 Series LAN Base Switches with an SD card slot and an intelligent power module. They are ideal for basic network wiring closets in branch offices and small to medium-sized businesses. With the dual-image IOS feature and Support for Swift, USB to IOS, system tuning, the 2960-Plus series switches provide an exceptional user experience. They also offer enhanced PoE to support Cisco IP phones and other devices that require power.

Function and features of cisco 2960

• Power over Ethernet (PoE):

  All Cisco 2960 switch models support PoE compatible with powered devices (PDs) such as IP phones, security cameras, and wireless access points. The switch supplies electrical power along with the data over the same Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for separate power cabling.

• Intelligent Networking Services:

  - Cisco Energy Wise: This application helps organizations manage energy consumption not only at the Cisco Catalyst switches but also at the endpoint devices across the network. Organizations can optimize their energy efficiency and apply policies to reduce consumption during non-business hours.

  - Cisco Virtual Port Channel (VPC): This technology provides a simplified loop-free network design and increased redundancy and fault-tolerance. Cisco vPC allows Cisco Nexus switches to operate in a single logical parent switch.

  - Host-Based Routing: This function makes the Cisco switch resilient against network failures and provides high-speed data transfer in telecommunications. It utilizes the Layer 3 switching capability of the switch to forward packets between VLANs.

  - FlexStack: The FlexStack feature enables the switching stack to be dynamically added or removed, providing flexibility and fast stacking. It is designed for high availability with up to 40 Gpbs stacking bandwidth and prioritization of stacking traffic.

  - Switch Clustering: This feature allows multiple switches to be managed as a single logical device, thus simplifying network operations. It boosts performance, increases the resilience of the network, and reduces the total cost of ownership.

• Network Modules:

  The modular flexibility of the Cisco Catalyst Switch Network modules allows the organization to expand the network to meet the changing needs of the business. The Network Modules support a variety of interfaces for connecting to routers and switches for integrating wired and wireless networks and for connecting to other Cisco devices.

• Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC):

  This feature provides wireless solutions for organizations of different sizes. The Embedded Wireless Controller for Catalyst switches offers better TCO by helping organizations to manage wired and wireless networks from a single platform.

• Management Interfaces:

  The management interfaces of the Cat 2960-X Series switches provide secure remote management capabilities. The Command-Line Interface is the mainstay in network device management and supports protocols like Telnet and SSH for remote access. On the other hand, Cisco Integration with Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), with its device health monitoring traps and alerts, aids in proactively managing network resources.

Usage scenarios of cisco 2960

A 2960 switch can be beneficial in various industries and cases by providing reliable connectivity for different network environments.

• Enterprise Networks

  Here, the Cisco Catalyst 2960 can support the endpoints of an organization, granting employees access to the network, and can be deployed as a local area network (LAN) at a branch office or campus.

• Manufacturing

  In typical manufacturing settings, Cisco Catalyst 2960 Switches can be used to connect PLCs (programmable logic controls), IP cameras (Internet protocol cameras), and sensors to the industrial machines to enable automation and monitoring of tasks and activities.

• Education

  In an educational institution, Cisco switches 2960 series can be deployed to dormitories and classrooms to provide students and staff with reliable connectivity to IP phones, laptops, printers and tablets, enhancing learning experiences and modernizing educational environments.

• Retail

  The switch can be a powerful tool to connect the POS (Point of Sale) systems, security cameras, and wireless access points, improving operational efficiency and ensuring a robust and secure connection to critical devices for the organization.

• Healthcare Facilities

  Healthcare facilities deploy the Cisco 2960 switches to secure, reliable connectivity for medical equipment, staff workstations, wireless access points, and IP telephony in a hospital environment.

• Branch Office Connectivity

  Organizations with multiple office branches can use the switch to simplistically and efficiently interconnect devices within the branch office network, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among the branch office staff.

• Fiber Optic Uplinks

  Cisco 2960-X series switches support SFP optical transceivers, so when an SFP module is installed in a port, the Cisco software can automatically configure the port for use. The switches can support up to 80 km links with the right optical transceivers, depending on the model, which allows extending the network over long distances.

How to choose a Cisco 2960?

With a variety of Cisco Catalyst 2960 series switches available, there are a few important factors to consider to find a device that meets specific needs.

• Device Choice

  Take time to evaluate what is needed. Is a switch with the capacity to support numerous devices and has network security features needed? Or is a small switch that can be put anywhere and accessed from the web required? Review all options in this guide to find the best fit.

• Slow or Fast

  The words ""Catalyst 2960-L"" and ""2960 LAN Base"" stand for the speed and give a reference point to where the switch is on the Cisco product spectrum. LAN Base is a basic part all switches have. LAN Lite, on the other hand, is the slowest. Ideal for networks that only need to connect computers, printers, and other devices, LAN Lite is usually the first switch people buy when starting a network. LAN Advanced services are fast, reliable, and secure, but many other LAN switches can do more. They are the next step. All three have quality support, but the last two are what Cisco calls ""Enterprise Value Product Line,"" which means they are at a higher level.

• Finding Switches with Faster Feeds

  To find the right switch, look in the ""Cisco Intent-Based Networking"" section, where Wired and Wireless under the ""Wired"" line, and find the list of fast models. The 2960-X/XR model is the fastest; it can do 1, 10, or 25 megabits per second. Other models, like the 2960-L, can only do 10, but the 2960-XR is better because it is made with more robust features and can run at the faster speed of 25. The 2960-24TT-L is the slowest and the latest in technology. It can use less energy, but the 2960-X/XR is the first choice for top speed and performance on the Cisco list. Ensure each chosen switch has the right features for its intended job and that it can run at the speeds needed.

• Power over Ethernet (PoE)

  Another important feature is whether the switch can work on Ethernet and if it can really power devices on that network. Some models allow connecting phones, cameras, and Wi-Fi extenders through cables, which help anywhere internet is pwered and used. When choosing, check if PoE (power over ethernet) is included; if so, look to see how much power each port can support because it allows deciding which devices can be directly powered through the switch.

• PoE Not Included Models

  Some PoE models do not power on:

  • 2960-L: If it has 8 or 24 ports, it does not work on PoE. They are made for smaller jobs at first but can later be upgraded to faster models.
  • 2960-X: All models can work with Power over Ethernet, but only the 2960-X with the ""R"" can be run with it. The 2960-X with ""i"" is made for very small jobs, so it is better to use other models instead.
  • The 2960-XL and 2960-XR Both have 48 ports. The XL only works in basic ways, but the XRs can work with Power over Ethernet and other advanced features.
  • 2960-FO: This is only for using in place where it can run at very high temperatures (50°C). It has 24 ports.

Cisco 2960 Q&A

Q1: How many devices can a 2960 switch support?

A1: The Cisco Catalyst 2960 Series Switches range from 24 to 48 ports. Hence, it has the capacity of 24 to 48 devices depending on the model.

Q2: What is the difference between the Cisco 2960 and 3560?

A2: The Cisco Catalyst 2960 provide Layer 2 switching while the Cisco Catalyst 3560 offers both Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching, so they are able to route.

Q3: How to configure a Cisco 2960 switch?

A3: First, connect to the switch using a console cable. Then, open a terminal emulation program. Type in the IP addresses and names of the VLANs and choose the VLAN button to apply to switch ports. Navigate to the interface settings to make it unavailable and secure.

Q4: Is 2960 still available?

A4: No, the Cisco Catalyst 2960 has been replaced by the Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series.

Q5: What is the difference between Cisco 2960 and 9300?

A5: Unlike the Cisco 2960, the Cisco 9300 switches support a modular design, which allows businesses to add more capabilities and features to the switch.