Table of Contents

Product Overview
Key Features and Benefits
Specifications
Ordering Information

High Performance Desktop Connectivity (10/100 to the desktop)
Enterprise Workgroup and Server Aggregation
Workgroup and Server Aggregation for Small- to Medium-sized Networks

Catalyst 2900 Series XL — Autosensing Fast Ethernet Switches

Product Overview

Cisco`s Catalyst 2900 Series XL is a full line of 10/100 autosensing Fast Ethernet switches from the leader in networking that combine outstanding performance, ease-of-use and integrated Cisco IOS software. The Catalyst 2900 Series XL includes five models with different port densities, configuration options, and pricing to meet a broad range of network design requirements. Available in Standard and Enterprise Editions, the software embedded in Catalyst 2900 Series XL switches is upgradable so your investment is protected if your network grows or changes.

The modular 24-port Catalyst 2924M XL switch is an excellent aggregation device, as well as the perfect solution for providing dedicated 10 or 100 Mbps bandwidth to individual users. The modular 12-port, all fiber Catalyst 2912MF XL switch is ideal for aggregating small and mid-sized campus networks over 100BaseFX fiber connections. The 12-port Catalyst 2912 XL, 24-port Catalyst 2924 XL and Catalyst 2924C XL switches are ideal for delivering low-cost, high-performance 10 or 100 Mbps bandwidth to individual users and servers.

Catalyst 2900 XL Standard Edition switches include several exceptional features like EtherChannel (TM), Network Time Protocol, and Cisco Visual Switch Manager software to increase network performance at very affordable prices. All Standard Edition switches can be upgraded with the purchase of an optional Enterprise Edition Software Upgrade Kit. Enterprise Edition software includes all the features of the Standard Edition, and adds enhanced end-to-end VLAN support to your Catalyst 2900 XL switch. Virtual LAN trunks can be created from any port using either 802.1Q protocols or Cisco`s ISL VLAN architecture.

Cisco Switch Clustering technology is supported on all Catalyst 2900 XL switches. The Catalyst 2900 XL Command Software upgrade kit is available as an upgrade, allowing users to create a managed network with a single IP address. A switch cluster may contain up to 16 Catalyst 3500 XL, 2900 XL, and 1900 switches, regardless of physical location, connected via standards-based Ethernet, EtherChannel (TM), or Gigastack links. The two-port GigaStack GBIC offers a range of highly flexible stacking and performance options. Users can build stacks of up to nine Catalyst 2924M XL, 2912MF XL, and 3500 XL switches with the GigaStack GBICs in Gigabit Ethernet module slot.

Key Features and Benefits

• Cisco`s advanced architecture incorporates a switch fabric of 3.2 Gbps and a forwarding rate of 3.0 million packets per second to deliver wire-speed performance across all ports.

• The two versatile module slots of the Catalyst 2912MF XL and Catalyst 2924M XL provide expansion capabilities, higher-speed connectivity, and support for eight different feature modules, allowing users the flexibility to upgrade their networks and preserve their initial investment.

  • The four-port 10BaseT/100BaseTX, two-port 100BaseFX, and four-port 100BaseFX modules for the Catalyst 2912MF XL and Catalyst 2924M XL allow customers to easily increase port density and provide higher-speed uplinks through bandwidth aggregation.

  • Single-port Gigabit Ethernet and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) interface modules provide higher-speed links.

  • Each module provides industry-standard 802.1Q and Inter Switch Link (ISL) VLAN trunking support.

• Catalyst 2900 Series XL switches deliver easy-to-use management and advanced security features.

  • A Web-based interface, Cisco Visual Switch Manager, allows users to manage a virtual stack of up to five Catalyst 2900 XL switches from anywhere on the network through a standard browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator/Communicator.

  • Multilevel security on console access prevents unauthorized users from altering the switch configuration.

  • Autoconfiguration eases deployment by automatically configuring multiple switches across a network from a single boot server.

• Integrated Cisco IOS software provides superior functionality for end-to-end integration, including bandwidth aggregation, intraswitch VLAN support, hot swap modules, and networked multimedia support.

  • Fast EtherChannel technology offers up to 800 Mbps of bandwidth between Catalyst series switches.

  • Support for up to 64 port-based VLANs per Standard Edition switch and Spanning Tree Protocol provides broadcast control, security; and simplified adds, moves and changes.

  • Cisco Group Management Protocol (CGMP) Fast Leave support reduces network traffic by allowing a switch to selectively and dynamically forward IP multicast traffic to targeted end stations, providing network support for multimedia and minimizing network traffic.

  • Support for up to 64 VLAN trunks using 802.1Q and ISL trunking protocols on Enterprise Edition switches provides broadcast control, security; and simplified adds, moves and changes.

Specifications

For software specification information, access Cisco Connection Online at http://www.cisco.com.

Ordering Information

High Performance Desktop Connectivity (10/100 to the desktop)

The Catalyst 2924M XL, the Catalyst 2912 XL, Catalyst 2924 XL, and Catalyst 2924C XL can all be deployed as high-performance solutions for providing 10/100 directly to the desktop. The Catalyst 2924 XL or Catalyst 2924C XL offer the lowest price per port and Fast EtherChannel uplink capability in a fixed configuration, while the Catalyst 2924M XL offers Fast EtherChannel and a clear migration path to Gigabit Ethernet and ATM. The Catalyst 2924C XL will be used in networks where there is a need to deploy high performance 10/100 desktop connectivity over an extended distance (up to 2 km).

Enterprise Workgroup and Server Aggregation

The Catalyst 2924M XL will be deployed in wiring closets to aggregate workgroup networking devices such as Fast Ethernet hubs, Ethernet hubs and switches, and workgroup servers. EtherChannel technology allows customers to logically "bond" multiple Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet links, creating a high-capacity uplink to the corporate/campus backbone. The Gigabit Ethernet and ATM uplink modules (Catalyst 2912MF XL and 2924M XL only) provide customers with standards-based higher-speed connection.

The Catalyst 2912MF XL is ideal for aggregating geographically disbursed Fast Ethernet workgroups over 100BaseFX fiber connections on a small or midsize campus environment. Two high-speed uplink slots enable users to add up to eight additional 100BaseFX or 10/BaseT/100BaseTX ports.

Workgroup and Server Aggregation for Small- to Medium-sized Networks

Both the Catalyst 2912 XL and the Catalyst 2924M XL will be used as a network backbone for small- to medium-sized network configurations. Either product can be used to aggregate the various network resources in the organization.

Figure 20-14: Enterprise Workgroup and Server Aggregation

Figure 20-15: Dispersed Small Campus Aggregation

Figure 20-16: SMB Aggregation Backbone

Posted: Wed Sep 27 05:15:18 PDT 2000
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