Cisco Catalyst 4948 Switch Ethernet & Network Switches Model Overview
Cisco Catalyst 4948 Switch is the ultimate solution for rack-optimized server switching, designed to meet the demands of enterprise and SMB environments. Offering 48 ports of wire-speed, low-latency 10/100/1000 Ethernet connectivity, this fixed-configuration switch ensures seamless data movement and exceptional performance. With its robust architecture derived from the trusted Catalyst 4500 Series, the Catalyst 4948 guarantees high reliability and optimal serviceability. Its compact 1RU design makes it an ideal choice for maximizing rack space while delivering unparalleled efficiency in multilayer switching applications.
Key Features:
Wire-speed performance for 10/100/1000 Ethernet connectivity with a 96-Gbps switching fabric
1+1 redundant hot-swappable power supplies for nonstop operation
Advanced network security with access control lists (ACLs) and secure SSH protocols
Comprehensive network management capabilities including dedicated console and management ports
Specifications:
Product Type: Fixed-configuration switch
Port Configuration: 48 x 10/100/1000 ports + 4 x SFP ports
Dimensions: 1 rack unit (RU)
Switching Fabric: 96 Gbps with 72 million packets per second forwarding rate
Power Supply Options: AC and DC, 300W
Software Requirements: Cisco IOS Release 12.2(20)EWA or greater
Cisco is announcing the new Cisco Catalyst 4948E Ethernet Switch optimized for full-featured server-access switching. The Cisco Catalyst 4948E offers forty-eight 10/100/1000-Gbps RJ45 downlink ports and four 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports and is designed to simplify data center architecture and operations by offering enterprise-class hardware and software in a one-rack-unit (1RU) form factor optimized for smart top-of-rack (ToR) data center deployments.
What are the port specifications for the Cisco Catalyst 4948E switch?
The Cisco Catalyst 4948E features 48 ports of wire-speed 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet connectivity, plus 4 additional ports that support optional 1000BASE-X Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) optics for flexible uplink configurations. This combination delivers comprehensive connectivity for high-performance server environments while maintaining wire-speed performance across all ports. We offer the WS-C4948E-E model with enhanced multilayer software capabilities.
Is the Cisco Catalyst 4948E suitable for data center server switching?
Yes, the Catalyst 4948E is specifically designed as a rack-optimized, Layer 2-4 multilayer switch for low-density server aggregation in data centers and high-performance computing environments. Its 1 RU form factor, wire-speed low-latency architecture, and proven Catalyst 4500 Series hardware foundation make it ideal for connecting multiple servers and workstations in rack environments. Contact us today to discuss your data center switching requirements.
What redundancy and reliability features does the Catalyst 4948E offer?
The Catalyst 4948E delivers exceptional reliability through optional internal AC or DC 1+1 hot-swappable redundant power supplies and a hot-swappable fan tray with redundant fans, ensuring continuous uptime in mission-critical environments. These features allow you to perform maintenance without service interruption. We offer multiple power supply configurations available from us, including 300W AC and DC options.
What management and security capabilities are included with the Catalyst 4948E?
The Catalyst 4948E provides comprehensive network management through dedicated 10/100 console and management ports, remote in-band SNMP management, and advanced security features including SNMPv3, SSH v1/v2, access control lists (ACLs), and 802.1x port authentication. It also supports industry-standard protocols like Spanning Tree, VLAN support, and IGMP snooping for robust network control. Visit barcodesinc.com for detailed management documentation.
How does the Catalyst 4948E compare to earlier Catalyst models?
The Catalyst 4948E is built on the proven Catalyst 4500 Series architecture, offering enhanced multilayer software capabilities and improved performance for modern data center environments. Unlike earlier fixed-configuration models, it provides flexible SFP port options for future-proofing your network infrastructure while maintaining the reliability and low-latency performance that Catalyst switches are known for. Contact us today for migration guidance from legacy switches.
What network standards and protocols does the Catalyst 4948E support?
The Catalyst 4948E supports comprehensive industry standards including IEEE 802.1q VLAN, 802.1w Rapid Spanning Tree, 802.3ad Link Aggregation, 802.1x authentication, and full duplex on all Ethernet speeds (10/100/1000BASE-T and 1000BASE-X). It also supports advanced features like IGMP snooping, RADIUS authentication, and Cisco Discovery Protocol v2 for seamless integration into enterprise networks. Available from us with full technical support and documentation.
The Cisco WS-C4948E-E Ethernet & Network Switches is also known as
CSC-WSC4948EE
Full specifications (PDF)
