Cisco Catalyst Switches vs ExtremeSwitching comparison

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Cisco Catalyst Switches and ExtremeSwitching based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two LAN Switching solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. ExtremeSwitching Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"We have dealt with Cisco's technical support in the past. They were especially helpful and very polite. They are always there if we need them and their insights are always excellent. I would say that we have been satisfied with the level of support we've gotten so far.""The most valuable feature is the interface, it's easy to configure. The command line uses a switch that gives us security.""Perpetual POE is a valuable feature, because when the switch reboots, access points do not.""Cisco Catalyst Switches is very stable, configurable, and durable. It is also easy to manage.""The hardware and the security are the product's valuable features""Catalyst switches are highly stable and easy to use. It's a technology well known by most engineers.""Overall top of the line solution.""Mostly the LAN switching is the most valuable aspect of the solution."

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"The unique ring topology is actually a handy innovation.""ExtremeSwitching fabric technology is a unique technology used to protect against viruses. ExtremeCloud IQ is a very good and feature-rich solution compared to Cisco, Ruxi Networks, or Huawei.""The stability has been largely pretty good.""The performance of ExtremeSwitching is good.""ExtremeSwitching is a good, stable platform.""They are good. We have been using them for about two years, and we are satisfied with their performance. For our network environment, these switches are working fine.""In the case of small businesses, the solution is budget-friendly and easy to configure.""Performance is good."

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Cons
"The management of Cisco Catalyst Switches could be improved.""Currently, Catalyst is completely proprietary with Cisco. They should have programmability options, through open-source controllers.""The product could offer more integrations with other solutions.""The product should work on its pricepoints. It's an expensive solution.""Facilitating and adapting the security updates would be a good improvement, because usually it requires to reboot the router to get them""Cisco Catalyst Switches should have better performance and be easier to use. Additionally, they should add artificial intelligence features.""The configuration process is hard.""The solution could improve security."

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"It could be cheaper in general.""The interface could be improved.""I believe they should be more aggressive in terms of pricing.""Their support could definitely be better.""The solution lacks a cyber asset attack capability.""The licensing is expensive.""ExtremeSwitching has many features but having come from Cisco environments, there is a steep learning curve to learning all the functionality.""The solution as a whole has hardware quality issues."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "​The price should go down instead of up. ​"
  • "It has a very high cost, but understandably, due to its very good quality."
  • "Cisco's prices are not cheap, but the stability is worth it."
  • "Pricing could be better."
  • "If you consider Cisco's price with the Dell, you will definitely lose with Cisco. But Cisco has a major area of equipment in general. Cisco has routers, firewalls, NAC, certain video conferencing, Apple phones, and different security solutions. But Dell doesn't have such areas, Dell only has switching architecture."
  • "Generally, Cisco Catalyst would be relatively expensive compared to the competition, it would be on the expensive side."
  • "Pricing is an issue I have been facing, in comparison with HPE or Juniper. The Nexus series is out of the question right now. Scalability is more an issue on the pricing side and less on the technology side."
  • "Catalyst is very expensive."
  • More Cisco Catalyst Switches Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "On pricing, ExtremeSwitches are going to beat most of the major competition."
  • "It is not a subscription-based model, and there is no licensing concept. We have to pay for hardware AMC. We have hardware on our premises and for the hardware support, we have to go for the annual maintenance contract with the partner."
  • "The pricing and licensing are good with the cloud."
  • "There is a cost for ExtremeSwitching and if you want the support and maintenance, there are additional costs. My clients typically pay for the support and maintenance annually."
  • "There is no license required to use the solution. The hardware controller is expensive, and this is why I prefer controlling ExtremeSwitching on the cloud."
  • "The price is expensive. We pay for a license, but you have to pay more if you want to increase the number."
  • "We paid 25,000 to 30,000 INR."
  • "ExtremeSwitching offers very good pricing plans for their licenses. Compared to their rivals, ExtremeSwitching's prices are very affordable and reasonable. This is why our customers are happy to pay for their service critical support. ExtremeSwitching also offers a great portal to track clients, further satisfying our customers. They are always happy to pay for the service every month. The pricing is very reasonable."
  • More ExtremeSwitching Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:Hello Mesfin It depends on the real scenario, the cisco 2960 is a very good device and they usually have routing functions but there are many different models within the same 2960 line, and on the… more »
    Top Answer:The most valuable features of the solution are BGP, VPN, and spine-leaf architecture.
    Top Answer:ExtremeSwitching is a good, stable platform.
    Top Answer:ExtremeSwitching offers very good pricing plans for their licenses. Compared to their rivals, ExtremeSwitching's prices are very affordable and reasonable. This is why our customers are happy to pay… more »
    Top Answer:Experiences with ExtremeSwitching depend on the customer. It keeps changing, but it has a high capacity, with more throughput and more ports for data centers. For regular customers, it is extremely… more »
    Ranking
    1st
    out of 16 in LAN Switching
    Views
    11,301
    Comparisons
    5,661
    Reviews
    20
    Average Words per Review
    449
    Rating
    8.8
    7th
    out of 16 in LAN Switching
    Views
    1,230
    Comparisons
    735
    Reviews
    10
    Average Words per Review
    424
    Rating
    8.4
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst
    Learn More
    Overview

    Cisco Catalyst Switches are a reliable and scalable network switching and routing solution, focusing on VLANs and VLAN switching. They are used as access switches, distribution switches, and core switches in various environments, deployed on-premises, and used for long connections. The switches are easy to configure, install, and upgrade and offer good pricing. 

    The most valuable features include warranty and firmware support, stability, security, good performance, flexibility, etc. The Cisco Catalyst Switches have provided a stable solution for the organizations and are widely used, trusted, and well-known in the networking industry.

    ExtremeSwitching is the family of products comprising different switch types: Modular (X8 and 8000 series [formerly BlackDiamond] and S and K series switches); Stackable (X-series and A, B, C, and 7100 series switches); Standalone (SSA, X430, and D, 200, 800, and ISW series); and Mobile Backhaul (E4G). ExtremeSwitching work from Edge Switching that ensures the performance and reliable operation of end-user devices and applications including port density, bandwidth, and network services to Aggregation / Core Switches is designed for the demanding needs of aggregation, top-of-rack and campus core environments, these switches deliver 10Gb, 40Gb and even 100Gb bandwidth with maximum throughput and reliability.
    Sample Customers
    Afni, Anilana Hotels and Resorts, Baylor Scott & White Health, Beachbody, Bellevue, Del Papa Distributing, Explorer Pipeline, Mindtree, Omaha World Herald, Radio 538, Sony Corporation, Telecom Italia, Telenor Arena
    Blue Waters
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company13%
    Comms Service Provider11%
    University10%
    Manufacturing Company10%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization52%
    Computer Software Company9%
    Government4%
    Manufacturing Company4%
    REVIEWERS
    Government17%
    University17%
    Security Firm8%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company11%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    Construction Company9%
    Real Estate/Law Firm9%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business41%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise42%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business11%
    Midsize Enterprise57%
    Large Enterprise31%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business39%
    Midsize Enterprise33%
    Large Enterprise28%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business26%
    Midsize Enterprise17%
    Large Enterprise57%
    Buyer's Guide
    Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. ExtremeSwitching
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. ExtremeSwitching and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Cisco Catalyst Switches is ranked 1st in LAN Switching with 166 reviews while ExtremeSwitching is ranked 7th in LAN Switching with 16 reviews. Cisco Catalyst Switches is rated 8.6, while ExtremeSwitching is rated 8.4. The top reviewer of Cisco Catalyst Switches writes "Reliable and stable catalyst switch; can be easily installed". On the other hand, the top reviewer of ExtremeSwitching writes "Easy to configure, with a switching-level security feature". Cisco Catalyst Switches is most compared with Arista Networks Platform, Dell PowerConnect Switches, HPE ProCurve, Cisco Nexus and Aruba Instant On Switches, whereas ExtremeSwitching is most compared with Cisco Nexus and NETGEAR Switches. See our Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. ExtremeSwitching report.

    See our list of best LAN Switching vendors, best Data Center Networking vendors, and best AV Over IP Switching vendors.

    We monitor all LAN Switching reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.