With so many different Cisco Catalyst 2960-X switches to choose from it can be a bit overwhelming trying to make a choice. So how do you find the switch that best suits your needs? Well, in this article I will look at what features are important and what are not when shopping for a Cisco Catalyst 2960-X Switch. Feel free to find more information at WS C2960X 24PSQ L
The first thing to think about when looking at a Cisco Catalyst Switch is the number of ports. A switch with more than two ports will be able to handle more traffic than a switch with one port. There are also some switches which are built with an Ethernet port, which can be configured as a WAN connection and used to reach multiple network locations at the same time. This option is also known as Virtual LANs and is very useful when you have multiple branch offices that need to connect to a virtual WAN router.
Another feature to consider when shopping for Cisco switches is what security features they have available. Some switches come standard with basic firewalls and anti-virus software which can be configured via the Cisco Catalyst Management Console. Other features include application security such as firewall and access control security as well as more complicated security systems which are designed for enterprise level security. Some of these can also help you keep out hackers and other intruders, which can be very useful in business settings.
Some switches will also include a built in VPN server that allows your employees to work in the open if they want to without having to use a dedicated IP address. You will also be able to configure the VPN server through the Cisco Catalyst Management Console.
You may also want to consider additional features such as security appliances and load balancers when shopping for Cisco switches. Load balancers are used to help distribute the amount of traffic on the network. They work by forwarding traffic from servers to the application servers, which then process requests.
Finally, make sure that any Cisco switches you buy are compatible with any current or planned upgrades. As new features are added to the Cisco Catalyst Manager Engine (CME) on a regular basis new versions of software will also become available.
In summary, Cisco is one of the world’s leading suppliers of enterprise networking equipment and you will find that the company is very well known and respected throughout the industry. This reputation and knowledge are what makes Cisco switches a great choice when it comes to purchasing network equipment.
One last thing to remember is that there are many types of switches that can be used in conjunction with the Cisco Catalyst Manager Engine. So before you start shopping for switches, make sure you know exactly what you want and how much bandwidth and features you require so that you do not end up buying more than you really need.