Cisco Catalyst Switches Reviews

Name: Cisco Catalyst Switches
Brand: Cisco
Rating: 4.3 (175 reviews)

Vendor: Cisco

4.3 out of 5

175 reviews
95% willing to recommend

1,878 followers

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What is Cisco Catalyst Switches?

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.

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Cisco Catalyst Switches is the #1 ranked solution in top LAN Switching solutions, #1 ranked solution in top Data Center Networking solutions, #1 ranked solution in top AV Over IP Switching solutions, and #7 ranked solution in top Ethernet Switches. PeerSpot users give Cisco Catalyst Switches an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Cisco Catalyst Switches is most commonly compared to Aruba Switches: Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Aruba Switches. Cisco Catalyst Switches is popular among the midsize enterprise segment, accounting for 68% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 64% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Catalyst Switches

April 2025

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Featured Cisco Catalyst Switches reviews

Joshua Odunsi

I.T INFRASTRUCTURE/SECURITY ADMINISTRATOR at Haggai Mortgage Bank Ltd

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.

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SameerBali

Network Architect at Syriatel Mobile Telecom

I like Cisco Catalyst Switches because most of the time, we can do what we want with the product. Cisco has good guidelines that enable us to implement anything, so we can have a multiple ability product on most of the network equipment worldwide. Cisco has communities or forums that help us implement more complicated areas in terms of network, so in addition, Cisco is not just a network equipment company, because they provide us most of the solutions, development, protocols, and new technologies, more than any other company in the world. I also like the availability of Cisco Catalyst Switches, including scalability and reliability. You can find all these in this product.

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Nassif Kaleny

IT Manager at Bavaria Egypt S.A.E.

I work with Cisco products since the tools are very stable. You can manage Cisco Catalyst Switches as it is flexible to do so with the help of CLI. Aruba is very poor when it comes to the area of management via CLI. Users can get backup and restore remotely from Cisco Catalyst Switches as it offers many connections and consoles, like an additional auxiliary port, which is not a feature that others can find in Aruba. Users can migrate switches and routers of Cisco by adding more firmware to add extra features, like voice, that can make the device of Cisco work as a VoIP service. All of the aforementioned stuff can make a very good combination for a company to get a very cheap service with the same device, which is possible because of Cisco, and if Aruba can do it, then it would be great.

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Cisco Catalyst Switches mindshare

Product category:

As of May 2025, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches in the Ethernet Switches category stands at 2.0%, down from 2.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches

PeerResearch reports based on Cisco Catalyst Switches reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Ethernet Switches	Apr 30, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Apr 30, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches	Apr 30, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Aruba Switches	Apr 30, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Catalyst Switches vs NETGEAR Switches	Apr 30, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Aruba Switches	4.2	10.6%	98%	85 interviews Add to research
NETGEAR Switches	4.1	8.8%	88%	56 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Cisco Catalyst Switches offer security features, including 802.1X authentication and VLANs. They provide stacking and high availability, ensuring stability and reliability. Users appreciate ease of configuration, scalability, and Power over Ethernet for setting up devices. Switches are renowned for robustness, handling extreme conditions, and long service life. Advanced features like QoS and IP SLA enhance network performance. The extensive documentation and strong community support are beneficial, ensuring seamless maintenance and troubleshooting.

"Cisco Catalyst Switches are valuable for their reliability and performance."
"Catalyst Switches are efficient and swift, which is valuable for my organization."
"Cisco Catalyst Switches are valuable for their reliability and performance."

Room for Improvement

Cisco Catalyst Switches have high prices and complex configurations. They lack open architecture, cloud management, and integration with other vendors. Additional fiber ports, security, and wireless features are desired. Licensing fees are high, compatibility issues with other equipment persist, and documentation could be improved. Users recommend simplifying the setup process, enhancing the GUI, and improving power management. Frequent bugs and limited programmability options are noted as areas requiring attention.

"The configuration options on the Cisco Commerce website could be more efficient."
"There could be improvements in the repeat configuration with some file integration that is currently missing."
"The configuration options on the Cisco Commerce website could be more efficient."

ROI

Many users observed substantial returns from Cisco Catalyst Switches, typically within three to five years. With minimal downtime and consistent operations, the product proved to be a reliable investment. Variability in the return timeline ranged from three to fifteen years. Although costs may seem high initially, long-term benefits often outweigh expenses. Users highlighted its robustness and efficiency despite external disruptions. Some indicated mixed results in comparison to other switches.

Pricing

Cisco Catalyst Switches are known for their high price compared to competitors like Dell, HPE, and Juniper, with licensing fees often being a major pain point for enterprise buyers. While expensive, users frequently emphasize Cisco's reliability, performance, and support services as justifications for the cost. Licensing complexity and annual subscriptions are additional considerations. Bulk purchases can offer discounts, but the overall consensus suggests the need for better pricing options to remain competitive.

"We must pay a high price for the product."
"The product is quite expensive."
"The new products from Cisco in the market are expensive. My company cannot import Cisco products, so they are mostly unavailable."

Popular Use Cases

Cisco Catalyst Switches are primarily utilized for LAN and WAN connectivity, video conferencing, IP phone integration, and connecting branches to central data centers. They are also used for VLAN segmentation, data center networking, and enterprise network management. Many implement them for security, supporting PoE devices, and core, access, and distribution layers. Cisco Catalyst is a choice for campuses, corporate networks, system integrators, and educational institutions.

Service and Support

Users find Cisco Catalyst Switches' support mixed. Many praise it as knowledgeable and responsive, yet others find it slow. Some prefer using forums or in-house experts. Issue resolution can be lengthy, with multiple support tiers involved. Support is rated high by users who leverage paid options, though some express concerns over its decline in recent years. Availability of documentation and forums aids many users, reducing reliance on direct support assistance.

Deployment

Users found the initial setup of Cisco Catalyst Switches relatively straightforward. Experienced individuals noted ease, leveraging familiar command-line interfaces. Training or experience often facilitated quicker deployment, usually in 10 to 30 minutes per switch. Some noted challenges with complex configurations, suggesting it can be difficult without expertise. The installation was generally smooth, aided by comprehensive documentation and templates, although deployment time varied based on network size and complexity.

Scalability

Cisco Catalyst Switches are highly scalable, with many users highlighting their ability to expand seamlessly through stacking and modular functionalities. Users commonly face no scalability challenges and appreciate how easily they can add more devices. While some mention limitations in specific models, many find it suitable for large enterprises and diverse environments, supporting thousands of users effectively. Cisco’s prowess in scalability is often compared positively against competitors, making it a preferred choice for numerous businesses.

Stability

Cisco Catalyst Switches are recognized for their excellent stability and reliability. Users report minimal issues with crashing or glitches, highlighting the exceptional uptime. The switches have been praised for their ability to run for extended periods without requiring reboots. Users also mention stability improvements in newer models like the 2960-XR. Some mention occasional hardware-related failures, but these are rare. Many rate the stability highly, often nine or ten out of ten.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Cisco Catalyst Switches Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

64%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Government

Healthcare Company

Comms Service Provider

University

Construction Company

Retailer

Energy/Utilities Company

Hospitality Company

Media Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Real Estate/Law Firm

Non Profit

Legal Firm

Insurance Company

Performing Arts

Transportation Company

Compare Cisco Catalyst Switches with alternative products

Learn more about Cisco Catalyst Switches

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 Catalyst Switches was previously known as Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst.

Cisco Catalyst Switches 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