Excellent Access Layer Switches
Updated March 22, 2024

Excellent Access Layer Switches

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

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches

Cisco Catalyst 9200 switches are used as access layer switches in our organization as they replace previous 2960X models. They are robust and performant devices that support all features needed at the access layer. We also benefit from their compatibility with the Digital Network Architecture solution as they are integrated into the Cisco DNA Center platform.
  • DHCP Snooping
  • ARP Inspection
  • Network Access Control
  • SNMPv3
  • Traffic counters
  • Robustness in a long period of time
  • Modularity and redundancy
  • Simplicity of deployment through automation
In a large-scale environment that operates dozens of network switches, automation can make the difference. This allows a tailored template to be massively deployed on every new switch as well as on every switch that needs to be replaced; whether a standalone or a stack member. Once out of the box, a brand new device can be implemented both easily and quickly, which is a key factor for the exploitation phase of a network.
Management is very important when operating a network as All admins want to make sure their devices are correctly supervised and managed. A solution like DNAC allows for Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches to be fully integrated, supervised and managed in an automated way, which is beneficial during network exploitation.
We selected Cisco Catalyst switches because of their robustness and their ability to fulfill a specific role (access, distribution...) depending on the serie. When using different series at different layers, they perfectly interoperate in a legacy environment, as well as in a SDN environment when operated through Catalyst / DNA Center.

Do you think Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches's feature set?

Yes

Did Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches again?

Yes

The typical scenario in which Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches are well suited is an access-layer usage. They support all the needed features to ensure fast connectivity as well as enhanced security for end-users/end-points. I think that they would not be suited in a backbone layer or WAN layer scenario as there are other series that would be more relevant.

Cisco Catalyst Addtional Questions

  • Access layer switches
  • Network Access Control
  • DAI
  • DHCP Snooping
  • SDN
  • Scalability
  • Ease of Use
Scalability would be our main objective, in order to be able to quickly and efficiently deploy new floors, buildings, sites with network switches.
Go with Catalyst / DNA Center from the start if possible as it allows for clean deployments, configurations, updates process and normalization.
I don't take part into the sales process.
In case of TAC cases opened to CISCO whenever an issue was found, we received proper support and almost every time a suitable solution was provided and implemented. There are a lot of bugs and security vulnerabilies and it's not always easy to have the whole device park covered but support is always helpful to reach this goal.
TAC's help has been requeted several times for various issues (stack issues, licensing, upgrades...) during run/exploitation of devices. We found valuable that our requets were quickly processed and addressed if possible. Sometimes, it can take a while if a BU agreement is needed, which could be improved, but that's only a small part of our opened cases.

Using Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches

1000 - For end-user it represents : Availability through stack members / network modules / power supplies redudancy, speed through 1Gbps downlinks and 10G/25G uplinks, security through NAC / DAI / DHCP Snooping features. They guarantee for people perfect conditions for business to be done throughout the day / month / year.
10 - Appetite for networking and technology in a global maner, good planning to run the changes and upgrades, familiar with network management supervision / assurance (Prime Infrastructure, Catalyst / DNA Center). But not necessarily expert and Cisco-certificed people as these devices are also easy to work with, both a legacy and automated environments.
  • ISSU
  • Stackwise
  • Catalyst / DNA Center

Evaluating Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches and Competitors

Yes - It can basically replace all old access layer switches (29xx)
I did not take part into the selection process.

Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches Support

ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Problems get solved
Kept well informed
No escalation required
Immediate help available
Support cares about my success
Quick Initial Response
Need to explain problems multiple times
As Cisco Gold partner we have a high level of support with Cisco.
Not Applicable

Using Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches

ProsCons
Like to use
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
Feel confident using
None
  • Automation
  • NAC
  • Upgrades
  • Stack member replacement with Catalyst / DNA Center
These are very handy switches as they are easy to deploy / use and fulfill all needs related to access layer switches.