Cisco Catalyst 3850 Switch Buying Guide: Models, StackWise-480, Licensing and EoL Dates

By M&F Collaboration · Published October 19, 2026 · Last updated October 19, 2026

The Catalyst 3850 was Cisco's flagship stackable access switch before the Catalyst 9300, and it still anchors a lot of campus closets. Our Cisco Catalyst 3850 Switches category covers copper, PoE+, UPOE, multigigabit and 10G SFP+ models. This guide matches them to Cisco's 3850 data sheet and end-of-life bulletins, so you can quote the right part number, license and accessories the first time.

Which Catalyst 3850 model fits your closet?

Start with the port type. Copper models come in 24 or 48 ports as data-only (T), PoE+ (P), full PoE+ (F) or UPOE (U). The 24XU and 12X48U add multigigabit UPOE ports. The fiber models use Gigabit SFP (12S, 24S) or 10G SFP+ ports (12XS to 48XS). The suffix sets the license: -L, -S or -E.

Cisco's default power supply sets each model's PoE budget, and that's where most quoting mistakes start. Every model has two power supply bays and ships with one supply. The table below uses Cisco's default configurations.

The 16XS and 32XS are bundles. Cisco defines the 16XS as a 12XS with a C3850-NM-4-10G module and the 32XS as a 24XS with an C3850-NM-8-10G. The WS-C3850-48XS-S is the outlier, with 48 SFP+ and four QSFP+ ports. It doesn't stack, doesn't support StackPower and takes no network module.

How does StackWise-480 on the 3850 differ from StackWise-160 on the 3650?

StackWise-480 is built into every stackable 3850 and gives the stack 480 Gbps of capacity, with up to nine switches managed as one. The Catalyst 3650 uses StackWise-160, an optional stacking module rated at 160 Gbps, also for up to nine switches. You can't mix 3850 and 3650 switches in the same stack.

StackWise-480 runs the stack with an active and a standby switch using stateful switchover (SSO), so a failed active switch hands over without dropping the stack. It also switches traffic locally when both ports sit on the same member. The 3650 is the lower-cost sibling with fixed uplinks, and you add its stack module only if you want to stack. If your closet runs Cisco Catalyst 3650 Switches, buy 3650 members; a 3850 won't join that stack.

StackWise-480 cables such as the STACK-T1-50CM connect the rear stack ports. Order enough cable lengths to close the ring, especially when the members span more than one rack.

Which license do you need: LAN Base, IP Base or IP Services?

Cisco's 3850 data sheet names three license levels: LAN Base (-L) for Layer 2 access, IP Base (-S) for routed access and the wireless controller, and IP Services (-E) for full enterprise routing. Cisco also sells DNA Essentials and DNA Advantage as term add-ons, and from IOS XE 16.9.1 the same names run under Smart Licensing.

In practice, the levels split like this:

• LAN Base: Layer 2 switching, up to 255 VLANs and limited static routing.
• IP Base: 1,000 VLANs, RIP, EIGRP stub, OSPF for routed access, policy-based routing and the integrated wireless controller.
• IP Services: full OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, IS-IS, PIM multicast routing, IPv6 routing and VRF-Lite.

Cisco states that each license level only stacks with the same level, so a LAN Base unit can't join an IP Base stack. Cisco sells the SFP and SFP+ models only as IP Base or IP Services, but they can be set to LAN Base mode from the CLI to stack with LAN Base members. Upgrades were activated with right-to-use licenses until IOS XE 16.9.1, when Smart Licensing took over.

Can a 3850 stack run your wireless network?

Yes, on IP Base or IP Services. Cisco's data sheet lists an integrated wireless controller for up to 100 access points and 2,000 clients per 3850 stack; the 3650 supports fewer access points and clients. Mobility agent mode needs no extra license, but controller mode needs access point licenses.

The WS-C3850-48PW-S is a 48-port PoE+ IP Base bundle that includes five access point licenses, which makes it a simple way to start a small converged deployment. Wireless controller support depends on the IOS XE release, so check the version you plan to run before you design around it. UPOE and multigigabit models are the better match for newer access points that draw more power or push beyond 1 Gbps per port.

Which network modules, power supplies and cables do you need?

Cisco ships the modular 3850 without a network module, so plan uplinks before you order. Gigabit copper 24-port and SFP models take the 4 × 1G or 2 × 10G module. The 48-port models also take the 4 × 10G module. The 24XU, 12X48U and 24XS add 8 × 10G and 2 × 40G options.

The 12XS accepts only the 4 × 10G module. Browse our Cisco Switch Modules for the full range, and pair 10G modules with SFP+ optics from our Transceivers category.

Power is the other line item. Full PoE+ on all 48 ports of a PoE+ model needs two 1100W supplies, or an 1100W and a 715W. Full 60W UPOE on a 24U needs an 1100W plus a 715W, and two 1100W supplies give full UPOE on up to 30 ports of a 48U. Our Cisco Power Supplies page lists compatible Config 1 supplies.

StackPower pools supplies across up to four switches, or nine with an XPS 2200. LAN Base supports it, but Cisco notes the StackPower cables must be bought separately for LAN Base models.

Where do the 3850 end-of-life dates leave you?

It depends on the model. Cisco's last date of support for the copper and multigigabit 3850s was October 31, 2025, under EOL13188. The fiber models, from the 12S to the 48XS, follow EOL13873, with security fixes and support running until April 30, 2027. Cisco mostly names Catalyst 9300 models as replacements.

For the copper models, Cisco's end of sale was October 30, 2020, and software maintenance ended October 30, 2021. For the fiber models, end of sale was April 30, 2022, and the last service contract renewal date was July 29, 2026. Spares for a stable stack still make sense, but plan the refresh. Start with our Cisco Catalyst 9300 Switch Buying Guide and browse Cisco Catalyst 9300 Switches hardware.

Note that in Cisco's migration tables, the 9300 replacements use Network Essentials and Network Advantage licensing. Those names belong to the 9300, not the 3850.

What should a Catalyst 3850 RFQ include?

• The model and license suffix of every existing stack member, from show version.
• Your IOS XE version, and whether you use RTU or Smart Licensing and any DNA add-ons.
• The number of PoE, PoE+ or UPOE devices per switch, so we can size the second supply.
• The network module for each switch, plus SFP or SFP+ optics.
• StackWise-480 and StackPower cable lengths and quantities.
• New or refurbished condition, as shown on each listing.

Catalyst 3850 FAQs