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Layer23-Switch Blogs
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What Is an Uplink Port on a Switch?
An uplink port is the switch port that connects “up” to the next device in the network hierarchy — a...
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What Is an SFP Port on a Switch?
An SFP port is a modular slot on a network switch that accepts a small, hot-swappable transceiver module. The port...
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Best Cisco Routers for Business Networks in 2026
For most businesses in 2026, the best Cisco router comes down to branch size and whether you run SD-WAN. The...
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Cisco Industrial Ring Redundancy: REP vs MRP vs PRP vs HSR vs DLR
Cisco industrial switches support five ring and redundancy protocols, and they fall into two groups. REP (Cisco-proprietary) and MRP (IEC...
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Cisco IE Switch PoE Not Working: Industrial Troubleshooting Guide
When a Cisco Industrial Ethernet (IE) switch powers on but delivers no PoE, the cause is usually the power input,...
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Cisco IE4000 and IE4010 Replacement: EOL Dates and Migration Paths
The Cisco Industrial Ethernet 4000 and 4010 Series are both end-of-life, on different timelines and with different replacements. The IE4000’s...
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CW9800 vs C9800: Key Differences, Model Mapping, and Which to Buy
The main difference is generation: the CW9800 is Cisco’s next-generation wireless controller line — the “CW” stands for Catalyst Wireless...
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Cisco IE2000 Replacement: EOL Status and the IE3100 Upgrade Path
The Cisco Industrial Ethernet 2000 Series is end-of-life. Cisco’s last day to order was July 26, 2024, and the last...
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Cisco IE3300 Switch Buying Guide: Models and BOM Checklist
Cisco IE3300 selection starts with the cabinet role. Use IE-3300-8T2S for non-PoE industrial access with 1G SFP uplinks, IE-3300-8P2S for PoE/PoE+ access with 1G...
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C9300 Switch Reset to Factory: Keep IOS and Clear Config
For most C9300 switch reset-to-factory jobs, use write erase, delete flash:vlan.dat when VLAN database cleanup is required, and reload without saving the current...
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Catalyst 9300 Password Recovery Guide: Recover Without Losing Config
Recovering a Catalyst 9300 password is usually a configuration-preserving IOS XE procedure, not a factory reset. Connect through the console,...
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How to Enable PoE on Cisco Switch: CLI Commands and Checks
On most Cisco Catalyst PoE switches, PoE is already enabled by default on PoE-capable ports. To explicitly enable or re-enable...
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Cisco ASA Password Recovery 2026: Firepower 1010, 2100, 3100, 4100, and 4200
Cisco Firepower and Secure Firewall platforms do not all use the same ASA password recovery process. On newer platforms, the...
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Default VLAN vs Native VLAN: Cisco Differences and Examples
The default VLAN is the VLAN a switch uses for ports before you assign them to another VLAN. On Cisco...
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How to Check SFP Type and Find a Port by MAC Address on a Cisco Switch
Use show inventory to identify the exact Cisco SFP PID and serial number, show interfaces transceiver or show interfaces transceiver...
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