When it comes to Cisco Catalyst Switches, one can say that the legacy switches are stable. We have been using them for so long and there are many who feel comfortable with their use. This can vary with the business size, some being entry, medium or enterprise level, which means its use is geared towards every level.
Stable legacy switches with increasingly good performance
Pros and Cons
- "When it comes to Cisco Catalyst Switches, one can say that the legacy switches are stable."
- "All other modules have comparatively many more functions or power than regular Catalyst switches."
What is most valuable?
What needs improvement?
All other modules have comparatively many more functions or power than regular Catalyst switches.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Cisco Catalyst Switches since the outset, for more than 20 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Being legacy switches, Catalyst switches are stable. We have been using them for many years and there are many who are comfortable with their use.
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Cisco Catalyst Switches
November 2024
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Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Nexus, which uses NX-OS, runs on a different operating system than CatOS, which means that the latter tends to run on OS - just like a Cisco router - only with the functioning being a bit different. While NX-OS is very different, even when it comes to the command line, most things are the same.
However, NX-OS already introduced a different concept, which is more like a carrier level. They have a dedicated command management module. All other modules have comparatively many more functions or power than regular Catalyst switches.
What other advice do I have?
Catalyst is a legacy system and we are already utilizing the 9000 series, including 9200, 9300 and 9800 for different use scenarios. As Catalyst covers all levels and areas, I cannot think of anything needing improvement. It is getting to be very good, performance-wise, at the moment.
We are talking about a network portion. Catalyst and Nexus switches are all part of the network domain.
I rate Cisco Catalyst Switches as a nine-point-five out of ten, since it is a great, albeit imperfect, product.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Engineer at a retailer with 10,001+ employees
Easy to use, flexible, and simple to set up
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is extremely flexible."
- "The solution is expensive. They should work on their pricing model to try to make it more affordable for customers."
What is our primary use case?
We pretty much use the solution primarily for everything that connects to a network. For example, we use it for user work stations or some endpoint equipment.
What is most valuable?
The solution is quite stable.
We've found the product to be very easy to use.
The solution is extremely flexible.
You can scale the solution by simply adding another device.
The solution is very easy to set up.
What needs improvement?
The solution is expensive. They should work on their pricing model to try to make it more affordable for customers.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for more than a year at this point. It hasn't been too long.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We haven't had any issues with the stability. It doesn't crash or freeze. There aren't bugs or glitches. It's been good. It's a reliable product so far.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is not stackable. To gain any kind of scalability with the solution is just about adding another 2960 Catalyst device. IN that sense, you can scale it however you like.
In our organization, we have about 3,000 users on the solution.
How are customer service and technical support?
I've never contacted technical support and therefore I can't speak to how knowledgeable or responsive they are.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I did use Ubiquiti switches at one point in time, however, they were not enterprise-level products. They were more designed for small or medium-sized organizations. It's hard to compare the two.
How was the initial setup?
The installation of the solution is not complex. The implementation is very, very straightforward. If you have a prepared configuration, a basic configuration, for example, it takes about, 10 minutes to configure the switch. Installation is just plugging power into it, and connecting it. It's very easy. You don't need to be too technical.
We had three people that handled deployment and maintenance.
We do plan to increase usage. We bought some more devices at the end of last year. We're just waiting for them to arrive. It's my understanding that the 2960-Plus is going out of sale this year. Therefore, we'll have to find some replacement series if we want to buy more switches.
What about the implementation team?
I've handled the installation myself. I did not need the assistance of anyone. We didn't need to hire consultants or integrators.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is a bit expensive.
What other advice do I have?
We use the Catalyst Series 2960 or the 2960-Plus and some L3 switches for distribution-level switches, such as the 3850, which are out of sale and at end-of-life now. We're using the current versions of the solution for the most part.
I'd recommend the solution to other organizations.
Overall, I would rate it at a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Catalyst Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Technical Specialist at Wipro Technologies
A robust solution and it enables us to bring the network up in a very short time
Pros and Cons
- "The most important features are that Cisco is one of the most robust switches, it is easy to configure, and the documentation is pretty good."
- "One feature that I would like to add is for the following: At times, when I add an access-list for a hostname, it doesn't actually add the hostname, it adds the IP address. So in the back-end, if my server changes the IP address I have to go in manually and change the IP address. If the capability was there in Cisco to add a hostname instead of the IP address that would be really good."
What is our primary use case?
We use it for connecting the users on the network. The performance has been good.
How has it helped my organization?
I've used other switches as well but, when configuring Catalyst, we are able to bring the network up in a very short time. If the company wants to extend the network or wants to get some new users on board, the usage is pretty fast and, in no time, it gets moving. For other switches, it might take some time for us to do research and get the system online. So it provides business benefits. The users don't have to wait to get on the network.
What is most valuable?
Cisco is one of the most robust switches, it is easy to configure, and the documentation is pretty good. Once you install it, you never face an issue with that switch.
What needs improvement?
One feature that I would like to add is for the following: At times, when I add an access list for a hostname, it doesn't actually add the hostname, it adds the IP address. So in the back-end, if my server changes the IP address, I have to go in manually and change the IP address. If the capability was there in Cisco to add a hostname instead of the IP address that would be really good.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's a pretty stable product. Once you install it in the network, it keeps running without any issues. You just install it and forget it.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's scalable. If you want to install more switches it's pretty easy to pull up a wire, configure the new switch, and connect it to the network. It starts and you won't have to worry if the other switches will be compatible with it or not. In a multi-vendor environment as well, if you want to more switches, it works pretty well.
How is customer service and technical support?
Tech support is good. The response has been good.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is pretty straightforward. There is a guide, as well as support, on the internet. We just follow it. A person who is doing it for the first time can just follow it and get it installed.
What other advice do I have?
I would definitely have colleagues go for Cisco Catalyst. It's a pretty good product, stable, and reliable.
Most important when selecting a vendor are that the connection should be stable, it should have good support, and it should not be really complex to configure.
I would rate Cisco Catalyst at nine out of 10. The one point I'm leaving is for the improvement I spoke about. There is always room for improvement. Cisco Catalyst is pretty good. I have never faced any issues or challenges with it.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Service integrator.
Co- Founder at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
The online support available for the tool is good, but it can be difficult to understand the functioning of the solution
Pros and Cons
- "The benefit of the tool is that it is a stable product."
- "There are multiple operating systems across Cisco's portfolio, which is problematic."
What is our primary use case?
I use the tool in my company for spine and leaf architectures and to deploy new data centers.
How has it helped my organization?
The benefit of the tool is that it is a stable product. You can find enough expertise in the market to hire someone for help if required. Cisco's technical support is great.
What is most valuable?
Cisco Catalyst Switches offer familiarity with operating systems. The operational knowledge that I have gained after working with Cisco for around ten to twelve years is the sole reason I prefer it. The stability in the operations that I get with Cisco Catalyst Switches, the support it offers to users through the articles available over the internet, and the expertise related to the tool available in the market are good.
What needs improvement?
There are multiple operating systems across Cisco's portfolio, which is problematic. Cisco's firewall has some different operating systems, while Cisco's routers have a different operating system, so you might need to have people with different expertise, and the learning curve might be a little high as compared to other network providers, which might have common operating systems across different types of devices.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Catalyst Switches for ten to twelve years. Currently, I'm not working with Cisco. I have my own startup organization where I provide services related to networking devices.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable solution. I have no complaints about the tool's stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is a scalable solution.
Around 100 people in my company use the tool.
How are customer service and support?
I have experience with the solution's technical support. I found Cisco's support team to be one of the best in the industry.
I rate the overall tool a seven and a half out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
How was the initial setup?
It doesn't take much time to set up any Cisco device, but again, it depends on how comfortable you are with the tool. From my personal viewpoint, Cisco Catalyst Switches are pretty much easy to set up.
The product's deployment phase initially starts with a discovery and a design workshop. After that, our company mostly automates a lot of stuff based on the design and discovery workshop, where we come up with some artifacts with respect to configuration, and then we leverage some automation tools to deploy it.
The solution is deployed on an on-premises model.
Depending on the size of the deployment, around eight to ten people are required from an operation standpoint, and not more than two people are required to manage the deployment process.
What about the implementation team?
The solution can be deployed with help from an in-house team.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The licenses are definitely expensive. There is a need to make annual payments towards the subscription or licensing costs attached to the solution.
What other advice do I have?
Before a user picks up any product or solution, due diligence should be followed. Though Cisco offers many services, features, and functionalities, better solutions might be available in the market. If users need only ten features, it is better to choose a solution that offers only ten features rather than opting for something like Cisco, which offers over a hundred features, making it an expensive product.
I rate the overall tool a seven and a half out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Administrator at Letshego
Scalable solution used for long connections
Pros and Cons
- "We haven't needed to contact technical support because we haven't had any issues so far."
- "Stability could be better."
What is our primary use case?
We use the solution for long connections. It is deployed on-prem.
We're using seven Cisco devices in the head office.
What needs improvement?
The stability could be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for about three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's stable, but it could be better.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
How are customer service and support?
We haven't needed to contact technical support because we haven't had any issues so far.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously, we used Fortinet.
What about the implementation team?
We integrated the solution ourselves.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution 8 out of 10.
I would recommend these switches for those who want to start using them.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Director of Product Management at a engineering company with 11-50 employees
Reliable, good scalability, and easy to configure through the command-line interface
Pros and Cons
- "One of the most valuable features is the MatchBox Switch."
- "They need to simplify the Web GUI and make it easier to use, and more intuitive for the users."
What is our primary use case?
I use this solution for AV, Audio-Video applications, over IP solutions. It's to forward Audio-Video IP packets based on the ITMP protocol. I also needed a POE port to power the transmitters and receivers.
What is most valuable?
One of the most valuable features is the MatchBox Switch.
What needs improvement?
I used to use the CLI, the command line, but some users may want to use the Web GUI.
They need to simplify the Cisco 2960 Web GUI control, but not the entire version or the functionality for the Web GUI control.
IT people will most often use the CLI to configure the Cisco Switch.
They need to simplify the Web GUI and make it easier to use, and more intuitive for the users.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have more than ten years of experience working with Cisco Switches.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's stable. The Catalyst Switches are reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is good.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have not contacted Cisco technical support.
There are several training videos available on YouTube.
If you Google, you can very easily gather material or training videos on how to configure the Cisco switch.
The Cisco website itself is too complicated for the user and there are too many things on it. If the users are not familiar with Cisco, it's very difficult to find useful information on the Cisco website.
In general, I don't use the Cisco website. I just Google the Cisco user manual or training video on YouTube to learn how to configure some features.
How was the initial setup?
If you are familiar with the Cisco Switch, it is pretty straightforward to configure it using the CLI.
If you are not familiar, in general, you will use the Web GUI.
What other advice do I have?
There are several YouTube videos available to help configure the Cisco switches. It is very easy to configure them.
I would rate Cisco Catalyst Switches and eight out of ten. It's a pretty good switch.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IT Operations Section Head at Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation
Enterprise-grade networking switches that are stable and scalable
Pros and Cons
- "I like everything about Cisco Catalyst Switches. It's both stable and scalable."
- "The price could be better. For Cisco, there is no need for improvement except for the price. It's expensive."
What is our primary use case?
We use Cisco Catalyst Switches for the local area network.
What is most valuable?
I like everything about Cisco Catalyst Switches. It's both stable and scalable.
What needs improvement?
The price could be better. For Cisco, there is no need for improvement except for the price. It's expensive.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Cisco Catalyst Switches for about ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Cisco Catalyst Switches are scalable. We have about 1,300 users.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support was okay.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup and installation were straightforward. For configuration, it took around ten minutes. For the maintenance, we have two network administrators—just two personnel.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's expensive.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to new users.
On a scale from one to ten, I would give Cisco Catalyst Switches a ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Security Coordinator at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees
The 802.1X port security works well and helps keep the network secure
Pros and Cons
- "The 802.1X port security and other security features work well and help keep the network secure."
- "The CLI is pretty much the same across all switching and routing platforms from Cisco, making deployment of new switches, replacement of damaged equipment, or upgrades to newer platforms very easy."
What is our primary use case?
Access layer Switches. VLAN Segmentation, Inter-VLAN and LAN Routing. 802.1X network access device.
How has it helped my organization?
This platform has enabled reliable connectivity across the entire campus network. Great performance and stability ensure that the network is available where you need it. The 802.1X port security and other security features work well and help keep the network secure. PoE helped us deploy WLAN APs, security cameras, and IP phones with minimal cabling.
What is most valuable?
- Very stable and dependable switches.
- The wide range of features will be enough for almost any LAN environment.
- The CLI is pretty much the same across all switching and routing platforms from Cisco, making deployment of new switches, replacement of damaged equipment, or upgrades to newer platforms very easy.
What needs improvement?
I have found no major drawbacks in the Catalyst platforms. The price is high, but for seemingly the best LAN switching platform available, coupled with Cisco's excellent support, the price doesn't seem to be too much.
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No issues with stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No issues with scalability.
How is customer service and technical support?
Technical support is the best I have worked with.
How was the initial setup?
Basic switching functionality works out-of-the-box, as with any other switch. Complexity will depend on the task at hand, but if you're familiar with the Cisco CLI you should have no problem finding your way.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing of Cisco equipment is high, but I think these switches are worth the price.
What other advice do I have?
I have been working with Catalyst switches for 10 years. Cisco support is among the best there is. Use it.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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