

Cisco Catalyst and Cisco Ethernet Switches compete in the enterprise networking sector. Cisco Catalyst Switches appear to have an upper hand with their extensive feature set, but the Ethernet Switches offer a more cost-effective and energy-efficient approach.
Features: Cisco Catalyst Switches are known for their robust security features, stackability, VLAN routing, PoE capabilities, and the ability to monitor traffic with RSPAN. They also provide VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) for VLAN configuration and offer excellent scalability and reliability. Cisco Ethernet Switches focus on power-saving designs, network discovery protocols, and StackPower, highlighting features like QoS, various routing protocols, and the ease of integration in cost-effective solutions.
Room for Improvement: Cisco Catalyst Switches face issues with high pricing and limited expansion. Users suggest improvements in security features, management simplicity, and better integration with non-Cisco products. Cisco Ethernet Switches could enhance their user interface, embrace open-source trends, reduce pricing, and offer clearer documentation.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Catalyst Switches are primarily deployed in on-premises environments but support hybrid and cloud models too. Users appreciate reliable technical support, although it can be slow due to tiered systems. Cisco Ethernet Switches provide similar deployment flexibility and reliable customer service, but users desire more streamlined support systems.
Pricing and ROI: Cisco Catalyst Switches are expensive but deliver high performance, offering a solid ROI, especially for users focused on quality. Licensing complexities can be a deterrent. Cisco Ethernet Switches are also premium-priced but praised for cost-effectiveness, operational longevity, and strong performance, providing a good ROI despite upfront costs.
I can say in terms of money saved because up until now, in the previous places where I have worked and also now, we still use the older model, the 2960 model Cisco Catalyst Switches, which has been in existence for almost 20 years and up until now it still functions very well.
From an investment standpoint, deploying Cisco Catalyst Switches offers tangible benefits, including cost reductions.
It has saved considerable time for engineers to troubleshoot and perform related tasks.
When requesting an RMA, they replace defective items in just one day.
On a scale from one to 10, I would rate the technical support of Cisco at 10 out of 10.
TAC really depends on the engineer; you could end up with a three, but then we can reach out to our account team and ask for help, or re-queue the case.
Customer support for Cisco Ethernet Switches is really good.
It takes two to three days for Cisco support to address issues.
Currently, we don't have any technical support because our license doesn't allow for direct support.
The scalability of Cisco Catalyst Switches is very much scalable, as it supports the stacking feature and growth; for instance, with 94K modular switches, based on the requirement, we can even increase modules for more bandwidth.
Unlike Meraki, where I can bring a switch online, join it to the portal, and it becomes operational immediately.
The auto-scaling and zero-touch provisioning kind of support for Nexus switches is lacking.
Cisco mainly provides security, patch management, hardware reliability, durability, scalability, and security features supporting my organization's expansion.
The latest products do not allow integration with the earlier environment.
The scalability depends on the model.
The stability of Cisco Catalyst Switches in my environment is somewhat problematic: legacy Cisco Catalyst Switches, even though they have licenses and support, present many hardware-related issues, such as interfaces going down very repeatedly, SFP modules failing in most cases, and hardware ports becoming faulty.
What you tell it to do is exactly what it does.
Since we operate medical infrastructure, we try to avoid downtime as much as possible.
The switches are very stable, rated ten out of ten.
Cisco should provide some level of software that I can bring on-premise where I can add all my Catalyst switches for central management.
Support and vulnerabilities are the biggest issues regarding Cisco Catalyst Switches.
Currently, I don't see much AI integration with Cisco Catalyst Switches; though they've started, it still needs improvement.
The pricing and hardware warranty renewal costs are more expensive than other products.
FortiGate switches are considered more valuable because they have firewall capabilities.
For example, on switches, filtering specific sections isn't supported, whereas, on routers, you can do 'show run' with additional commands to filter.
Cisco provides unique features that justify their pricing.
Cisco Catalyst Switches are quite pricey.
Cisco usually is costly compared to other vendors.
Cisco Ethernet switches are priced at a rating of nine, indicating they are expensive.
We need to pay for the subscription, as there are extra expenses after purchasing the product.
Regarding the cost, Cisco Ethernet Switches have a competitive price.
Cisco Catalyst Switches are valuable for their reliability and performance.
With Meraki access points, I do not have to have a wireless controller for them. I can configure the wireless device directly from the switch, making the setup cleaner, and that is a major reason for my preference.
Cisco Catalyst Switches provide high performance and security features that stand out in my daily work, where they handle a high volume of traffic with low latency, making them suitable for bandwidth-intensive applications, web applications, VoIP applications, video streaming, and major data center workloads.
Their stability and durability are essential features we've been looking for many years, and they are still working fine.
It provides a high layer of enterprise security via 802.1X port-based authentication, DHCP snooping, ARP inspection, IP Guard, ACLs, and integration with Cisco ISE.
The Cisco Ethernet switches are sturdy products that do not require any kind of maintenance.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Cisco Ethernet Switches | 8.9% |
| Cisco Catalyst Switches | 4.5% |
| Other | 86.6% |

| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 83 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 29 |
| Large Enterprise | 85 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 60 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 35 |
| Large Enterprise | 55 |
Cisco Catalyst Switches are renowned for their Power over Ethernet capabilities, performance stability, and dependable security. They support features like DHCP, stacking, and dynamic routing, offering ease of management, scalability, and reliability across different sectors.
Cisco Catalyst Switches are valued for their robust architecture and global reputation, supported by numerous trained professionals. They ensure consistent performance and adaptability across industries such as finance, education, and hospitality. With features like CLI and software integration, these switches offer ease of management, scalability, and strong technical support. Users appreciate modularity, speed, and network segmentation versatility. There is room for improvement in cost reduction, licensing simplification, usability, third-party integration, and security enhancements. Calls for improved configuration, product compatibility, faster support, and advanced training are noted.
What are the key features of Cisco Catalyst Switches?Organizations utilize Cisco Catalyst Switches for diverse applications, including data centers, campuses, and WAN connectivity. Supporting enterprise networking, VLAN configurations, and user access, they integrate smoothly with existing infrastructure. These switches enhance connectivity for access layers, core components, and edge networking, catering to industries like finance, education, and hospitality for reliable and scalable performance.
Cisco Ethernet Switches provide reliable, high-performance networking with advanced features suitable for demanding environments, offering flexibility and easy management. These switches integrate well with different technologies, making them a go-to option for enterprises needing robust network solutions.
Renowned for superior performance and reliability, Cisco Ethernet Switches offer advanced networking features like network virtualization, VLAN, and quality of service. Robust design ensures durability in harsh conditions, while enhanced security features and remote management capabilities provide exceptional flexibility and troubleshooting ease. Users appreciate the support and comprehensive documentation provided, alongside the switches' ability to integrate seamlessly with technologies, supporting scalability and making them a preferred choice for businesses looking for efficient, secure networking solutions.
What are the key features of Cisco Ethernet Switches?Cisco Ethernet Switches are widely used in industries focusing on local area networking, data center infrastructure, and core to edge connectivity. Supporting LAN, data centers, security networks, and others, these switches facilitate robust communication and reliable connections. With advanced routing and stacking features, they optimize latency and handle high-throughput traffic, making them ideal for industries requiring stable and efficient networking.
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