The Cisco Catalyst® 2900 series XL is a full line of 10/100
autosensing Fast Ethernet switches from the leader in
networking that combines outstanding performance, ease of
®
use, and integrated Cisco IOS
series XL includes five models, each with different port
densities, configuration options, andpricingtomeet a broad
range of network design requirements. Availablein Standard
and Enterprise Editions, the software embedded in Catalyst
2900 series XL switches is upgradeable so your investment is
protected if your network grows or changes.
The 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 12-port Catalyst 2912MF XL switch is
ideal for aggregating small and mid-sized campus networks
over 100BaseFX fiber connections. The two versatile module
slots of the Catalyst 2912MF XL and Catalyst 2924M XL
provide expansion capabilities, higher-speed connectivity,
and support for feature modules, allowing you the flexibility
to upgrade your network and preserve your initial
investment. The 12-port Catalyst 2912 XL, 24-port Catalyst
2924 XL, and Catalyst 2924C XL switches are ideal for
deliveringlow-cost, high-performance, and10- or 100-Mbps
bandwidth to individual users and servers.
software. The Catalyst 2900
extended distance (up to 2 kilometers) with fiber-optic
cabling. The Catalyst 2924M XL switch accepts 10BaseT/
100BaseTX and 100BaseFX expansion modules today and a
broader range of uplink modules in the future. All Catalyst
2900 XL products support the aggregation of multiple ports
®
via Fast EtherChannel
bandwidth connections between switches, servers, and other
key network stations.
Figure1 TheCatalyst2912XL,Catalyst2924XL,Catalyst2924CXLandCatalyst
2924M XL for High-Performance Desktop Connectivity
Catalyst
to provide redundant, high
Catalyst 8500, 5500,
and 4000 Series
Enterprise Switches
Fast EtherChannel
Technology
2924C XL
Switch
10/100 Workstations
Applications
High-Performance Desktop Connectivity (10/100 to the Desktop)
The Catalyst 2912 XL, Catalyst 2924 XL, Catalyst 2924C
XL, and Catalyst 2924M XL can all be deployed as
high-performance solutions to provide 10/100 bandwidth
directly to the desktop. The Catalyst 2912 XL and
Catalyst 2924 XL offer the lowest price per port in a
fixed configuration. The Catalyst 2924C XL contains
two 100BaseFX ports for networks that need to deploy
high-performance 100-Mbps desktop connectivity over an
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. Fast EtherChannel technology allows customers
to logically ‘bond” multiple Fast Ethernet links, creating a
high-capacity uplink to the corporate or campus backbone.
Future high-speed modules will allow customers the
flexibility to upgrade their networks and preserve their
initial investment in the Catalyst 2924M XL.
Figure 2 The Catalyst 2924M XL for Enterprise Workgroup Aggregation
Fast EtherChannel
Catalyst 8500, 5500,
and 4000 Series
Enterprise Switches
Catalyst
2924M XL
Fast EtherChannel
or 100BaseTX
Switch
Local Servers
Catalyst 2900 XL
10BaseT Hub
Disbursed Midsized Campus Aggregation
The12-port Catalyst 2912MF XL isideal for aggregating geographically disbursed Fast Ethernetworkgroups over 100BaseFX fiber
connections on a small or midsized campus environment. Two high-speed uplink slots enable users to add up to eight additional
100BaseFX or 10BaseT/100BaseT ports. Future high-speed modules will allow customers the flexibility to upgrade their networks
and preserve their initial investments.
FastHub Series
10/100 Hubs
Catalyst 1900/2820
Series Ethernet Switch
10/100 Switch
Figure 3 The Catalyst 2912MF XL for Disbursed Small Campus Aggregation
Workgroup and Server Aggregation for Small to Medium-Sized Networks
The24-port Catalyst2924M XL may be used as a flexible, scalable,network backbonefor a small to medium-sized business (SMB).
The switch is a effective solution for aggregating network resources and delivering dedicated 10- or 100-Mbps connectivity to
individual users and workgroups in an SMB. Two high-speed uplink slots enable users to add up to eight additional 100BaseFX or
10BaseT/100BaseT ports.
Figure 4 The Catalyst 2924M XL as SMB Aggregator and Backbone
2-port and 4-port 100BaseFX switch modulesCost-effective means to deliver connectivity between a Catalyst 2912MF
Two versatile module slots accommodate future network
expansion plans
groups of devices on a LAN to communicate as if they are on
the same wire, even if they are on different LAN segments
workgroups, and individual users
Preserves investment in legacy 10BaseT equipment, such as NIC cards,
hubs, and switches
Provides a cost-effective means to increase the port density of the
Catalyst 2912MF XL and 2924M XL
Delivers high-speed connectivity between Catalyst 2912MF XL,
Catalyst2924CXL, and another device over an extendeddistance of up to 2
kilometers
XL or 2924M XL and another device over an extended distance of up to 2
kilometers
Provides aflexible means to enhance the base switch offering without the
need for a forklift upgrade
Future support for Gigabit Ethernet (1000BaseX) and OC-3 ATM
Improve performance and scalability by evaluating network traffic
patterns and assigning users to VLANs associated with appropriate
network resources and bandwidth
Reduce administrative costs and simplify network moves, adds, and
changes
Enable better management and control of broadcast and multicast traffic
Improve network security by establishing separate VLAN groups for
high-security users and relocating workgroup servers into secured,
centralized areas
Support for standards-based IEEE 802.1Q and Cisco ISL VLAN
trunking protocols (Enterprise Editions only)
Autosensing on Each
10/100 Port
Autonegotiating on Each
10/100 Port
Outstanding Performance3.2-Gbps switching fabric and 3.0 million packets-per-second
Detects the speed of the attached device and automatically
configures the port for 10 or 100 Mbps
Automatically selects half- or full-duplex transmission modeOptimizes bandwidth utilization
forwarding rate
Full-duplex operation on switched 100BaseT portsDelivers up to 200 Mbps of bandwidth to end stations and servers, and
4-MB shared memory architectureEnsures highest possible throughput by eliminating head-of-line blocking,
Bandwidthaggregation through Fast EtherChannel technologyDelivers up to 800-Mbps connectivity between switches, and to routers
Per-port broadcast storm controlPrevents faulty end stations from degrading overall system performance
Cisco Group Management Protocol (CGMP)Enables the switch to selectively forward routed IP multicast traffic to
Enables deployment of up to 64 enterprise-wide VLAN trunks per 2900 XL
switch, spanning multiple routers, chassis switches, and access servers
Eases deployment of the switch in mixed 10BaseT and 100BaseT
environments
Meets the demands of the most intensive network applications
Ensures full wire-speed operation for each 10BaseT/100BaseTX port
between switches
minimizing packet loss, and reducing congestion from multicast and
broadcast traffic
and individual servers
Enhances fault tolerance
with broadcast storms
targeted multimedia end stations, reducing overall network traffic
Facilitates troubleshooting and capacity planning by characterizing each
port’s utilization, errors, and other key statistics
SPAN support for connection to a network analyzer or RMON
probe
Multifunction per-port LEDs for port status, half-duplex/
full-duplex, and 10BaseT/100BaseT indication, as well as
switch-level status LEDs for system, RPS, module status, and
bandwidth utilization
AutoconfigurationEasesdeployment of switches in the network by automaticallyconfiguring
Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)Reduces the cost of administering software upgrades by downloading
Default configuration stored in Flash memoryEnsures that the switch can be connected to the network and can pass
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) discovers the MAC
address that corresponds to the IP address for any given host
on the network
19-inch rack-mountable Catalyst 2912 XL, 2924 XL, and 2924C
XL are available in one rack-unit-high (1.73 in.) enclosure.
Catalyst 2912MF XL and 2924M XL are available in two
rack-unit-high enclosures (3.46 in.)
Fault Tolerance IEEE 802.1d Spanning-Tree ProtocolSupports redundant backbone connections and loop-free networks for
Redundant power supply optionExternal RPS provides a redundant power source for up to four units for
MTBF exceeds 164,000 hoursDesigned to provide the highest reliability for maximum network uptime
Offers complete monitoring of a single port, group of ports, or the entire
switch from a single network analyzer or RMON probe attached to a
switch port
Providescomprehensive and convenient visual managementof the switch
multiple switches across a network via a boot server
from a centralized location
traffic with minimal user intervention
Allows the network manager, from a central console, to identify a host IP
address and its corresponding MAC address
Compliant with standard 19-inch rack-mount scheme for easy installation;
allows high-density port allocation while conserving valuable rack space
in the wiring closet
SecuritySecure addressing: secures a port to an individual MAC
WarrantyLimited Lifetime WarrantyBackedby Cisco's service and support and thetechnology leadership that
address or a group of up to 132 MAC addresses; addresses
can be learned or manually entered; choice of actions upon
secure address violation
Suspend, disable, or leave security violation port enabledProvides administrators the choice of level of security, notification, and
Password-protected in-band and out-of-band managementProvides protection against unauthorized configuration changes and
Multilevel security on console accessPrevents unauthorized users from altering the switch configuration
For security-sensitive applications, prevents unauthorized users from
accessing a network
resulting actions
secures against unwanted intruders
extends the reach of networks worldwide
Availability and Orderability
ModelDescriptionAvailability
WS-C2912-XL –A/-EN12-port 10BaseT/100BaseTX autosensing Fast Ethernet switchJanuary 1999
WS-C2912MF-XL12-port 100BaseFX Fast Ethernet switch with two expansion slotsJanuary 1999
WS-C2924-XL –A/-EN24-port 10BaseT/100BaseTX autosensing Fast Ethernet switchJanuary 1999
WS-C2924C-XL –A/-EN24-port switch with 22 10BaseT/100BaseTX autosensing Fast Ethernet ports and two 100BaseFX portsJanuary 1999
WS-C2924M-XL –A/-EN24-port 10BaseT/100BaseTX autosensing Fast Ethernet switch with two expansion slotsJanuary 1999
WS-X2914-XL -VFour-port 10BaseT/100BaseTX autosensing switch module for Catalyst 2912MF XL and 2924M XL, ISL/
WS-X2922-XL -VTwo-port 100BaseFX switch module for Catalyst 2912MF XL and 2924M XL, ISL/802.1Q capableJanuary 1999
WS-X2924-XL -VFour-port 100BaseFX switch module for Catalyst 2912MF XL and 2924M XL, ISL/802.1Q capableJanuary 1999
Corporate Headquarters
Cisco Systems, Inc.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134-1706
USA
http://www.cisco.com
Tel: 408 526-4000
800 553-NETS (6387)
Fax: 408 526-4100
802.1Q capable
European Headquarters
Cisco Systems Europe s.a.r.l.
Parc Evolic, Batiment L1/L2
16 Avenue du Quebec
Villebon, BP 706
91961 Courtaboeuf Cedex
France
http://www-europe.cisco.com
Tel: 33 1 69 18 61 00
Fax: 33 1 69 28 83 26
Americas
Headquarters
Cisco Systems, Inc.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134-1706
USA
http://www.cisco.com
Tel: 408 526-7660
Fax: 408 527-0883
January 1999
Asia Headquarters
Nihon Cisco Systems K.K.
Fuji Building, 9th Floor
3-2-3 Marunouchi
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100
Japan
http://www.cisco.com
Tel: 81 3 5219 6250
Fax: 81 3 5219 6001
Cisco Systems has more than 200 offices in the following countries. Addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers are listed on the
Cisco Connection Online Web site at http://www.cisco.com/off ices.
Argentina • Australia • Austria • Belgium • Brazil • Canada • Chile • China • Colombia • Costa Rica • Croatia • Czech Republic • Denmark • Dubai, UAE
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Mexico • The Netherlands • New Zealand • Norway • Peru • Philippines • Poland • Portugal • Puerto Rico • Romania • Russia • Saudi Arabia • Singapore
Slovakia • Slovenia • South Africa • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Taiwan • Thailand • Turkey • Ukraine • United Kingdom • United States • Venezuela