Cisco Catalyst 2960-S vs Catalyst 2960-X (WS-C2960S-24PS-L vs WS-C2960X-24PS-L)
The Catalyst 2960-X (WS-C2960X-24PS-L) is the in-family upgrade from the older, end-of-life 2960-S (WS-C2960S-24PS-L): same 24 PoE ports and 370W budget, but faster FlexStack-Plus stacking, higher switching capacity, and lower power draw. Both are now legacy, so the better long-term move is the Catalyst 9200, but the 2960-X is the right drop-in if you are standardizing on existing 2960-X stacks.
Catalyst 2960-S 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960S-24PS-L)
A 24-port GbE LAN Base access switch with 370W PoE+, 4x SFP uplinks, and FlexStack, now end of life.
- 24x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports, 370W power budget
- 4x 1G SFP uplinks with optional FlexStack stacking
- LAN Base Layer 2 feature set
- End of life; no longer sold or supported by Cisco
Catalyst 2960-X 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960X-24PS-L)
The next-gen 2960: 24x GbE PoE+ with 370W, FlexStack-Plus, and higher capacity in the same footprint.
- 24x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports, 370W power budget
- 4x 1G SFP uplinks with faster FlexStack-Plus stacking
- Higher switching capacity and lower idle power draw
- LAN Base, with hot-swappable field-replaceable fans
Catalyst 2960-S 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960S-24PS-L) vs Catalyst 2960-X 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960X-24PS-L): spec comparison
| Spec | Catalyst 2960-S 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960S-24PS-L) | Catalyst 2960-X 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960X-24PS-L) |
|---|---|---|
| Downlink ports | 24x 10/100/1000 (PoE+) | 24x 10/100/1000 (PoE+) |
| PoE budget | 370W | 370W |
| Uplinks | 4x 1G SFP | 4x 1G SFP |
| Switching capacity | Up to 176 Gbps | Up to 216 Gbps |
| Stacking | FlexStack (up to 4 members) | FlexStack-Plus (up to 8 members) |
| Stack bandwidth | Up to 20 Gbps | Up to 80 Gbps |
| Feature set | LAN Base | LAN Base |
| Software | Cisco IOS | Cisco IOS |
| Lifecycle status | End of life / past LDoS | End-of-sale (legacy) |
| Warranty | Enhanced Limited Lifetime | Enhanced Limited Lifetime |
Choose Catalyst 2960-S 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960S-24PS-L) if
There is no good reason to choose the 2960-S for a new deployment; it is end of life and past its last date of support. Keep existing units only until you can refresh the stack.
Choose Catalyst 2960-X 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960X-24PS-L) if
Choose the 2960-X if you are extending or matching an existing 2960-X FlexStack-Plus deployment and want a like-for-like 24-port PoE switch with faster stacking than the 2960-S.
Verdict
Move off the 2960-S. The 2960-X is the direct in-family successor with the same 370W PoE and ports but faster FlexStack-Plus stacking and more capacity. For a fully future-proof refresh, jump to the Catalyst 9200, but the 2960-X is a valid short-term match for existing 2960-X stacks.
Frequently asked questions
What replaced the Catalyst 2960-S?
The Catalyst 2960-X replaced the 2960-S in-family, with the Catalyst 9200/9200L now the modern successor to the entire 2960 line. The WS-C2960X-24PS-L is the direct match for the WS-C2960S-24PS-L.
What is the difference between FlexStack and FlexStack-Plus?
FlexStack on the 2960-S supports up to 4 members at up to 20 Gbps. FlexStack-Plus on the 2960-X supports up to 8 members at up to 80 Gbps, giving you bigger, faster stacks. The two technologies are not cross-compatible.
Is the Catalyst 2960-S still supported by Cisco?
No. The 2960-S is end of life and past its last date of support, so it no longer receives software or hardware support. Plan a refresh to the 2960-X or, preferably, the Catalyst 9200.
Are the 2960-S and 2960-X PoE budgets the same?
Yes. Both the WS-C2960S-24PS-L and WS-C2960X-24PS-L provide a 370W PoE+ budget across 24 ports, so PoE capacity is not a differentiator between these two models.
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.