Cisco Catalyst WS-C2960-8TC-L 8-Port Fast Ethernet Switch – 1x Gigabit Combo Uplink, LAN Base

A proven, budget-friendly Cisco access switch for 10/100 networks and lab environments.

The Cisco WS-C2960-8TC-L is a Fast Ethernet access switch from the original Catalyst 2960 Series, with 8 10/100 ports, 1 x dual-purpose Gigabit uplink. 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.

Why a Managed Cisco Switch Like the WS-C2960-8TC-L Beats an Unmanaged Switch

Unmanaged switches are easy to install but give you no control once the network grows. A single looped cable can flood every port, any visitor can plug in, and there is no way to see which port is causing a problem.

The WS-C2960-8TC-L runs Cisco IOS LAN Base, which provides full Layer 2 access features: 255 active VLANs, 802.1X, port security, QoS, Rapid Spanning Tree, LLDP and EtherChannel link aggregation. These tools let you separate departments and guests, stop loops before they spread, and troubleshoot port by port.

With 3.6 Gbps of switching bandwidth and a 2.7 Mpps forwarding rate, the switch forwards traffic from all 8 ports and its uplinks without congestion inside the chassis.

Flexible Uplinks for Fiber or Copper

The uplinks (1 x dual-purpose Gigabit uplink (SFP or 10/100/1000BASE-T)) 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-C2960-8TC-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-C2960-8TC-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 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, update to the latest supported Cisco IOS release, and save the configuration.