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Victor Arceo - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Operations Section Head at Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation
Real User
May 25, 2021
Enterprise-grade networking switches that are stable and scalable
Pros and Cons
  • "I like everything about Cisco Catalyst Switches. It's both stable and scalable."
  • "I like everything about Cisco Catalyst Switches; it's both stable and scalable."
  • "The price could be better. For Cisco, there is no need for improvement except for the price. It's expensive."
  • "The price could be better. It's expensive."

What is our primary use case?

We use Cisco Catalyst Switches for the local area network.

What is most valuable?

I like everything about Cisco Catalyst Switches. It's both stable and scalable.

What needs improvement?

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

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Cisco Catalyst Switches for about ten years.

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Cisco Catalyst Switches
March 2026
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Cisco Catalyst Switches are scalable. We have about 1,300 users.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support was okay.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup and installation were straightforward. For configuration, it took around ten minutes. For the maintenance, we have two network administrators—just two personnel.

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

It's expensive.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to new users.

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

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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Telecommunication Department Head at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
May 23, 2021
Reasonably priced with good routing capabilities but needs to be more stable
Pros and Cons
  • "The installation process is very straightforward."
  • "The product has very good routing capabilities."
  • "We would like the solution to be more stable."
  • "The solution's stability is questionable."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is primarily used for getting network switching and routing for the telephone exchange here.

What is most valuable?

The solution is rather inexpensive.

The product has very good routing capabilities.

The installation process is very straightforward.

What needs improvement?

We would like the solution to be more stable.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for about five years or so. It's been a while. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution's stability is questionable. It's something they could work on. It would be ideal if it had better performance and reliability.

How are customer service and technical support?

I've bever dealt directly with technical support as everything so far has been fine. We haven't had any issues or required any assistance so far.

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

We previously used Huawei switches, however, we do not use them anymore. We have completely moved away from them.

How was the initial setup?

We have found that the installation process isn't overly complex or difficult. It was pretty straightforward and simple for us. We didn't face any complexity issues. 

For every switch, it took a few hours to be adjusted and managed.

We only needed one technical person for deployment and maintenance.

What about the implementation team?

We had a manager that was able to handle the initial setup. We didn't hire any consultants or integrators.

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

We found the product to be reasonably priced. It's not too expensive.

We do not pay a licensing fee to use the product.

What other advice do I have?

We use various versions of the solutions, including versions 12 and 15X.

I'd rate the solution at a seven out of ten. We're mostly happy with the product.

I'd recommend the solution to other users and companies. 

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches
March 2026
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Catalyst Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2026.
884,976 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Project Manager at a wholesaler/distributor with 11-50 employees
Reseller
Top 10
May 4, 2021
Offers good, solid hardware and security, with great performance
Pros and Cons
  • "The hardware and the security are the product's valuable features"
  • "Once it's up and running, configuration is okay, and once it's on the live network, it's fine, no issues."
  • "The cost of this product is very high and not all companies can afford it."
  • "The cost of this product is very high and not all companies can afford it."

What is our primary use case?

We generally work with small, medium and sometimes government organizations. We do layer 3 switches, as well as 9200 as layer 2 switches. I'm an integrator and we are customers of Cisco. 

What is most valuable?

We don't use any specific protocols. For us, the hardware and the security are the product's valuable features and performance of this solution is good. 

What needs improvement?

The cost of this product is very high and not all companies can afford it. Government entities can but corporations these days are hesitant to get Cisco. They're looking for other options that can cut their costs by 30% or 40% from the cost of Cisco Catalyst Switches. I think the command line in the platform could be improved because it's divided and can complicate things, maybe they can go direct to GUI. Using all the commands is a bit difficult. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Cisco is stable. There are no issues with outages or integration. Once it's up and running, configuration is okay, and once it's on the live network, it's fine, no issues. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability is not an issue. Cisco is their own market and it works.  

How are customer service and technical support?

If I have Smart Net, I get good technical support. Whenever I have an issue I contact them. They're very good. 

How was the initial setup?

Initial setup can be a bit complex depending on the organization. Deployment time depends on the configuration. I did an installation with around 44 switches of Cisco 3850, which took me around one week to do the installation, configuration, and handover. It depends on the number of switches and configuration required. 

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

When we propose Cisco to a company, the only issue they are concerned with is price and the yearly subscription. You have to buy Smart Net to get a warranty and that is also expensive. 

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Cisco is similar to other solutions such as D-Link. They have the same features. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate this product an eight out of 10. 

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. Integrator
PeerSpot user
IT Manager at a tech vendor with 51-200 employees
Real User
Apr 27, 2021
Reliable and scalable with lots of great features
Pros and Cons
  • "Technical support is very responsive and helpful."
  • "The solution has been very stable."
  • "Pricing mainly is the only issue."
  • "Pricing mainly is the only issue. For our company, IT is not a major investment, so it would be harder to convince management to invest in Cisco switches."

What is our primary use case?

We're using it as basic switches - mainly VLANs and SPB, The main focus is actually for just VLANs and VLAN switching, and that's it.

What is most valuable?

There are a lot of features on the device. We're not using all the features that we can use, however.

It's all fine. It works quite well. What we have now is good. We don't have many requirements for these switches except just forwarding traffic.

The solution has been very stable.

We find the product to be scalable.

Technical support is very responsive and helpful.

The solution is very reliable.

What needs improvement?

Pricing mainly is the only issue. For our company, IT is not a major investment, so it would be harder to convince management to invest in Cisco switches. For quality, they are the best, however, in terms of pricing, especially due to the COVID crisis and everything, investment into a network is now a lower priority. Before, when the money flow was better, it was easier to sell. However, now, for this current situation, a major point of pain in the company is price. 

Even though my priority is reliability, in order to avoid downtime, management is harder to convince and they just see the price tag. 

For how long have I used the solution?

We've been using the solution since about 2018. It's been around four years or so now.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is very stable. Since 2018, since we started with them, we haven't faced any issues with these switches, except for one instance where we switched to a new switch and needed to restart to enable the functionality.

Other than that, the switches are working great. There were only two times we restarted them due to an incident with the power equipment. The switches restarted because of a power issue, and not due to the switch itself having a problem.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable. We're actually using it using iStack. It is stackable and very scalable to add more switches. It's quite easy to expand everything.

We're using these for our core network. It's across all our core network that is going through our IT department. For that reason, many people are on them. It's likely about 50 people 50, plus the user traffic. We're an ISP. We have some servers and portals that use these servers, switches to reach the network. Therefore, many, many users use that. We have a lot of user traffic going through the switches.

How are customer service and technical support?

The technical support is fine. We've had, several moments in these last four years where we've requested Cisco technical support and they were very quick to respond and provide assistance. It's taken, at a maximum, two days to go from request to support. they are very responsive. We are very satisfied with their level of service.

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

As I understand, Cisco's prices are very high and other vendors might have a lower price. Therefore, we're considering Aruba or Huawei or maybe other vendors as well for both access switches and managed wireless solutions (as in lightweight access points with controllers and these kinds of networks). 

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Due to the wireless network upgrade, I'm considering other measures as well as Cisco. We're considering Aruba and we're considering Huawei. I'm considering switching to other vendors mainly because of the price.

What other advice do I have?

We are a customer and an end-user.

We deal with a lot of Cisco products. We use maybe 20 or so Cisco switches.

We have an old 2960-X and a 2960 Plus. We also have three 9300 switches, which are the newer model.

I would advise other users to plan for a larger network than you currently need. For example, if you need 20 ports on a switch and you're ordering this equipment. order a 48 port one, as you'll find that you quickly consume the 20 ports and you need upgrades of two, three, four, five, six. You'll need upgrades quickly and you'll find yourself ordering another switch to replace this one. The most sensible recommendation is to order one bigger switch, which is better than replacing the switch you have within one year. 

I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten. The switches are excellent.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Head, IT Division at USTTB
Real User
Apr 24, 2021
Easy to deploy, stable, and have been running without any problem
Pros and Cons
  • "They are stable. We haven't had any particular problem with them."
  • "We haven't had any particular problem with them."
  • "Their price should be improved. They are a little bit expensive."
  • "Cisco products are expensive, especially when you compare them to Huawei."

What is our primary use case?

We have the Cisco Catalyst 2940 Series switches. We usually use these switches for connections inside our office. We have a three-story building, so we have quite a number of switches to connect specific departments. These switches are mainly used to share a connection among computers in a specific department. 

What is most valuable?

They are stable. We haven't had any particular problem with them. 

What needs improvement?

Their price should be improved. They are a little bit expensive.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using these switches for around five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

They are stable. We haven't had any problems. There was a time when due to power failures or outages, we lost some switches and had to replace them. Power is very unstable here, and we are experiencing outages due to heat.

In one of the devices that I am using, I notice lights blinking from time to time. I don't know whether it is related to the equipment, but it seems that the connection is not going through. It only occurs from time to time. I am yet to understand the reason behind this. It is not a big problem, and we are able to use it.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Our network doesn't grow so much, and it has more or less the same things. We are a public university, and we have three sites. I am at one of the sites. At this site, we have about 60 to 70 people. We also have our campuses where some of these switches are used. All in all, we have about 1,000 people.

We are setting up a national research and education network for which we have acquired some Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches, which are new to me. When we start using these, I would have more to say about what they can achieve in terms of scalability.

How are customer service and technical support?

We don't have external technical support. Unfortunately, this is not something that works very well in a country like ours. We have to rely on our own technicians. 

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

We have had the opportunity, although not so extensively, to use MikroTik. In my experience, they are easy to use, and they are cheaper. Our financial department opted for Cisco, but we are satisfied with Cisco. 

How was the initial setup?

It is easy. We haven't had much trouble.

What about the implementation team?

I can do it by myself.

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

They are a little bit expensive. We are a public institution, so we go through other traders, and sometimes, they put in their own surplus price because it is a government contract. Cisco products are expensive, especially when you compare them to Huawei.

What other advice do I have?

I would surely recommend this solution. We plan to keep using these switches. 

I would rate Cisco Catalyst Switches an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
it_user1557534 - PeerSpot reviewer
Director of Information Systems / ISSO at Spectra Technologies LLC
Real User
Apr 21, 2021
Good warranty and continued firmware support, extremely stable, and very scalable
Pros and Cons
  • "The warranty and continued firmware support are most valuable."
  • "They are extremely stable; we've been running them for 12 years, and we lost the uptime only due to power loss."
  • "Their centralized management could be better. There should be some kind of software for centralized management so that I don't need somebody else to manage it."
  • "Their centralized management could be better. There should be some kind of software for centralized management so that I don't need somebody else to manage it."

What is our primary use case?

We have Cisco Catalyst 2960 series. We're using them for core switches at two locations. We are also using them as endpoint switches and distribution switches. 

What is most valuable?

The warranty and continued firmware support are most valuable.

What needs improvement?

Their centralized management could be better. There should be some kind of software for centralized management so that I don't need somebody else to manage it.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been running them for 12 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

They are extremely stable. We've been running them for 12 years, and we lost the uptime only due to power loss. We had only one of them go bad, and it was through the lightning.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is very scalable. We have at least one in every building, and we have over 70 buildings that we maintain. Some buildings have even up to five of these.

How are customer service and technical support?

Their tech support is great. We never had any issues. It is also easy to find a solution by using their community forums. Because Cisco is so widely used, you can find answers for any issue online.

How was the initial setup?

It was straightforward.

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

The price of these switches is on the upper end. It is around $3,500 plus for a 24-Port switch. These switches are more expensive than Linksys and TP-Link, but you get what you pay for. If you look at the pros and cons per switch, you can justify the cost compared to a lesser and cheaper brand.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate Cisco Catalyst Switches an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
it_user1541169 - PeerSpot reviewer
Converged Network Administrator at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Apr 20, 2021
Helpful support, very reliable, but has an outdated operating system and a weird pricing model
Pros and Cons
  • "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."
  • "Its most useful feature is that it operates on a regular basis and is reliable."
  • "Cisco is weird about their pricing models, so that's one problem. Their operating system is also a little outdated."
  • "Cisco is weird about their pricing models, so that's one problem. Their operating system is also a little outdated."

What is most valuable?

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. 

What needs improvement?

Cisco is weird about their pricing models, so that's one problem. Their operating system is also a little outdated.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with this solution on and off for about ten years. We are using the Cisco Catalyst 9000 series.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is generally a very stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is weird in terms of scalability. By the time you get to the point of scaling up any equipment, which it is capable of doing relatively easily, it is usually out of date. You end up having to rip and replace everything anyway. So, technically, it is scalable, but in practicality, it is not.

We're sticking with this one for a while. I am not aware of any plans to increase its usage.

How are customer service and technical support?

Their tech support has always been very helpful to me. I have no issues there.

How was the initial setup?

If you are trained, it is very straightforward. You have to be skilled in order to get it going. They do provide support for those who don't have these skills.

What about the implementation team?

In terms of maintenance, one person could support a thousand people, but that would be a very busy job. It is better with a team.

What other advice do I have?

The best advice would be to get your training done so that you get a good overview of all the solutions.

I would rate Cisco Catalyst Switches a seven out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1480044 - PeerSpot reviewer
CEO at a construction company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Feb 19, 2021
Flexible, user-friendly, stable, and easily set up with the proper training
Pros and Cons
  • "These switches are flexible and user-friendly."
  • "These switches are flexible and user-friendly."
  • "Installing and configuring these switches requires the proper training."
  • "Installing and configuring these switches requires the proper training."

What is our primary use case?

We are a solution provider and Cisco switches are one of the products that we provide to our customers. It is primarily used for datacenter networking.

What is most valuable?

These switches are flexible and user-friendly.

What needs improvement?

Installing and configuring these switches requires the proper training.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been selling Cisco Catalyst Switches for three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This product has very good stability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability depends on the design, not the product.

Based on our demand, we will continue supplying these switches to both new and existing clients.

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

We also work with Cisco Nexus switches.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is straightforward for somebody who has been trained. Somebody has to have the training to properly configure and work with it. It cannot be used out of the box by somebody who is unfamiliar with the technology.

The length of time required for deployment depends on the size of the environment and the number of switches.

What about the implementation team?

We deploy and maintain this solution for our clients. We have a team of between 12 and 15 engineers.

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

This is an expensive product.

There are different versions of these switches, where some of them have licenses and some do not. The subscription is often renewed every three years.

What other advice do I have?

In summary, this is a good product and I recommend it.

I would rate this solution an eight 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
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Buyer's Guide
Download our free Cisco Catalyst Switches Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: March 2026
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Cisco Catalyst Switches Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.