Cisco WS-C3850-48P-E | Catalyst 3850 48-Port Gigabit PoE+ Switch, 435W, IP Services

Q: What network modules are compatible with the WS-C3850-48P-E?
A: The WS-C3850-48P-E supports three optional network modules: C3850-NM-4-1G (4 x 1G SFP), C3850-NM-2-10G (2 x 10G SFP+), and C3850-NM-4-10G (4 x 10G SFP+). These modules provide flexible uplink connectivity to distribution or core layer devices.

Q: How many switches can I stack with the Catalyst 3850-48P-E?
A: You can stack up to 9 Catalyst 3850 switches using StackWise-480 technology, creating a single logical unit with 480 Gbps of stack bandwidth and a unified management plane for simplified operations and high availability.

Q: Does the WS-C3850-48P-E include an integrated wireless LAN controller?
A: Yes, the WS-C3850-48P-E features an integrated wireless controller capable of managing up to 100 access points and 2,000 wireless clients per switch or stack, enabling converged wired and wireless network management without additional hardware.

Q: What is the difference between IP Services and IP Base feature sets?
A: IP Services provides advanced Layer 3 routing protocols including BGP, IS-IS, and full OSPF/EIGRP capabilities, along with advanced security features like TrustSec and MACsec. IP Base offers basic Layer 3 routing with limited protocol support. The WS-C3850-48P-E includes IP Services for enterprise-grade routing and policy control.

Q: Can the WS-C3850-48P-E support dual power supplies?
A: Yes, the Catalyst 3850 Series supports dual redundant power supplies for high availability. The switch ships with one power supply by default; a second can be added for power redundancy or to support higher PoE requirements across all 48 ports.