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reviewer1520013 - PeerSpot reviewer
Director of Product Management at a engineering company with 11-50 employees
Real User
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.

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches
January 2025
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Catalyst Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2025.
831,265 professionals have used our research since 2012.

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 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.
PeerSpot user
PeerSpot user
Telecommunication Department Head at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Reasonably priced with good routing capabilities but needs to be more stable
Pros and Cons
  • "The installation process is very straightforward."
  • "We would like the solution to be more stable."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is primarily used for getting network switching and routing for the telephone exchange here.

What is most valuable?

The solution is rather inexpensive.

The product has very good routing capabilities.

The installation process is very straightforward.

What needs improvement?

We would like the solution to be more stable.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for about five years or so. It's been a while. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution's stability is questionable. It's something they could work on. It would be ideal if it had better performance and reliability.

How are customer service and technical support?

I've bever dealt directly with technical support as everything so far has been fine. We haven't had any issues or required any assistance so far.

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

We previously used Huawei switches, however, we do not use them anymore. We have completely moved away from them.

How was the initial setup?

We have found that the installation process isn't overly complex or difficult. It was pretty straightforward and simple for us. We didn't face any complexity issues. 

For every switch, it took a few hours to be adjusted and managed.

We only needed one technical person for deployment and maintenance.

What about the implementation team?

We had a manager that was able to handle the initial setup. We didn't hire any consultants or integrators.

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

We found the product to be reasonably priced. It's not too expensive.

We do not pay a licensing fee to use the product.

What other advice do I have?

We use various versions of the solutions, including versions 12 and 15X.

I'd rate the solution at a seven out of ten. We're mostly happy with the product.

I'd recommend the solution to other users and companies. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches
January 2025
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Catalyst Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2025.
831,265 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1016370 - PeerSpot reviewer
System Administrator at a computer software company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Helps us connect drivers and desktops, the expandability provides flexibility
Pros and Cons
  • "A very expandable solution."
  • "The switches could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

My primary use case of this solution is for connecting up drivers and desktops. I'm a system administrator and we're a customer of Cisco. 

What is most valuable?

I like the expandability of the solution. I have a pair of 6509 catalyst switches and they use the add on boards. I also like the dual power supplies. 

What needs improvement?

We are not working off the latest version so the switches on the product are very old and that could be improved. The one gig boards are strictly one gig and not backward compatible. This switch also does not have power over ethernet, so that's old.  

I'd like to see a better web interface. I can't tell you what the existing generations have so I'm sure there have been improvements. These are so old and I'm sure modern switches now have much better tools to interface with them.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this solution for over 10 years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's clearly very stable, otherwise we wouldn't be using it anymore. The fact that we still use it shows how stable it is. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

That switch was very scalable because itwas one of the ones that had nine slots in it. So it could have additional boards within.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was fairly straightforward but we're not doing anything fancy with it.

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

We're not paying maintenance - these switches were end of life years ago. Maintenance is separate from licensing. Now there is no additional monthly recurring cost on the Cisco switches that we are running.

What other advice do I have?

This solution has been good to us, it's very solid.

I would rate this solution a nine out of 10. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
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.
PeerSpot user
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
PeerSpot user
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
PeerSpot user
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.
PeerSpot user
PeerSpot user
Team Leader Presales at a comms service provider with 51-200 employees
Real User
Easy to use with good pricing and a simple installation process
Pros and Cons
  • "The pricing is quite good."
  • "The delivery dates need to be more expedient."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution for the virtualization infrastructure and for bare metal platforms.

What is most valuable?

We are satisfied with the solution's performance so far.

The stability has been perfect.

The solution can scale.

It is a very easy solution to use.

We have found the installation process to be very simple. 

The pricing is quite good.

What needs improvement?

The delivery dates need to be more expedient. This could be improved. Right now, when we need to buy a new Cisco Switch, we may have to wait a few months. It could be as much as six months sometimes. It's far too long of a wait.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for a few years at this point. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

So far, the solution has been very stable. The performance is excellent. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of the solution is quite good. If a company needs to expand, it can do so.

We have hundreds of users that are leveraging this product.

At the moment, we do not have plans to increase usage.

How are customer service and support?

We've never contacted technical support in the past. I can't speak to how helpful or responsive they are. 

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

A very, very long time ago we used HP Brocade Switches. W removed over to Cisco mostly due to the fact that there is a very rich knowledge base over the internet. Also, the implementation is pretty straightforward and the commands are pretty easy to follow. 

How was the initial setup?

When it comes to the initial setup, the solution is very simple and straightforward. It's not overly complex or difficult.

How much time it takes depends on the configuration, specifically the complexity of the configuration for the Cisco Switch. Most of the time, a few days are enough for any configuration.

Two engineers are enough in terms of handling the initial setup.

What about the implementation team?

We were able to set up the solution ourselves, in-house. It's not a complex process, and therefore, we did not need outside help from integrators or consultants.

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

There is a license that is paid with the Switch when you are buying the Switch.

It's reasonably priced.

What other advice do I have?

I'm not sure if we are using the latest version of the solution, although we are often handling product updates.

I'd rate the solution 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.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Cisco Catalyst Switches Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: January 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Cisco Catalyst Switches Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.