United States
Q
What is the Cisco Catalyst 3560-CX switch?
A
The Cisco Catalyst 3560-CX is a compact, fanless enterprise switch offering Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, integrated PoE/PoE+, and advanced Layer 2 and basic Layer 3 features in a low-noise form factor ideal for tight spaces and branch offices.
Q
What are the key features and benefits of the Catalyst 3560-CX?
A
Key features include 8 or 12 Gigabit ports, 2 Gigabit uplinks, 60W PoE/PoE+ per port, static routing, security enforcement, and zero-touch provisioning, delivering reliable performance, easy deployment, and energy efficiency for small networks.
Q
How many ports and uplinks does the Catalyst 3560-CX provide?
A
The Catalyst 3560-CX is available in 8- and 12-port Gigabit Ethernet models, each with two 1 Gigabit SFP uplink ports to connect to core switches or network aggregation points.
Q
Does the Catalyst 3560-CX support PoE and PoE+?
A
Yes, every Catalyst 3560-CX port supports up to 60W PoE/PoE+ delivering power to IP phones, wireless access points, and cameras while simplifying cabling and eliminating external power supplies.
Q
What is the switching capacity and performance?
A
The Catalyst 3560-CX delivers up to 56 Gbps switching capacity and a forwarding rate of up to 41.7 Mpps, ensuring wire-speed performance for voice, video, and data traffic.
Q
Does the Catalyst 3560-CX support Layer 3 routing?
A
Yes, it provides static routing, limited RIP, and advanced IPv4/IPv6 features, enabling inter-VLAN routing and basic dynamic route management for small to mid-sized networks.
Q
What management options are available for the Catalyst 3560-CX?
A
You can manage the switch via Cisco IOS CLI, web-based GUI, SNMP, or Cisco DNA Center for policy-based automation and centralized monitoring.
Q
Can I stack multiple Catalyst 3560-CX switches?
A
The Catalyst 3560-CX does not support traditional stacking modules, but you can achieve logical virtualization and simplified management through Cisco StackWise Virtual on compatible uplink devices.
Q
Is the Catalyst 3560-CX fanless and energy efficient?
A
Yes, its fanless design reduces noise and heat, while Energy Efficient Ethernet and PoE power budgeting lower operational costs in noise-sensitive environments.
Q
What are typical use cases for the Catalyst 3560-CX?
A
Ideal for small branch offices, retail shops, hospitality, and classroom deployments requiring quiet operation, PoE support for endpoints, and secure, reliable connectivity.
Q
How does the Catalyst 3560-CX handle power redundancy?
A
It features an integrated power supply with optional dual-input capability and PoE budget management, ensuring continuous operation even if one power source fails.
Q
Does the Catalyst 3560-CX support IPv6?
A
Yes, it provides full IPv6 host and management support, including IPv6 ACLs and dual-stack operation for smooth migration from IPv4 to IPv6 networks.
Q
What built-in security features does the Catalyst 3560-CX offer?
A
The switch includes 802.1X port authentication, Dynamic ARP Inspection, IP Source Guard, ACLs, and Cisco TrustSec for segmentation and threat mitigation at the access layer.
Q
What licensing and software image options are available?
A
It ships with the LAN Base image by default and can be upgraded to LAN Lite for essential features or Services image for advanced Layer 3 and security capabilities under Cisco’s Smart Licensing model.
Q
What warranty and support options come with the Catalyst 3560-CX?
A
Cisco offers a limited lifetime hardware warranty, one-year warranty for fans and power supplies, and optional SMARTnet service for 24/7 technical support and next-day hardware replacement.
Q
How do I deploy and configure the Catalyst 3560-CX?
A
Deploy by mounting on a desktop or wall, connect uplinks and endpoints, then perform initial setup using Cisco IOS CLI or GUI-based Device Manager for guided configuration and policy assignment.
Q
Where can I buy the Cisco Catalyst 3560-CX switch?
A
The Catalyst 3560-CX is available through Cisco authorized partners, resellers, and online marketplaces; verify Cisco certification status to ensure genuine hardware and support eligibility.
