Specifications

Access Layer April 2014
16
To support the increasing requirements of devices powered by the network, all of the access layer devices
support the IEEE 802.3at standard, also known as PoE+. The devices, and or line cards support all the previous
implementations of PoE up to 15 watts per port as well as the new IEEE 802.3at implementation of up to 30 watts
per port. For the most demanding PoE environments, like virtual desktops, the Cisco Catalyst 4500, Catalyst
3850, and Catalyst 3750-X in the access layer have options to provide up to 60 watts of power per port with
Cisco Universal Power Over Ethernet (UPOE) over the same cable plant as you use for PoE+.
Cisco Discovery Protocol supports voice and video device integration into the access layer. Cisco IP Phones that
are plugged into the access layer communicate bidirectionally with the access layer switch via Cisco Discovery
Protocol. Cisco Discovery Protocol provides the IP Phone with configuration information and provides the access
layer switch with the IP Phones power requirements and the ability to selectively prioritize traffic from the IP
Phone.
Access Layer Platforms
Wiring Closets Requiring up to 48 Ports
Cisco Catalyst 2960-S, 2960-X, and 3560-X, and 3650 Series are economical 10/100/1000 Ethernet fixed-port
switches that provide flexibility and common features required for wiring closets that can be supported by a
single fixed port switch. Cisco Catalyst 2960-S, 2960-X, and 3560-X, and 3650 are available in both PoE+ and
non-power-supplying versions. Cisco Catalyst 2960-S, 2960-X, and 3650 have optional support for stacking.
Cisco Catalyst 3560-X and 3650 additional capabilities include support for dual replaceable redundant power
supplies, dual redundant fans, and enhanced enterprise options such as Cisco TrustSec and NetFlow, with the
Cisco Catalyst 3560-X supporting modular uplinks. The Cisco Catalyst 3650 has an integrated wireless controller
which optionally can be enabled for converged wired and wireless access.
Wiring Closets Requiring Greater than 48 Ports
When a wiring closet requires greater interface density than can be provided by a single switch, an intelligent
stack of fixed configuration switches or a modular switch is recommended.
Intelligent stacks or modular Ethernet switches provide the following major benefits:
• Single point of management—All switches in the stack are managed as one.
• Built-in redundancy and high availability—The high-bandwidth dedicated stack connections provide
redundant communication for each stack member.
• Scalable to fit network needs—As the need for additional access interfaces grows, adding a new switch
to a stack or a module to a modular switch is easy.
The following series of Cisco Catalyst switches are used in this design when intelligent stacking or a modular
deployment is required in a single access layer in a wiring closet: Cisco Catalyst 2960-S, 2960-X, 3750-X, 3650,
3850, and 4500E Series.