Cisco released the new campus LAN switches-the Cisco Catalyst 3560-CX Series Switches and Catalyst 2960-CX Series. The two types of Cisco Catalyst Compact Switches help transform the workspace by delivering management simplicity and flexibility, optimum user experience, lower cost, and faster deployment. In the last article we generally discussed the Cisco Catalyst Multigigabit technology and how to achieve the perfect wireless network across the new several campus switches, such as with Catalyst 4500E, 3850 and 3560-CX. In this article we will share some main points about the new Catalyst 3560-CX and Catalyst 2960-CX Campus LAN Switches.
In fact, the Cisco Catalyst 3560-CX and 2960-CX Series Switches build upon the success of the 3560-C and 2960-C compact switches and offer superior performance and scale. They come in the same form factor as the older switches, and you can use them anywhere you used the older switches. Customers migrating to the new compact switches will benefit from the increased scalability and performance, innovative new features, and proven performance.
Cisco Catalyst 3560-CX and 2960-CX Compact Switch Family
The first question: “What are Cisco Catalyst 3560-CX and 2960-CX Series compact switches?” Actually, the Catalyst 3560-CX and 2960-CX Series compact switches, both are fan-less, small form-factor, Gigabit Ethernet (GE) switches. Because these switches are quiet, attractive and provide mounting flexibility, they allow for innovative new deployments outside the wiring closet.
New features of Catalyst 3560-CX and 2960-CX Series include:
- 8 or 12 Gigabit Ethernet ports with line-rate forwarding performance
- Gigabit copper Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) or 10G SFP+ uplinks
- Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) support with up to 240W of PoE budget
- Advanced Layer 2 (LAN Base) and Layer 3 (IP Base) support with an option to upgrade to IP Services
- Perpetual PoE for powering a powered device even when the device is booting
- Cisco Catalyst Instant Access (optional with 10G) for management simplicity
- Network plug-and-play (PnP) support for automating device configuration
- Cisco TrustSeccapability for role-based access security
- Innovative power management features, including Energy Efficient Ethernet and switch hibernation mode
- NetFlow Lite for application visibility at the access network
The Catalyst Compact Switches are available in seven switch models. They vary by whether they support both Layer 2 and Layer 3 services or Layer 2 services only; whether they support Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+); by the number of Gigabit Ethernet ports; the aggregate power provided, and the type of cabling connections they support.
Cisco Catalyst 3560-X Compact Switch Models and Default Software
| Model | Ethernet Ports | PoE Output Ports |
Available PoE Power |
Uplinks | Default Software |
| 3560CX-8TC-S | 8 x 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet | NA | 2 x 1G copper +
2 x 1G SFP |
IP Base (IP Services with RTU License) | |
| 3560CX-12TC-S | 12 x 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet | NA | 2 x 1G copper +
2 x 1G SFP |
IP Base (IP Services with RTU License) | |
| 3560CX-8PC-S | 8 x 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet | 8 PoE+ | 240W | 2 x 1G copper +
2 x 1G SFP |
IP Base (IP Services with RTU License) |
| 3560CX-12PC-S | 12 x 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet | 12 PoE+ | 240W | 2 x 1G copper +
2 x 1G SFP |
IP Base (IP Services with RTU License) |
| 3560CX-12PD-S | 12 x 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet | 12 PoE+ | 240W | 2 x 1G copper +
2 x 10G SFP+ |
IP Base (IP Services with RTU License) |
Cisco Catalyst 2960-X Compact Switch Models and Default Software
| Model | Ethernet Ports | PoE Output Ports |
Available PoE Power |
Uplinks | Default Software |
| 2960CX-8TC-L | 8 x 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet | N/A | 2 x 1G copper +
2 x 1G SFP |
LAN Base | |
| 2960CX-8PC-L | 8 x 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet | 8 PoE+ | 124W | 2 x 1G copper +
2 x 1G SFP |
LAN Base |
Note: All four uplink ports (two copper and two fiber) can be used simultaneously and also as downlinks.
After reading the main points, features and models of Catalyst 3560-CX and 2960-CX Series switches, you may find that the 3560-CX and 2960-CX Series include an equivalent or better replacement for each Cisco Catalyst 3560-C and 2960-C Gigabit Ethernet model.
New Cisco Catalyst 3560-CX and 2960-CX Compact Switches can help you increase speeds and agility, and lower costs. These switches offer Catalyst Instant Access mode, which means no more individual switch configuration. And they are flexible to support numerous networking environments and industries, including hospitality, transportation, retail, and others.
More Related Cisco Catalyst Switch Reviews
The Time of Multigigabit, Cisco’ s New Campus LAN Switches
Cisco Catalyst 3650 Model Comparison
Cisco Catalyst 3850 SFP Fiber Switch Reviews & Overview
Cisco Catalyst 3850 Models Comparison
Cisco 4500E Supervisor 8E vs. Supervisor 7E vs. Supervisor 7LE
