Cisco WS-C3560E-12D-S Enterprise Switch - 12-Port SFP+

Equipment Overview

The Cisco Catalyst WS-C3560E-12D-S is a fixed-configuration enterprise Ethernet switch designed for high-density 10 Gigabit Ethernet aggregation in local area networks. It provides twelve built-in 10GE ports with X2 transceiver form factor, enabling high-bandwidth connectivity for server farms, core distribution layers, and data center top-of-rack deployments. This model runs IP Base (IPB) software, offering advanced Layer 2 and basic Layer 3 functionality suitable for policy-based networking and QoS enforcement. The switch is engineered for medium-to-large enterprise networks requiring reliable, scalable 10GE throughput at the access or distribution tier.

Main Parameters

• Ports: 12 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GE) via X2 transceiver slots
• Software License: IP Base (IPB) — supports static routing, VLANs, QoS, and security features
• Form Factor: Fixed-configuration rack-mountable switch
• Transceiver Type: X2 (industry-standard hot-swappable optical modules)
• Series: Cisco Catalyst 3560E
• MPN: WS-C3560E-12D-S
• Brand: Cisco

Key Advantages

This model is selected for enterprise projects requiring native 10GE density without modular chassis complexity, reducing per-port cost and physical footprint. The IPB software provides essential routing and QoS capabilities while maintaining straightforward management through Cisco IOS CLI. Twelve dedicated 10GE ports support high-throughput workloads such as virtualization, storage traffic, and dense server aggregation, making it a practical choice for campus core and data center edge deployments.

Compatibility & Integration

The switch integrates with Cisco Catalyst 3560E and 3750 series platforms, supporting mixed-stack or standalone operation within existing Cisco LAN infrastructures. X2 transceivers are compatible with standard Cisco optical modules and third-party MSA-compliant optics for 10GBASE-SR/LR/ER links. It conforms to IEEE 802.3ae (10 Gigabit Ethernet), IEEE 802.3ab (Gigabit copper), and standard Ethernet/IP networking protocols, ensuring interoperability with enterprise routers, firewalls, and servers.