Cisco Catalyst 3850 12-Port Managed Rack Mountable Switch

Overview

The Cisco WS-C3850-12XS-E is a fully managed rack-mountable switch designed to provide high-speed connectivity for growing networks. It features twelve SFP+ ports that support both 1 Gigabit and 10 Gigabit fiber optics, allowing flexible configurations for uplinks, access connections, and backbone links within a compact chassis. Built with Cisco StackWise and StackPower technologies, it enables stacking multiple switches into a single resilient system with a stack bandwidth of 480 Gbps, ensuring consistent performance as your network expands.

This switch fits well in wiring closets, small data center racks, or desktop setups, making it suitable for midsize offices, campus environments, and branch sites that require reliable bandwidth and uptime. Network administrators benefit from granular traffic control and monitoring through Cisco’s familiar management tools, while end users experience fast file transfers, clear voice calls, and smooth wireless roaming on a unified infrastructure.

Key features

• Twelve SFP+ ports that support both 1 Gigabit and 10 Gigabit fiber modules, offering versatile connectivity options.
• Fully managed switch capabilities for detailed traffic control, monitoring, and network optimization.
• Cisco StackWise technology enables multiple switches to operate as a single unit, simplifying management and increasing redundancy.
• StackPower technology allows power sharing among stacked switches, enhancing reliability and reducing downtime.
• Compact rack-mountable design with optional desktop placement, fitting into various enterprise environments with limited space.
• High stack bandwidth of up to 480 Gbps prevents bottlenecks in inter-switch communication, maintaining smooth network performance.

Key specs

• Ports: 12 SFP+ ports supporting 1 Gigabit and 10 Gigabit fiber optics
• Stack bandwidth: 480 Gbps
• Management: Fully managed with Cisco IOS software
• Form factor: Rack mountable with optional desktop placement
• Stacking technology: Cisco StackWise and StackPower

Connectivity and compatibility

This switch supports a wide range of fiber optic modules for both 1 Gigabit and 10 Gigabit speeds, allowing seamless integration with existing network infrastructure. Its compatibility with Cisco StackWise technology means it can be combined with other Catalyst 3850 switches to form a unified system, simplifying network expansion and management. The device is well suited for environments that require aggregation of multiple access layer switches or high-speed fiber connections to distribution nodes.

Ideal uses and environments

The Cisco WS-C3850-12XS-E is a strong choice for midsize offices, campus networks, and branch sites that demand reliable, high-speed fiber connectivity. It works well in wiring closets and small data center racks where space is limited but performance cannot be compromised. This switch supports environments where voice, video, and data traffic must be managed efficiently, making it suitable for businesses that rely on unified communications and fast data transfers.