In short
The Cisco Catalyst 1200 is Cisco's small business smart switch: 8 to 48 gigabit ports, PoE+ up to 375 W, 1G or 10G uplinks and static routing. No software subscription is needed. Forever Systems, a Cisco Partner, can quote, supply and install any C1200 model; step up to the Catalyst 1300 for stacking.
Order the Catalyst 1200
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What the Catalyst 1200 is
Cisco describes the range as "affordable switches designed and built for small and medium-sized businesses. Managed through the Cisco Business mobile (opens in a new tab) app or dashboard." The switches run "customized Linux OS software" and add "Layer 3 static routing features far beyond those of an unmanaged or consumer-grade switch, at a lower cost than for fully managed switches".
It is the switch Cisco now offers where the Cisco Business 250 used to sit. Typical uses: a small office comms cabinet, a branch with a handful of access points and phones, or extra ports in a meeting room (the 8-port models).
Catalyst 1200 models and part numbers
Press Add next to a part number to put it in your basket. Where a subscription or support option goes with the hardware, you choose it in the same step and it goes into your basket with the hardware. Part numbers come from the vendor; we confirm each line, quantity and term when we quote.
| Part number | Model | Vendor description | Key specs | What you order with it | Status | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1200-8T-D | C1200-8T-D | Catalyst 1200 8-port GE, Desktop, Ext PS, PoE Input | 8x 10/100/1000 ports; desktop | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-8T-E-2G | C1200-8T-E-2G | Catalyst 1200 8-port GE, Ext PS, 2x1G Combo | 8x 10/100/1000 ports; 2x Gigabit copper/SFP combo ports; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-8P-E-2G | C1200-8P-E-2G | Catalyst 1200 8-port GE, PoE, Ext PS, 2x1G Combo | 8x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports with 67W power budget; PoE+ (30W), 67 W budget; 2x Gigabit copper/SFP combo ports; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-8FP-2G | C1200-8FP-2G | Catalyst 1200 8-port GE, Full PoE, 2x1G Combo | 8x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports with 120W power budget; PoE+ (30W), 120 W budget; 2x Gigabit copper/SFP combo ports; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-16T-2G | C1200-16T-2G | Catalyst 1200 16-port GE, 2x1G SFP | 16x 10/100/1000 ports; 2x Gigabit SFP; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-16P-2G | C1200-16P-2G | Catalyst 1200 16-port GE, PoE, 2x1G SFP | 16x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports with 120W power budget; PoE+ (30W), 120 W budget; 2x Gigabit SFP; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-24T-4G | C1200-24T-4G | Catalyst 1200 24-port GE, 4x1G SFP | 24x 10/100/1000 ports; 4x Gigabit SFP; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-24P-4G | C1200-24P-4G | Catalyst 1200 24-port GE, PoE, 4x1G SFP | 24x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports with 195W power budget; PoE+ (30W), 195 W budget; 4x Gigabit SFP; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-24FP-4G | C1200-24FP-4G | Catalyst 1200 24-port GE, Full PoE, 4x1G SFP | 24x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports with 375W power budget; PoE+ (30W), 375 W budget; 4x Gigabit SFP; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-48T-4G | C1200-48T-4G | Catalyst 1200 48-port GE, 4x1G SFP | 48x 10/100/1000 ports; 4x Gigabit SFP; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-48P-4G | C1200-48P-4G | Catalyst 1200 48-port GE, PoE, 4x1G SFP | 48x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports with 375W power budget; PoE+ (30W), 375 W budget; 4x Gigabit SFP; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-24T-4X | C1200-24T-4X | Catalyst 1200 24-port GE, 4x10G SFP+ | 24x 10/100/1000 ports; 4x 10 Gigabit SFP+; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-24P-4X | C1200-24P-4X | Catalyst 1200 24-port GE, PoE, 4x10G SFP+ | 24x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports with 195W power budget; PoE+ (30W), 195 W budget; 4x 10 Gigabit SFP+; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-24FP-4X | C1200-24FP-4X | Catalyst 1200 24-port GE, Full PoE, 4x10G SFP+ | 24x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports with 375W power budget; PoE+ (30W), 375 W budget; 4x 10 Gigabit SFP+; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-48T-4X | C1200-48T-4X | Catalyst 1200 48-port GE, 4x10G SFP+ | 48x 10/100/1000 ports; 4x 10 Gigabit SFP+; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current | |
| C1200-48P-4X | C1200-48P-4X | Catalyst 1200 48-port GE, PoE, 4x10G SFP+ | 48x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports with 375W power budget; PoE+ (30W), 375 W budget; 4x 10 Gigabit SFP+; rack-mountable | No subscription listed | Current |
Add the Catalyst 1200 to your basket
Add it and anything else you need, then check out when you are ready.
Reading a Catalyst 1200 part number
| Part of the code | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 8, 16, 24, 48 | Number of gigabit copper ports | C1200-24P-4G |
| T | Data only, no PoE | C1200-48T-4X |
| P | PoE+ on the ports, partial budget | C1200-24P-4G (195 W) |
| FP | Full PoE+ budget | C1200-24FP-4G (375 W) |
| 2G / 4G | Two or four 1G uplinks (SFP or combo) | C1200-16P-2G |
| 4X | Four 10G SFP+ uplinks | C1200-24FP-4X |
| E | External power supply | C1200-8P-E-2G |
| D | Desktop model that Cisco lists with PoE input | C1200-8T-D |
PoE+ models give "Maximum power of 30.0W to any Gigabit Ethernet port until the PoE budget for the switch is reached" (Cisco). Most models are fanless, which Cisco notes makes them quieter, so they suit open offices and meeting rooms.
Layer 3, VLANs and management
- Routing: static routing with up to 32 static routes and 16 IP interfaces, so the switch can route between staff, voice and guest VLANs and leave the firewall to handle the internet.
- VLANs: up to 255 active VLANs, with voice VLAN and auto surveillance VLAN for phones and cameras.
- Security: 802.1X port authentication, guest VLAN and access control lists.
- Management: the built-in web interface, the Cisco Business mobile app, or Cisco Business Dashboard (the switch can host its embedded probe), plus a CLI over SSH.
Figures are from the Cisco Catalyst 1200 data sheet (opens in a new tab).
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Licences, warranty and support
No software subscription is needed: Cisco's ordering rules list no subscription for the Catalyst 1200, so the part number is all you order.
Cisco's own warranty terms for the range are "Complimentary one-year access to our Small Business Support Center for ongoing support and a limited lifetime warranty with return-to-factory replacement." These are Cisco's terms; any support we add is confirmed at quote.
Catalyst 1200 or Catalyst 1300?
Choose the 1300 if you need stacking (up to eight switches), dynamic routing, multigigabit or 10G copper ports, more than 255 VLANs or PoE budgets above 375 W. Choose the 1200 for a straightforward single-switch office. The full side-by-side is on Catalyst 1200 vs 1300.
Replacing a Cisco Business 250? Cisco names Catalyst 1200 models as the migration path; the Cisco Business switch replacement guide maps every CBS250 code to its replacement.
How to order
How ordering works. Press Add next to a part number and it goes into your basket; where the hardware needs a subscription, you pick the tier and term in the same step. Add accessories, then View basket and Request a quote. We check every line, quantity and term against your plans and come back with a personalised quote by email. Nothing is charged online. We can also design, supply, stage, install and configure the switches as a project, with the scope confirmed at quote (see network installation).
Vendor sources
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
Does the Cisco Catalyst 1200 need a licence?
No. There is no software subscription for the Catalyst 1200; you order the hardware part number only.
Can Catalyst 1200 switches be stacked?
The Catalyst 1200 data sheet lists no stacking. If you need a stack, the Catalyst 1300 supports front-panel stacking of up to eight switches.
Is the Catalyst 1200 a Layer 3 switch?
It has Layer 3 static routing: up to 32 static routes and 16 IP interfaces. Dynamic routing needs the Catalyst 1300.
What is the PoE budget of the C1200-24FP-4G?
Cisco lists 375 W for the C1200-24FP-4G, with up to 30 W on any port until the budget is reached. The model table above shows the budget of every PoE model.
What replaced the Cisco Business 250?
Cisco names Catalyst 1200 models as the migration products in its CBS250 end-of-sale notices, for example C1200-16P-2G and C1200-24FP-4X.
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