Cisco Catalyst WS-C2960CX-8PC-L 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Switch – 124W PoE+, 2x SFP + 2x Copper Uplinks, LAN Base

Gigabit Cisco switching in a silent, compact form for spaces outside the wiring closet.

The Cisco WS-C2960CX-8PC-L is a compact, fanless Gigabit switch from the Catalyst 2960-CX Series, with 8 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports, 2 x 1G SFP + 2 x 1G copper uplinks and a 124W power budget. It runs the LAN Base Cisco IOS feature set and suits small offices, kiosks and branch sites that need dependable Cisco management on a controlled budget.

How the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L Simplifies Powering and Securing Edge Devices

In most offices, IP phones, wireless access points and security cameras sit far from a power outlet. Running separate power to each one adds cost, clutter and failure points, and unmanaged PoE switches leave you with no way to prioritize power or isolate device traffic.

The WS-C2960CX-8PC-L supplies IEEE 802.3at PoE+ over the same Ethernet cable as data, from a shared 124W budget. Intelligent power management lets you allocate and monitor power per port, so critical devices such as phones stay on when demand peaks.

Its LAN Base feature set adds the controls a shared network needs: separate VLANs for voice, cameras and staff traffic, QoS so calls stay clear, and 802.1X or port security to stop unknown devices from connecting.

Flexible Uplinks for Fiber or Copper

The uplinks (2 x 1G SFP + 2 x 1G copper uplinks) connect this switch to a core switch, router or another closet. Use copper for short runs today and switch to an SFP fiber module when you need longer distance or electrical isolation.

Silent, Fanless Operation

With no fan, the WS-C2960CX-8PC-L runs silently and has fewer moving parts to fail, so it can sit on a desk, under a counter or in an open office. Keep a few centimetres of clearance around the vents so heat can dissipate.

How to Set Up the Cisco WS-C2960CX-8PC-L

1. Mount the switch in a 19-inch rack or on a shelf, keep the vents clear, and connect the AC power cord.
2. Connect the uplink to your core switch or router (copper or SFP module), then patch end devices including PoE phones, cameras and access points to the access ports.
3. Connect to the console port with a terminal program, or use Express Setup / the web interface where available, and assign a management IP, hostname and secure passwords.
4. Create your VLANs, enable Spanning Tree and port security, set PoE priorities, update to the latest supported Cisco IOS release, and save the configuration.