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Consultant at Lifeline IT
Real User
Top 5
Reliable, stable, and provides good performance for its price
Pros and Cons
  • "The product is reliable."
  • "The product could be more user-friendly."

What is most valuable?

The product is reliable. The performance is good.

What needs improvement?

The product could be more user-friendly. The tool is not easy to manage or integrate.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The tool is stable. I rate the stability a nine out of ten. We need to dive into it and know what we're doing. It's not straightforward. We can’t just go to the web GUI and check.

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Cisco Catalyst Switches
March 2025
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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate the tool’s scalability an eight out of ten. We need to know the command lines to expand them. It is not GUI-based. The number of users varies from 100 to 5000. The usage depends on the requirements.

How are customer service and support?

We have to go through a long process. It is not quite straightforward.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We used other solutions before. We chose Cisco because of its reliability. The choice also depends on the cost versus the performance of the solution.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was complex. The deployment takes an hour.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price could be improved. We must have a relevant partnership with Cisco.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I rate the product an eight or 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.

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    Charbel Hajj - PeerSpot reviewer
    Senior Supervisor at MEPEQ
    Real User
    Professional, quick, simple to work with and requires little to no maintenance
    Pros and Cons
    • "With Cisco Catalyst Switches, everything is working perfectly. We have not had issues with this solution."
    • "For the time being, Cisco Catalyst Switches are working well, but they are not PoE switches, which is why we would consider replacing them."

    What is our primary use case?

    Cisco Catalyst Switches is used for large networks with 48 ports for example.

    More than just a few switches on a small scale, they can be used on the main switch of a small or medium-sized business. It is determined by the size. It's heavy-duty, you only need to configure it once, and it'll keep running for several years. We have run it for ten years with no problems.

    What is most valuable?

    With Cisco Catalyst Switches, everything is working perfectly. We have not had issues with this solution. 

    Everything I need is available.

    What needs improvement?

    For the time being, Cisco Catalyst Switches are working well, but they are not PoE switches, which is why we would consider replacing them.

    If I were to change later, I would go with the PoE version.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    We have been using Cisco Catalyst Switches in my company for more than 10 years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    Cisco Catalyst Switches is a stable solution.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    Cisco Catalyst Switches are scalable.

    With the exception of WiFi, we have 40 users connected. We have small switches in some offices, and some users are connected to these small switches via a single cable that leads to the Catalyst.

    Currently, we have no plans to increase our usage.

    How are customer service and support?

    Technical support is easygoing.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We have experience with Cisco and TP-Link.

    How was the initial setup?

    It is easy to implement on the network, and easy to work with. It is not complicated.

    There is little to no maintenance required.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    There are no licensing fees required.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    I was looking for the UniFi switch or access point because it was the first time I heard of it, so I was looking for feedback on it in comparison to TP-Link and Cisco.

    What other advice do I have?

    It's one of the best switches, professional and fast. I would recommend these switches to others who are considering using them.

    I would rate Cisco Catalyst Switches an eight 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.

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      Buyer's Guide
      Cisco Catalyst Switches
      March 2025
      Learn what your peers think about Cisco Catalyst Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
      844,944 professionals have used our research since 2012.
      reviewer1289460 - PeerSpot reviewer
      SOC Expert at a computer software company with 1,001-5,000 employees
      Real User
      Reliable with good security and helpful technical documentation
      Pros and Cons
      • "Its implementation is quite simple as there's good documentation you can reference."
      • "There's a ban on my country and therefore I can't get Cisco support if I need it. It's not allowed."

      What is our primary use case?

      We primarily use the solution for switching. Some devices are used for ethernet connections. Some we're using with our data center. For example, it's what's in use in the data center. It's got quite a few different applications.

      What is most valuable?

      I work in security with various switches and routers, and I find the product, without getting into too much detail, quite secure.

      It's a stable solution.

      We find the product to be scalable.

      The device itself is quite good and reliable.

      The security is very good.

      Its implementation is quite simple as there's good documentation you can reference. 

      What needs improvement?

      The cost of the product is a little high. They should work to lower it a bit.

      There's a ban on my country and therefore I can't get Cisco support if I need it. It's not allowed.

      For how long have I used the solution?

      I've been using the solution for more than 15 years at this point. 

      What do I think about the stability of the solution?

      In terms of stability, the solution has been reliable. We haven't had issues with bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. the performance is pretty good overall.

      What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

      For our purposes, the solution has been scalable. You can expand it if you need to.

      We have more than 1,000 people using the switches. 

      How are customer service and support?

      We tend not to have to worry about dealing directly with technical support. If we run into issues, we tend to reference the technical documentation and that always has included any information we've needed to find the answers we need ourselves. 

      That's important as Cisco does not offer direct support to my country. We are banned from getting support services delivered to us.

      Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

      I'm also familiar with Huawei devices.

      That said, we only really technically deal with Cisco switches.

      How was the initial setup?

      The installation of Cisco is easy. They have great official documentation and have a good design overall which makes it easy for everyone who needs to run the installation.

      It takes about five to ten minutes to install a switch for our technical personnel.

      The team that can deploy and manage the switches include ten to 20. That includes managers and technical support people.

      What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

      The solution can be a bit pricey. That said, I can't speak to exact pricing as a different department handles licensing details. 

      What other advice do I have?

      We are using various versions of the solution. We don't just use one kind. We have many different ones.

      I'm not sure if I would recommend the solution to others. Cisco is a large and technical company. A switch that is just as good with less trouble is Huawei.

      That said, I've had no issues with it and would rate the product at a ten 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.

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        Senior Network Consultant at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
        Real User
        Top 20
        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?

        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. 

        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. 

        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.

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          reviewer1480044 - PeerSpot reviewer
          CEO at a construction company with 11-50 employees
          Real User
          Flexible, user-friendly, stable, and easily set up with the proper training
          Pros and Cons
          • "These switches are flexible and user-friendly."
          • "Installing and configuring these switches requires the proper training."

          What is our primary use case?

          We are a solution provider and Cisco switches are one of the products that we provide to our customers. It is primarily used for datacenter networking.

          What is most valuable?

          These switches are flexible and user-friendly.

          What needs improvement?

          Installing and configuring these switches requires the proper training.

          For how long have I used the solution?

          We have been selling Cisco Catalyst Switches for three years.

          What do I think about the stability of the solution?

          This product has very good stability.

          What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

          The scalability depends on the design, not the product.

          Based on our demand, we will continue supplying these switches to both new and existing clients.

          Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

          We also work with Cisco Nexus switches.

          How was the initial setup?

          The installation is straightforward for somebody who has been trained. Somebody has to have the training to properly configure and work with it. It cannot be used out of the box by somebody who is unfamiliar with the technology.

          The length of time required for deployment depends on the size of the environment and the number of switches.

          What about the implementation team?

          We deploy and maintain this solution for our clients. We have a team of between 12 and 15 engineers.

          What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

          This is an expensive product.

          There are different versions of these switches, where some of them have licenses and some do not. The subscription is often renewed every three years.

          What other advice do I have?

          In summary, this is a good product and I recommend it.

          I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.

          Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

          On-premises
          Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner

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            reviewer1442112 - PeerSpot reviewer
            Product Manager at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
            Reseller
            Good LAN switches with an easy initial setup and good stability
            Pros and Cons
            • "Mostly the LAN switching is the most valuable aspect of the solution."
            • "Cisco applies restrictions in relation to renewals on a yearly basis. Many other brands don't have restrictions. If Cisco lifted them, they wouldn't lose so many clients to competitors."

            What is our primary use case?

            Typically, the solution is used for a client's official network and several times as a replacement. A client may use it to replace the total network LAN switch. 

            What is most valuable?

            Mostly the LAN switching is the most valuable aspect of the solution.

            Clients often do not emphasize specifications of Catalyst features. They just need a switch for an office LAN and other segments. 

            What needs improvement?

            There are several versions of Catalyst, and yet, they are quite similar. If, in the simplest one, they could create a Catalyst segment where all the possibilities like QSFP, SFP, 10G, that would be ideal. MikroTik, a Latvian company, has that as an option. They include 1G and 10G and QSFP all in one switch. Cisco, however, divides it into several switches across these features. Cisco is likely doing it to make money. However, clients sometimes don't want to pay more for the switches and they ignore Cisco and grab other brands like MikroTik. As distributors, it makes it hard to sell Cisco when features come at such a high price. 

            Another issue is the restrictions on the product. Cisco applies restrictions in relation to renewals on a yearly basis. Many other brands don't have restrictions. If Cisco lifted them, they wouldn't lose so many clients to competitors.

            For how long have I used the solution?

            We've been using the solution for a long time. It's been about seven to nine years.

            What do I think about the stability of the solution?

            The product is quite stable. It doesn't crash or freeze and there aren't any bugs or glitches. It's quite reliable.

            What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

            You can scale the solution and you can choose different versions that fit the sizes of a variety of organizations.

            Our clients range in size. Some are smaller organizations. Others are enterprise-level companies.

            How are customer service and technical support?

            We talk with the support that is based in Bangladesh. They have an office in our country and provide support as necessary. We have contracts for one to three years and they provide technical and phone support to us. The support is fine, but it takes time sometimes to get the assistance we require. 

            Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

            As resellers, we work with other solutions, including Huawei, Juniper, MicroTik, and some other brands in China (as well as Cisco).

            Recently, Huawei has been doing good in switching segments. They're bringing some new features that are better than or compete with Cisco, and they are very aggressive in pricing. 

            The problem is they're doing only Enterprise segments. They are not doing SMB.

            How was the initial setup?

            The initial setup isn't too complex. However, we have very well trained technicians that really understand the process. For them, it's easy.

            If our clients request it of us, we can maintain the switches for them after implementation.

            What about the implementation team?

            We can assist our clients with implementation if they request the service.

            What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

            The pricing of Cisco products is quite expensive. Huawei, for example, costs much less.

            There aren't extra costs for additional features. All features are standard.

            What other advice do I have?

            We are resellers and distributors. We're partners with Cisco.

            We use a variety of different versions of the solution, including 3003, 29603, and 9003. Those are three of the most popular. Which we use depends on the client and their particular needs. Sometimes we only resell the product to our clients and sometimes we also provide the solution and install and configure the Catalyst for the clients. It depends on the client's query.

            Overall, I would rate the solution eight out of ten. Overall, our clients have been quite happy with the results they get from Cisco products.

            Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner

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              Deputy Chief Engineer at SYSCOM COMPUTER ENGINEERING CO.
              Real User
              Easy to set up and use, stable, and the support is good
              Pros and Cons
              • "Catalyst switches are easy to use and simple to work with."
              • "I would like to see support for one-touch provisioning."

              What is our primary use case?

              The switches are for network infrastructure in an enterprise.

              What is most valuable?

              Catalyst switches are easy to use and simple to work with.

              What needs improvement?

              I would like to see support for one-touch provisioning.


              By use zero touch provision , We do need a lot of config for system boot and other, That should be improved.


              https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/...

              For how long have I used the solution?

              I have been using Cisco Catalyst Switches for about 20 years.

              What do I think about the stability of the solution?

              The Catalyst Switches are stable.

              What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

              This is a scalable product. We have about 1,000 users.

              How are customer service and technical support?

              The support is amazing, although they could be a little faster.

              Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

              I have not used other similar products.

              How was the initial setup?

              The initial setup is straightforward. The installation takes about 30 minutes per device.

              What about the implementation team?

              I install this product on my own. We have about 10 IT staff who can work with these switches.

              What other advice do I have?

              This is a good product and I recommend it.

              I would rate this solution a ten 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.

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                Raphael Haroun  Ikyagh - PeerSpot reviewer
                Network Administrator at Letshego
                Real User
                Top 5Leaderboard
                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.

                PeerSpot user
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                  Buyer's Guide
                  Download our free Cisco Catalyst Switches Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
                  Updated: March 2025
                  Buyer's Guide
                  Download our free Cisco Catalyst Switches Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
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