That's a problem. Running unsupported hardware means no security patches, no Cisco TAC support, and no official replacement parts. If your network gets audited, an EOL switch can also create compliance headaches in regulated industries.
This guide breaks down the exact EOL and EOSL milestones for the WS-C3560-24PS-S, what each one means for your network, and the practical options available — including refurbished replacements.
Key Takeaways
- End-of-Sale (last day to order) was July 5, 2010
- Last Date of Support (EOSL) was July 31, 2015
- No software patches, bug fixes, or Cisco TAC hardware support remain available
- Cisco's replacement path leads to the 3560-X, 3560-CX, or Catalyst 9200/9300 series
- Refurbished WS-C3560-24PS-S units and replacements remain available through Terabit Systems and other resellers
WS-C3560-24PS-S End-of-Life Milestones and Dates
Cisco's lifecycle policy follows a defined sequence of milestones. Each milestone tells you what you can still buy, renew, or support.
What Each Milestone Actually Means
- End-of-Life Announcement: Cisco tells the market a product is being discontinued
- End-of-Sale: Last day you can order a new unit through Cisco or authorized channels
- End of SW Maintenance Releases: Final date for bug fixes and maintenance software updates
- End of Service Contract Renewal: Last date to renew or extend an active service contract
- Last Date of Support (LDOS): The final day Cisco provides any support at all, including TAC cases and replacement parts
WS-C3560-24PS-S Milestone Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| EOL Announcement | January 4, 2010 |
| End-of-Sale (last order date) | July 5, 2010 |
| End of SW Maintenance Releases | July 4, 2013 |
| End of Service Contract Renewal | September 30, 2014 |
| Last Date of Support (LDOS) | July 31, 2015 |
This schedule comes directly from Cisco's original end-of-life bulletin covering the 3560 and 3750 24/48-port 10/100 switch families. Note that Cisco's bulletin doesn't list a separate "End of Vulnerability/Security Support" date for this family. Don't treat the software maintenance date as a security cutoff.
EOL vs. EOSL: Why the Distinction Matters
EOL is Cisco's internal lifecycle term for its own sale and support timeline. EOSL (End of Service Life) is broader industry shorthand for the point where all support avenues — manufacturer and third-party — become harder to find.
Cisco's LDOS (July 31, 2015) ended Cisco's support obligation. It did not make spare parts disappear overnight.
Third-party maintenance providers and resellers like Terabit Systems can still supply working units and spares years after LDOS. That post-LDOS window is the EOSL runway—and the figure that matters when you decide how long to keep the gear in service.
Is the Cisco 3560 End-of-Life?
Yes. The entire non-X Catalyst 3560 series, including the 24PS-S, has been EOL since 2015. If you're searching this exact question because you found one running in your rack, you have your answer.
The Real Operational Risks
Running EOL switches isn't just a paperwork issue:
- No firmware or security updates — any newly discovered vulnerability in the IOS image stays unpatched forever
- Growing exposure over time — as more CVEs surface across the IOS codebase, an EOL switch becomes a bigger target
- No OEM RMA or repair option — if hardware fails, Cisco won't replace it under any contract
- No TAC case support — you're on your own for troubleshooting
Compliance and Audit Risk
Regulated industries feel this most acutely. Finance, healthcare, and government contractors often face specific expectations around patchable, supportable infrastructure. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 calls for replacing components when vendor support is unavailable — unless the organization documents an alternative support source.
EOL hardware alone isn't an automatic compliance violation. Auditors want to see that you've identified the exposure, considered compensating controls, and have a plan — not that you're pretending the switch doesn't exist.
Is the WS-C3560-24PS-S a Layer 3 Switch?
Yes, with a caveat. The 3560 series ships as a multilayer switch, meaning Layer 3 routing capability depends on the software image installed:
- IP Base (SMI) — basic routing and static routes
- IP Services (EMI) — full dynamic routing protocols and advanced Layer 3 features
Cisco documents that the 3560-24PS-S hardware supports both image types, and you can upgrade from basic to advanced routing.
If you use this switch for inter-VLAN routing today, verify which image is installed before assuming your replacement needs the same feature set. Some 9200-series and 3560-CX successors handle Layer 3 differently. Confirm before you buy.
Your Options After End-of-Life: What to Do Next
You've got four realistic paths forward. None of them is wrong. The right choice depends on your risk tolerance and budget.
- Keep running with third-party maintenance (TPM) support. Source spare and replacement units from suppliers like Terabit Systems to keep an existing deployment running without a full network refresh.
- Migrate to Cisco's official replacement path. Move to the 3560-X, 3560-CX, or newer Catalyst 9200/9300 series for current support and security patching, at a higher upfront cost.
- Buy refurbished or pre-owned units as a stopgap. Use them for labs, non-critical segments, or as a bridge while you plan a larger migration, usually at a fraction of new-equipment pricing.
- Offload retiring units through asset recovery. If you're pulling 3560-24PS-S switches at scale, recovered value can help fund the upgrade.
How Terabit Systems Fits In
Every unit that moves through Terabit Systems goes through a 5-step quality assurance and testing process before it's listed for sale. That includes the 3560 series parts still in demand for spares and lab builds.
Purchases carry a 1-year "Bullet Proof" warranty. If a defective unit shows up within that window, you get a no-cost replacement or a refund/credit up to the original purchase price.
For legacy hardware, that year of coverage reduces the risk of buying used gear without a safety net.
Businesses retiring 3560-24PS-S units at scale can also use Terabit's asset recovery program, including a free audit of surplus gear, to recoup some value while funding the next phase of their network refresh.
Should You Upgrade or Keep Running Your 3560-24PS-S?
There's no universal answer. Weigh immediate replacement cost against your tolerance for running unsupported gear in production.
Continued use makes sense when:
- The switch sits in a non-critical, air-gapped, or lab/test environment
- You've got a spares strategy in place to handle hardware failure
- The cost of full replacement isn't justified by the risk profile of that segment
Immediate replacement makes more sense when:
- The switch touches regulated data or sits in a compliance-scoped segment
- You can't document compensating controls for the missing security patches
- Hardware age is already causing reliability issues
A phased approach usually beats an all-or-nothing decision:
- Inventory and classify: Identify which 3560-24PS-S units are critical vs. non-critical
- Source refurbished spares: Keep critical segments running with tested, warranty-backed units while you plan the upgrade
- Budget for gradual replacement: Move to 9200/9300-series gear on a schedule that fits your capital cycle, not a panic-driven one
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cisco 3560 end-of-life?
Yes. The Last Date of Support was July 31, 2015. No Cisco TAC support or security updates are available for the 3560 (non-X) series today.
Is 3560 a layer 3 switch?
The 3560 series supports Layer 3 routing depending on the software image installed (IP Base or IP Services). This applies to the 24PS-S model as well.
What replaces the Cisco WS-C3560-24PS-S?
Cisco's official successors are the 3560-X and 3560-CX. For a longer-term platform, the Catalyst 9200 and 9300 series are the recommended upgrade path.
Can I still buy a WS-C3560-24PS-S today?
Cisco no longer sells it, but refurbished units are available through resellers like Terabit Systems, tested and backed by a 1-year warranty.
What happens if I keep using EOL Cisco switches?
You lose access to security patches and official repair or RMA, and you may face compliance scrutiny. Third-party maintenance support can reduce some of that risk.
How much can I save buying a refurbished Cisco switch instead of new?
Refurbished units often cost a fraction of new list price, depending on condition and configuration. Request a quote from Terabit Systems for pricing on your specific model.
