Cisco SG 300 vs. Cisco 2960- Which is a better addition to small business networks?

If you are on the market for highly functional Business class switches, then you have come to the right place. Here in is a comprehensive review, and comparison of the Cisco SG 300 and Cisco 2960: take a look.

A switch is an important device on an enterprise network operation. The Cisco SG 300 is a line of Small Medium Business Class Switches engineered to deliver great performance on small business networks at affordable prices. Alternatively, the Cisco 2960 is a collection of Enterprise class gadgets with an impressive lineup of features and capabilities.

Like you, many users are interested in distinguishing between these two collections and what they have to offer. Take a look as we compare and review both of these series to help you decide which of them is better. Here is Cisco SG 300 vs. Cisco 2960 for more.

What are the differences between the Cisco SG 300 and the Cisco 2960?

	Cisco SG 300	Cisco 2960
Cisco Line	Cisco SMB	Cisco Catalyst
Layer Specific functionality	Layer 3 switch	Layer 2 edge switch
Type of switch	Fixed configuration managed ethernet switches	Fixed configuration ethernet switch
Intelligence Services	–	Yes
	Check Price	Check Price

Cisco SG 300 vs. Cisco 2960- What are their differences?

Deployment

The SG 300 while designed for easy deployment and use does not include standard CLI based configuration. In fact, Cisco explicitly mentions that unlike other series, including the 2960, the devices include Textview CLI, a scriptable command Line Interface in addition to the full and menu based CLI options. With this feature, users can easily configure the SG 300 models within minutes.

Performance and build

Since the SG 300 and Cisco 2960 are not from the same collection, they are bound to have many differences in design.  For instance, while the quality of build on the SG 300 devices is not terrible, this

Collection does not offer the kind of build on Catalyst switches. It is still a great option for small environments without overwhelming needs. The Catalyst 2960 features great build with some impressive hardware additions. Moreover, this switch is designed for scalable networks with high demands. Unlike the SG 300, the Cisco 2960 has more versatile performance over different sized networks.

Cisco SG 300 vs. Cisco 2960-A comparison review

Cisco 2960

The Cisco 2960 is considered a collection of intelligent Ethernet switches. Models within this line are made to suit entry level enterprises, mid market and even branch offices. The wide selection of features and intelligent services are geared towards operational excellence on your network:  with improvements in security, scalability, availability and much more.

Features

Cisco designed these fixed configuration stand alone switches with various features to enhance LAN services on different operations. Ideally, these Switching solutions offered in FE and GE connectivity should suit perfectly enterprise, various midmarket organizations and branch offices.

Intelligence services offered by the 2960 models are important in improving different aspects of the network. These services are responsible for the significant improvements in network performance seen with these devices. For instance, Advanced QoS . Importantly, intelligence at the Network edge is an important feature to have especially when in need of increase in availability within the network. These Additionally, these intelligence services contribute  for overall increased network control and bandwidth optimization within the operation. Many ports across various models serve to deliver extensive connectivity.

Some of the benefits that accompany these devices include enhanced security, with easy to deploy devices and integrated redundancy which serves for fault backups. These Layer 2 edge switches integrate operational excellence in to the network, ensuring the network information is kept secure, sustainability is improved and overall users have an enhanced network experience.

Management and administration using one of the 2960’s model line-up is pretty convenient. Various tools are set up to ensure fast and easy deployment of the 2960 Switching solutions. Many network control and administration features make configuration, upgrade and troubleshooting are simple and convenient.

Cisco WS-C2960-24LT-L

The 2960 24-LT-L network switch features 24 Ethernet ports with 8 offering POE support and 2 offering 10/100/1000TX.  This model offers a 16 Gbps bandwidth performance and supports intelligent traffic management with enhanced Qos. It offers wire speed Qos features including Ingress monitoring, auto Qos and traffic classification. The switch is designed for optimized energy consumption, and it features IEEE 802.3az efficient energy protocol that cuts down consumption on idle ports.

Additional features including EnergyWise technology, catalyst operations and smart troubleshooting help to streamline function and limit power intake. The switch is very easy to set up and use. It offers protocols such as DHCP, Local proxy ARP, autonegotiation, IGMP, voice VLAN alongside wizards and templates to help simplify operation. The unit works to mitigate threats by offering advanced network security through threat defense, port based access control lists, multidomain authentication, SPAN and private VLAN.

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Cisco SG 300

The Cisco 300 Series of Small Business Switches is an easy to use collection of devices. These are suitable for forming great network foundations, at quite competitive prices. The series provides all the features are capabilities necessary for building a more efficient and highly connected operation.

Features

Cisco’s SG 300 is the ultimate combination of affordability and great performance. This Series of Switches from Cisco technically termed:  fixed configuration Managed Ethernet switches, is a broad portfolio of .gadgets that is easy to use and quite beneficial to Small to Midsized business networks.

While the entire collection is designed to offer optimized performance across networks, we solely focus on the Gigabit Ethernet enabled Switches. The SG models, as included in the tag are available in 10-52 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity ports. The mini GIC converter allows for network expansion over fiber or GE uplinks. These models feature faster Switching capacity and forwarding rates.

This managed Switching solution offers high performance on your enterprise network with improved reliability and overall flexibility. Including many rigorously tested features and capabilities, the Cisco SG 300 models eliminate slow transfer times within networks. In fact, these devices empower users to prioritize and optimized bandwidth, and increase availability within the operation.

The Cisco 300 models are easy to set up and include many tools and features dedicated to reduce the time spent installing, configuring, managing or troubleshooting these switching solutions. Various embedded security features ensure the information within your network is kept safe, access remains limited and sensitive parts of the network protected.

Administration and management on these devices is quite convenient, with a wide selection of features dedicated to deliver advanced network management. Other capabilities and benefits associated with the Cisco SG 300 include versatility in terms of deployments, with bonus power saving capabilities, attributed to the energy efficiency features.

Cisco SG 300-20

The Cisco SG 300-20 offers secure desktop and wireless connectivity, unified communications and impressive security. With 20 10/100/1000 POE  ports and a 40 Gbps bandwidth output performance plus a 29.76 Mpps forwarding rat this device offers extensive connectivity features. Additionally, the simplified design on the Cisco SG 300-20 helps to increased ease of use and management.

Integrated protocols help prioritize bandwidth traffic, this in turn increases availability, enabling fast transfer rates. It supports automatic integration, with FindIt, auto negotiation and Smart install helping you identify and connect to new additions without having to manually reconfigure your switch.

It offers very strong security with a variety of access control lists and advanced security applications such as IEEE 802.1X port security to enhance the level of protection. Other features like  Secure Core technology and detailed threat defense are included to minimize security risks. The model is designed for efficient Ethernet energy, with the IEEE 802.3az monitoring traffic to manage consumption levels.

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Now, let’s compare the Cisco WS-C2960-24LT-L to the Cisco SG 300-20

	Cisco WS-C2960-24LT-L	Cisco SG 300-20
Ports	24	20
Switching capacity and forwarding rates	16 Gbps	40 Gbps, 29.76 Mpps
Series	Catalyst	Small Business
Energy Efficiency features	√	√
	Check price	Check price

Conclusion

Choosing between the SG 300 and Catalyst 2960 is pretty difficult considering what both these devices have to bring to the table. Regardless, they are both quality switch series for small to medium/fairly sized operations.