Where to deploy:

Product Name Product -->Number Product
Catalyst 2950G-12 (EI)--> WS-C2950G-12-EI
• 12 10/100 ports and two fixed GBIC-based 1000BaseX uplink ports
• 1 rack unit (RU) stackable switch Delivers intelligent services to the network edge
• Enhanced Software Image (EI) installed

Catalyst 2950G-24 (EI)--> WS-C2950G-24-EI
• 24 10/100 ports and two fixed GBIC-based 1000BaseX uplink ports
• 1 RU stackable switch
• Delivers intelligent services to the network edge
• Enhanced Software Image (EI) installed

Catalyst 2950G-48 (EI)--> WS-C2950G-48-EI
• 48 10/100 ports and two fixed GBIC-based 1000BaseX uplink ports
• 1 RU stackable switch
• Delivers intelligent services to the network edge
• Enhanced Software Image (EI) installed

Catalyst 2950G-24-DC (EI)--> WS-C2950G-24-EI-DC
• 24 10/100 ports and two fixed 1000BaseX uplink ports
• 1 RU stackable, DC-powered switch
• Delivers intelligent services to the network edge
• Enhanced Software Image (EI) installed

Catalyst 2950T-24--> WS-C2950T-24
• 24 10/100 ports and two fixed 10/100/1000BaseT uplink ports
• 1 RU switch
• Delivers intelligent services to the network edge
• Upgradable to Enhanced Software Image (EI)

Catalyst 2950C-24--> WS-C2950C-24
• 24 10/100 ports and two fixed 100BaseFX uplink ports
• 1 RU switch
• Delivers intelligent services to the network edge
• Upgradable to Enhanced Software Image (EI)

Catalyst 2950-24--> WS-C2950-24
• 24 10/100 ports
• 1 RU switch

Catalyst 2950-12 -->WS-C2950-12
• 12 10/100 ports
• 1 RU switch

FAQ

Q. What devices comprise the Cisco Catalyst ® 2950 Series switches?
A. Catalyst 2950C-24, 2950T-24 —Existing members of the Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series of high-performance, standalone, 10/100 auto-sensing Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet switches. The Catalyst 2950C-24 provides 24 10/100 ports plus two fixed 100BaseFX ports. The Catalyst 2950T-24 switch offers mid-sized enterprises an easy migration path to Gigabit by using existing copper cabling infrastructure with 24 10/100 ports plus two fixed 10/100/1000BaseT uplinks.
Catalyst 2950G-12 (EI), 2950G-24 (EI), 2950G-48 (EI), 2950G-24-DC (EI) —Most recently, the Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series expanded to include these new Catalyst Intelligent Ethernet switches with Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) uplinks. The new products are stackable switches that offer wire-speed connectivity to the desktop and Gigabit uplink connectivity using a variety of optional GBICs. These products, as well as the Catalyst 2950T-24 and 2950C-24 switches, deliver intelligent services, such as
advanced quality of service, rate-limiting, security filters, and multicast management, to the network edge—using the simple, Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) Software Web-based interface. These switches, along with the Catalyst 2950T-24 and 2950C-24 switches, come with the Enhanced Software Image (EI) installed to provide intelligent services.
Catalyst 2950-24, 2950-12 —Standalone, fixed-configuration, managed 10/100 switches providing user connectivity for small to mid-sized networks. These wire-speed desktop switches offer Cisco IOS ® functionality for basic data, video and voice services at the edge of the network. Embedded in the Catalyst 2950 Series is the Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) Software, which allows users to simultaneously configure and troubleshoot multiple Catalyst desktop switches using a standard Web browser.

Q. What is the Enhanced Software Image (EI)?
A. The Cisco Catalyst 2950T-24, 2950C-24, 2950G switches are installed with the Enhanced Software Image (EI), which
delivers intelligent services, such as advanced quality of service, rate-limiting, security filters, and multicast management, to the network edge.

Q. Can Catalyst 2950 Series switches be upgraded to enable IP routing?
A. No. None of the Catalyst 2950 Series switches can be upgraded to enable IP routing. Cisco Catalyst 3550 Series switches
have the capability to enable IP routing.

Q. Do Catalyst 2950 Series switches support Gigabit Ethernet connectivity? Do they support GBIC-based uplinks?
A. Catalyst 2950 Series switches support Gigabit Ethernet connectivity via either fixed 10/100/1000 ports or GBIC ports.
The following GBICs are supported: 1000BaseSX, 1000BaseLX, 1000BaseZX, and the GigaStack ® Stacking GBIC.
The Catalyst 2950T-24 provides 24 10/100 ports with two fixed 10/100/1000BaseT uplink ports. The 10/100/1000BaseT ports on the Catalyst 2950T-24 Switch can be connected to other switches that support 1000BaseT GBICs or used as uplinks to copper gigabit-enabled servers.
The Catalyst 2950G-12, 2950G-24, 2950G-48, and 2950G-24-DC each have 10/100 ports with two GBIC ports. The
1000BaseSX, 1000BaseLX, and 1000BaseZX GBICs can be used in the GBIC ports to provide gigabit-speed uplinks using
fiber cabling.

Q. Do the Catalyst 2950G switches support the Cisco 1000BaseT GBIC? When will it be supported?
A. At FCS, Catalyst 2950G switches do not currently support the existing Cisco 1000BaseT GBIC (WS-G5482). However,
Catalyst 2950G switches will provide 1000BaseT support shortly in a future release.

Q. What are the highlights of the new Cisco fixed-configuration, 1000BaseT (Gigabit Ethernet over copper) mid-sized
business and enterprise branch solution?
A. When combined with a Cisco Catalyst 3550 Switch with IP routing, the Catalyst 2950 Series Intelligent Ethernet Switches
are an affordable way to complete a LAN solution that deploys intelligent services such as advanced quality of service,
rate limiting, security, and multicast management to the edge of a network. The combination is optimized for Gigabit
Ethernet-over-copper aggregation and enables mid-sized business and enterprise branch customers to move from Fast
Ethernet to a higher performance Gigabit Ethernet backbone using existing Category 5 copper cabling.

Q. What software features are available on the Catalyst 2950 Series Intelligent Ethernet switches?
A. The Catalyst 2950 software feature set is now expanded to deliver intelligent services to the edge of the network. Key
additions to the feature set include advanced QoS with an ability to map DiffServ Code Point (DSCP) to class of service (CoS)
or vice versa; rate limiting based on a wide range of access control parameters (ACPs) such as source/destination IP address,
source/destination Media Access Control (MAC) and TCP/User-Datagram-Protocol (UDP) port number; and sophisticated
security through filtering. In addition to Layer 3/4 lookups, the Catalyst 2950 Series offers new ease of use and deployment
features such Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP), Port Aggregation Protocol (PAgP), dynamic virtual LANs (VLANs) and
VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) pruning.
The Catalyst 2950-24 and Catalyst 2950-12 do not support the intelligent services described above. These products—aimed
at the price sensitive customer—deliver a superior LAN-edge Layer 2 QoS (unmatched in its class of products in the industry),
superior multicast management via Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) snooping in hardware, and wire-speed
performance.
All Catalyst 2950 Series switches support all traditional wiring closet features such as a Web management interface, Network
Timing Protocol (NTP), port-based virtual LANs (VLANs), Fast EtherChannel ® /Gigabit EtherChannel technologies, 802.1Q
VLAN tagging support, VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP), UplinkFast, Per VLAN Spanning Tree Plus (PVST+), and Terminal
Access Controller Access Control System (TACACS+).

Q. Do Cisco Catalyst 2950 switches support Switch Clustering?
A. Yes. Catalyst 2950 switches can be managed using the Web-based Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) Software,
which uses Cisco Switch Clustering technology. Cisco CMS allows network administrators to manage up to 16 interconnected Catalyst 2950, 3550, 3500 XL, 2900 XL, 2900 LRE XL, and 1900 switches through a single IP address.
The switches can be in different locations and not physically located in the same wiring closet. Furthermore, the cluster
software upgrade feature in Cisco CMS allows the user automatically upgrade the Cisco IOS Software on a group of
Catalyst 3550, 2950, 3500 XL, 2900 XL, 2900 LRE XL, and 1900 switches.
In addition, Cisco CMS delivers voice and video templates, resource monitors, and other new tools that greatly simplify the
deployment and prioritization of voice, video and mission-critical data on a network-wide basis for mid-sized enterprises.
Product Transitions

Q. Are the new Cisco Catalyst 2950 switches compatible with the Catalyst 3500 XL platform?
A. The Catalyst 2950 Series switches are compatible with the Catalyst 3500 XL and 2900 XL switches in every way.
Committed to protecting customer investments in desktop switches, Cisco has ensured that all desktop switching
platforms—Catalyst 2950, 3550, 3500 XL, 2900 XL, 2900 LRE XL and 1900—can be used together and managed using
the Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) Software already embedded and supported in these switches.

Q. What advantages does the Catalyst 2950 Series offer over the Catalyst 1900 and FastHub 400 Series of products?
A. Catalyst 2950 switches offer the ideal solution for customers migrating from Switched Ethernet or Shared 10/100 in their
LANs to Switched Fast Ethernet/Gigabit Ethernet. For customers who have Catalyst 1924-A or 1924-EN switches installed
in their LANs, the Catalyst 2950T-24 Switch offers the most appropriate migration path. The Catalyst 2950T-24 offers 24
10/100 desktop ports and two fixed 10/100/1000BaseT uplink ports, thereby providing an easy migration path to Fast and
Gigabit Ethernet using existing Category 5 cabling. For those customers who are looking for robust connectivity to the
desktop, the Catalyst 2950-24 also offers an affordable alternative to the Catalyst 1924-A and Catalyst 1924-EN.
For ordering purposes, please note that the Catalyst 2950 has no distinction between the Enterprise versus Standard edition
of software. Customers should choose the platform with the feature set that is more applicable to their network needs (for
example, fixed-configuration models versus models with uplinks).

Q. Does the Cisco Catalyst 2950 Series support Inter-Switch Link (ISL) trunking? Are there any plans to support ISL in the future?
A. No. The Catalyst 2950 Series does not support ISL trunking, and there are no plans to support ISL trunking on the
Catalyst 2950 platform. For those customers with a requirement to deploy ISL trunking, Catalyst 3550 switches support
both ISL and 802.1Q trunks. A recommended migration to the ISL trunking standard while still implementing the
Catalyst 2950 is to place an ISL/dot1Q-capable device between the ISL-supported device and the Catalyst 2950 Switch.

Q. Does Cisco offer five packs or multi-packs of the new Cisco Catalyst 2950 switches?
A. No. Cisco does not offer five packs or other multi-packs for the Catalyst 2950 platform.

Product Name  -->   Part Number
Catalyst 3550 --> 48 WS-C3550-48-EMI
• 48 10/100 ports and 2 GBIC-based Gigabit Ethernet ports
• 1 rack unit (RU) stackable, multilayer switch
• Delivers enterprise-class intelligent services to the network edge
• Enhanced Multilayer Software Image (EMI) installed
• Provides full dynamic IP routing

Catalyst 3550-48 --> WS-C3550-48-SMI
• 48 10/100 ports and 2 GBIC-based Gigabit Ethernet ports
• 1 RU stackable, multilayer switch
• Delivers enterprise-class intelligent services to the network edge
• Standard Multilayer Software Image (SMI) installed, upgradeable to full dynamic IP routing

Catalyst 3550-24--> WS-C3550-24-EMI
• 24 10/100 ports and 2 GBIC-based Gigabit Ethernet ports
• 1 RU stackable multilayer switch
• Delivers enterprise-class intelligent services to the network edge
• Enhanced Multilayer Software Image (EMI) installed
• Provides full dynamic IP routing

Catalyst 3550-24 --> WS-C3550-24-SMI
• 24 10/100 ports and 2 GBIC-based Gigabit Ethernet ports
• 1 RU stackable, multilayer switch
• Delivers enterprise-class intelligent services to the network edge
• Standard Multilayer Software Image (SMI) installed, upgradeabl to full dynamic IP routing

Catalyst 3550-12G --> WS-C3550-12G
• 10 GBIC-based Gigabit Ethernet ports and 2 10/100/1000 ports
• 1.5 RU stackable, multilayer Gigabit Ethernet switch
• Delivers enterprise-class intelligent services to the network edge
• Provides full dynamic IP routing

Catalyst 3550-12T --> WS-C3550-12T
• 10 10/100/1000 ports and 2 GBIC-based Gigabit Ethernet ports
• 1.5 rack unit (RU) stackable, multilayer Gigabit Ethernet switch
• Delivers enterprise-class intelligent services to the network edge
• Provides full dynamic IP routing

Enhanced Multilayer Software Image (EMI)Upgrade Kit --> CD-3550-EMI=
• Enhanced Multilayer Software Image (EMI) upgrade kit for the
standard versions of the Catalyst 3550-24 and 3550-48 switches
• Provides full dynamic IP routing

3550 SMI Vs 3550 EMI

Standard Multilayer Software Image (SMI)
• Enterprise-class intelligent services
– Layer 3 QoS, rate-limiting, multicast management, security ACLs
• Available on the Catalyst 3550-24 and 3550-48
Enhanced Multilayer Software Image (EMI)
• SMI feature set plus more functionality including
– Static Routing
– Dynamic IP unicast and multicast routing
– Inter-VLAN routing
– Routed ACLs
– HSRP

FAQ

Q. What is the difference between the Enhanced Multilayer Software Image (EMI) and the Standard Multilayer Software
Image (SMI)?
A. The Cisco Catalyst 3550-24 and 3550-48 switches are available with the Standard Multilayer Software Image (SMI) or
the Enhanced Multilayer Software Image (EMI). The Enhanced Multilayer Software Image enables a richer set of
enterprise-class features including, hardware-based IP unicast and multicast routing, inter-VLAN routing, Routed access
control lists (RACLs), and the Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP). Flexibility to upgrade to the Enhanced Multilayer
Software Image after the initial deployment is provided through an Enhanced Multilayer Software Image upgrade kit. The
Cisco Catalyst 3550-12T and 3550-12G switches come installed with the Enhanced Multilayer Software Image. Additional
details about the differences between the Standard Multilayer Software Image and the Enhanced Multilayer Software Image
are provided later in this document.

Q. Can I enable static IP routing using the Standard Multilayer Software Image (SMI)?
A. No, there is not support for static or dynamic routing using the Standard Multilayer Software Image (SMI). Only the
Enhanced Multilayer Software Image (EMI) allows for IP routing.

Q. Is the Enhanced Multilayer Software Image (EMI) required to allow Layer 3 and Layer 4 lookups for QoS and Security?
A. No. Both the Standard Multilayer Software Image (SMI) and the Enhanced Multilayer Software Image (EMI) allow for
Layer 3 and Layer 4 lookups for QoS and Security.

Q. Why do I need intelligence at the edge of my network?
A. Networks of today are evolving to address four new developments at the network edge:
• Increase in desktop computing power
• Introduction of bandwidth-intensive applications
• Expansion of highly sensitive data on the network
• Presence of multiple device types, such as IP phones and wireless LAN access points
These new demands are contending for resources with many existing mission-critical applications. As a result, IT
professionals must view the edge of the network as critical to effectively manage the delivery of information and applications.
As companies increasingly rely on networks as the strategic business infrastructure, it is more important than ever to ensure
their high availability, security, scalability and control. By adding Cisco intelligent functionality to the wiring closet,
customers can now deploy network-wide intelligent services that address these requirements in a consistent way from the
desktop to the core and through the WAN.
With Cisco Catalyst Intelligent Ethernet switches, Cisco enables companies to realize the full benefits of adding intelligent
services into their networks. Deploying capabilities that make the network infrastructure highly available to accommodate
time-critical needs, scalable to accommodate growth, secure enough to protect confidential information, and capable of
differentiating and controlling traffic flows are key to further optimizing network operations.

Q. Can you provide more details on how an intelligent switch from Cisco will help my network?
A. New applications are requiring higher bandwidth and the need to differentiate and control the traffic flow. Applications
such as ERP (Oracle, SAP, and so on.), voice (IP telephony traffic) and CAD/CAM require prioritization over less
time-sensitive applications such as FTP or e-mail (SMTP). It would be highly undesirable to have a large file download
destined to one port on a wiring closet switch and have quality implications such as increased latency in voice traffic, destined
to another port on this switch. This condition is avoided by ensuring that voice traffic is properly classified and prioritized
throughout the network. Cisco Intelligent Ethernet switches implement superior QoS to ensure that network traffic is
classified, prioritized, and congestion is avoided.

Q. What about handling the security needs of a network?
A. With the rise in internal threats to a network, Cisco Intelligent Ethernet switches enhance data security through the use
of access control lists (ACLs). By denying packets based on source and destination Media Access Control (MAC) addresses,
IP addresses, or Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/User Datagram Protocol (UDP) ports, users can be restricted from
sensitive portions of the network. Also, due to the fact that all ACL lookups are done in hardware, forwarding and routing
performance is not compromised when implementing ACL-based security in the network. In addition, the Catalyst 3550
switches will support 802.1x user-based authentication via a future software release.

Q. Do the Cisco Catalyst 3550 switches support Cisco Switch Clustering technology?
A. Yes, the Catalyst 3550 switches can be managed using theWeb-based Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) Software,
which uses Cisco Switch Clustering technology. Cisco CMS isWeb-based software that is embedded in Catalyst 3550, 2950,
3500 XL, 2900 XL, 2900 LRE XL, and 1900 switches. Through Cisco Switch Clustering technology, users access Cisco CMS
with any standardWeb browser to manage up to 16 of these switches at once, regardless of their geographic proximity—with
the option of using a single IP address if desired.With the addition of the Catalyst 3550 switches, Cisco CMS can now extend
beyond routed boundaries for even more flexibility in managing a Cisco cluster.
Cisco CMS provides an integrated management interface for delivering intelligent services, enabling users to manage their
entire LAN with one robust tool. By bringing the simplicity of traditional LAN switching to intelligent services such as
multilayer switching, QoS, multicast, and security access control lists (ACLs), Cisco CMS allows administrators to take
advantage of benefits formerly reserved for only the most complex networks. The new Guide Mode in Cisco CMS leads the
user step-by-step through the configuration of high-end features and provides enhanced online help for context-sensitive
assistance. In addition, a Solution Wizard provides automated configuration of the switch for video streaming or
videoconferencing. Future software will provide Solution Wizards for voice over IP (VoIP), mission-critical applications,
and security.
Cisco CMS supports standards-based connectivity options such as Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Fast EtherChannel®, Gigabit
Ethernet, and Gigabit EtherChannel connectivity. Because Cisco Switch Clustering technology is not limited by proprietary
stacking modules, stacking cables or interconnection media, Cisco CMS expands the traditional cluster domain beyond a
single wiring closet and lets users mix and match interconnections to meet specific management, performance, and cost
requirements.
Cisco Catalyst 3550 switches can be configured either as command or member switches in a Cisco switch cluster. Cisco CMS
also allows the network administrator to designate a standby or redundant command switch, which takes the commander
duties should the primary command switch fail. Other key features include the ability to configure multiple ports and
switches simultaneously, as well as perform software updates across the entire cluster at once. Bandwidth graphs and link
reports provide useful diagnostic information and the topology map gives network administrators a quick view of the
network status.

Q. What Gigabit Interface Converters (GBICs) are supported on the Catalyst 3550 switches?
A. Catalyst 3550 switches support the following Cisco GBICs: 1000BaseSX, 1000BaseLX/LH, 1000BaseZX, 1000BaseT,
and the GigaStack™ Stacking GBIC.

Q. Is there any limit to the number of a particular GBIC or combination of different GBICs that can be used on a Catalyst 3550 switch?
A. No. Users can populate all the GBIC ports of any Catalyst 3550 switch with the same GBIC or with a combination of
different GBICs.

Q. Do the Catalyst 3550 switches have redundant power system (RPS) support?
A. Yes, the Cisco Redundant Power System (RPS) 300 supports Catalyst 3550 switches. The Cisco RPS 300 provides
superior internal power source redundancy for up to six Cisco networking devices resulting in improved fault tolerance and
network uptime.

Q. Do the Catalyst 3550 switches support Inter-Switch Link (ISL) virtual LAN (VLAN) trunking?
A. Yes, the Catalyst 3550 switches support both 802.1Q trunking and ISL trunking. VLAN trunks can be created from any
port using either standards-based 802.1Q tagging or the Cisco ISL VLAN architecture. Additionally, Dynamic Trunking
Protocol (DTP) can be used to automatically negotiate trunk type and mode.

Q. Does it cost more for a Layer 3 or special-features license?
A. The Catalyst 3550-24-EMI, 3550-48-EMI, 3550-12T, and 3550-12G are loaded with the Enhanced Multilayer Software
Image, so all feature license fees are part of the standard list price. However, the Catalyst 3550-24-SMI and 3550-48-SMI
switches are loaded with the Standard Multilayer Software Image; these two switches can be upgraded to the Enhanced
Multilayer Software Image with the purchase of the Enhanced Multilayer Software Image upgrade kit (part number
CD-3550-EMI=).

Q. What features are only supported on the Enhanced Multilayer Software Image (EMI)?
A. The following features and functionality are supported with the Enhanced Multilayer Software Image:
• IP routing protocols for load balancing and constructing scalable LANs:
– Routing Information Protocol (RIP) versions 1 and 2
– Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
– Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP) and Enhanced IGRP (EIGRP)
• IP routing for full Layer 3 routing between two or more VLANs using Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs) or routed ports
• Static IP routing for manually building a routing table of network path information
• Equal-cost routing for load balancing and redundancy
• Cisco standard and extended IP security Router access control lists (RACLs) for defining security policies on routed
interfaces for control plane and data plane traffic
• Fallback bridging for forwarding of non-IP traffic between two or more VLANs
• Cisco Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) to create redundant failsafe routing topologies
• Protocol-Independent Multicast (PIM) for IP multicast routing within a network that enables the network to receive the
multicast feed requested and for switches not participating in the multicast to be pruned—support for PIM sparse mode
(PIM-SM), PIM dense mode (PIM-DM), and PIM sparse-dense mode
• Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol (DVMRP) tunneling for interconnecting two multicast-enabled networks
across non multicast networks
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) relay for allowing broadcast DHCP requests to be forwarded to the
network DHCP server

Q. Are there five packs or multi-packs for the Cisco Catalyst 3550 switches?
A. No.

Q. What is the positioning of the Catalyst 3550 Series Intelligent Ethernet switches relative to the Catalyst 3500 XL
switches?
A. The Catalyst 3550 switches are expected to be deployed in similar topological positions in the network as the Catalyst
3500 XL switches. These positions include in the access layer and network backbone of enterprise wiring closets and branch
office networks. The Catalyst 3550 switches are ideal for those networks requiring multilayer services like IP routing,
advanced quality of service, multicast management, and security access control lists.

Q. What is the positioning of the Catalyst 3550 Series Intelligent Ethernet switches relative to the Catalyst 2950 Series
Intelligent Ethernet switches?
A. The Catalyst 3550 switches and the Catalyst 2950G switches are capable of delivering intelligent services such as advanced quality of service, rate-limiting, security filtering, and multicast management to the network edge. The Catalyst 3550 switches are the premium fixed-configuration switches and offer greater product family breadth, a richer set of enterprise-class features, and a platform that supports dynamic, hardware-based IP routing.

Q. Are the Catalyst 3550 Series Intelligent Ethernet switches compatible with the Catalyst 3500 Series XL switches?
A. The Catalyst 3550 switches are completely compatible with the Catalyst 3500 XL family. Committed to protecting customers’ investments in desktop switches, Cisco has ensured that all desktop switching platforms including the Catalyst 3550, 2950, 3500 XL, 2900 XL, 2900 LRE XL, and 1900 can be mixed and managed using the Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) Software. Additionally, the GBIC ports on the Catalyst 3550 support the Cisco GigaStack GBIC for point-to-point or cascade stacking configurations. These investments provide a guarantee of investment value over time for Cisco customers.