Cisco WS-C3850-48XS-F-E | Catalyst 3850 48-Port 10G SFP+ Switch, 4x 40G QSFP+, IP Services

Q: What license is included with the WS-C3850-48XS-F-E?
A: This model comes with the IP Services feature set, which provides full Layer 3 routing capabilities including advanced protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and policy-based routing. IP Services requires a Cisco support contract for software updates.

Q: Can this switch be stacked with other Catalyst 3850 models?
A: Yes, the WS-C3850-48XS-F-E supports Cisco StackWise-480 technology and can be stacked with other Catalyst 3850 series switches. A stack can include up to 9 switches with 480 Gbps of total stacking bandwidth, providing unified management and high availability.

Q: What is the difference between the F-E and S models?
A: The F in the SKU indicates front-to-back (exhaust toward rear) airflow, while the E suffix denotes IP Services licensing. The S models come with IP Base licensing, which provides basic Layer 3 features. The airflow direction should match your data center hot aisle/cold aisle design.

Q: Does this switch support wireless controller functionality?
A: Yes, the Catalyst 3850 series supports integrated wireless controller functionality for wired-wireless convergence. Each switch or stack can support up to 100 access points and 2,000 wireless clients, enabling unified management and policy enforcement across wired and wireless networks.

Q: What types of SFP+ and QSFP+ modules are compatible?
A: The switch supports a wide range of Cisco 10G SFP+ transceivers including SR, LR, ER, and direct attach copper cables. The 4 QSFP+ ports support 40G modules including SR4 and LR4. SFP+ ports are backward compatible with 1G SFP modules for deployment flexibility.