Cisco CBS350 Switches: Features, Models, Stacking for SMBs

The Cisco CBS350 Series offers a range of smart managed switches that cater to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). These switches are designed to provide reliable, high-performance connectivity with advanced features for network security, management, and scalability.

In this article, we’ll dive into the series’ models, compare their specifications, discuss how to stack these switches for expanded capacity, and explain the product naming convention.

Product Features

Smart Managed Switches:
The CBS350 Series provides smart management, offering businesses an intuitive, web-based interface and advanced network monitoring.
Gigabit Ethernet and PoE+ Support:
Multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports, with the ability to provide Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+), are perfect for powering devices like phones, cameras, and access points directly through the switch.
Security and Network Control:
The Cisco CBS350 Series comes with robust security features such as 802.1X authentication, ACLs (Access Control Lists), and DHCP snooping to protect network data and devices.
Quality of Service (QoS):
Built-in QoS helps prioritize bandwidth for critical applications like VoIP and video conferencing, ensuring smooth operations for your most important services.
Stackable Design:
With the ability to stack up to 8 switches, the CBS350 Series offers scalability for growing networks while simplifying management.

Cisco CBS350 Series Models

The Cisco CBS350 Series includes several models to meet the varying needs of SMBs. Below is a comparison of the models based on their specifications:

Model	Ports	PoE+ Ports	Uplink Ports	Stackable	Performance	Additional Features
CBS350-8T-2G	8 x Gigabit Ethernet	2	2 x 1G SFP	Yes	16.48 Mpps	Compact, PoE+ capable
CBS350-24T-4G	24 x Gigabit Ethernet	4	4 x 1G SFP	Yes	48.2 Mpps	Ideal for SMBs, PoE+ support
CBS350-48T-4G	48 x Gigabit Ethernet	4	4 x 1G SFP	Yes	95.23 Mpps	High port density, scalable
CBS350-24P-4G	24 x Gigabit Ethernet	24	4 x 1G SFP	Yes	48.2 Mpps	Full PoE+ for powering devices
CBS350-48P-4G	48 x Gigabit Ethernet	48	4 x 1G SFP	Yes	95.23 Mpps	High-density PoE+, ideal for large networks

How to Stack Cisco CBS350 Switches?

Stacking Cisco CBS350 switches allows businesses to create a seamless, high-performance network with expanded capacity. To stack these switches:

Connect the Stack Cables:
Use stack cables to physically link the switches. The CBS350 Series supports up to 8 switches in a stack for larger network deployments.
Stack Configuration:The primary switch in the stack becomes the master, controlling configuration and management. Additional switches are connected as members of the stack, sharing the same configuration and management interface.
The primary switch in the stack becomes the master, controlling configuration and management.
Additional switches are connected as members of the stack, sharing the same configuration and management interface.
Management:
Once stacked, the entire stack can be managed from a single web-based GUI or through SNMP. Stack members share the same IP address, reducing the complexity of managing multiple devices.
Benefits of Stacking:Simplified management with a single IP address for all switches. Greater scalability without the need for additional management overhead. Increased redundancy and reliability, as the stack can continue functioning even if one switch fails.
Simplified management with a single IP address for all switches.
Greater scalability without the need for additional management overhead.
Increased redundancy and reliability, as the stack can continue functioning even if one switch fails.

Product Naming Convention

The Cisco CBS350 Series follows a specific naming convention to differentiate between the various models and their capabilities. Here’s how to decode the model numbers:

CBS350-24T-4G: CBS350: Indicates the product series. 24T: Refers to the number of standard Gigabit Ethernet ports (24). 4G: Refers to the number of Gigabit SFP uplink ports (4). P: Indicates that the model supports Power over Ethernet (PoE+).
CBS350: Indicates the product series.
24T: Refers to the number of standard Gigabit Ethernet ports (24).
4G: Refers to the number of Gigabit SFP uplink ports (4).
P: Indicates that the model supports Power over Ethernet (PoE+).

The naming structure helps users quickly understand the features and capabilities of the switch before purchasing.

Conclusion

The Cisco CBS350 Series is a versatile and scalable solution for SMBs, offering excellent performance, advanced security, and powerful management features. With options ranging from compact 8-port models to high-density 48-port models, the CBS350 Series can meet the needs of any growing business. Whether you are expanding your current network or setting up a new one, these switches provide reliable and cost-effective solutions that can be easily managed and scaled.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the key differences between Cisco CBS350 Series and Cisco Catalyst 2960-X Series switches?

A1:
While both the Cisco CBS350 and Cisco Catalyst 2960-X series are designed for small to medium-sized businesses, there are some key differences:

The CBS350 Series offers smart managed switches, making it a more cost-effective choice for SMBs, with an intuitive web-based interface for easy management.
The Catalyst 2960-X Series is a more advanced, enterprise-class solution with Layer 3 capabilities and higher feature sets such as routing and advanced QoS.
CBS350 switches are typically more affordable for smaller networks, while Catalyst switches are more suited to larger, more complex networks with higher performance demands.

Q2: How do I configure Power over Ethernet (PoE) on my Cisco CBS350 switch?

A2: To enable PoE+ on your Cisco CBS350 switch, follow these steps:

Log into the switch's web interface using your administrator credentials.
Navigate to the PoE Configuration section in the interface.
Select the ports where you want to enable PoE, ensuring that those devices connected to those ports are PoE+ compatible (such as IP phones, cameras, or access points).
You can also set the maximum power allocation per port depending on your devices' needs.
Once configured, you can monitor the power status and usage through the interface, ensuring that your devices are receiving adequate power.

Q3: How many switches can be stacked together in a Cisco CBS350 series?

A3: The Cisco CBS350 Series allows you to stack up to 8 switches together. Stacking simplifies management and increases the network’s redundancy and capacity without the need for additional hardware. Once stacked, all switches can be managed through a single IP address, offering ease of use and scalability for growing networks.

Q4: Can I use Cisco CBS350 switches in a network that includes older Cisco switches, such as the Catalyst 2960?

A4: Yes, you can use Cisco CBS350 Series switches alongside older switches like the Catalyst 2960 in the same network. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Compatibility: Ensure that both switch models are compatible in terms of Layer 2 functionality (since the CBS350 Series lacks advanced Layer 3 routing capabilities).
Management: You will need to manage the CBS350 switches separately if they are not stacked with similar models. For network optimization, consider upgrading all switches to a unified series for ease of management.
PoE Support: Ensure that any PoE-powered devices are connected to PoE-capable ports on the CBS350 Series.

Q5: Can the Cisco CBS350 Series support VLANs?

A5: Yes, the Cisco CBS350 Series supports Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), which help segment your network and increase security. You can configure VLANs through the web-based interface or the CLI (Command Line Interface). The CBS350 Series supports up to 255 VLANs, providing flexibility for different departments or network segments in your business.

Q6: What is the warranty period for Cisco CBS350 switches?

A6: The Cisco CBS350 Series comes with a lifetime limited warranty, which includes next-business-day hardware replacement and access to software updates and technical support for the duration of the warranty. Cisco’s warranty for the CBS350 Series gives businesses peace of mind, knowing their network infrastructure is protected.

Q7: How do I reset my Cisco CBS350 switch to factory defaults?

A7: To reset your Cisco CBS350 switch to factory defaults, follow these steps:

Locate the Reset button on the front panel of the switch.
With the switch powered on, press and hold the Reset button for about 10 seconds.
Release the button once the switch begins the reset process. The switch will reboot, and all configurations will be wiped, returning it to the original factory settings.

Alternatively, you can also perform a reset through the web interface by navigating to the system settings and choosing the factory reset option.

Q8: Is the Cisco CBS350 Series compatible with other third-party network devices?

A8: Yes, the Cisco CBS350 Series is designed to be compatible with most third-party network devices. However, Cisco always recommends using Cisco-branded devices for optimal performance and support. When integrating third-party devices, ensure they support standard network protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.3 for Ethernet and IEEE 802.1X for security) for smooth operation.

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