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Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Extreme VDX [EOL] comparison

Cisco and Extreme are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Additionally, 95% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Extreme users who would recommend it.
Cisco Catalyst Switches
Read 176 Cisco Catalyst Switches reviews
  • 4,352 Views
  • 2,209 Comparison Views
95% willing to recommend
Extreme VDX [EOL]
Read 3 Extreme VDX [EOL] reviews
    100% willing to recommend
     

    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, Ubiquiti Networks and others in Ethernet Switches.

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    To learn more, read our detailed Ethernet Switches Report (Updated: May 2025).
    Buyer's Guide
    Ethernet Switches
    May 2025
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    Helped 851,823 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
    176
    Ranking in other categories
    LAN Switching (1st), Ethernet Switches (7th), Data Center Networking (1st), AV Over IP Switching (1st)
    Extreme VDX [EOL]
    Average Rating
    8.6
    Reviews Sentiment
    7.5
    Number of Reviews
    3
    Ranking in other categories
    No ranking in other categories
     

    Featured Reviews

    Joshua Odunsi - PeerSpot reviewer
    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.
    Read full review
    Osama Ahmed LUBBAD - PeerSpot reviewer
    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.
    Read full review

    Quotes from Members

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

    Pros

    "The most valuable features of Cisco Catalyst Switches are that they are very common. If you talk to someone most likely they will have a Cisco Catalyst Switch, they will not mention other names, such as Juniper, ProCurve, Dell, or anything else. The most common product in networking in my country is Cisco. Everywhere you go they talk about Cisco."
    "The most valuable features are the Stacking and the capacity of the switches because they have more throughput. Layer 2 is also part of its rich feature set."
    "The most beneficial features for our network management are their stability and good customer support."
    "The product is stable, and it performs well."
    "The solution is easy to implement and quick to deploy."
    "The scalability is excellent."
    "It is easy to use."
    "Perpetual POE is a valuable feature, because when the switch reboots, access points do not."
    More Cisco Catalyst Switches pros
    "The fabric of the solution and the management aspect are the solution's most valuable features."
    "The most valuable feature of Extreme VDX is that we have had no problems and the solution's performance is excellent."
    "Its simplicity and web interface were most valuable. I also liked the two-factor authentication."
     

    Cons

    "I have had a little hiccup working with Catalyst switches. They used a few power integration features but I'm not sure they really resulted in much power saving. But, it caused cross-vendor equipment trouble."
    "Pricing for this product is on the higher end, and is something that could be improved. Security could also be increased."
    "An area for improvement would be the high price."
    "We'd like Cisco to integrate with other solutions, including their own."
    "The tool is not user-friendly."
    "We need to rely on other devices to provide management features."
    "I would like to see the integration of the 2960 SX switched."
    "Cisco has to lower the price of its products to make them more cost-effective."
    More Cisco Catalyst Switches cons
    "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."
    "Its scalability can be better. If possible, it can have Hyper POE. I am not sure if there is a fiber version."
    "I would like the ability to stack with different switch brands."
     

    Pricing and Cost Advice

    "Pricing is an issue I have been facing, in comparison with HPE or Juniper. The Nexus series is out of the question right now. Scalability is more an issue on the pricing side and less on the technology side."
    "It's overpriced and should be cheaper."
    "The general price of the solution could be cheaper."
    "The solution is probably the most expensive, but users who want the best need to pay the premium."
    "We are a large company and the price is reasonable because we have received a discount. However, the full price is expensive."
    "The price is in an affordable range and everything is included."
    "Cisco Catalyst Switches is an affordable solution."
    "The cost of a license before COVID and before the lockdown was approximately three lakh 70,000 in Indian Rupees. After this COVID situation, the cost has gone down to two lakh 46,000 rupees."
    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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    Top Industries

    By visitors reading reviews
    Educational Organization
    61%
    Computer Software Company
    7%
    Manufacturing Company
    3%
    Financial Services Firm
    3%
    No data available
     

    Company Size

    By reviewers
    Large Enterprise
    Midsize Enterprise
    Small Business
    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?
    Although Juniper is cheaper, Cisco provides unique features that justify their pricing.
    See all answers
    Ask a question
    Earn 20 points
     

    Comparisons

    Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 18% of the time
    HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 12% of the time
    ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 8% of the time
    Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 8% of the time
    Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN 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
    May 2025
    Cisco Catalyst Switches reportDownload Cisco Catalyst Switches product report
    Buyer's Guide
    Ethernet Switches
    May 2025
    Extreme VDX [EOL] reportDownload 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
     

    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
    Buyer's Guide
    Ethernet Switches
    May 2025
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    We monitor all Ethernet Switches reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.