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PeerSpot user
Infrastructure Specialist at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Technically it supports most deployment scenarios.

What is most valuable?

This is the Enterprise Class Switch platform. Technically it supports most deployment scenarios and things that you never know that it supports. 

The hardware is the most reliable, I saw some Catalyst in hot and dusty racks, working hard and with no issues from a lot of years. 

Great switching solution from Cisco!

How has it helped my organization?

It's resolved most of our customer communication needs.

What needs improvement?

It can be a little more cheaper.

What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

We've had no issues with deployment.

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches
May 2025
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Catalyst Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2025.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We've had no issues with stability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We've had no issues with scalability.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It's quite pricey.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1461459 - PeerSpot reviewer
Team Lead Network Infrastructure at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Real User
Reliable technology that improves businesses, is easy to install and scale
Pros and Cons
  • "As far as technology is concerned, Cisco improves the client-to-client business."
  • "Cisco should support all of the features that are included with the suite."

What is our primary use case?

We use this solution to provide stability between sites. Also for our customers who have multiple branches, Cisco routers and switches are perfect for them. 

What is most valuable?

As far as technology is concerned, Cisco improves the client-to-client business.

What needs improvement?

Cisco should support all of the features that are included with the suite.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Cisco products for more than six years.

I am using the latest version of Cisco Catalyst Switches.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

They are very stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Cisco Catalyst switches are definitely scalable.

There are a number of models and scalability depends on the requirements. You have to consider how far you want to scale your organization with the different branches.

I work with many different organizations and many different users. Some have 6,000 users whereas others have 3,000.

How are customer service and technical support?

Technical support is good. Cisco offers the best possible support.

As for the new products that Cisco has acquired it's okay, but not as good.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Previously, I have used Linksys and Meraki Switches.

How was the initial setup?

It's easy to install. 

If you have clear knowledge and design, it's pretty easy to implement.

The time it takes to deploy depends on how large the site is and a number of things. If everything is available it can be configured in minutes.

The size of the technical team depends on the installation and what the customer requires. For the deployment, if you have different sites you will need more people, a larger team. It also depends on the timelines and how soon you have to hand over the project to the customer.

Essentially, it depends on the circumstances.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Price is an area that can be improved. Cisco is pioneering technology and they are definitely charging for their technology.

It would be great for the user if Cisco lowered the prices for their routers and switches.

The price is not really in the market. When the new product line arrives, it's still very expensive. The product has new features, new capabilities, and definitely costs more than the previous one.

The price could be cheaper. Many other vendors provide the main features with lower pricing and better performance than Cisco.

Overall, Cisco prices are high.

What other advice do I have?

We have plans to continue using this product and would recommend them to others.

I would rate Cisco Catalyst Switches a ten 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
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches
May 2025
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Catalyst Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2025.
851,823 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1188324 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT PM at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Suitable for handling extreme temperatures, but the price could be better
Pros and Cons
  • "It's got one feature, and that's handling extreme temperatures."
  • "They should be cheaper."

What is our primary use case?

We use these switches outdoors.

What is most valuable?

It's got one feature, and that's handling extreme temperatures. Everything else is alright, and we buy them because they're suitable for extreme temperatures.

What needs improvement?

They should be cheaper.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Cisco Catalyst Rugged Series Switches for 15 years.

How are customer service and technical support?

Technical support is good. 

How was the initial setup?

It's easy to install these switches. It takes about half an hour to implement one switch.

What about the implementation team?

We do it ourselves, and we use consultants and integrators.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It's overpriced and should be cheaper.

What other advice do I have?

I wouldn't recommend this product because it's overpriced. 

On a scale from one to ten, I would give Cisco Catalyst Switches a four.

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.
PeerSpot user
NetworkE1c8f - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Engeneer at a retailer with 10,001+ employees
Real User
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.
PeerSpot user
ChiefDepbed6 - PeerSpot reviewer
Chief Deputy Quality Audit
Real User
We use it for networking, it's very stable and has good scalability
Pros and Cons
  • "The stability and Cisco's support are the most valuable features."
  • "The prices are high. It's more expensive than other similar options."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case is for networking, both for the local network and our internet network.

What is most valuable?

The stability and Cisco's support are the most valuable features. 

What needs improvement?

The prices are high. It's more expensive than other similar options. 

I would like for them to include more cloud options in the next release and a smaller router.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's a very stable product. It has become increasingly more stable since we started working with them in 1988. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability is good. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We knew we needed to switch solutions because we have a client who told us what they need for their future projects. We strategized and went with this solution. We try to find them the best product. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was straightforward. 

What about the implementation team?

We used a Cisco representative for the initial deployment. We didn't have any problems with them, it was a good experience.  

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We also looked at Huawei but we went with Cisco because we're more comfortable with them even though their prices are a little higher. 

What other advice do I have?

I would rate it an eight out of ten. Not a ten because of the prices. 

I would advise someone considering this solution to check out all of your options and go back to Cisco. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
PeerSpot user
Head of Development at a tech vendor
Real User
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.
PeerSpot user
it_user683439 - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Administrator at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees
Vendor
I can dissect my network based on the users within a particular location.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features, to me, are CDP, VTP, ACLs, and routing.

How has it helped my organization?

These products help me dissect my network based on the users within a particular location. They've also provided me the capability to separate network traffic as necessary.

What needs improvement?

As a user, I would like to see the Layer 2 Switches to have NBAR capabilities as well. It would be nice if the new ISRs have firewall capabilities as well.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using these products since 2008. I have a Cisco ISR 2821 and 2911, Cisco Catalyst 4500, 2960 and 3750 Series Switches.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

No stability issues were experienced.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It would be nice to see these products have built-in wireless access points like MikroTik.

How are customer service and technical support?

I am sorry, but I always go to the forums and not to technical support. I like understanding the system myself. That way it is easier for me to fix issues in the future.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I previously used D-Link Switches (which was a pain) due to the budget constraints. I switched because Cisco was the best option at the time compared to D-Link.

How was the initial setup?

The setup was not complex. I already knew what I wanted and what I needed to do.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Get the best that your money can buy.

Don't ever sacrifice performance, it will stab you in the back if you do.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Cisco was the best and only option that I considered.

What other advice do I have?

Real-world scenarios will always surprise you.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1662204 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Manager at a construction company with 1-10 employees
Real User
High performance, scalable, and reliable
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution has high performance and we do not have to troubleshoot the network."

    What is our primary use case?

    We are using Cisco Catalyst Switches as a network switch in our organization.

    What is most valuable?

    The solution has high performance and we do not have to troubleshoot the network.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using Cisco Catalyst Switches for approximately 20 years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    I have found Cisco Catalyst Switches to be stable, we do not have any packet loss issues.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    Cisco Catalyst Switches is scalable, we can expand the network regularly.

    We have approximately 150 people using the solution in our organization.

    How are customer service and support?

    We used technical support during the installation but after we did not use them often.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We have used other smaller solutions in the past but we have moved back to Cisco solutions.

    How was the initial setup?

    It takes a few hours to have the hardware installed.

    What about the implementation team?

    We have a team of two engineers that do the implementation of the solution.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    We are on an annual license to use this solution and the price of the solution could be reduced. We have spent hundreds of thousands on our Wi-Fi network.

    What other advice do I have?

    I highly recommend this solution to others.

    I rate Cisco Catalyst Switches a ten out of ten.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Cisco Catalyst Switches Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
    Updated: May 2025
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Cisco Catalyst Switches Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.