Cisco CE500-24PCCisco Catalyst Express 500 WS-CE500-24PC 24-Port PoE Fast Ethernet Switch

Key Benefits

• 24 x Fast Ethernet PoE ports, 185W budget: Power IP phones, access points, and cameras across a full small business access layer without additional power injectors or infrastructure.
• 2 x Gigabit uplinks: Gigabit connectivity to upstream routers or core switches provides plenty of headroom for converged voice and data traffic from 24 Fast Ethernet ports.
• Cisco Network Assistant management: Simplified GUI-based configuration and monitoring via Cisco Network Assistant — no IOS CLI expertise required, making it accessible to IT generalists.
• VLAN and QoS for voice networks: 802.1Q VLANs segment voice and data traffic; QoS prioritises IP phone calls to maintain call quality alongside background data traffic.
• 802.1X port security: RADIUS-based port authentication controls which devices can access the network — compatible with Cisco Unified Communications deployments.
• Certified refurbished with 12-month warranty: Professionally tested and graded by Reboot IT — Melbourne's enterprise networking specialists since 2001.

Performance in Use

The Cisco Catalyst Express WS-CE500-24PC is purpose-built for small business and branch office environments where simplicity matters as much as functionality. With 24 Fast Ethernet PoE ports and 185W of shared power, it supports a full SMB deployment of Cisco IP phones (4–8W each), lightweight wireless APs, and standard PoE cameras — all from a single switch managed through a straightforward graphical interface rather than a traditional command line.

Cisco Network Assistant provides topology discovery, drag-and-drop VLAN assignment, and device health monitoring across multiple Catalyst Express switches from a single workstation. This makes it practical for non-specialist IT teams to manage a small campus network without formal Cisco IOS training. VLAN configuration separates guest Wi-Fi, employee devices, and IP phones onto isolated broadcast domains, while QoS policies ensure voice traffic receives preferential treatment to maintain call quality.

The two Gigabit uplinks connect to upstream infrastructure — a router, firewall, or core switch — providing adequate aggregation bandwidth for the 24 Fast Ethernet access ports. Note that access ports run at 10/100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet), not Gigabit. For environments where devices require Gigabit speeds at the access layer, a Catalyst 2960G or similar model would be more appropriate. For IP phone-heavy small business environments, the CE500-24PC remains a practical and cost-effective choice.

Tech Specs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do the access ports support Gigabit speeds?

No — the 24 access ports are Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps). The two uplink ports are Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbps). If Gigabit speed is required at the access layer, consider a Catalyst 2960G or similar switch.

Does this switch run Cisco IOS?

The CE500 series is managed via Cisco Network Assistant (a simplified GUI) rather than the full Cisco IOS CLI. It does not support the same CLI feature set as Catalyst 2960 or 3750 series switches.

Does it support PoE+ (802.3at)?

No — the WS-CE500-24PC supports standard 802.3af PoE with a maximum of 15.4W per port. Devices requiring PoE+ (up to 30W) are not supported.

Is it compatible with Cisco Unified Communications?

Yes — the CE500-24PC supports Voice VLAN and auto-QoS configurations that work with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UCM) and IP phone deployments.

Does it have SFP fibre uplink ports?

No — the two uplink ports are copper Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) only. SFP fibre uplinks are not available on the CE500 series.

What shipping costs apply?

Shipping costs apply based on size and destination — rates are calculated at checkout.