Cisco SF350-48P 48-Port 10/100 PoE Managed Switch

Meet the Cisco SF350-48P, a compact yet powerful 48-port managed switch designed for small to mid-sized businesses. It blends reliable Layer 2 switching with robust Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities, enabling you to deploy IP phones, security cameras, and wireless access points without skyrocketing your network budget. Built on Cisco’s reputation for dependable networking, the SF350-48P is easy to configure, simple to manage, and scalable enough to support growing work environments. It’s the ideal balance of performance, security, and affordability for teams that demand reliable connectivity, centralized control, and straightforward administration.

• 48 x 10/100 PoE+ ports provide native power to IP phones, cameras, and wireless access points, reducing the need for separate power adapters and simplifying deployment in office spaces, classrooms, and retail locations. The PoE budget helps you power multiple devices simultaneously, which is especially valuable for expanding network capabilities without adding extra electrical infrastructure.
• Advanced security and network control includes features like access control lists (ACLs), port security, and 802.1X support to help protect your network from unauthorized access. With VLANs and IGMP snooping, you can segment traffic, optimize bandwidth, and manage multicast streams effectively for video endpoints and conference systems.
• Intuitive management and monitoring offers a web-based graphical user interface (GUI) alongside a command-line interface (CLI) and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for centralized monitoring. This makes it easy for IT teams to configure, troubleshoot, and maintain the network without a steep learning curve.
• Quality of Service (QoS) and traffic prioritization ensure critical applications — voice, video, and enterprise applications — receive the bandwidth and low latency they require. With configurable QoS policies, you can prioritize traffic, minimize jitter, and improve user experience across all connected devices.
• Reliable performance in a compact form factor delivers solid switching capacity with non-blocking performance, ensuring devices connected to the SF350-48P experience consistent throughput. Its rack-mountable 1U chassis fits neatly into standard server rooms or network closets, making it suitable for a wide range of office environments and corporate deployments.

Technical Details of Cisco SF350-48P 48-Port 10/100 PoE Managed Switch

• Model: Cisco SF350-48P
• Ports: 48 x 10/100 PoE+ Ethernet ports
• PoE Budget: Up to multiple-watt PoE budget to power IP phones, cameras, and wireless access points
• uplink/SFP ports: 4 uplink ports for fiber or copper uplinks (where applicable by SKU)
• Management: Web GUI, CLI, SNMP for centralized management and monitoring
• Layer: Layer 2 switching with VLANs, QoS, and security features
• Security: ACLs, 802.1X authentication, port security, storm control
• Quality of Service: QoS prioritization for voice, video, and data
• Multicast: IGMP snooping for efficient multicast traffic handling
• Form Factor: 1U rack-mountable chassis for easy integration into standard server rooms
• Warranty and support: Cisco-level support options and standard product warranties

How to Install Cisco SF350-48P 48-Port 10/100 PoE Managed Switch

Installing the SF350-48P is designed to be straightforward, making it a practical choice for IT teams and network administrators who want reliable PoE capability without a complicated setup. Start by planning your network topology, including PoE device placement, VLAN segmentation, and uplink locations, before you power anything on. Proper planning will help you maximize performance, security, and manageability from day one.

• Unbox and verify contents: Ensure the SF350-48P switch, power supply, mounting hardware, and cables are present. Inspect for any physical damage and confirm you have the correct rack or shelf space.
• Rack-mount or place: Install the switch in a suitable rack or dedicated equipment area with adequate ventilation. Leave space for cooling and access to port labeling for easy management.
• Connect power and uplinks: Attach the power cord and connect the 4 uplink ports to your core network or router. If you’re using fiber, attach appropriate transceivers to the SFP uplinks; otherwise use copper uplinks as supported by your deployment.
• Initial access and IP configuration: Connect a management computer to one of the Ethernet ports. Access the Web GUI by entering the switch’s default IP address in a browser. Configure the management IP, default gateway, and basic security settings to protect the device from unauthorized access.
• VLANs and network segmentation: Create VLANs to separate traffic types (e.g., voice, data, and video). Assign ports to the appropriate VLANs and enable IGMP snooping to optimize multicast handling for IP cameras and conferencing systems.
• PoE configuration: Enable PoE on the required ports and set power budgets per device category. Use device inventory to ensure IP phones, cameras, and wireless access points receive reliable power without exceeding the budget.
• QoS and security policies: Implement QoS rules to prioritize voice and video traffic. Configure ACLs, port security, and 802.1X authentication to secure access to the network.
• Monitoring and backups: Enable SNMP for ongoing monitoring, set up syslog for event reporting, and schedule periodic backups of your switch configuration to a centralized location for disaster recovery.
• Ongoing maintenance: Regularly check firmware releases and apply updates to maintain security and performance. Document your network configuration and keep change records to simplify troubleshooting and audits.

Frequently asked questions

• What network environments is the SF350-48P best suited for? The SF350-48P is ideal for small to medium-sized offices, retail locations, and educational facilities needing a robust, PoE-enabled, Layer 2 managed switch with straightforward management and reliable performance.
• How many devices can I power with PoE on this switch? The exact PoE budget varies by model revision and connected devices. The SF350-48P is designed to power multiple IP phones, cameras, and access points simultaneously, with a total PoE budget sufficient for typical office deployments. Always calculate total power consumption of connected devices to stay within the budget.
• Does it support VLANs and QoS? Yes. The SF350-48P includes VLAN capability and QoS features to prioritize traffic, helping ensure clear voice quality and smooth video streaming even during peak network usage.
• Can I manage this switch remotely? Yes. It supports a web-based GUI for local management, plus CLI and SNMP for remote monitoring and configuration, making it suitable for centralized IT administration.
• What is the typical deployment form factor? The switch is designed for rack-mount deployment in a standard 19-inch rack, occupying 1U of space. It can also be deployed in discreet telecom closets or offices with appropriate ventilation.
• Is security feature-rich on this switch? Yes. It includes ACLs, 802.1X authentication, port security, and storm control to help protect against unauthorized access and broadcast storms, contributing to a safer and more reliable network environment.
• How do I update firmware? Firmware updates are typically available from Cisco’s support portal. You would download the latest firmware image, access the switch via the GUI or CLI, and perform an update following Cisco’s documented procedures to minimize downtime.