Cisco WS-C3650-8X24PD-L | Catalyst 3650 24-Port Switch, 8x mGig, PoE+, 2x 10G SFP+

Q: What are multigigabit (mGig) ports and why are they beneficial?
A: The 8 multigigabit ports support IEEE 802.3bz standard, delivering 100Mbps, 1G, 2.5G, 5G, or 10G speeds over standard Cat5e/Cat6 cabling. This enables deployment of high-speed wireless access points (such as 802.11ac Wave 2 and Wi-Fi 6) without costly cabling upgrades.

Q: Can this switch act as a wireless controller?
A: Yes, the WS-C3650-8X24PD-L supports integrated wireless controller capability, allowing it to manage up to 50 access points and 1,000 wireless clients per switch or stack. This converges wired and wireless management on a single platform.

Q: What is the difference between LAN Base, IP Base, and IP Services licenses?
A: LAN Base (included with -L SKU) provides essential Layer 2 switching and limited static routing. IP Base adds full Layer 3 routing (OSPF, EIGRP). IP Services includes advanced features like BGP, VRF, and enhanced security. Licenses are software upgrades available post-purchase.

Q: How much PoE power can I allocate across all 24 ports?
A: The 715W AC power supply provides 390W of available PoE+ power. You can power devices requiring up to 30W per port (IEEE 802.3at), such as IP phones, wireless APs, and cameras. Power allocation depends on connected device requirements and total PoE budget.

Q: Is this switch compatible with Cisco DNA Center?
A: Yes, the Catalyst 3650 Series integrates with Cisco DNA Center for centralized network management, automation, security policy enforcement, and analytics. DNA Center licensing is purchased separately.