Datasheet

Data Sheet
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Table 1. Features and Benefits of Cisco Catalyst 2960 Series
Feature Benefit
Ease of Use and
Deployment

Express Setup simplifies initial configuration with a Web browser, eliminating the need for more
complex terminal emulation programs and CLI knowledge.

DHCP autoconfiguration of multiple switches through a boot server eases switch deployment.

Automatic QoS (Auto QoS) simplifies QoS configuration in voice-over-IP (VoIP) networks by
issuing interface and global switch commands to detect Cisco IP phones, classify traffic, and
enable egress queue configuration.

Autosensing on each 10/100 port detects the speed of the attached device and automatically
configures the port for 10- or 100-Mbps operation, easing switch deployment in mixed 10- and
100-Mbps environments.

Autonegotiating on all ports automatically selects half- or full-duplex transmission mode
to optimize bandwidth.

Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) helps enable dynamic trunk configuration across all switch
ports.

Port Aggregation Protocol (PAgP) automates the creation of Cisco Fast EtherChannel
®
groups
or Gigabit EtherChannel groups to link to another switch, router, or server.

Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) allows the creation of Ethernet channeling with
devices that conform to IEEE 802.3ad. This feature is similar to Cisco EtherChannel
technology and PAgP.

DHCP Server enables a convenient deployment option for the assignment of IP addresses in
networks that do not have without a dedicated DHCP server.

DHCP Relay allows a DHCP relay agent to broadcast DHCP requests to the network DHCP
server.

1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX/LH, 1000BASE-ZX, 1000BASE-BX, 100BASE-FX, 100BASE-
LX, 100BASE-BX, and coarse wavelength-division multiplexing (CWDM) physical interface
support through a field-replaceable SFP module provides unprecedented flexibility in switch
deployment.

The default configuration stored in flash memory ensures that the switch can be quickly
connected to the network and can pass traffic with minimal user intervention.

Automatic medium-dependent interface crossover (Auto-MDIX) automatically adjusts transmit
and receive pairs if an incorrect cable type (crossover or straight-through) is installed on a
copper port.

Time-domain reflectometer (TDR) to diagnose and resolve cabling problems on copper ports.
Availability and Scalability
Superior
Redundancy for
Fault Backup

Cisco UplinkFast and BackboneFast technologies help ensure quick failover recovery,
enhancing overall network stability and reliability.

IEEE 802.1w Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol provides rapid spanning-tree convergence
independent of spanning-tree timers and the benefit of distributed processing.

Per-VLAN Rapid Spanning Tree Plus (PVRST+) allows rapid spanning-tree reconvergence
on a per-VLAN spanning-tree basis, without requiring the implementation of spanning-tree
instances.

Command-switch redundancy enabled in Cisco Network Assistant software allows designation
of a backup command switch that takes over if the primary command switch fails.

Unidirectional Link Detection Protocol (UDLD) and Aggressive UDLD allow unidirectional links
to be detected and disabled to avoid problems such as spanning-tree loops.

Switch port autorecovery (errdisable) automatically attempts to re-enable a link that is disabled
because of a network error.

Cisco Redundant Power System 675 (RPS 675) support provides superior internal power-
source redundancy for up to six Cisco networking devices, resulting in improved fault tolerance
and network uptime.

Bandwidth aggregation up to 8 Gbps through Cisco Gigabit EtherChannel technology and up to
800 Mbps through Cisco Fast EtherChannel technology enhances fault tolerance and offers
higher-speed aggregated bandwidth between switches and to routers and individual servers.
Integrated Cisco
IOS
®
Software
Features for
Bandwidth
Optimization

Per-port broadcast, multicast, and unicast storm control prevents faulty end stations from
degrading overall systems performance.

IEEE 802.1d Spanning Tree Protocol support for redundant backbone connections and loop-
free networks simplifies network configuration and improves fault tolerance.

PVST+ allows for Layer 2 load sharing on redundant links to efficiently use the extra capacity
inherent in a redundant design.

IEEE 802.1s Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol allows a spanning-tree instance per VLAN,
enabling Layer 2 load sharing on redundant links.

Egress committed rate (ECR) guarantee provides load balancing and redundancy.

Local Proxy Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) works in conjunction with Private VLAN Edge
to minimize broadcasts and maximize available bandwidth.

VLAN1 minimization allows VLAN1 to be disabled on any individual VLAN trunk link.

VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) pruning limits bandwidth consumption on VTP trunks by
flooding broadcast traffic only on trunk links required to reach the destination devices.