Cisco Catalyst WS-C3850-24XU Layer 3 Switch

Unlock the power of true enterprise convergence with the Cisco Catalyst WS-C3850-24XU Layer 3 Switch. Built for modern campuses and large offices, this fixed-configuration, stackable Ethernet switch is designed to unify wired and wireless access on a single platform. It delivers high-performance Layer 3 routing, robust security, and intelligent traffic management, all powered by Cisco IOS XE and the Unified Access Data Plane (UADP). The WS-C3850-24XU is engineered to simplify deployment, accelerate application delivery, and scale with your growing network while keeping operational costs in check. Its seamless integration with Cisco’s wireless architecture means you can manage access points, users, and policy from one place, making it an ideal choice for organizations pursuing a consistent, policy-driven network experience across the campus, distribution, and core layers.

• Unified wired and wireless convergence: The Catalyst 3850 family is engineered to deliver integrated management and policy enforcement for both wired endpoints and wireless access points. With UADP acceleration, this switch handles heavy feature workloads efficiently, enabling fast policy delivery, dynamic QoS, and centralized control across both network segments, all from a single, familiar interface.
• Advanced Layer 3 routing and security: This model provides robust IPv4/IPv6 routing, scalable dynamic routing protocols, access control lists, and policy-based routing. It supports secure administrative access, traffic isolation through VLANs, and encrypted management channels, helping protect critical resources while enabling flexible segmentation across campus networks.
• Stacking for resiliency and simplicity: Stack multiple WS-C3850-24XU units using Cisco StackWise technology to create a single control plane. This delivers simplified management, enhanced redundancy, and linear scalability as your network grows, reducing operational overhead and minimizing downtime during upgrades or maintenance.
• Flexible interfaces for versatile deployments: The switch includes a fixed set of Ethernet ports designed for workstation and printer connectivity, with uplink options that connect to distribution and core layers via fiber or copper media. Its fixed-port architecture makes deployment straightforward in access and distribution layers while maintaining room for growth through stacking.
• Reliability, management, and energy efficiency: Built to operate around the clock, the Catalyst 3850 runs Cisco IOS XE with strong security and QoS capabilities. Centralized management via CLI, Cisco DNA Center, or compatible network management tools enables proactive monitoring, rapid troubleshooting, and automation-ready workflows, all while delivering energy-efficient performance suitable for demanding enterprise environments.

Technical Details of Cisco Catalyst WS-C3850-24XU Layer 3 Switch

• Product family: Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series
• Model: WS-C3850-24XU
• Interfaces: 24 fixed Ethernet ports (10/100/1000 Mbps) with 4 uplink ports for fiber connectivity, providing flexible paths to distribution or core networks
• Processing: Fixed-configuration Layer 3 switch powered by Cisco IOS XE with UADP acceleration to optimize data plane performance for routing, switching, and security features
• Routing features: IPv4 and IPv6 routing, scalable dynamic routing protocols, ACLs, QoS policies, and security features to enforce policy-based traffic handling across VLANs
• Stacking and resiliency: StackWise-based stacking enables a single management plane across multiple units and improved resilience through redundant control and data paths
• Management tools: User-friendly CLI and modern management via Cisco IOS XE; compatibility with Cisco DNA Center for automated provisioning, monitoring, and policy enforcement
• Power and form factor: Fixed, rack-mountable chassis appropriate for enterprise deployments; PoE capabilities depend on the specific SKU—verify PoE options if required for your devices

how to install Cisco Catalyst WS-C3850-24XU Layer 3 Switch

To install the WS-C3850-24XU effectively, begin by confirming environmental readiness. Ensure adequate cooling, stable power, and proper 19-inch rack space in a secure equipment closet or data center. Mount the switch securely in the rack, attach the power supply, and verify that any redundant power configuration is correctly connected. If you are deploying multiple Catalyst switches, plan your stack topology and lay out StackWise cables to interconnect the devices, designating a master switch to coordinate control-plane operations.

Next, connect your management workstation to the switch’s console or management interface. Power up and perform a basic reachability test to ensure the device responds on the management network. Configure an initial management IP address, enable secure remote access (SSH), and set up the administrative credentials. Establish initial VLANs to segment traffic and prepare for Layer 3 routing by enabling a routing process (for example, OSPF or EIGRP) if your network design requires it. Apply a secure baseline configuration to limit exposed services, disable unnecessary protocols, and enable essential security features such as port security and ACLs.

For a stacked deployment, connect all participating switches with StackWise cables and verify that StackWise is operational. Save the configuration and perform a basic test to confirm cross-stack reachability. Then proceed with more advanced configuration: define VLANs, assign interfaces to the appropriate VLANs, configure inter-VLAN routing, and set up QoS policies to ensure critical applications receive the required bandwidth and low latency. If you manage wireless access points from the switch, configure the integrated wireless controller settings (or connect to an external WLC, depending on your architecture) to provision APs, define wireless policies, and monitor RF performance. Finally, validate your design with representative devices, simulate failover in a stacked environment, and monitor the device to ensure the performance metrics meet your expectations.

Ongoing administration includes keeping IOS XE up to date, applying security patches, and reviewing access controls periodically. Regular backups of configurations, documentation of the network topology, and establishing a change-control process will help sustain a reliable and scalable network. For larger campuses or campuses with dynamic user populations, consider automating routine tasks via Cisco DNA Center or compatible management platforms to accelerate provisioning, policy enforcement, and security posture assessments. The WS-C3850-24XU is designed to be a dependable backbone for growing networks, delivering consistent performance as you introduce more endpoints, users, and wireless devices into your environment.

Frequently asked questions

• Is the WS-C3850-24XU PoE-capable? PoE capability varies by model SKU within the Catalyst 3850 family. Some variants offer PoE/PoE+, while others are non-PoE. Check the exact SKU and supplier datasheet to confirm PoE availability and power budgets for your deployment.
• Does this switch support integrated wireless controller functionality? Yes. The Catalyst 3850 series includes built-in wireless controller features that enable centralized management of Cisco APs and policy enforcement directly from the switch, simplifying wireless deployments and improving overall network visibility.
• Can I stack multiple WS-C3850-24XU units? Yes. This model supports StackWise-based stacking, which consolidates management into a single control plane, enhances resiliency, and allows linear scalability as you add more switches to the stack.
• What deployment scenarios is this best suited for? It is ideally suited for enterprise access and distribution layers, campus networks requiring robust Layer 3 routing, reliable uplinks to core networks, and cohesive wired/wireless integration with centralized policy control.
• Where can I find more details and support? For comprehensive specifications, warranty terms, and software updates, refer to Cisco’s official documentation and your supplier’s product page for the WS-C3850-24XU model. Always verify the current firmware version and security advisories before deployment.