Cisco Catalyst 3850 is a robust platform
June 10, 2020

Cisco Catalyst 3850 is a robust platform

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Modules Used

  • Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Catalyst Switches

  • Catalyst 3650 Series
  • Catalyst 3850 Series
  • Catalyst 9300 Series
Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series are used as core switches for our network in all offices all around the world. We also have implemented Wireless LAN Controller in that and using it for or Wireless Network Controller. Catalyst 3850 is connected to my WAN gateway and connects to the internal network. They are very robust and easy to work with. We also export NetFlow from the device to monitor traffic from it.

Pros

  • Switching
  • Very robust platform
  • Add-on options such as Wireless LAN Controller; WLC job also does very well with handling entire traffic

Cons

  • Platform doesn't allow performance monitoring. Allowing this would be helpful.
  • It doesn't allow CBQoS monitoring either, which could be improved.
  • WCL works perfectly fine for me.
  • Along with WLC, I can run it as my core switch and it has not disappointed me so far.
  • Stable L2 switch
  • A few bugs are present, but Cisco is fixing them and also replacing the device when it is faulty.
  • End of Life is a bit concerning, but that is in 2025 so still have time.
Unfortunately, we haven't looked at the virtualization feature of this platform. We don't have any need to use StackWise Virtual Technology yet. Also, we haven't looked at the automatic backup feature yet. But that's something I would want to start working on.
As the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series has built-in Wireless LAN Controller, it comes with a dedicated feature that allows you to configure it easily. After configuring IP Address, you can reach the switch from web browser and configure all different WLC configurations over there. Other features we haven't explored yet.
We don't have so huge of a network yet that we'd need to Stack these platforms.
Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series is used in all office locations including the Datacenter. It has a Wireless LAN Controller, which makes it my first choice. The platform works completely fine for my Wireless Access Point connections. Also, it is my core switch for all office locations. The platform is very robust. It has a few issues such as clock synchronization and power supply stops responding and a few more that make it difficult to use sometimes. It may not be a good idea to buy it now as Cisco recently announced End of Life for this platform. I believe it is to promote Cat 9000 series switches.

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