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Cisco Catalyst 9300 as an MPLS PE
February 13, 2023

Cisco Catalyst 9300 as an MPLS PE

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

Modules Used

  • Cisco Catalyst 3560 - CX
  • Cisco Catalyst 2960 X/XR Series
  • Cisco Catalyst 2960 - L
  • Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series
  • Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Catalyst Switches

  • Catalyst 9300 Series
Excellent routing-switch that can provide both access and distribution functionality due to it's MPLS support. What is quite impressive is it's Multicast support where with Profile 13 the switch can act as a proper PE towards the core network. With the 8-port 10-gig interfaces the switch is an excellent choice to connect access-network towards Uplinks (10 gig up and 1 gig downlinks).
  • Software, Software, software. This is where Cisco is great, great with all features available.
  • Stacking-functionality without blocking fiber-ports (which is quite common elsewhere)
  • Power-stack functionality to get redundancy but saving on power-supplies
  • They should have a slide-out tap for labeling (no space on unit for adding a label when using the 48-port model)
  • Cisco's pricing model should be (even) more based on which software features you use. This way, price could become more competitive.
  • Missing an aux-port...
  • Software features saved the day in regards to Multicast support
  • What Cisco could improve is their configuration guides, becomes costly sometimes to figure out how to setup some unique software feature (Multicast Profile 13 for example)
  • Good with different amount of port models, then one can save money per location
The usage of the expansionports (for 10-gig interfaces) is a must, one could argue that it should be fixed ports, but when you build a stack maybe only one unit actually needs 10-gig. In regards to mangeability when you use the 9300 as distribution router it's really just a part of it's nature to fully use SNMPv3, SSH and so for management.
Nokia turned out to be more expensive and Huawei was just marginally cheeper, so not really that complicated to choose. It was actually a bit suprising to see that Cisco was priced so good when you started to look on full software support (for MPLS PE functionality). Nothing wrong with the competition, but they quickly become more expensive to manage due to that it's much easier to find staff that are comfortable to deal with Cisco.

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

Yes

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

Yes

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

Yes

Did implementation of Cisco Catalyst Switches go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Cisco Catalyst Switches again?

Yes

Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000), Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR 4000), Cisco 550X Series Stackable Managed Switches
Due to their MPLS-support I do think they are quite suitable as distribution routers. Not really as switches (as which they are sold). I do believe the whole market with these smart-switches (routers) are a bit wrongly labeled, you compare price to simple switch and they are just plain too expensive. And in that context, yes I do think they are wrong to be used for basic access, there is so many other switches that are cheeper and still can do the same thing.

Using Cisco Catalyst Switches

ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Consistent
Convenient
Feel confident using
Slow to learn
  • Cisco IOS is logical, not the smartest user interface, but from a human perspective, user friendly.
  • Smart cable plug to the power-supplies, can not unplug without disconnecting
  • Software updates becomes worse and worse with Cisco with each new platform. Come one Cisco! This used to be easy!
  • SNMPv3 configuration has to be improved... configure it and then try to check what you configured and you'll see what I mean...
  • Cisco needs to improve their configuration guides (especially in regards to Multicast)
Excellent switch to be used when you want more functionality (software wise). I would actually want to revise calling it a switch and would rather prefer to call it a router due to the software support.
Easy to work with, to install in rack, just a standard switch + then much better software then the average box.