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Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Extreme VDX [EOL] comparison

Cisco and Extreme are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Additionally, 95% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Extreme users who would recommend it.
Cisco Catalyst Switches
Read 175 Cisco Catalyst Switches reviews
  • 5,383 Views
  • 2,676 Comparison Views
95% willing to recommend
Extreme VDX [EOL]
Read 3 Extreme VDX [EOL] reviews
    100% willing to recommend
     

    Comparison Buyer's Guide

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    Executive Summary
    We performed a comparison between Cisco Catalyst Switches and Extreme VDX [EOL] based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

    Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Ubiquiti Networks and others in Ethernet Switches.

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    To learn more, read our detailed Ethernet Switches Report (Updated: February 2025).
    Buyer's Guide
    Ethernet Switches
    February 2025
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    Helped 841,004 peers since 2012

    Review summaries and opinions

    We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
     

    Categories and Ranking

    Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Average Rating
    8.6
    Reviews Sentiment
    6.9
    Number of Reviews
    175
    Ranking in other categories
    LAN Switching (1st), Ethernet Switches (7th), Data Center Networking (1st), AV Over IP Switching (1st)
    Extreme VDX [EOL]
    Average Rating
    8.6
    Reviews Sentiment
    7.5
    Number of Reviews
    3
    Ranking in other categories
    No ranking in other categories
     

    Featured Reviews

    Joshua Odunsi - PeerSpot reviewer
    Ensures efficient performance and supports network growth with optimal speed
    Catalyst Switches are efficient and swift, which is valuable for my organization. I experience optimal speed and effective configuration, making them stand out compared to other switches. The PoE switches offer more ports on SFP, and it is efficient in use. Overall, the switches provide me with the value I expect in terms of speed and efficiency.
    Read full review
    Osama Ahmed LUBBAD - PeerSpot reviewer
    A stable, scalable, and problem-free solution
    Software needs to be updated regularly in order to maintain security and performance. However, in some cases, it is necessary to stack switches in order to meet the needs of the network. Although Cisco switches are able to stack, other switches are not as simple to stack. I would like the ability to stack with different switch brands.
    Read full review

    Quotes from Members

    We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
     

    Pros

    "The availability of resources for learning about the product and doing evaluation of any issues is excellent."
    "The most valuable feature is load balancing."
    "The solution is highly reliable."
    "It is an infrastructure tool, so it is just providing a backend service. Its most useful feature is that it operates on a regular basis. It is reliable."
    "One of the most valuable features is the MatchBox Switch."
    "The Cisco Catalyst is very stable and it can last for many years."
    "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."
    "The stability and Cisco's support are the most valuable features."
    More Cisco Catalyst Switches pros
    "The most valuable feature of Extreme VDX is that we have had no problems and the solution's performance is excellent."
    "Its simplicity and web interface were most valuable. I also liked the two-factor authentication."
    "The fabric of the solution and the management aspect are the solution's most valuable features."
     

    Cons

    "The solution offers a bit of complexity and you need a specialized workforce."
    "The biggest barrier to buying Cisco or using Cisco is the price and also the competition with competitors and with Cisco partners."
    "Cisco has to lower the price of its products to make them more cost-effective."
    "There is no GUI."
    "There's a ban on my country and therefore I can't get Cisco support if I need it. It's not allowed."
    "The product must improve its security."
    "With most of the Cisco devices and models, we faced a slight decrease in speed during the initial setup and while restarting the system"
    "We need to rely on other devices to provide management features."
    More Cisco Catalyst Switches cons
    "Its scalability can be better. If possible, it can have Hyper POE. I am not sure if there is a fiber version."
    "I would like the ability to stack with different switch brands."
    "The only problem is that at the moment it's an Extreme product and Extreme is not really pushing it. They have to make up for weak innovation and I'm not sure if they want to do that."
     

    Pricing and Cost Advice

    "Pricing is an issue I have been facing, in comparison with HPE or Juniper. The Nexus series is out of the question right now. Scalability is more an issue on the pricing side and less on the technology side."
    "They are expensive."
    "The price must be reduced."
    "The cost of this solution could be less expensive, and we are on an annual license."
    "Cisco switches are expensive. Their price range is based not only on what the product does but also the name in the industry. They are good at what they do. If you need a better product, there are other lineups available."
    "The product is quite expensive."
    "We had to pay for the product’s licenses."
    "We have a contract for service with this partner, meaning we don't purchase the license or equipment directly."
    More Cisco Catalyst Switches pricing and cost advice
    "It was around $1500 a year. It is cheaper than Cisco but more expensive than Ruckus."
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    Top Industries

    By visitors reading reviews
    Educational Organization
    67%
    Computer Software Company
    6%
    Financial Services Firm
    3%
    Government
    3%
    No data available
     

    Company Size

    By reviewers
    Large Enterprise
    Midsize Enterprise
    Small Business
    No data available
     

    Questions from the Community

    Would you recommend replacing a Cisco Catalyst Switch by a D-link one?
    Hello Mesfin It depends on the real scenario, the cisco 2960 is a very good device and they usually have routing functions but there are many different models within the same 2960 line, and on the ...
    See all answers
    What do you like most about Cisco Catalyst Switches?
    We are a vendor for the healthcare sector, especially hospitals, and normally, we use a full Cisco solution for stability, especially for the stability of the Access Points and the security of swit...
    See all answers
    What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Catalyst Switches?
    Although Juniper is cheaper, Cisco provides unique features that justify their pricing.
    See all answers
    Ask a question
    Earn 20 points
     

    Comparisons

    Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 22% of the time
    HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 14% of the time
    Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 11% of the time
    ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 9% of the time
    Cisco Nexus vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    Cisco Nexus vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 7% of the time
    More Cisco Catalyst Switches Competitors
    No data available
     

    Product Reports

    Buyer's Guide
    Cisco Catalyst Switches
    March 2025
    Cisco Catalyst Switches reportDownload Cisco Catalyst Switches product report
    Buyer's Guide
    Ethernet Switches
    February 2025
    Extreme VDX [EOL] reportDownload Extreme VDX [EOL] product report
     

    Also Known As

    Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst
    VDX, Brocade VDX
     

    Overview

    Cisco Catalyst Switches are a reliable and scalable network switching and routing solution, focusing on VLANs and VLAN switching. They are used as access switches, distribution switches, and core switches in various environments, deployed on-premises, and used for long connections. The switches are easy to configure, install, and upgrade and offer good pricing. 

    The most valuable features include warranty and firmware support, stability, security, good performance, flexibility, etc. The Cisco Catalyst Switches have provided a stable solution for the organizations and are widely used, trusted, and well-known in the networking industry.

    Cisco
    Brocade VDX Switches support Layer 2 and Layer 3 fabrics with open standards and extensive scalability to deliver high performance, capacity, and reliability for data center spine and leaf deployments. It includes the following products: Brocade VDX 6740 SWITCHES, Brocade VDX 6940 SWITCH and Brocade VDX 8770 SWITCH.
    Extreme
     

    Sample Customers

    Afni, Anilana Hotels and Resorts, Baylor Scott & White Health, Beachbody, Bellevue, Del Papa Distributing, Explorer Pipeline, Mindtree, Omaha World Herald, Radio 538, Sony Corporation, Telecom Italia, Telenor Arena
    Niagra Falls Bridge Commission, Medien System Partner, CDE Lightband, MaximumASP
    Buyer's Guide
    Ethernet Switches
    February 2025
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    We monitor all Ethernet Switches reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.