We are using this solution as a network LAN switch in a financial company.
Network Administrator
Beneficial conductivity for different devices, stable, and easy installation
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is beneficial for interconnecting POE telephones, computers, printers, and buffering networks."
- "The solution could improve by allowing administrators to create scripts to help automate processes to make tasks easier."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
The solution is beneficial for interconnecting POE telephones, computers, printers, and buffering networks.
What needs improvement?
The solution could improve by allowing administrators to create scripts to help automate processes to make tasks easier.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Switches for approximately eight years and I have been using this particular Cisco Catalyst Switch for six months.
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Cisco Catalyst Switches
December 2024
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Cisco Catalyst Switches are highly scalable.
How are customer service and support?
I have not used technical support from Cisco. However, I have used online documentation that has been helpful.
How was the initial setup?
The installation is easy, the whole process takes approximately one week.
What other advice do I have?
I would advise those to make sure they understand the requirements before they purchase Cisco Catalyst Switches because they are an entry-level solution.
I rate Cisco Catalyst Switches 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.
Network Engeneer at a retailer with 10,001+ employees
Performs really well and has great support, we use it everywhere in our company
Pros and Cons
- "Their technical support is very good. They know what to do and if they don't know what to do, they give me the person who does know."
- "It should have better security and the prices can always be lower. The cheaper the price, the better but if the quality is good, it's worth it. They also have to improve the firewalling."
What is our primary use case?
We use it everywhere in our company. The switches are in our data center and our stores. It performs really well, it's stable. There are some software issues but it's generally good.
What is most valuable?
Cisco support is one of the most valuable features. If you have any problem you can find a lot of information online. If it's a really bad situation, you can have a technician help you.
What needs improvement?
It should have better security and the prices can always be lower. The cheaper the price, the better but if the quality is good, it's worth it. They also have to improve the firewalling.
SP access should be included in the next release.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Stability is perfect.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability will depend on the specific product.
How are customer service and technical support?
Their technical support is very good. They know what to do and if they don't know what to do, they give me the person who does know.
How was the initial setup?
Sometimes we have complex setups and sometimes they're simple.
What about the implementation team?
We implemented with MTS Austria. They were really great. They know what to do.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We also looked at HPE and Juniper.
What other advice do I have?
Look at the pricing. If you can afford it, buy it.
I would rate it a nine out of ten. I like it, it works.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Catalyst Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
824,067 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Founder and Lead Network Consultant at Airowire Networks
Supports external flash disks for storing images and file systems
Pros and Cons
- "A good feature of Cisco Catalyst is that it records crash log files which can be used to literally identify the cause of a crash because there is a lot of information. And Cisco Catalyst supports the use of external flash disks for storing of images and file systems."
- "Currently, Catalyst is completely proprietary with Cisco. They should have programmability options, through open-source controllers."
What is our primary use case?
I was a Support Engineer with Cisco, I used to support customers who were using Cisco Catalyst features.
What is most valuable?
A good feature of Cisco Catalyst is that it records crash log files which can be used to literally identify the cause of a crash because they have a lot of information. And Cisco Catalyst supports the use of external flash disks for storing of images and file systems.
What needs improvement?
Currently, Catalyst is completely proprietary with Cisco. They should have programmability options, through open-source controllers.
Also, some features, are very complex to configure.
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Catalyst is known for its stability, so there are not many challenges there. Of course, they do have a platform that comes with its own set of bugs, and then the bugs get fixed and then there is a new set of bugs. But it's okay. Compared to other products it is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Catalyst is a highly scalable product.
How is customer service and technical support?
Tech support was good in the past but now it is becoming diluted. Cisco used to have a lot of experienced folks, but now their whole process of hiring and training is diluted, so we don't see as much expertise with the TAC engineers as we once did.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Generally, Cisco Catalyst would be relatively expensive compared to the competition, it would be on the expensive side. But I am not involved in the commercial part.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
There are a lot of options when it comes to switching products. Brocade offers good switches, HPE offers a very affordable set of switches. But the purchase decision depends on a lot of factors. Primarily, Cisco provides an end-to-end solution, all aspects of networking, from UIP to security to wireless to servers. That factor plays into it.
What other advice do I have?
I would give this solution an eight out of 10. To get to a 10, it should become more open-source friendly, more customizable, easy to configure, and less complex in terms of the licensing.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Head of Development at a tech vendor
Network has increased stability, security, and usability
Pros and Cons
- "If we lose some network connections, the system automatically creates new connections between equipment."
- "It has the ability to create new services for users, such as IP phones and video conference."
- "We decreased budgets on the support corporate network and increased user satisfaction."
- "Needs to improve cloud services and mobile software."
What is our primary use case?
- Corporate network
- IP phones
- Video conference
- Security
- Connecting branches with corporate network
How has it helped my organization?
Network has increased stability, security, and usability. Cisco Catalyst has the ability to create new services for users, such as IP phones and video conference. We decreased budgets on the support corporate network and increased user satisfaction.
What is most valuable?
- Flexible deployment: We can add new network segments without hard work.
- Stability: If we lose some network connections, the system automatically creates new connections between equipment.
What needs improvement?
- Cloud services
- Machine learning futures
- Virtual reality futures
- More IoT equipment
- Mobile software
For how long have I used the solution?
Three to five years.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Customer Experience Manager at a comms service provider with 501-1,000 employees
We now have the ability migrate to multiple sites, but the TAC speed needs improvement.
What is most valuable?
- Stackable module
- Hot-swappable inventory
How has it helped my organization?
- Easier to design and manage a network by enabling reuse
- Ability migrate to multiple sites
What needs improvement?
Deliverability speed of the Terminal Access Controller.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used it for over four years.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
No issues encountered.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No issues encountered.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
There were issues with the maximum stackable switches per site & monitoring setup.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
7/10.
Technical Support:
7/10.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We switched because we had weak tech support, especially for the PoE product.
How was the initial setup?
It was a medium difficulty setup.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Licensing is one of the major areas of confusion for a person with a technical if they gain the verification from Cisco website.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We also looked at Dell options.
What other advice do I have?
Ensure you select the right license, power supply and other components to install the switch into the rack.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Operations Center Engineer at a tech company with 51-200 employees
Stable, simple to use, and the technical support is good, but the pricing could be better
Pros and Cons
- "If they worked on lowering the price, they would be able to attract more customers."
What is our primary use case?
This solution is used to strengthen our connections, connect to the network, as a router to multiple systems, network management, and monitoring.
What is most valuable?
The configuration is the most valuable feature of this solution.
It is easy to use.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Cisco Catalyst Switches for one year.
We are working with the 3750 series.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of Cisco Catalyst Switches is good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's a scalable product.
This solution is used by 1,000 customers.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is good.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We use Cisco Routers as well as Huawei Routers, and Cisco Linksys.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward.
The solution took them two and a half years to implement.
What about the implementation team?
We have a fiber team that handles solution maintenance and helps us with some technical issues.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The cost could be reduced.
If they worked on lowering the price, they would be able to attract more customers.
We are consultants who provide licensing to our clients.
What other advice do I have?
When I graduate, I will have improved my English and will be able to perform more tasks.
I am in charge of the data while learning how to deploy this solution.
I would rate Cisco Catalyst Switches a seven 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
Infrastructure Manager at a non-profit with 51-200 employees
Highly stable, top quality hardware and features
Pros and Cons
- "Overall top of the line solution."
- "The solution could be easy to use, you need a certificate to use it."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution as a networking switch for a data center.
What is most valuable?
Overall top of the line solution.
What needs improvement?
The solution could be easy to use, you need a certificate to use it.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for approximately ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is highly stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is not able to scale because you would need to purchase more hardware.
Everybody in my organization is using the solution.
How are customer service and technical support?
We have not needed to contact technical support because we are using managed services which gives us support when needed.
How was the initial setup?
The installation and implementation are not easy.
What about the implementation team?
We are using managed services for the implementation of the solution.
A normal deployment can take from one to two months. However, this depends on the size of the site.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There is a license required for the use of this solution and we pay annually.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I have evaluated Meraki switches which is an easier version of Cisco Catalyst Switches.
What other advice do I have?
This solution is the best in the market but there are some limitations. I am moving to the Meraki solution because it is easier to use.
I would recommend this solution to others.
I 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.
Information Security Analyst at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
The SmartPort feature has been valuable and helped my organization
Pros and Cons
- "We heavily use the SmartPort features. It has really helped us. The U.S. policies are handled by the auto SmartPort feature"
- "They should make so that they let users know five to ten minutes before productivity is restored in the case of power loss."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution for provisioning.
How has it helped my organization?
We heavily use the SmartPort features. It has really helped us. The U.S. policies are handled by the auto SmartPort feature.
What is most valuable?
It's easy to use and easy to configure. It's easy to provision and plan ahead.
What needs improvement?
They should make so that they let users know five to ten minutes before productivity is restored in the case of power loss.
For how long have I used the solution?
One to three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is highly scalable. We have 120 users. It has high capabilities. We only require six or seven people for the maintenance. Cisco has guidelines for the maintenance that are straightforward.
How are customer service and technical support?
If I ask for any support, they're responsive. Their support is very good. We haven't had any problems.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was very easy, not complex at all.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's very pricey. Compared to competitors, it's a lot more expensive. They should consider lowering the price for smaller organizations so that it's easier for them to afford.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate it an eight and a half out of ten.
They should develop more customization features. It would make things easier for the engineers.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Download our free Cisco Catalyst Switches Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
Updated: December 2024
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