cisco Catalyst 3850 Catalyst 3850
The Cisco Catalyst 3850 switch series is an enterprise 1U stackable campus access and aggregation switch family combining wired switching and wireless controller capabilities. Featuring modular uplinks, StackWise-480 stacking, Cisco StackPower energy sharing, Cisco UPOE 60W power delivery, and Cisco IOS XE software, the 3850 established modern enterprise campus switching standards prior to the Catalyst 9300.
Specifications
| Brand | cisco |
|---|---|
| Family | Catalyst 3850 |
| Form factor | 1U stackable switch |
| Released | Jan 2013 |
| End of sale | Oct 2020 |
| End of support | Oct 2025 |
| Access ports | 24 or 48 ports Gigabit copper, Multi-gigabit, or SFP/SFP+ fiber |
| Modular network modules | 4x 1G, 2x 10G, 4x 10G, 8x 10G, or 2x 40G QSFP+ modules |
| Stacking bandwidth | StackWise-480 delivering 480 Gbps across 9 members |
| Power technology | Cisco StackPower for unified power pooling |
| Wireless capacity | Integrated wireless controller supporting up to 100 APs and 2000 clients |
| Switching capacity | Up to 480 Gbps per switch |
Generations
- Next generation: cisco Catalyst 9300 Catalyst 9300
Check compatibility with Cisco
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Cisco has tested with the cisco Catalyst 3850 Catalyst 3850.
- Compatibility Cisco UCS Hardware Compatibility List
- Compatibility Cisco Optics-to-Device Compatibility Matrix
- Support Cisco Support and Downloads
Equivalent models from other brands
FAQ
How does Cisco StackPower function on the 3850?
StackPower cables connect power supplies across up to four switches, creating a shared power pool that absorbs supply failures without taking down PoE devices.
Can Catalyst 3850 fiber models be used for aggregation?
Yes, 12-port and 24-port SFP/SFP+ models (like WS-C3850-24XS) were heavily deployed as compact 10GbE distribution switches.
Buying or selling Catalyst 3850?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- Cisco Catalyst 3850 Product Documentation, checked 2026-10-27
- Cisco Catalyst 3850 Data Sheet and Technical Specifications, checked 2026-10-27