Cisco Catalyst IE3100 Rugged Series Switches vs. Cisco Ethernet Switches

The Cisco Catalyst IE3100 Rugged Series Switches are well suited for harsh environments where the environment is really cold or really hot. These switches have been running for years with no issues even with degrees above 100 degrees and temperatures below 0 degrees. Outside environments are also well suited for the Cisco Catalyst IE3100 Rugged Series Switches.

Incentivized

Cisco is a name well known in the IT field. The technology is tried and true and they have built a reputation on a solid platform. Though many people do not like the cost of the devices and the continued fees associated with long term ownership, you get what you pay for. I dont hesitate to recommend Cisco because I know people will get a solid product that will last a long time.

Incentivized

• Copper Ethernet device aggregation
• Footprint is small
• Upgrade firmware is easier than IE-2000

Incentivized

• Easy setup and configuration. While the web UI has its quirks, setting up VLANs and other tasks which can be exceedingly complicated on other switches, are much easier on Cisco SG switches. You also have the ability to upload an existing configuration to switches, which can speed up the task of deploying many identical switches.
• Features for the price. Getting a 48 port L3 switch with PoE+ for less than $2,000 is a great value.
• Reliability. We have hundreds of the SG switches in dozens of client sites, many in harsh conditions, and they just keep going.

Incentivized

• Could be cheaper in POE version

Incentivized

• The web UI has taken a turn for the worse with the latest firmware on the SGx50 models -- the bifurcation between basic and advanced modes and the changes to the way VLANs are modified is a step backward in my opinion.
• The power bricks on smaller models are enormous. I'm sure, however, keeping this circuitry external to the switch is what keeps my switches running year after year in hot environments.
• Fans can be a bit loud on larger switches -- this is true of pretty much any 1U device though.

Incentivized

The new IE-3100/Stratix 5200 WEBUI platform and the new IOX-XE firmware platform is a great improvement on the switch performance in the field.

Incentivized

for their relialiabilty

Fits our needs

Incentivized

Albert Mitchell's team is great!!

Incentivized

These switches are suitable for small but weather intensive situations. Compared to the Cisco 9000 series these do perfect if you do not need a big amount of ports. We used the 9000 series in certain substations, but they are overkill. I have also seen a better performance compared to the 9000 series with the weather.

Incentivized

Cisco is more enterprise level, more reliable, and generally more feature rich but also very expensive. That being said old or refurbished Cisco switches are much more affordable and in comparison to even new switches from the competitor they are still a great value even though they are used. I like Ubiquiti switches as well but Cisco is usually better overall.

Incentivized

• They last years
• End of life is really short lived
• Really reliable

Incentivized

• Failure on Cisco Switches, from my experience, is rare in the first 5 years the device is up.
• I have see the Cisco 6500 switches go 5 years without a reboot, which is nothing short of amazing.
• The service that you get is top notch and available 24/7, and you really cannot put a price on that.

Incentivized