Catalyst: an oldie with an always young heart
January 18, 2019

Catalyst: an oldie with an always young heart

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

Modules Used

  • Cisco Catalyst 2960 - L

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Catalyst Switches

  • Catalyst 2960 X/XR Series
  • Catalyst 2960-L Series
  • Catalyst 3650 Series
We use it as an access layer, MAN network, and in our data center.
  • Easy to configure and maintain. Once you have implemented a well-designed baseline your Catalyst Switch will perform with no problems even those related to STP that could worry you.
  • Very long BMTF.
  • I haven't had a failure with Catalyst Switches for so long that I change them because of the need for more capacity, but not for disaster failures.
  • The last time a catalyst switch failed was in 2008 and it went to the secondary/standby supervisor so it was really short. Before that, I had a problem with a 4908 that currently doesn't exist.
  • Very reliable.
  • If you learn how to tune up the device and more importantly how to tune up the interconnection and interrelationships among all the devices in your network, you can sleep confident. And the next time you wake up it'll be because of your clock alarm and not because of a phone call from your boss.
  • Excellent cost/performance relation.
  • Even Cisco has so many great characteristics they have been able to keep all those features in the basic models so it is possible to make a deployment with not a big investment and still have a dependable network.
  • We have been able to simplify our network so we can use 3K switches incorporated in a collapsed core network and have it producing money annually, more than 30 million a year.
  • Good written support.
  • When you look at Cisco web pages, since they have been investing in ML/DL, it is easy to find documentation pertinent to your specific problem and/or confirmation scenario.
  • The legacy information is still there.
  • Graphical interface
  • Modularity
  • Keep stacking capabilities
  • As many options are available, it is easy to fit different budgets.
  • Life cycle does not fit hardware life, so working devices have to be removed from the network. I think hardware has to be rethought so that with software updates we can be able to continue milking it.
  • Increase interconnectivity with master-slave domain with OVT.
It allowed for rapid branch office opening.
Less personnel needed to keep the network running. High security configuration so point to point security can be deployed.
Cisco had know-how management, was easy to use, and has wide documentation.
I really like to have a collapsed core network and have my centralized power and my knowledge handy too. With Cisco, we can use low budget devices which is particularly important because you won't need to invest in your telecommunication room but in your data center. It is easy to interact with Cisco firewalls with trunking and stacking capabilities. Connecting your DMZ to 3rd parties is highly reliable. When SDN comes in we can deploy and manage branches almost at once.

If you are deciding whether or not to buy a Cisco switch, answer these questions: Is my business 24/7? Is my business revenue affected by outages? Do I need a network family device with a full lineup so I can manage my engineer's knowledge? If you answered yes, Cisco is for you.

Cisco Catalyst Addtional Questions

  • Core
  • Access
  • Branch connection
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
  • Vendor Reputation
  • Positive Sales Experience with the Vendor
Cisco was well known as a strong player in the market. When we bought they were the strongest.
Get the smart port for fast deployment and then customize it for your own type of business. Remember to apply security by port.
They really were able to come up with a variety of different scenarios for us during the sales process.
They kept a close following and were reachable.

Using Cisco Catalyst Switches

20000 - Marketing, finance, operations, and IT. The whole organization uses Cisco switches as a user.
40 - CCNA or CCDP experienced people with more than 15 years of experience are required to support.
  • A dark metropolitan area network in a ring topology.
  • We have leased 120 kilometers of dark fiber and connect to those 19 branch offices and are using a well-tuned STP. We have 100% availability for the 14th year in a row.
  • As a layer 3 for 3rd party interconnection in a DMZ.
  • We could use is in any way. We have substituted routers where a layer 3 switch can be used. We've found them very flexible because of the virtual interfaces.
Know-how management, low mean time between failures, and easy and fast deployment.

Evaluating Cisco Catalyst Switches and Competitors

Yes - It replaced 3com and another I really don't remember since it was many years ago.
Very likely I won't change my selection. I have been considering NSX since we have ESXi on our data center

Cisco Catalyst Switches Implementation

It is very important to have a checklist of the different deployment options before beginning. Normally you have to spend a 4-hour session with your implementation partner to get things to work faster. Remember they have the technical knowledge but not the business knowledge.
  • Implemented in-house
  • Third-party professional services
GBM Nicaragua & BPS Nicaragua
Change management was a small part of the implementation and was well-handled
  • New learning ways
  • Cisco documentation is crucial to obtain better results

Configuring Cisco Catalyst Switches

I think it is what a customer expects by now. Cisco were pioneers before, but virtualization is a new kid in the block.
No - we have not done any customization to the interface
No - we have not done any custom code

Cisco Catalyst Switches Support

ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Problems get solved
Kept well informed
Immediate help available
Support understands my problem
Support cares about my success
Quick Initial Response
None
No
Really the equipment doesn't need it. Normally performs so well than it is better to have and additional one just to have your back cover than getting premium support
The very first time when I had to deal with high availability 4507 switches connection

I needed to understand clearly vbi and others
Good enough for my needs and usage.

Using Cisco Catalyst Switches

ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
Feel confident using
None
  • Smart ports
  • Gui interface
  • Stacking
  • Cdp
  • Till now nothing
Really are easy to use

Fast deployment

Cisco Catalyst Switches Reliability

Need more graphical user interface
I have had only 2 outrages in 18 years. Really a very reliable piece of technology Cisco has there
I thing high level (executive) level reports should be automatically generated since budget comes from general and financial manager who usually don't care about technical details

Integrating Cisco Catalyst Switches

Programming was easy
  • Cisco firewalls
  • Radware hardware
  • Face recognition system
Not too deep. It was easy
  • Single Signon
  • API (e.g. SOAP or REST)
No
Just take your time to learn some coding

Relationship with Cisco

Sow and financial conditions
No. They have a very good service oriented culture

Upgrading Cisco Catalyst Switches

  • Eliminate bugs
  • No down time
  • More programming choices
  • Let me be so creative by coding details choices and making a very customized network
  • Some graphical user interface with out of the box codes
No - We are budget tight by now