Cisco switches: 5 products
- Catalyst 1200Cisco
16 models: C1200-8T-D, C1200-8T-E-2G, C1200-8P-E-2G, C1200-8FP-2G
- Catalyst 1300Cisco
36 models: C1300-8T-E-2G, C1300-8P-E-2G, C1300-8FP-2G, C1300-16T-2G
- Catalyst 9000Cisco
22 models: C9350-48S, C9350-24S, C9350-12Y, C9350-24Y, C9550-24L4CD, C9550-48L4CD, C9550-32C, C9550-96L4D, C9610R
In short
Cisco switches for a small office are the Catalyst 1200 and 1300: managed, PoE+ and no software subscription. Branch and campus networks use Catalyst 9200, 9300 or 9500, or the C9350, C9550 and C9610 Smart Switches, each sold with a mandatory subscription. Forever Systems, a Cisco Partner, can quote both together and install them.
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Which Cisco switch range suits your site
| Range | Typical site | Ports and PoE | Routing | Stacking | Subscription sold with it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalyst 1200 | Small office, one cabinet | 8 to 48 gigabit ports, PoE+ (30 W per port) budgets up to 375 W, 1G or 10G uplinks | Static routing | Not listed in Cisco's data sheet | None |
| Catalyst 1300 and 1300X | SMB office or branch | 8 to 48 ports at 1G, 2.5G, 5G or 10G; PoE+ budgets up to 740 W; 60 W PoE++ on 1300X models | Dynamic (RIPv2); OSPF on 1300X | Up to eight switches | None |
| Catalyst 9200, 9200L, 9200CX | Branch and midsize campus access | 8 to 48 ports, 1G or multigigabit, PoE+ | OSPF, EIGRP, ISIS, RIP and routed access | StackWise-160 or StackWise-80 | DNA or Catalyst, 3, 5 or 7 years |
| Catalyst 9300, 9300X, 9300L, 9300LM | Campus access with extra scale | 24 or 48 ports, 1G to 10G mGig, PoE+ to 90 W UPOE+, network modules to 100G | Full Layer 3 | StackWise and StackPower | DNA or Catalyst, 3, 5 or 7 years |
| Catalyst 9500, 9500X | Campus core and aggregation | 25G, 40G and 100G fibre; 400G on 9500X | Full Layer 3, MPLS VPNs | StackWise Virtual | DNA or Catalyst, 3, 5 or 7 years |
| C9350, C9550, C9610 Smart Switches | New campus access (C9350), core (C9550, C9610) | C9350 to 90 W UPOE+ with modular uplinks to 100G; C9550 with 400G uplinks; C9610 modular chassis | Full Layer 3 | C9350: up to 1.6 Tbps | Cisco Networking Subscription |
Figures are from Cisco's data sheets and ordering guides for each range, linked on the range pages. To compare the two small business ranges in detail, see Catalyst 1200 vs 1300.
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24-port and 48-port Cisco PoE switches
The most-asked-for sizes. Examples of orderable PoE part numbers in each range (the range page has every variant, including non-PoE, fibre and multigigabit models):
| Range | 24-port PoE examples | 48-port PoE examples |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco Catalyst 1200 Series | C1200-24P-4G (195 W), C1200-24FP-4G (375 W), C1200-24P-4X (195 W) | C1200-48P-4G (375 W), C1200-48P-4X (375 W) |
| Cisco Catalyst 1300 and 1300X Series | C1300-24P-4G (195 W), C1300-24FP-4G, C1300-24P-4X (195 W) | C1300-48P-4G, C1300-48FP-4G (740 W), C1300-48P-4X |
| Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series (9200, 9200L, 9200CX) | C9200-24P-E, C9200-24PB-A, C9200-24PXG-E | C9200-48P-E, C9200-48PL-E, C9200-48PB-A |
| Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series (9300, 9300X, 9300L, 9300LM) | C9300X-24HX-E, C9300-24P-E, C9300-24U-E | C9300X-48HX-E, C9300X-48HXN-E, C9300-48P-E |
| Cisco C9350 Series Smart Switches | C9350-24HX, C9350-24U, C9350-24P | C9350-48HX, C9350-48HXN, C9350-48HM |
PoE budgets are shown where Cisco's description states them. To size the budget for your access points, phones and cameras, use the PoE budget guide; to compare budgets across vendors, see managed PoE switches.
Layer 2 or Layer 3?
Every Cisco switch here is managed and can carry VLANs. The difference is what happens between VLANs:
- Layer 2 only, firewall routes: fine for a small office with a few VLANs, and it keeps every flow between them under firewall policy.
- Static routing on the switch (Catalyst 1200): a default route to the firewall plus a handful of internal routes.
- Dynamic routing (Catalyst 1300 with RIPv2, 1300X with OSPF, and the Catalyst 9000 family): for sites with several Layer 3 switches, redundant paths or more than one building.
More detail, across vendors, is on Layer 3 switches.
Not sure what you need?
Tell us about your sites and we will recommend the right kit and licences.
Licences you buy with Catalyst 9000 switches
- Catalyst 9200, 9300 and 9500: the part number ends -E (Network Essentials) or -A (Network Advantage), a perpetual licence built into the hardware. Cisco adds that "Both Network Stack licenses and Cisco DNA or Catalyst software subscription licenses are mandatory at the time of purchase", so each switch goes into the basket with a DNA (-DNA-) or Catalyst (-DNX-) subscription of the same tier, for 3, 5 or 7 years (5 years is Cisco's default).
- DNA or Catalyst? Cisco says the Catalyst subscription "includes base software and now hardware support", while DNA "includes base support for software only".
- Smart Switches: a Cisco Networking Subscription switching licence, Essentials or Advantage, per switch.
- Smart Account: Cisco says "Smart Accounts are mandatory". We can set one up or link yours.
The Catalyst 1200 and 1300 need no subscription. Licence renewals are quoted on softwarelicensing.uk (opens in a new tab).
How Cisco switches are managed
- Catalyst 1200 and 1300: the built-in web interface, the Cisco Business mobile (opens in a new tab) app or Cisco Business Dashboard, plus a command line.
- Catalyst 9000 and Smart Switches: the IOS XE command line, or Cisco Catalyst Center for automation and assurance across the campus.
- Meraki dashboard: the Catalyst models ending -M run in the Meraki dashboard and are sold on our Meraki store; see cloud managed Catalyst (opens in a new tab). The part numbers on these pages are the on-premises versions.
Replacing Cisco Business 250, 350 and Catalyst 1000 switches
| Older range | Cisco notice | Last order | Last date of support | Cisco's migration range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco Business 350 (select models) | EOL15511 | 29 Oct 2024 | 31 Oct 2029 | Catalyst 1300 |
| Cisco Business 250 (select models) | EOL15510 and EOL15598 | 29 Oct 2024 and 31 Jan 2025 | 31 Oct 2029 | Catalyst 1200 |
| Catalyst 1000 | EOL15390 | 30 Apr 2025 | 30 Apr 2030 | Catalyst 1300 (some parts have no replacement) |
Cisco's notices map each old model to a new one, for example CBS350-16FP-2G to C1300-16FP-2G. The model-by-model table is on replacing Cisco Business switches.
Unmanaged Cisco switches
Cisco lists the Cisco Business 110 Series as its "entry-level unmanaged switches". For a business network we normally suggest a managed Catalyst 1200 instead, because it separates guest and staff traffic with VLANs and shows what is plugged in, but ask us if you only need a few extra desk ports.
How to order Cisco switches
How ordering works. Press Add next to a part number and it goes into your basket; where the hardware needs a subscription or support term, you pick it in the same step. Add any accessories, then View basket and Request a quote. We check every line, quantity and term against your sites and come back with a personalised quote by email. Nothing is charged online. We can also design, supply, stage, install and configure the network as a project, with the scope confirmed at quote (see network installation).
Not sure which range fits? Contact us with your port count, the devices you need to power and your uplinks, and we will suggest part numbers.
How we can help with your network
Forever Systems can design, supply, stage, install and configure the network around the hardware you buy here, as a project or one step at a time.
- Design: we look at your sites, users and existing kit and size the switches, wireless and firewalls to fit
- Supply: every order gets a personalised quote by part number, with the subscriptions and support each product needs
- Stage: we can pre-configure and label equipment before it reaches site
- Install: we can rack and mount switches, access points and firewalls on site
- Configure: VLANs, wireless, firewall policy, VPNs and management platforms set up and documented at handover
Scope is confirmed at quote, so you only pay for the parts of the project you need.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cisco switch is best for a small business?
Usually the Catalyst 1200 for a single switch, or the Catalyst 1300 if you want stacking, dynamic routing, 2.5G or 10G ports or more PoE. Neither needs a software subscription.
Do Cisco switches need a licence?
Catalyst 9200, 9300 and 9500 switches are sold with Network Essentials or Advantage in the part number plus a mandatory 3, 5 or 7-year DNA or Catalyst subscription. Smart Switches take a Cisco Networking Subscription. The Catalyst 1200 and 1300 need none.
What is the best Cisco 48-port PoE switch?
It depends on the power you need: a Catalyst 1200 or 1300 48-port PoE+ model for a small office, or a Catalyst 9300 or C9350 for 60 W or 90 W ports and multigigabit for Wi-Fi 7. The table above lists examples in each range.
Are Cisco Catalyst switches Layer 3?
Yes, to different degrees: the Catalyst 1200 does static routing, the 1300 dynamic routing (RIPv2, OSPF on the 1300X), and the Catalyst 9000 family full Layer 3.
What replaced the Cisco Business 350?
Cisco names the Catalyst 1300 as the migration range for the Cisco Business 350, and the Catalyst 1200 for the Cisco Business 250.
Can you install Cisco switches?
Yes. We can design, supply, stage, install and configure Cisco switches, stacks and VLANs, with the scope confirmed at quote.
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