Cisco SG 300 vs. SG 350- old generation vs newer generation Cisco

The Cisco SMB 300 collection is well featured to offer everything you need on a small to midsized enterprise. However, is the new generation SG 350 better than the older generation SG 300? Let’s find out.

While searching for a reliable and affordable Switch for small enterprise networks, many users come across the Cisco SMB collection. Specifically the 300 product line which is a series of Managed Ethernet Switches which caters to small to midsized businesses.

This broad portfolio of devices has seen major changes to the lie with the introduction of the newer generation line, designed to replace the older Cisco 300.

What are the differences between the Cisco SG 300 and the Cisco SG 350?

Cisco SG 300 vs. SG 350 – How do they compare?

Investment protection

The Cisco SG 300 and SG 350 are designed for optimal performance your piece of mind. Both series offer a lifetime warranty with advance responses and replacement where necessary.  The switches, which are supported by Cisco’s innovative business investment program, also undergo rigorous testing to ensure compatibility and integration. The SG 350 series also offers access to small business support centers, no charge telephone calls within 12 months of your purchase and complimentary updates during the course of your warranty, making it the clear winner.

Security

Cisco offers enforced security measures to protect users against access by unauthorized agents or a disruption of service.  Both options offer embedded intelligent security measures and extensive ACLs to encrypt network communication and protect against unauthorized access. They support advanced network applications such as IEEE 802.1X port protection, and offer  guest VLANs.  These switches also feature comprehensive threat defense which protects the network against different types of attacks. The SG 305 offers more security protocols, with RADIUS, TACACS+, DOS attack prevention, SCT and other advanced defense mechanisms to ensure more rounded user protection.

Multigigabit performance

Modern switches have had to evolve to meet expanding wireless standards.  As a result, some switches have incorporated multigigabit performance tools which offer an inexpensive and quick way to improve network speeds and traffic capacity.  Cisco SG 300 offers built in protocols to help improve  switch efficiency but it does not support multigigabit capacity like the Cisco SG 350.

Cisco SG 300 vs. SG 350- A comparison review

Cisco SG 300

The Cisco SG 300 is part of the SMB 300 collection designed for advanced security with great management tools and overall efficient control over the network. This Fixed configuration line of switches is designed with many features that ensure improvement across the network. Moreover, it is offered in multiple languages with integrated energy efficiency capabilities.

Features

These Managed Ethernet Switches enabled with Gigabit Ethernet ports are available in 10-52 ports. Since they are needed for business class data management, the SG300 models are a great tool for a building strong network foundation.

High resilience and reliability is encouraged on networks using SG 300 devices. This allows for flexibility on the operations, which enables management of traffic and overall optimization of network bandwidth. These devices are rigorously tested to ensure files can be transferred fast.

Installing, Set-up and configuration is designed to be quick and easy. Various tools such as the device manager ensure these processes take only minutes. There are multiple Deployment scenarios available to you using SG 300 Switches. These include secure desktop, wireless and even guest connectivity. Moreover, unified communications deployment allows improved performance with advance traffic management capabilities.

Strong security on these models powered by embedded security features, ACLs, VLANS,s and other integrated security application ensure both physical and network security. Other benefits on this collection includes POE, Power Over Ethernet, connectivity which is great for power management in addition to reducing the cost of deployment.

Cisco SG300 – 28

Cisco SG300-28 28-Port Gigabit Managed Switch 26 x 10/100/1000 + 2 x Gigabit SFP

• The Cisco 300 Series, part of the Cisco Small Business line of network solutions, is a portfolio of...

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The Cisco SG300 is built with advanced security, VLAN, QoS, and access control features among others that build a foundation that creates a business grade wireless network. The switch provides users with advanced traffic handling intelligence and advanced performance to deliver quality data and communication over one network system. It is designed with a high security level to safeguard your network from authorized users.

Out of the 28 ports featured on the Cisco SG300- 28 switch. 26 of them are gigabit Ethernet while 2 are used for gigabit Ethernet combo. They simplify advance technology deployment so that users can connect network endpoints with just open Ethernet cable. This switch is enabled with 41.67 Gbps switching capacity, and 56.00Mpps forwarding performance on a 64-byte packet standard. Guest virtual LAN’s, time based ACL’S and other advanced features on the switch create a high security level to protect your network and data.

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Cisco 350

Cisco developed the 350 series of devices as an easy to use solution for various businesses and marketplaces to improve their networks. With these devices, business owners can establish strong and dependable network connections. The Cisco 350 portfolio consists of devices with a wide range of capabilities.

These devices are described as Managed Style of switches: which allow fast and reliable access to various tools as needed by the user. In fact, different technologies used within this collection are essential in setting up a reliable foundation for your network. There are many perks that come with this collection including general improvements across the board. This includes, improved availability within the enterprise network, better speeds and increase in available bandwidth: among others.

The management tools on the Cisco 350 collection are set up to make the task quite simple. In fact, various management tools may be utilized to quickly set up, but also control the models on this line. Notably, deployment options are open to you with the Cisco 350 devices: voice automation and voice deployment is available for use thanks to the various combination protocols.

If you are conscious about power consumption within your network, you can rest assured that different features set in place on the 350 models will ensure efficient power consumption. Even the POE models help with minimal power consumption by reducing wastage at end-end points. Both the POE and Mutigigabit performance available to you with the Cisco 350 switches ensure you can maintain your current cabling infrastructure while improving various aspects of the network.

To put it simply, this is line constitutes critical building blocks for a highly efficient small office network.

Cisco SG350-28

Cisco SG350-28P Managed Switch | 28 Gigabit Ethernet Ports | 24 Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 Ports | 2 SFP Slots | 2 Gigabit Ethernet Combo | 195W PoE | Limited Lifetime Protection (SG350-28P-K9-NA)

• ETHERNET PORT CONFIGURATION: 24-port 10/100/1000, 4 x 1G uplinks (SFP)
• POWER OVER ETHERNET: 24 PoE ports with 195W total power budget, PoE, PoE+, 60W PoE

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The Cisco SG350 28 is one of many fixed configuration managed Ethernet switches in the Cisco 350 series. The switch comes equipped with a total of 28 Gigabit network ports. Two of the slots are designated for SFP and two more are combo ports that support fibre connectivity. The SFP expansion slots enable fiber-optic and Ethernet connectivity.

The Cisco SG350 is enabled with 56.0 Gbps switching capacity, and 95.23Mpps forwarding performance on a 64-byte packet standard. An included USB slot on the switch is used for file management purpose. The switch supports 802.3az on all copper ports. It is enabled with a multigigabit Ethernet technology that supports PoE+ as well as 60W PoE. Like all other switches in this series, it is designed with an advanced 3 layer traffic management system.  Its static LAN 3 layer routing capabilities allow VLAN communication and traffic management. The switch supports IEEE 802.1X port security, Dynamic Host Configuration and other Protocols.

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Now, lets compare the Cisco SG300 – 28 to the Cisco SG350-28

Conclusion

If you are interested in a managed switch series that delivers a great performance, both the SG 300 and SG 350 could be wel suited for your needs. The SG 350 offers better all round performance than the SG 300.  It also includes additional protocols for enhanced safety and operational simplicity.