Cisco Catalyst 2960-L vs Catalyst 1000 (WS-C2960L-24PS-LL vs C1000-24P-4G-L)
The Catalyst 1000 (C1000-24P-4G-L) is Cisco's direct, current replacement for the end-of-sale Catalyst 2960-L (WS-C2960L-24PS-LL). You get nearly double the PoE budget (370W vs 195W), basic Layer 3 static routing, and an active support lifecycle, so migrating is the right call for any new or refresh deployment.
Catalyst 2960-L 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960L-24PS-LL)
A fanless 24-port GbE LAN Lite access switch with 195W of PoE+ and 4x 1G SFP uplinks, now end-of-sale.
- 24x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports with a 195W power budget
- 4x 1G SFP uplinks, fanless and silent for desk-side closets
- LAN Lite feature set (Layer 2 only, no static routing)
- End-of-sale; plan a migration before last date of support
Catalyst 1000 24-Port PoE (C1000-24P-4G-L)
The current entry Catalyst: 24x GbE with a 370W PoE budget, 4x 1G SFP uplinks, and basic Layer 3 static routing.
- 24x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports with a 370W power budget
- 4x 1G SFP uplinks, fanless operation for quiet spaces
- Limited Layer 3 (static routing) on top of full Layer 2
- Actively supported with an enhanced limited lifetime warranty
Catalyst 2960-L 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960L-24PS-LL) vs Catalyst 1000 24-Port PoE (C1000-24P-4G-L): spec comparison
| Spec | Catalyst 2960-L 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960L-24PS-LL) | Catalyst 1000 24-Port PoE (C1000-24P-4G-L) |
|---|---|---|
| Downlink ports | 24x 10/100/1000 (PoE+) | 24x 10/100/1000 (PoE+) |
| PoE budget | 195W | 370W |
| Uplinks | 4x 1G SFP | 4x 1G SFP |
| Switching capacity | 56 Gbps | 56 Gbps |
| Forwarding rate | 41.7 Mpps | 41.7 Mpps |
| Feature set | LAN Lite (Layer 2 only) | Layer 2 + Layer 3 static routing |
| Stacking | Not supported | Not supported |
| Cooling | Fanless | Fanless |
| Software | Cisco IOS | Cisco IOS |
| Lifecycle status | End-of-sale | Current / actively sold |
| Warranty | Enhanced Limited Lifetime | Enhanced Limited Lifetime |
Choose Catalyst 2960-L 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960L-24PS-LL) if
Only keep the 2960-L if you have an existing fleet and need a like-for-like spare for an in-warranty closet that you are not yet ready to refresh. It is no longer the right choice for new purchases.
Choose Catalyst 1000 24-Port PoE (C1000-24P-4G-L) if
Choose the Catalyst 1000 for any new or refresh deployment. The 370W PoE budget powers more cameras, phones, and APs, and you get static routing plus an active support and security-update lifecycle.
Verdict
Migrate to the Catalyst 1000 C1000-24P-4G-L. It is Cisco's named successor to the 2960-L, roughly doubles the PoE budget to 370W, adds basic Layer 3, and keeps the same fanless, 24-port + 4x SFP footprint. The only reason to keep a 2960-L short term is to use existing in-warranty units until a planned refresh.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Catalyst 2960-L end of life?
Yes. The Catalyst 2960-L line, including the WS-C2960L-24PS-LL, has reached end-of-sale, and Cisco positions the Catalyst 1000 as the replacement. Buy new units on the C1000 platform and reserve any remaining 2960-L stock for in-warranty spares.
What is the replacement for the WS-C2960L-24PS-LL?
The direct replacement is the Catalyst 1000 C1000-24P-4G-L: 24 PoE+ ports, 4x 1G SFP uplinks, and a larger 370W PoE budget in the same fanless form factor.
What is the main difference between the 2960-L and Catalyst 1000?
The Catalyst 1000 roughly doubles the PoE budget (370W vs 195W), adds limited Layer 3 static routing on top of Layer 2, and is a current, actively supported platform, whereas the 2960-L is LAN Lite Layer 2 only and end-of-sale.
Do these switches support stacking?
No. Neither the 2960-L nor the Catalyst 1000 in this configuration supports true data stacking. If you need stacking, step up to the Catalyst 9200L (StackWise-160).
More Catalyst comparisons
Specs are for planning and may change; Uniqcli confirms the current Cisco bill of materials and pricing on your quote. Cisco, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki, and Firepower are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Uniqcli LLC is an independent authorized Cisco partner.