Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Extreme VDX [EOL] comparison

Cisco and Extreme Networks are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Additionally, 95% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Extreme Networks users who would recommend it.

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Read 177 Cisco Catalyst Switches reviews

5,576 Views
2,509 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

Extreme VDX [EOL]

Read 3 Extreme VDX [EOL] reviews

100% willing to recommend

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Extreme VDX [EOL]

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, Netgear and others in Ethernet Switches.

To learn more, read our detailed Ethernet Switches Report (Updated: October 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Ethernet Switches

October 2025

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Helped 873,085 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

177

Ranking in other categories

LAN Switching (1st), Ethernet Switches (7th), Data Center Networking (2nd), AV Over IP Switching (1st)

Extreme VDX [EOL]

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

Joshua Odunsi

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

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.

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Osama Ahmed LUBBAD

Systems Support Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

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.

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The solution is easy to use."

"It is easy to use."

"It's easy to configure."

"It can be expanded."

"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 switches."

"They don't ever fail and they have a long service life."

"It is a pretty good product. I don't see a problem with this product. Cisco Catalyst Switches fit the best for the type of systems that we deploy. Our customers usually are happy with Cisco equipment. Many partners and third parties have ordered this solution."

"Catalyst Switches are efficient and swift, which is valuable for my organization."

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."

"The fabric of the solution and the management aspect are the solution's most valuable features."

"Its simplicity and web interface were most valuable. I also liked the two-factor authentication."

Cons

"The price could be better. For Cisco, there is no need for improvement except for the price. It's expensive."

"Needs to improve cloud services and mobile software."

"They should also have a graphic interface for the switches too without the command line."

"To make it a ten they should simplify the licensing, add the cloud-managed feature, and it should be more cost-effective."

"The solution could be easy to use, you need a certificate to use it."

"The cost of this product is very high and not all companies can afford it."

"The solution is expensive. They should work on their pricing model to try to make it more affordable for customers."

"The management of Cisco Catalyst Switches could be improved."

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."

"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."

"I would like the ability to stack with different switch brands."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is probably the most expensive, but users who want the best need to pay the premium."

"The price of Cisco equipment is very expensive and you have to pay extra for support."

"I cannot say that the pricing is reasonable because it's a little above our expectations. If we consider the recent price increases, it is not acceptable anymore."

"It is expensive."

"We must pay a high price for the product."

"The price of a Cisco Catalyst Switches license is expensive."

"It has a very high cost, but understandably, due to its very good quality."

"It is very pricey. You have to pay for support."

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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873,085 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Comms Service Provider

Financial Services Firm

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	78
Midsize Enterprise	29
Large Enterprise	78

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?

For pricing satisfaction, I'd say it will be six to seven because Cisco usually is costly compared to other vendors. Regarding pricing, there is indeed room for improvement.

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Comparisons

Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 15% of the time

ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 8% of the time

HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 7% of the time

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 6% of the time

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 6% of the time

More Cisco Catalyst Switches Competitors

No data available

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Catalyst Switches

November 2025

Download Cisco Catalyst Switches product report

Buyer's Guide

Ethernet Switches

October 2025

Download 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 Networks

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

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Netgear and others in Ethernet Switches. Updated: October 2025.

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