Cisco 250 CBS250-24PP-4G Ethernet Switch

Designed for small to mid-sized businesses, the Cisco 250 CBS250-24PP-4G Ethernet Switch delivers reliable, plug‑and‑play networking at an affordable price. It combines PoE+ power delivery, robust security, and smart management features in a compact, easy-to-deploy chassis. This is the ideal switch when you need to power IP phones, cameras, wireless access points, and other network devices while keeping your network simple to manage and scalable as your business grows.

• Effortless, centralized management for SMB networks. The CBS250 family is built around Cisco Business Dashboard and a user-friendly web UI, offering zero-touch provisioning, streamlined configuration, and centralized visibility across your entire network. This makes it easy to deploy, monitor, and manage even complex office environments without needing a dedicated network team.
• Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) on all 24 ports. With a substantial PoE budget, you can deploy IP phones, security cameras, and wireless access points from a single, integrated switch. PoE+ simplifies cabling, reduces clutter, and provides reliable power delivery to network endpoints, enabling scalable office setups with fewer power outlets and wall adapters.
• Flexible uplinks to grow with your business. The 4G uplink configuration offers additional connectivity options to your core network, providing stable, high-speed paths for data, voice, and video traffic. This flexibility helps you support growing bandwidth demands, VLAN segmentation, and secure inter-office connectivity.
• Advanced security and network access control. Built with modern security features, the CBS250-24PP-4G supports 802.1X authentication, ACLs, DHCP snooping, IP Source Guard, and port security. These protections guard against unauthorized access, malware, and potential misconfigurations, helping keep sensitive business data secure.
• Reliable performance in a compact, office-friendly form factor. The 1U rack-mountable switch is designed for quiet, energy-efficient operation in office environments. It delivers solid performance for typical SMB workloads, including VoIP, video conferencing, file sharing, and cloud services, without excessive heat, fan noise, or maintenance.

Technical Details of Cisco 250 CBS250-24PP-4G Ethernet Switch

• Ports: 24 x 10/100/1000 Mbps PoE+ Ethernet ports, plus 4 x Gigabit SFP uplink ports for fiber connectivity.
• PoE Capability: PoE+ on all 24 ports with a total PoE budget designed to power IP phones, cameras, and wireless access points across the network.
• Performance: Total switching capacity around 52 Gbps with a forwarding rate in the neighborhood of 38–39 Mpps, enabling smooth handling of simultaneous data streams for voice, video, and data apps.
• Management and QoS: Layer 2 switching with essential Layer 3 features such as static routing, plus quality-of-service (QoS), VLAN support (802.1Q), IGMP snooping for multicast efficiency, and ACLs for traffic control and security.
• Security: Includes advanced security controls like 802.1X authentication, DHCP snooping, IP Source Guard, Port Security, and traffic isolation through VLANs to protect endpoints and sensitive resources.
• Dimension and Form Factor: 1U rack-mountable chassis suitable for SMB server rooms or under-desk deployments, designed for reliability in everyday office use.
• Power and Environment: Capable of operating in typical SMB electrical environments; supports PoE to reduce the need for additional power outlets on devices at the edge of the network.

How to install Cisco 250 CBS250-24PP-4G Ethernet Switch

Installing the Cisco 250 CBS250-24PP-4G is designed to be straightforward so you can bring your network online quickly and securely. Follow these practical steps to deploy the switch with confidence:

• Unpack the unit and verify all accessories. Ensure you have the power cable, mounting hardware for rack or desk placement, and any required uplink transceivers for your 4G SFP ports.
• Decide on placement. For best performance and cooling, place the switch in a well-ventilated area, either mounted in a rack or positioned on a stable surface with adequate airflow.
• Connect uplinks and devices. Run fiber or copper uplinks from your core network to the 4G SFP ports, and plug PoE-enabled devices (phones, cameras, access points) into the 24 PoE+ ports.
• Power on and access management. Connect a computer to the switch's management interface via an Ethernet port, and access the default web UI or Cisco Business Dashboard. Use the guided setup to configure basic settings, including IP addressing, VLANs, and initial security policies.
• Configure security, QoS, and PoE settings. Implement 802.1X authentication, define trusted and guest VLANs, set ACLs to enforce access rules, and tune QoS to prioritize voice and video traffic. Verify that PoE budgets are allocated correctly to devices, ensuring reliable power delivery across the network.
• Test and monitor. Validate device reachability, verify PoE power delivery to endpoints, and monitor performance through the dashboard. Set up alerts for port status changes or potential security events to maintain ongoing network health.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the primary benefit of the CBS250-24PP-4G for small businesses? It combines PoE+, manageable interfaces, robust security, and Cisco’s trusted reliability in a cost-effective package ideal for powering IP phones, cameras, and wireless APs while keeping management simple and centralized.
• How many PoE devices can I connect? All 24 Ethernet ports provide PoE+ (up to a total PoE budget suitable for powering common edge devices), enabling a broad deployment of IP phones, cameras, and access points without separate power outlets.
• What uplink options does it provide? The switch includes 4 Gigabit SFP uplinks, offering flexible fiber connectivity to your core network or data center, with room to scale as your LAN grows.
• Is it secure for business networks? Yes. It supports essential security features such as 802.1X, ACLs, DHCP snooping, IP Source Guard, and port security to protect endpoints and prevent unauthorized access.
• How do I manage the switch? The CBS250-24PP-4G can be managed via Cisco Business Dashboard for centralized, cloud-friendly control or through the local web UI/CLI for direct configuration, catering to both beginner and advanced users.