Cisco C1200-8FP-2G 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart Switch with 2G Combo Uplinks

Cisco C1200-8FP-2G is a compact Gigabit Ethernet PoE+ smart switch designed for small and medium-sized businesses, branch offices, retail networks, surveillance deployments, and IP telephony applications. As part of the Cisco Catalyst 1200 Series, it combines 8 Gigabit PoE+ Ethernet ports with 2 Gigabit RJ-45/SFP combo uplinks, providing a flexible solution for connecting powered devices and upstream network infrastructure.

The switch supports IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at PoE+, with a total 120W PoE power budget across its eight PoE-capable ports. Each port can deliver up to 30W when sufficient power budget is available, making the C1200-8FP-2G suitable for IP phones, wireless access points, IP cameras, and other PoE-enabled devices.

With 20 Gbps switching capacity and a 14.88 Mpps forwarding rate, the C1200-8FP-2G provides wire-speed, nonblocking Gigabit switching for everyday business traffic. It also supports VLANs, QoS, STP/RSTP/MSTP, LACP, IGMP snooping, ACLs, 802.1X, and other network management and security functions.

The two Gigabit combo ports can be used as either copper RJ-45 or SFP interfaces, allowing organizations to choose copper or fiber connectivity according to their network topology. This makes the C1200-8FP-2G a practical choice for access-layer networks requiring both PoE connectivity and flexible uplinks.

Cisco's official documentation confirms the 8 PoE+ ports, 2 Gigabit combo ports, 120W PoE budget, 20 Gbps switching capacity, 14.88 Mpps forwarding rate, and 268 * 185 * 44 mm dimensions.

The official Cisco datasheet lists the C1200-8FP-2G as a rack-mountable model with 8 Gigabit PoE+ ports and 2 Gigabit copper/SFP combo ports.

The C1200-8FP-2G provides eight 10/100/1000BASE-T PoE+ ports for connecting devices such as:

• IP cameras
• Wireless access points
• VoIP phones
• Network access devices
• PoE-enabled IoT equipment

Its 120W PoE budget provides additional capacity compared with lower-power 8-port PoE models.

The two 1G combo interfaces support RJ-45 copper or SFP connectivity, allowing users to select the appropriate uplink medium for their network.

This is particularly useful when connecting the switch to another access switch, aggregation switch, router, or fiber infrastructure.

With 20 Gbps switching capacity and 14.88 Mpps forwarding performance, the C1200-8FP-2G is designed to handle Gigabit access traffic without creating a switching bottleneck.

The Catalyst 1200 platform supports features such as VLAN, QoS, LACP, STP/RSTP/MSTP, IGMP snooping, ACLs, 802.1X, and other network management capabilities. These features allow administrators to segment traffic, prioritize applications, improve network availability, and enhance access security.

The C1200-8FP-2G uses a fanless design, making it suitable for environments where low acoustic noise is important, including offices, retail locations, classrooms, and small equipment rooms.

Which should you choose?
If your deployment includes multiple access points, IP cameras, VoIP phones, or other PoE devices, the C1200-8FP-2G is generally the better choice because its 120W PoE budget provides significantly more available power. The C1200-8P-E-2G is more suitable when the connected PoE devices require less total power.

For networks requiring PoE-powered endpoints, the C1200-8FP-2G provides a clear advantage. If all endpoints have their own power supplies, the non-PoE C1200-8T-E-2G may be sufficient.

Small Business Networks
Connect computers, printers, phones, wireless access points, and other network devices through a compact Gigabit access switch.

IP Surveillance
Use the eight PoE+ ports to connect IP cameras while reducing the need for individual power adapters.

Wireless LAN Deployment
Power compatible wireless access points directly through Ethernet cabling.

VoIP Networks
Provide both network connectivity and PoE power for IP phones.

Branch Offices
The compact form factor and flexible combo uplinks make the C1200-8FP-2G suitable for branch-office access-layer deployments.

Retail and Commercial Networks
Support POS systems, cameras, access points, phones, and other Ethernet devices from a centralized access switch.

The Cisco C1200-8FP-2G is a Cisco Catalyst 1200 Series Gigabit PoE+ smart switch with eight 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports and two 1G RJ-45/SFP combo ports.

The switch has a total 120W PoE power budget across its eight PoE+ ports. Individual ports can provide up to 30W when sufficient overall power budget is available.

Yes. It has two 1G RJ-45/SFP combo ports, allowing either copper RJ-45 or compatible Gigabit SFP connectivity.

Yes. Its eight PoE+ ports can supply power and network connectivity to compatible IP cameras, while VLAN, QoS, and IGMP snooping features can help organize surveillance traffic.

Yes. Cisco lists the C1200-8FP-2G as fanless, which can help reduce acoustic noise in office and commercial environments.

The primary difference is the PoE budget. The C1200-8FP-2G provides 120W, while the C1200-8P-E-2G provides 67W. Both models have eight PoE+ ports and two Gigabit combo uplinks.

Yes. Before purchasing, it is recommended to confirm the required PoE budget, uplink type, software/feature requirements, and deployment environment. For larger deployments, the Catalyst 1200 family also includes 16-, 24-, and 48-port models.