Enterprise Campus use of 3850 Series Switches
Updated January 10, 2019
Enterprise Campus use of 3850 Series Switches
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Modules Used
- Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series
Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Catalyst Switches
- Catalyst 3850 Series
48U-L, for Layer 2 Access Switch for end users. 12 or 24XS, for Layer 3 Distribution Switch to aggregate building-level Access Switches.
- Layer 3 Distribution
- Layer 2 Access
- Rich Feature Set: Flexible NetFlow, MPLS, Multicast, Built-in Wireshark
- StackWise Logical Stacking
- These switches have the ability to do Wireless and act as a WLC, but the feature set is extremely lacking.
- The 48U-L replaced our 48P 3750's and have done extremely well scaling and adopting that role.
- The 12/24XS has replaced the 4500X as our distribution. The command set is easier, more intuitive, and reliable when compared to the 4500X; especially Stackwise vs. VSS for redundancy.
- The ability to build a scaled MPLS backbone in the 3850's has been extremely helpful. We can eliminate the need for spanning an unwanted VLAN by just encapsulating and moving the data with MPLS.
StackWise has been amazing for logical stacking/redundancy. The built-in Wireshark has been convenient. The ability for Flexible NetFlow has given us great insight on the traffic that traverses our network. We have not use the automation/SDA features yet but look forward to it.
We are not using the advanced customization or manageability that I am aware of. We currently run a traditional network. We manage these devices via SNMP and SSH like any other networking switch.
In my earlier comments, I mentioned the transition and comparison between 3750's for L2 and 4500X for L3. I have not used too many other similar platforms. However, for any access deployments over x4 3850's in Stackwise, I think we've had better performance from 4500 chassis.
Cisco Catalyst Addtional Questions
- Access Switches (U-L model) for end users. We typically work with a stack of 3 and move to a chassis beyond that.
- Distribution Switches (XS models) to aggregate access layer switches.
- Product Features
- Product Usability
- Product Reputation
- Prior Experience with the Product
- Vendor Reputation
- Existing Relationship with the Vendor
- Positive Sales Experience with the Vendor
Our engineers are trained with and have a close relationship with Cisco.It is what we know and rely on.
Every environment is different. Refer to Cisco and their white pages on the product line "best practice."
We only utilize Cisco's free pre-sales services of solution architecture. They do an amazing job with this and the service we received was not lacking. I think they need to value these engineers more as their retention as of late has been the issue.
Using Cisco Catalyst Switches
The entire university mostly runs off of Cisco switches.
10 - Network Engineers. CCNA/CCNP
- We use them for their normal intent and purposes.
- They are used for their normal intent and purposes.
Evaluating Cisco Catalyst Switches and Competitors
Nothing. Cisco is a software company and we're trained on their product. The learning curve of evaluating something different at this time is not truly cost effective.
Cisco Catalyst Switches Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed Immediate help available Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
Not Sure
Cisco provided free demo/testing switches and helped us migrate our old standards to the new product line.
Using Cisco Catalyst Switches
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Convenient Feel confident using | Slow to learn |
- Normal switching features.
- The normal gambit. This product line did not introduce any new difficulties.