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Cisco offers a wide range of network switches designed for different environments such as enterprise networks, data centers, small businesses, and industrial applications. Here’s a quick overview of Cisco’s major switch series:
Cisco offers a wide range of network switches designed for different environments such as enterprise networks, data centers, small businesses, and industrial applications. Here’s a quick overview of Cisco’s major switch series:
Cisco offers a wide range of switches tailored for different environments:
| Category | Example Models | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Campus | Catalyst 9200, 9300, 9400, 9600 | Access, distribution, and core layers |
| Small Business | Catalyst 1000, CBS110, CBS220, CBS350 | Affordable, easy-to-manage networks |
| Data Center | Nexus 9300, 9500, 9800 Series | High-performance, scalable switching |
| Cloud-Managed | Meraki MS Series | Remote management via dashboard |
| Industrial Ethernet | IE3400, IE3300, IE3200 Series | Ruggedized for harsh environments |
Key Things to Consider When Choosing a Cisco Switch
When selecting a Cisco switch (or in general), here are factors / metrics to check, especially in industrial / enterprise settings:
- Port speeds & types (10/100, 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G): Ensure the switch matches or exceeds the link speeds of the devices / uplinks.
- PoE / PoE+ / UPoE budget if you’re powering devices (cameras, APs, sensors). Industrial IoT often uses PoE.
- Environmental specs: temperature range, humidity, shock/vibration, ingress protection (IP rating) etc., especially for industrial deployments.
- Uptime / reliability features: Redundant power supplies, backup mechanisms, resiliency (stacking, MLAG, etc.), firmware support.
- Management & software features: VLANs, routing, security (ACLs, port security, 802.x), monitoring, telemetry, maybe SD-Access, automation etc.
- Physical form factor / mounting: Rack mount, DIN-rail, outdoor enclosure, etc.
- Support & lifecycle: End-of-life status, firmware updates, vendor support.
⚙️ Operating Systems & Management
- Cisco IOS & IOS XE: Most Catalyst switches now run Cisco IOS XE, a Linux-based OS offering modularity and programmability.
- Web GUI: Some models (e.g., Catalyst 2960-L) support web-based management for simplified configuration.
- Layer 2 vs Layer 3:
- Layer 2: Handles switching within VLANs using MAC addresses.
- Layer 3: Adds routing between VLANs and subnets, similar to a router.
🔐 Security & Automation
- Integrated with Cisco DNA Center for automation, assurance, and policy-based management.
- Support for TrustSec, MACsec encryption, and Secure Boot for enhanced security.