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Full PoE with AP licenses made deployment efficient.
WS-C3850-48PW-S
Cisco Catalyst 3850 48 Port Full PoE w/ 5 AP license IP Base
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Name:
WS-C3850-48PW-S
- Description:
- Cisco Catalyst 3850 48 Port Full PoE w/ 5 AP license IP Base
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- Brand:
- Cisco
- GTIN:
- 756785299602
- Condition:
- Warranty:
- 3
- List Price:
$17,712.00
- Price:
$4,529.0074.4% off
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WS-C3850-48PW-S Overview
WS-C3850-48PW-S is a high-performance, stackable enterprise switch that integrates advanced architecture with a fixed 48-port configuration to deliver secure and reliable 10/100/1000 Ethernet connectivity. Engineered with built-in PoE+ capabilities, it provides flexible power options ideal for powering IP phones, wireless access points, and other network devices.
WS-C3850-48PW-S leverages Cisco’s innovative IOS XE software to offer robust Layer 2/3 routing and superior stacking scalability through its stacking modules, making it a perfect fit for campus networks, branch offices, and high-demand business environments. Its comprehensive port expansion, reliable performance, and efficient power management ensure seamless network integration for mission-critical applications.
WS-C3850-48PW-S price is $4,529.00, a 74.4% saving from the Cisco list price of $17,712.00. WS-C3850-48PW-S is in stock and available for next-day dispatch. (terms applied)
Request bulk order quote for WS-C3850-48PW-S for additional pricing. Browse the full Catalyst 3850 Switches series or explore all Cisco products.
WS-C3850-48PW-S Specifications
- Product Type
- Switch
- Power Source
- AC Power Supply
- Layer Supported
- Layer 2 / Layer 3
- Form Factor
- Rack-mount
- Power Consumption
- N/A
- Number of Ethernet Ports
- 24–48 Ports
- Number of Downlink Ports
- 48 Ports
- Manageable
- Managed
- Ethernet Technology
- 10/100/1000
- Media Type Supported
- Twisted Pair
- Redundant Power Supply Supported
- No
- Manufacturer Part Number
- WS-C3850-48PW-S
- Uplink Configuration
- 1G
- IOS
- IP Services
- POE Support
- POE+
- SFP Ports
- 4 SFP Ports
- Memory
- 4 GB
- Rack Units
- 1 RU
- Interface Ports
- 10/100/1000
- Port/Expansion Slot Details
- 48 x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports, 4 x 1G SFP uplink ports, stacking module
- Flash Memory
- 256 MB
- Switching Capacity
- 128 Gbps
- Switching Capacity with Stacking
- 160 Gbps
- Product Name
- Cisco Catalyst 3850-48PW-S
- Height
- 1.73 inches
- Width
- 17.5 inches
- Depth
- 12.8 inches
- Weight
- 25 lbs
WS-C3850-48PW-S Use Case
High-Density Enterprise Campus Access Consolidation
A global financial services firm deploys the Cisco Catalyst WS-C3850-48PW-S-C3850 48 Port Full PoE w/ 5 AP license IP Base on each floor of its downtown headquarters to converge wired desktops, VoIP phones and 802.11ac Wave 2 access points on a single platform. Centralized Cisco DNA Center automation and policy enforcement deliver consistent QoS, zero-touch provisioning and 99.99% uptime for voice, video and data. Outcome: Simplified operations, 30% faster AP rollouts and a resilient, scalable campus network that supports 1,200+ concurrent users per switch stack.
Smart Retail PoE Deployment for Digital Signage & Guest Wi-Fi
A national retail chain installs WS-C3850-48PW-S switches in each store to power interactive digital signage, security cameras and provide secure guest Wi-Fi via five integrated AP licenses. The IP Base feature set enforces per-SSID segmentation, PCI compliance and real-time analytics across 500 locations. Outcome: 40% reduction in cabling costs, unified management of wired and wireless devices, and a personalized in-store experience that boosts customer dwell time by 20%.
Healthcare Facility Unified Network for Medical IoT & Telemetry
A 300-bed hospital leverages the Catalyst 3850 48 Port Full PoE switch with 5 AP license IP Base to power bedside monitoring devices, VoIP nurse-call handsets and secure Wi-Fi for tablets and wearables. Role-based access control, encrypted VXLAN overlays and Cisco TrustSec ensure protected PHI across clinical and administrative domains. Outcome: Streamlined device onboarding, 35% lower power consumption, and guaranteed uptime for critical life-safety and telemedicine applications.
Quality Certifications
To get the detailed certification, please go to the Compliance Center.
Product Comparison Table 
 WS-C3850-48PW-S |  WS-C3850-48F-E |  WS-C3850-12XS-S |  WS-C3850-24XU-L |  WS-C3850-12X48UW-S | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depth | 12.8 inches | 18.1 inches | 14.1 inches | 12.2 inches | 11.8 inches |
| Ethernet Technology | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 | 10G | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 |
| Flash Memory | 256 MB | 256 MB | 256 MB | 256 MB | 256 MB |
| Form Factor | Rack-mount | Rack-mount | Rack-mount | Rack-mount | Rack-mount |
| Height | 1.73 inches | 1.73 inches | 1.73 inches | 1.73 inches | 1.73 inches |
| IOS | IP Services | IP Services | LAN Base | LAN Lite | IP Services |
| Interface Ports | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 | N/A | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 |
| Layer Supported | Layer 2 / Layer 3 | Layer 3 | Layer 2 / Layer 3 | Layer 2 / Layer 3 | Layer 2 / Layer 3 |
| Manageable | Managed | Managed | Managed | Managed | Managed |
| Manufacturer Part Number | WS-C3850-48PW-S | WS-C3850-48F-E | WS-C3850-12XS-S | WS-C3850-24XU-L | WS-C3850-12X48UW-S |
| Media Type Supported | Twisted Pair | Twisted Pair | Fiber | Combo | Combo |
| Memory | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 512 MB |
| Number of Downlink Ports | 48 Ports | 48 Ports | 12 Ports | 24 Ports | 48 Ports |
| Number of Ethernet Ports | 24–48 Ports | 24–48 Ports | 12–24 Ports | 12–24 Ports | 24–48 Ports |
| POE Support | POE+ | POE+ | Non POE | Non POE | POE+ |
| Port/Expansion Slot Details | 48 x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports, 4 x 1G SFP uplink ports, stacking module | N/A | 12 x 10-Gigabit SFP+ ports | 24 fixed 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports and 4 10G SFP+ uplink ports | N/A |
| Power Consumption | N/A | Approximately 365 W | 370W | 110W | 370 W |
| Power Source | AC Power Supply | AC Power Supply | AC Power Supply | AC Power Supply | AC Power Supply |
| Product Name | Cisco Catalyst 3850-48PW-S | Cisco Catalyst 3850 48-Port PoE+ Switch | Cisco Catalyst 3850-12XS-S | Cisco Catalyst 3850-24XU-L Ethernet Switch | Cisco Catalyst 3850-12X48UW-S |
| Product Type | Switch | Switch | Switch | Switch | Switch |
| Rack Units | 1 RU | 1 RU | 1 RU | 1 RU | 1 RU |
| Redundant Power Supply Supported | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| SFP Ports | 4 SFP Ports | 4 SFP Ports | 12 SFP Ports | 4 SFP Ports | 12 SFP Ports |
| Switching Capacity | 128 Gbps | 128 Gbps | 160 Gbps | 128 Gbps | 128 Gbps |
| Switching Capacity with Stacking | 160 Gbps | 160 Gbps | 480 Gbps | 480 Gbps | 480 Gbps |
| Uplink Configuration | 1G | 1G | 10G | 10G | 10G |
| Weight | 25 lbs | 31 lbs | 18 lbs | 26 lbs | 21 lbs |
| Width | 17.5 inches | 17.5 inches | 17.5 inches | 17.3 inches | 17.5 inches |
Reviews & Ratings
M
Miles Thornton
5
Reliable power delivery across all ports.
N
Noah Caldwell
5
Good access-layer switch for wireless and VoIP.
O
Owen Bradford
4
Stable IP Base performance in production.
P
Peter Langford
4
Cisco quality with bundled wireless value.
Questions & Answers
What is the Cisco Catalyst 3850 48 Port Full PoE switch (SKU WS-C3850-48PW-S)?
The Cisco Catalyst 3850 48 Port Full PoE switch (WS-C3850-48PW-S) is a stackable, enterprise-class Gigabit switch delivering 48 IEEE 802.3at PoE+ ports, an IP Base feature license, and a built-in five-access-point wireless LAN controller license.
How many Gigabit ports and what PoE capacity does the WS-C3850-48PW-S provide?
It offers 48 Gigabit Ethernet data ports, each supplying up to 30 W via 802.3at PoE+, for a total PoE power budget of 740 W.
What uplink and stacking capabilities are available on the WS-C3850-48PW-S?
The switch includes four fixed SFP uplinks and supports Cisco StackWise-480 technology for stacking up to nine switches with 480 Gbps of stack bandwidth.
What is the forwarding performance and switching capacity?
It delivers a non-blocking switching capacity of 176 Gbps and a forwarding rate of up to 104 Mpps.
What features are included in the IP Base software license?
The IP Base license provides Layer 3 routing protocols (RIPv2, OSPFv2/3, EIGRP stub), advanced QoS, security features, and multicast support.
What wireless LAN controller functionality is included?
It includes an embedded controller license that supports up to five Cisco Aironet or Catalyst access points for unified wired-wireless management.
How do I expand wireless capacity beyond five access points?
You can purchase additional Cisco Wireless LAN controller licenses to increase the supported AP count in the integrated controller.
Which PoE standards does the switch support?
The switch supports IEEE 802.3af (PoE) and IEEE 802.3at (PoE+), delivering up to 30 W per port for voice, video, and wireless devices.
What security features are built into the WS-C3850-48PW-S?
It offers 802.1X authentication, Dynamic ARP Inspection, IP Source Guard, Cisco TrustSec, and control-plane policing for comprehensive network protection.
What Layer 3 routing capabilities does it support?
The switch supports static routing, RIPv2, OSPFv2/v3, EIGRP stub, and VRF-lite for scalable enterprise deployments.
How is the switch managed?
Management options include Cisco DNA Center, Cisco Prime Infrastructure, CLI (SSH/Telnet), SNMP, and a web-based GUI for simplified configuration.
What are the typical deployment scenarios for this switch?
Ideal use cases include medium-to-large campus access layers, branch offices, PoE-powered IP telephony, wireless access aggregation, and security camera installations.
What are the power and cooling requirements?
It requires a dual redundant internal power supply (740 W total PoE budget) and operates between 32°F to 113°F (0°C to 45°C) with front-to-rear airflow.
Is the WS-C3850-48PW-S covered by a Cisco warranty?
Yes, it includes a limited lifetime hardware warranty with next-business-day advance replacement for covered components.
What optional modules and transceivers are compatible?
You can install additional Cisco SFP, SFP+, and stacking modules, including 10 Gigabit optical and copper transceivers, to extend uplink flexibility.
How do I upgrade the software on the WS-C3850-48PW-S?
Software upgrades can be performed via Cisco IOS XE software images using USB, TFTP, FTP, or Cisco DNA Center for automated lifecycle management.