Cisco Catalyst 2960-C Series: WS-C2960C-12PC-L – Compact PoE+ Access Switch

Jun 13 , 2025 8

Cisco Catalyst 2960-C Series: WS-C2960C-12PC-L – Compact PoE+ Access Switch

Product Overview
The WS-C2960C-12PC-L is a fanless, compact switch designed for space-constrained environments requiring Power over Ethernet capabilities. This energy-efficient switch delivers enterprise-grade features in a small form factor, making it ideal for distributed edge deployments in offices, classrooms, and retail spaces.

Technical Specifications & Features

• Port Configuration:

• 8x 10/100/1000BASE-T PoE+ ports (15.4W per port, IEEE 802.3af)

• 4x 10/100/1000BASE-T uplink ports

• Compact 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.4 inch chassis

• Power Specifications:

• 120W total PoE budget

• 100-240V AC power input

• Fanless passive cooling design

• Performance Metrics:

• 16Gbps switching capacity

• 11.9Mpps forwarding rate

• <5μs latency

• Advanced Features:

• Cisco IOS LAN Lite software

• Basic QoS (4 queues per port)

• Port security and VLAN support

• EnergyWise power management

• Environmental Specifications:

• 0° to 45°C operating temperature

• Wall/ceiling mountable

• 95% non-condensing humidity tolerance

Optimized Deployment Scenarios
✔ Small office/remote branch networks
✔ Classroom technology deployments
✔ Retail point-of-sale systems
✔ IP phone installations
✔ Digital signage networks

Next-Generation Successor: C1000-16P-2G-L (Projected 2024 Release)

Technology Evolution Comparison

Strategic Advantages of Next-Gen Model

1. Multi-Gigabit Ready: 2.5GBASE-T uplink support

2. Enhanced PoE: 30W per port (802.3at) capability

3. Cloud Management: Centralized dashboard control

4. Advanced Security: Device fingerprinting

5. Sustainable Design: 35% lower power consumption

Migration Recommendations

1. Current Deployments: WS-C2960C-12PC-L remains suitable for basic PoE needs

2. Future Planning: C1000-16P-2G-L for Wi-Fi 6/6E support

3. Infrastructure Considerations:

• Verify existing Cat5e/Cat6 cabling

• Assess power circuit capacity

4. Implementation Phases:

• Phase 1: High-priority location upgrades

• Phase 2: Cloud management adoption

• Phase 3: Advanced feature activation

Conclusion
While the WS-C2960C-12PC-L continues to serve basic edge connectivity needs, the C1000-16P-2G-L delivers:

• 3x greater port density

• 2x PoE power budget

• 2.5G uplink capability

• Cloud-based management

• 90% energy efficiency

Innovative Title Options

1. "From Compact to Cloud: The Evolution of Edge Switching"

2. "The Smart Edge Switch: 240W of Intelligent Power"

3. "Next-Gen Compact Switching: Where 2.5G Meets Cloud Management"

4. "Sustainable Edge Networking: The PoE++ Revolution"