Cisco SMARTnet Onsite - Extended Service for Catalyst 3850 24-Port

Protect your Cisco Catalyst 3850 24-Port investment with Cisco SMARTnet Onsite Extended Service. This comprehensive maintenance contract combines proactive hardware protection, rapid on-site support, and reliable replacement services to minimize downtime and keep your network performing at peak efficiency. Whether you’re managing a campus backbone, enterprise campus core, or data center edge, SMARTnet Onsite delivers the assurance of Cisco's trusted technical support and access to critical fixes when you need them most. With extended service, you gain predictable support, faster problem resolution, and a clear path to sustained network performance.

• Fast, reliable on-site coverage — SMARTnet Onsite provides 8x5 coverage with a 4-hour on-site response to keep your Catalyst 3850 24-Port switches online. When a hardware issue arises, a qualified Cisco technician is dispatched to your location to diagnose, repair, or replace components. This minimizes downtime, reduces the impact on users, and helps maintain service levels across branch offices, campuses, and data centers where delays can ripple across the network.
• Hardware replacement and Parts & Labor included — If a component fails, Cisco SMARTnet Onsite offers an exchange-based hardware replacement program with Parts & Labor coverage. You receive replacement hardware or required parts and on-site labor to install them, so downtime is minimized and you don’t incur additional service charges for the repair work. This streamlined process simplifies incident handling and accelerates restoration of full network functionality.
• Comprehensive protection — physical and electronic — The extended service covers both the physical hardware and the software environment. That means protection against hardware faults as well as access to Cisco’s electronic resources, knowledge base, and software fixes. You benefit from a holistic approach that helps keep your Catalyst 3850 24-Port running securely, efficiently, and in compliance with official best practices.
• Proactive diagnostics and expert resources — SMARTnet Onsite provides access to Cisco’s technical expertise, advanced troubleshooting, and proactive health checks. Early detection of potential issues helps prevent outages and performance degradation. With dedicated technical resources, you can address configuration nuances, StackWise considerations, uplink optimization, and other Catalyst 3850-specific features before they become problems.
• Designed for Catalyst 3850 24-Port deployments — This extended service is specifically tailored to the Catalyst 3850 24-Port switch family, aligning with hardware characteristics, licensing needs, and software requirements. Expect fast hardware exchanges, reliable parts availability, and support that respects the unique needs of 24-port stacks, PoE capabilities, and integration with wireless access strategies when applicable.

Technical Details of Cisco SMARTnet Onsite

• Service level: 8x5x4 On-site coverage (8 hours per day, 5 days per week, with a 4-hour on-site response)
• Response time: On-site arrival within 4 hours after service request (business days)
• Coverage: On-site service, hardware exchange, Parts & Labor, and electronic support
• Compatibility: Optimized for Cisco Catalyst 3850 24-Port switches (and related 3850 family components) to ensure proper hardware, software, and licensing alignment
• Includes: Replacement service to resolve problems and ongoing access to Cisco’s technical resources and software updates

How to install Cisco SMARTnet Onsite

To begin using SMARTnet Onsite with your Catalyst 3850 24-Port, activation and onboarding are handled through Cisco or your authorized partner. There is no software installation required on your equipment; this is a service contract that activates through your account and asset records. Typical steps to get service rolling are:

• Verify eligibility and gather device details: Confirm the Catalyst 3850 24-Port is covered under the SMARTnet Onsite contract. Collect essential device data such as serial numbers, model numbers, location, and the service contract or order numbers to align assets with the appropriate coverage.
• Register the contract and attach assets: Use the Cisco service portal or coordinate with your partner to associate the asset(s) with the active SMARTnet Onsite contract. This ensures requests are routed to the correct service window and parts are allocated appropriately.
• Submit service requests as needed: If hardware replacement or on-site support is required, open a service request with Cisco, providing accurate problem descriptions, impact, and access instructions for technicians.
• Schedule on-site visits: Coordinate convenient appointment windows, ensuring site readiness, proper access to equipment, power availability, and safe rack access for technicians to perform work efficiently and securely.
• Post-service verification and documentation: After the repair or maintenance, verify that the Catalyst 3850 24-Port is functioning as expected, confirm software versions and configuration stability, and record resolution details in your asset management system for future reference.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is Cisco SMARTnet Onsite?

  A: Cisco SMARTnet Onsite is an extended service contract that provides on-site technical support, hardware replacement, and access to Cisco’s software resources. It’s designed to maximize uptime, simplify maintenance, and deliver rapid problem resolution for Cisco devices, including Catalyst switches like the 3850 24-Port.

• Q: What does 8x5x4 On-site coverage mean?

  A: 8x5x4 denotes coverage during 8 business hours per day, 5 days per week, with a guaranteed on-site response time of 4 hours. This ensures timely dispatch of a technician, rapid diagnosis, and prompt hardware replacement when needed.

• Q: What hardware is covered under this service?

  A: The service is designed for Cisco Catalyst 3850 24-Port switches and related components within that family. It includes hardware replacement, spare parts, and labor associated with on-site repairs or exchanges to restore function quickly.

• Q: How do I activate or renew SMARTnet Onsite?

  A: Activation and renewal are handled through Cisco’s service portal or through your authorized Cisco partner. You’ll need your contract number, asset details, and location information to attach devices and start coverage. Renewal is typically managed through standard contract management processes with your provider.

• Q: What if a problem is software-related rather than hardware?

  A: SMARTnet Onsite includes access to Cisco’s electronic resources and software updates. While the on-site portion focuses on hardware and physical components, engineers can coordinate software patches and fixes as part of troubleshooting, and you’ll have support for maintaining compatible software versions with your Catalyst 3850 24-Port deployment.

• Q: What are the benefits of on-site support for Catalyst 3850 24-Port?

  A: On-site support minimizes downtime by bringing technical expertise directly to your location, reduces the risk of misconfigurations, accelerates hardware replacements, and provides a predictable support path aligned with enterprise networking goals. For Catalyst 3850 24-Port deployments, this translates to faster restoration of port configurations, StackWise stability, and overall network reliability.