Cisco MS120-48FP-HW – Meraki 48-Port PoE+ Cloud Managed Switch

The Cisco MS120-48FP-HW is a cloud-managed Layer 2 access switch from the Cisco Meraki MS120 Series, engineered for enterprise branch offices, campus networks, education facilities, and distributed multi-site deployments where centralized management, high PoE capacity, and reliable switching performance are non-negotiable requirements. With 48 Gigabit PoE+ ports delivering a 740W total power budget, 4 SFP uplink ports, 104 Gbps switching capacity, and full Meraki cloud dashboard integration, the Cisco MS120-48FP-HW gives network administrators the density, power, and visibility to support a complete floor or branch office from a single 1U rack unit.

KEY FEATURES

The Cisco MS120-48FP-HW operates on a 104 Gbps non-blocking switching fabric with a forwarding rate of 77.38 Mpps. All 48 RJ-45 ports support IEEE 802.3at PoE+ at up to 30W per port, backed by a 740W total PoE power budget — the highest in the MS120 series. This capacity enables simultaneous full-power operation of 48 PoE+ devices including Wi-Fi 6 access points, PTZ IP cameras, and enterprise VoIP desk phones without power budget shortfalls or brownout conditions. Dynamic PoE power allocation using LLDP and CDP device advertisement ensures each connected device receives precisely the power it requests, eliminating manual per-port configuration.

The Meraki cloud dashboard is the defining management feature of the Cisco MS120-48FP-HW. Zero-touch provisioning allows the switch to be shipped directly to a remote branch location, powered on by local staff, and fully configured from the central IT team’s dashboard without a site visit. Automatic firmware upgrades, real-time traffic analytics, remote packet capture, and virtual stacking allow administrators to manage thousands of ports across hundreds of sites from a single browser interface. No controller hardware, command-line configuration, or on-site expertise is required for initial deployment.

Security on the Cisco MS120-48FP-HW is comprehensive and policy-driven. IEEE 802.1X port authentication with MAC-based authentication bypass (MAB) and hybrid authentication modes controls which devices gain network access at the port level. IPv4 and IPv6 ACLs enforce traffic policies across the switching fabric. DHCP snooping prevents rogue DHCP servers from disrupting network addressing. Rapid Spanning Tree with BPDU Guard and Root Guard protects against switching loops and unauthorized topology changes. All security policies are pushed from the Meraki dashboard, ensuring consistent enforcement across every port in the deployment.

The four SFP 1GbE uplink ports on the Cisco MS120-48FP-HW support fiber and copper SFP transceivers for flexible uplink connectivity to distribution switches, routers, or WAN edge devices. Virtual stacking via the Meraki dashboard allows configuration changes — including VLAN assignments, QoS policies, and port profiles — to be applied across multiple stacked switches simultaneously without physical stacking cables or dedicated stacking hardware.

Eight dedicated QoS queues prioritize voice, video, and data traffic independently, ensuring latency-sensitive applications including VoIP and video conferencing maintain consistent quality even during peak network utilization. The 1U rack-mountable chassis includes integrated mounting brackets, a fixed internal power supply, and a dedicated RJ-45 management port for out-of-band access.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: MS120-48FP-HW
• Series: Cisco Meraki MS120
• Switch Type: Cloud-managed Layer 2 Access Switch
• RJ-45 Ports: 48 x 10/100/1000BASE-T PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at, up to 30W per port) SFP Uplink Ports: 4 x 1GbE SFP
• Management Port: 1 x RJ-45 dedicated management
• Switching Capacity: 104 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 77.38 Mpps
• PoE Power Budget: 740W total
• MAC Address Table: 32,000 entries
• QoS Queues: 8 dedicated queues
• Layer 2 Features: IEEE 802.1Q VLANs, Rapid STP (802.1w), LACP (802.3ad), IGMP Snooping, LLDP, CDP, DHCP Snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection
• Security: 802.1X/MAB/Hybrid authentication, IPv4/IPv6 ACLs, BPDU Guard, Root Guard, port security
• Management: Cisco Meraki Cloud Dashboard, SNMP, virtual stacking
• Power: Fixed internal AC power supply, 37W idle / 908W maximum
• Input Voltage: 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz
• Form Factor: 1U rack-mountable
• GTIN: 810979017912
• MPN: MS120-48FP-HW
• End of Support: March 28, 2030

USE CASES

Enterprise Branch and Campus Networks: The Cisco MS120-48FP-HW is purpose-built for enterprise access layer deployment in branch offices and campus buildings where high PoE density, consistent security policy enforcement, and centralized management are required. The 740W PoE budget supports full deployment of Wi-Fi 6 access points and IP phones across an entire office floor from a single switch, while Meraki cloud management eliminates the need for on-site IT staff at remote locations.

Education: Schools, colleges, and universities deploy the Cisco MS120-48FP-HW in classroom buildings and administrative wings to provide managed wired connectivity alongside Meraki wireless infrastructure. The switch’s deep integration with Meraki access points enables unified wired and wireless policy management — including guest network segmentation, application visibility, and bandwidth controls — from a single dashboard. BPDU Guard and Root Guard protect the campus switching topology against unauthorized changes.

Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals and clinics use the Cisco MS120-48FP-HW to power and connect IP nurse call systems, wireless access points, clinical workstations, and IP surveillance cameras from a single access layer switch. 802.1X authentication ensures only authorized medical devices connect to clinical VLANs, while DHCP snooping and DAI protect the network integrity of environments where device security is a regulatory requirement.

Retail and Hospitality: Multi-site retail chains and hotel groups rely on the Cisco MS120-48FP-HW for consistent, centrally managed branch networking across tens or hundreds of locations. Zero-touch provisioning allows new stores to be networked without dispatching IT staff, and the Meraki dashboard provides real-time visibility into network health, connected devices, and traffic patterns across every location simultaneously.

WHY BUY FROM JAZZ CYBER SHIELD

Jazz Cyber Shield ( jazzcybershield.com ) is a trusted IT hardware reseller serving enterprise, education, healthcare, and government buyers across the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. Every Cisco MS120-48FP-HW sold through Jazz Cyber Shield is sourced through authorized channels, ensuring genuine Cisco hardware and full eligibility for Cisco warranty and support services.

Our networking specialists provide pre-sale guidance on Meraki licensing requirements, PoE budget planning, and deployment architecture to ensure the MS120-48FP-HW fits your specific network environment and scale. We support single-unit purchases and large multi-site deployments with volume pricing and dedicated account management.

Browse our full range of Cisco Meraki network switches ( jazzcybershield.com/switches/cisco-meraki ) to compare the MS120-48FP-HW against other Meraki MS120 and MS130 series models for your deployment requirements.

For the official Cisco Meraki MS120-48FP product page and full datasheet, visit the manufacturer’s site ( https://meraki.cisco.com/product/switches/access-switches/ms120-48fp/ ).

FAQS

Q: Does the Cisco MS120-48FP-HW require a Meraki license to operate?

A: Yes. The Cisco MS120-48FP-HW is hardware-only and requires a separate Cisco Meraki Enterprise License to activate cloud management features. Without an active license, the switch cannot be managed through the Meraki dashboard. Licenses are sold on a per-device, per-year subscription basis and are available in 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 7-year terms.

Q: What is the total PoE power budget and how many devices can be powered simultaneously?

A: The Cisco MS120-48FP-HW provides a 740W total PoE+ power budget across all 48 ports. Each port supports up to 30W via IEEE 802.3at. The number of simultaneously powered devices depends on individual device power draw — for example, 48 access points drawing 15W each would consume 720W, keeping all ports active simultaneously within the budget.

Q: Is the Cisco MS120-48FP-HW still available for purchase given its End-of-Sale status?

A: The MS120-48FP-HW reached End-of-Sale on March 28, 2025, meaning Cisco no longer manufactures new units. The End-of-Support date is March 28, 2030, so existing deployments continue to receive Meraki cloud updates, security patches, and Cisco TAC support through that date. Stock availability depends on reseller inventory at time of purchase.

Q: Can the Cisco MS120-48FP-HW be managed without internet access?

A: The MS120-48FP-HW is designed for cloud-managed operation and requires internet connectivity to the Meraki cloud for full functionality including configuration changes, firmware updates, and real-time monitoring. Basic Layer 2 forwarding continues if cloud connectivity is temporarily lost, but configuration changes and dashboard visibility require an active internet connection and valid Meraki license.