Cisco 550X Series Stackable Managed Switches vs. Cisco Catalyst IE3300 Rugged Series Switches

It works very well as stack of core switches in small/medium company with 4x 10Gbit SFP+ interfaces. Native stacking is simple and in ring topology every switch has 2 redundant connections. They support maximum of 8 units per stack. You could use Cisco SG500X in hybrid stack with other series of switches, but make sure if other switch is compatible with hybrid mode stacking. Hybrid stack mode lower the number of units in stack. You should consider other model of switches if you need more then four SFP+ ports to connect more access switches using fiber cables.

Incentivized

Well suited in areas where traditional IT personal need to have some management in a IoT development while keeping security at the for front of the deployment plan. Also offers great flexibility with the ability to purchase additional modules to expand switch port count without purchasing an entire separate switch which is extremely beneficial when space is a constraint and the ability to plan for future growth is impossible. Also the ability to just move SD card to back up switch and plug it in is great when IT staff is remote to keep warm spares onsite.

Incentivized

• Easy to create stacking
• Easy to configure using web interface or command line
• Similar command line to Cisco IOS

Incentivized

• We're extremely proud of the IE3300s. We actually put them up on the cranes as well and with all the movement of the cranes, they're very sturdy and durable. We have not had issues at all with them.

Incentivized

• Missing command line options like show running-config "| include, exlude"
• Possibility to connect to switch using usb console cable or usb dongle
• Missing vtp protocol support, only gvrp available

Incentivized

• Whilst these switches for once weren't actually the most expensive, they are still not the cheapest.
• The IE-3XXX series in particular has great flexibility in that it offers custom options for bespoke needs.
• I would say Cisco focus on their software rather than hardware from experience and design, but it is by no means bad!

Incentivized

Cisco 550X switches stack using 10Gbit SFP+ ports on the front, while Dell N Series has dedicated ports (with cables) on the back of the unit. On the other hand dell N switches has number on small digital display showing stack member number, which is easier to identify. The cisco switches has dot beside the number of the switch member. I think Cisco devices are more reliable and stable than dell switches.

Incentivized

Cisco is more expensive, but it has better security and functionality over competitor products. additionally, our core network is Cisco

Incentivized

The expansion modules really allow us to use these switches for different scenarios in the way that we need them. Sometimes we need a lot of extra ports. Sometimes we need some extra ports, but also extra fiber ports to bring the network to other areas.

Incentivized

• Money savings as they are cheaper than competative Cisco IOS switches
• Cisco Business Switches has limited lifetime warranty
• Good switching capacity, and reliability

Incentivized

• They are grossly overpriced for our implementation, but the built in cybervision and port expansion possibility is vital for us.
• Able to push our security standards with ISE into IoT enviroment.

Incentivized