Cisco 3750x vs. Cisco 3850- Which of these Cisco Catalyst Series’ is better?

Interested in Cisco’s innovative collection of Switches? Below is our comparison and review of two of Cisco’s best: the Cisco 3750x and Cisco 3850. Take a look.

Cisco prides themselves in their extensive collections of well featured Switches. Equipped with various capabilities and their proprietary technologies, these devices are well suited for different operations and applications. This comparison review takes on two of Cisco’s very popular collections: the Cisco 3750x and the Cisco 3850X. Here, we take a close look at what each of these series’ has to offer. An additional comparison should help you distinguish between these collections.

Read on for further insight if you are interested in our comprehensive review and comparison of the Cisco Catalyst 3750x and the Cisco Catalyst 3850.

What are the differences between the Cisco 3750x and Cisco 3850?

 
Cisco 3750x
Cisco 3850
Featured uplinks
4 x 1GE2  with 10GE NM4 and  1 GE or 2 x 10GE SM
4 x 1GE2  with 1/10GE4  and 1/10GE(on 48 port model)
Stacking bandwidth
64 Gbps
480 Gbps
QoS model
MLS
MQC
IOS wireless software controller
No
Yes
OS
Cisco IOS
Cisco IOS-XE

Cisco 3750x vs. Cisco 3850 – How do they compare

Quality of service

Both switches feature an advanced wired and wireless Quality of Service.  It is a useful tool for prioritizing and managing available bandwidth for both switches.  The right QoS will offer congestion avoidance, increase bandwidth and prioritize queuing for improved output.  That said, the 3850 switch offers 8 egress queues and supports a MQC configuration whereas the 3750x features an MLS configuration with only 4 egress queues.

Design

Cisco prides itself on operation simplicity, with a variety of protocols and features developed for streamlined use. These models feature a USB port, but this is located at the  back of the 3750x and at the front of the  3850. They both support two hot swappable power supplies, with the 3850 series supporting three hot swappable fans as opposed to the 3750x’s two. The models feature compatible power stacking cables but integrate different data stacking cables. The 3850 series also offers a wireless controller which is not available with the 3750x series, making it a more convenient option for hassle-free management.

Cisco 3750x vs. Cisco 3850- A comparison review

Cisco 3750x

The Cisco Catalyst 3750-x is an enterprise class collection of devices, and the final addition to the 3750 evolution of switches. Interestingly, this series is part of the Cisco 3750 collection, which includes the original Cisco 3750 Switch portfolio and different newer generation upgrades.

Features

Cisco describes this collection as an enterprise class product line that is stackable and offers various benefits across business networks. Some of these include improved availability, performance and scalability with increased ease of operation. Many innovative features work together to ensure these models deliver enhanced productivity even with constantly evolving business needs.

The 3750X models are available in 24-48 ports. Some of the models are enabled with Power over Ethernet connectivity. This feature serves not only to reduce cost of deployment by allowing connection over Ethernet cabling. Additional GbE FP network modules and 10GE SFP+ uplink modules allow for configuration on these Switches.

Stacking on the 3750 models is possible thanks to various proprietary Cisco features. The Cisco Stack Wise Plus feature on Cisco 3750-X models is an upgrade of the Cisco Stack wise technology. In combination with the Cisco StackPower technology, users can manage a stack of up to

Powered by Cisco IOS software, the models on this collection offer enhanced intelligent services across the Network. These, include but are not limited to, various Layer 2 and Layer 3 features and functionalities. 3750X models are available in LAN Base and IP Base feature sets Layer 2 and Layer 3 support allows the Cisco3750X models advanced Layer functionalities including IP routing, Advanced Qos and much more.

WS-C3750X-48T

The Cisco WS-C3750X-48T is a 48 port option that offers a 160 Gbps bandwidth performance and 101.2 Mpps forwarding rate. it features an Expandable power system XPS 2200 which offers StackPower and RPS functionality for the 3750 switch. It also offers additional perks such as power supply redundancy for optimized consumption. With the EnergyWise, intelligent power management protocols and energy efficient Ethernet help enhance power uptake, control power consumption and maximize on power used.

It is designed for increased ease of use with Smart Operations and simplified configuration controls.  Additionally, this device features a variety of security protocols to advance the level of protection offered.  The 3750x switch offers an easy to use integrated security which provides threat defense against different risks.

Alongside port security and DHCP snooping, this switch also offers IEEE 802.1AE MACsec, flexible authentication and a variety of advanced security features.

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Cisco 3850

If you are in need of a reliable series of switches, then allow us to introduce the Cisco Catalyst 3850 series of switches. This collection is designed to replace many other previous Cisco switch collections. With a 3850 switch, users can expect high performance including great security.

Features

This line is founded on technologies meant to reduce cost of set up, network complexity and overall risk while greatly improving innovation within the operation. The 3850 multigigabit devices ensure you can improve your business network, at lower costs and with minimal difficulty. In fact, Cisco assures that the CDNA powered 3850 tech is responsible for the elaborate. The technology used on these devices ensures that enterprises can converge wireless and wired platforms.

The models within this series support 5 network modules. With over 30 models available on the catalyst 3850 entourage, users have a wide selection of these Switches. Different editions of the Cisco IOS XE software for imaging are included in the 3850 design. These editions include tech with: LAN Base software and IP service software. Notably, models powered by LAN Base software require StackPower cables to allow StackPower operations. If you are in need of a wireless controller, thenn IP base and IP service software powered models are just for you.

Thanks to the stackable capabilities on this model, users can stack up to 9 3850 switches and manage them as one: and offer a stacking bandwidth of 480Gbps. Cisco’s StackPower

WS-C3850-48F

Cisco WS-C3850-48F-S Catalyst 3850 48 Port Full PoE Networking Device
  • Cisco catalyst 3850 48 port full PoE ip base
  • Design that delivers high availability, scalability, and for maximum flexibility and price/performance

The Cisco WS-C3850-48F is a 48 port switch with full POE support.  These 10/100/1000 Mbps ports also support UPOE, with an energy efficient Ethernet configuration for optimized operation and power consumption. The ports support up to 60W power in a single rack unit factor. It features StackWise and StackPower technology to provide redundancy while enhancing output for scalability and resiliency.

This device features a 130.95 Mpps rate with a 480 Gbps bandwidth performance. It is an easy upgrade path and a simplified user interface for streamlined use. It provides templates and offers interactive wizards to help users customize their network needs even without expansive experience.  The model also offers support for multicast routing, Flexible NetFlow and modular Quality of Service, alongside a number of security features for added protection with use.  The 3850 switch is easy to use, and offers a range of customization options to suit user configuration needs.

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Now, let’s compare the WS-C3850-48F  to the WS-C3750X-48T

WS-C3850-48F
WS-C3750X-48T
Forwarding rate
101.2 Mpps
130.95 Mpps
Number of ports
48
48
Optimized power consumption
Threat defense

Conclusion

If you are interested in a reliable switch series, both the 3750x and 3850 options could be suited for you. They offer simplified and secure operations, with dynamic protocols to provide configuration control over different aspects of operation. You can monitor unique network analytics,  take up intensive threat defense and enjoy simplified operation with either option. The Cisco 3850 offers better performance, with higher bandwidth output and forwarding rate readings. It is a dynamic solution that will offer interactive network management.

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