Q
What is the Cisco Catalyst 2960-L Series switch?
A
The Cisco Catalyst 2960-L Series is an entry-level, fixed-configuration Gigabit Ethernet access switch family designed for small and midsize business edge deployments, offering simplified management and enterprise-grade security.
Q
How many ports does the Catalyst 2960-L switch provide?
A
Catalyst 2960-L switches are available in 8, 16, 24, or 48 Gigabit Ethernet port configurations, with optional Power over Ethernet (PoE) or PoE+ support on selected models.
Q
Does the Catalyst 2960-L Series support PoE and PoE+?
A
Yes, selected Catalyst 2960-L models support PoE (up to 15.4 W per port) or PoE+ (up to 30 W per port) to power IP phones, wireless access points, and cameras without external power injectors.
Q
What is the maximum PoE budget on a Catalyst 2960-L switch?
A
The maximum PoE budget on PoE-capable Catalyst 2960-L models is 370 W, while PoE+ models deliver up to 435 W of total power for connected devices.
Q
Can I stack multiple Catalyst 2960-L switches?
A
No, the Catalyst 2960-L Series does not natively support Cisco FlexStack or other stacking technologies and is intended for standalone or small cluster deployments.
Q
How do I manage and configure the Catalyst 2960-L switch?
A
You can manage Catalyst 2960-L switches via Cisco IOS CLI, web-based GUI, SNMP, or Cisco Network Plug and Play for zero-touch deployment and simplified configuration.
Q
What is the switching capacity of the Catalyst 2960-L Series?
A
Catalyst 2960-L switches offer up to 176 Gbps switching capacity and up to 130.95 Mpps forwarding performance, ensuring wire-speed Gigabit throughputs.
Q
What uplink options are available on Catalyst 2960-L switches?
A
All Catalyst 2960-L models include two fixed 1G SFP uplinks, while some 48-port variants offer optional 1G/10G SFP+ dual-purpose uplink ports for higher bandwidth connectivity.
Q
Are Cisco Catalyst 2960-L switches fanless?
A
Yes, most Catalyst 2960-L models are fanless, delivering silent operation ideal for office, retail, healthcare, and hospitality environments.
Q
What are the typical applications for Catalyst 2960-L switches?
A
Catalyst 2960-L switches are ideal for branch offices, retail outlets, schools, and small enterprises that require secure, energy-efficient Gigabit access with PoE support.
Q
What warranty does Cisco offer for the Catalyst 2960-L Series?
A
Cisco provides a limited lifetime hardware warranty and 90-day software support for Catalyst 2960-L switches, with options to upgrade to Cisco SMARTnet® service for extended coverage.
Q
How does the Catalyst 2960-L differ from the Catalyst 2960-X Series?
A
The Catalyst 2960-L Series offers a lower entry price, fanless design, simplified feature set, and limited stacking capability compared to the higher-performance, stackable 2960-X Series.
Q
Which Cisco IOS features are included on the 2960-L Series?
A
The Catalyst 2960-L Series runs Cisco IOS LAN Base, providing Layer 2 switching, static routing, QoS, security features like 802.1X, and limited multicast support.
Q
How do I upgrade the firmware on a Catalyst 2960-L switch?
A
Firmware on Catalyst 2960-L switches can be upgraded using TFTP or USB via the Cisco IOS CLI, following the 'archive download-sw' command sequence for safe image installation.
Q
What are the power consumption specifications for Catalyst 2960-L?
A
Typical power consumption for non-PoE Catalyst 2960-L models ranges from 10 W to 20 W, while PoE/PoE+ variants may draw up to 450 W under full load.
Q
Where can I purchase the Cisco Catalyst 2960-L switch?
A
Cisco Catalyst 2960-L switches are available through certified Cisco partners, value-added resellers, and authorized online retailers, ensuring genuine products and support.