Cisco WS-C3650-48FWD-S | Catalyst 3650 48-Port Gigabit PoE+ Switch, 775W, 2x 10G SFP+

Q: What is the difference between FPoE and standard PoE+?
A: FPoE (Full PoE) refers to Cisco's implementation where all 48 ports support IEEE 802.3at PoE+ (up to 30W per port) simultaneously, subject to the 775W total power budget. This provides full flexibility for powering high-demand devices like wireless access points, IP phones, and cameras across all ports.

Q: Can this switch manage wireless access points without a separate controller?
A: Yes, the WS-C3650-48FWD-S includes embedded wireless controller functionality and comes with 5 access point licenses. It can manage up to 50 APs per switch or stack and supports up to 1000 wireless clients, eliminating the need for a standalone wireless controller in smaller deployments.

Q: Is this switch stackable and what technology does it use?
A: Yes, the switch supports Cisco StackWise-160 technology, allowing up to 9 switches to be stacked with 160 Gbps stack bandwidth. The stacking module (C3650-STACK-KIT) and cables are sold separately. Stacking provides single-pane management and enhanced resiliency.

Q: What Layer 3 features are included in the IP Base license?
A: The IP Base feature set includes static routing, RIP routing, advanced QoS, Access Control Lists (ACLs), rate limiting, and security features. For advanced routing protocols like OSPF, EIGRP, or BGP, an upgrade to IP Services license is required.

Q: What are the typical use cases for this switch?
A: This switch is ideal for enterprise campus access layer deployments, branch offices requiring unified wired-wireless access, IP surveillance systems with PoE cameras, unified communications with VoIP phones, and environments needing to deploy wireless access points with centralized management.