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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 175 Cisco Catalyst Switches reviews
  • 4,815 Views
  • 2,373 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, Netgear and others in Ethernet Switches.

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    To learn more, read our detailed Ethernet Switches Report (Updated: March 2025).
    Buyer's Guide
    Ethernet Switches
    March 2025
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    Helped 845,485 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
    175
    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 technical support is at an expert level."
    "The best feature is the technical support."
    "The main valuable features for me are the ease of configuration, the CLI, and the GUI."
    "It can be expanded."
    "They have a robust monitoring system."
    "Easy to manage, with a long lifespan."
    "The hardware and the security are the product's valuable features"
    "Scalable, stable, and reliable product that's easy to install. Technical support is dependable and can be contacted in a variety of ways, e.g. through their ticketing system, hotline number, and community forum."
    More Cisco Catalyst Switches pros
    "Its simplicity and web interface were most valuable. I also liked the two-factor authentication."
    "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."
     

    Cons

    "Dell switching is coming up with a solution where you can put your own OS inside their switching infra. That is where they are talking about open networking. We can show that our Cisco is also an open-source. We are open to different switching operating systems if the customer is willing to put it in. We can support multiple operating systems inside the switching infrastructure. It removes the hardware and software dependency on each other. That is where I think there can be room for improvement. Then we can talk about open networking and that is where Cisco can also come up with open networking access."
    "The solution offers a bit of complexity and you need a specialized workforce."
    "There could be improvements in the repeat configuration with some file integration that is currently missing."
    "I think one switch should go beyond the 10 gig connectivity to 40 gigs."
    "It can have more security features to secure the access layer."
    "The pricing could be better. Cisco is quite expensive."
    "Cisco Catalyst Switches' pricing can be cheaper."
    "The addition of more security and privilege levels to Cisco Catalyst Switches is required as it is one of the areas with certain shortcomings."
    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

    "If you compare Cisco to other products, Cisco is more expensive. If you choose a 7000 series switch it will be a very pricy system. The support from Cisco is an additional service."
    "There needs to be some improvement with the Cisco DNA licensing activation process, it is difficult at the moment."
    "There is a license required for the use of this solution and we pay annually."
    "We had to pay for the product’s licenses."
    "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."
    "I don't see any price issue with Cisco. Whenever you buy a quality product, you always have a mindset of paying the premium amount. For any good product, you pay a premium amount, but that also means you are going to recover that premium over a period of time in terms of performance."
    "The licenses are definitely expensive. There is a need to make annual payments towards the subscription or licensing costs attached to the solution."
    "The general price of the solution could be cheaper."
    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
    67%
    Computer Software Company
    6%
    Government
    3%
    Manufacturing Company
    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

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    Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 19% of the time
    HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 14% of the time
    Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 9% of the time
    ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 9% of the time
    Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
    Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
    Compared 7% of the time
    More Cisco Catalyst Switches Competitors
    No data available
     

    Product Reports

    Buyer's Guide
    Cisco Catalyst Switches
    March 2025
    Cisco Catalyst Switches reportDownload Cisco Catalyst Switches product report
    Buyer's Guide
    Ethernet Switches
    March 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
    March 2025
    Download Free Report
    Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Netgear and others in Ethernet Switches. Updated: March 2025.
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