Cisco Vs Netgear Switches – How do they compare?
Are looking for a switch? Well, take a look as we provide a review of two of the largest manufacturers of switches and compare some of their most popular devices.
Cisco and Netgear have provided us with some of the best switches we have today. A switch is an unintelligent network device that is built for wired connections. We call unintelligent as there is no data processing or complex functions that goes on inside a switch. It is used to provide more ports for wired connections. Cisco has a dedicated brand for manufacturing switches known as Catalyst. The Cisco Catalyst is responsible for a number of other devices such as access points, wireless controllers and sometimes, wireless routers. Netgear on the other hand focuses mainly on high end performance switches. Top examples of netgear products include: Netgear GS108, Netgear JGS524 and Netgear GS308. The following tables highlights their major difference
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Cisco and Netgear?
Brands |
Cisco |
Netgear |
Specialty |
Routers, bridges and switches, gateways/firewalls |
Routers, mesh router systems, modems |
Operating system |
CAT or Cisco OS |
NetgearOS or DD-WRT |
LED Light Position |
Around the top |
Bottom front |
Guest Networking |
Yes |
Yes |
Type of address |
MAC address |
MAC address |
Product |
Cisco vs. Netgear – How do these switches compare?
Performance
Performance in a switch is quite different from other network devices. The reason for this is that switches do not perform any data processing therefore, performance for them is usually dependent on the speed on the ports. Gigabit ports come with different rating from 1 GB to 10 GB. Netgear focuses mainly on the performance than any other factor and because of this, have some of the best switches today. For instance, the Netgear GS308 switch features 10 GB Ethernet ports. Such high speeds are ideal for gaming and full 4K resolution streaming. Cisco on the other hand focus more on affordability and getting the job done. But they also have some high performance products such as the Cisco SG300 L3 switch which we’ll review later. All in all, Netgear switches provide higher speeds and offer better performance.
Ports
Since switches only support wired connections, they come with many ports. Their main purpose also is to provide additional ports for your devices. Because of this, they are fitted with an average of ten ports. Smaller home switches however have few ports, about four to eight while industrial switches may come with as many as 128 ports. Cisco switches generally have a higher count of ports than Netgear switches. And they do this at a lower cost. So if your main focus in connecting as many devices as possible, a Cisco switch would be your best choice
Managedand Unmanaged Switch
Switches are either unmanaged or managed. Unmanaged switches are easy to use and all you need to do is plug in the cables and turn on the device. Managed switches are complex and have to be stup manually by a network expert. And unlike unmanaged ones, they may feature a device software that runs it. Netgear switches are mostly unmanaged while Cisco strikes a nice balance of the two. You will therefore have a wider pool of Cisco switches to choose from. Otherwise, if you need an unmanaged switch, a Netgear is perfect for you.
Pricing
Price is a major factor when looking for a switch or any other network device for that matter. Netgear switches will cost you more compared to Cisco products with the same features and capabilities. This is partially due to Netgear’s reputation of making high end devices with superb durability. Cisco switches will get the job done at a lower price.
Design
Switches feature a common design for all brands. They are box shaped devices with metal casings and ports fitted across the device. Both Netgear and Cisco are similar in design with little tweaks in design for uniqueness.
Cisco vs Netgear – A comparison review
Ciscooverview
Cisco was one of the first companies to begin mass production of network switches. In the past, switches were very popular and were in use in all institutions and organizations. As time went by, Cisco developed a separate brand known as Catalyst to manufacture switches, access points and wireless controllers. Cisco switches are known for their durability, speed and ease of operation. They are equipped with a simple operating system known as CatOS and a newer CiscoOS. The OS eases the process of installation and management of the device. But perhaps the best thing about Cisco brand is that they provide both unmanaged and managed switches.
Cisco Systems 24-Port Gigabit SG11224NA switch
- ETHERNET PORT CONFIGURATION: 24-port 10/100/1000 Gigabit
- PLUG AND PLAY: Simple set up with no software to install or configuration needed
One of the best switches you can buy for your home is the Cisco SG11224NA switch. It is a monstrosity of a device with a large rectangular box design with a whopping 24 ports on the front of the device. The switch features a strong metal casing covering that ensures durability and protection on inner components from dust. The switch is a plug and play meaning all you have to do is connect your cables and turn it on. It is built for powerful and intensive speeds with 2 GB Ethernet ports. It also feature two SFB ports. When it comes to design, there is not much to see here. It is a black device with serrated sides for cooling and a metallic casing for durability. Other wonderful features we loved include: energy saving technology, lifetime warranty and protection and zero configuration requirements. Lastly, the CiscoSG11224NA is built for small office workspaces and homes.
Cisco SG300-28 L3 Ethernet Switch
- The Cisco SG300-28 Network Switch deliver the ideal combination of price, performance, and capabilities...
- Choose from Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
It would be difficult to mention Cisco switches without mentioning the SG300 L3 switch. Not only is it the best Cisco switch today, but also the most recent. This model is part of the SG300 Cisco series and features 28 ports. Because of this, it is the best solution for small businesses and small offices. The L3 in the name stands for the layer in which the switch operates. This means that is operates on the physical layer. Being a managed switch, it may tough to setup this switch and you may need the services of a qualified network technician.
The design of the SG300 L3 is nothing out of the ordinary. It is a metallic rectangular case that’s light grey in color and a black frontal. It is also quite large to accommodate the many ports. The unit measures 17.3 x 10.1 x 1.7 with a weight of about 8.6 pounds which is rather heavy. It doesn’t come with rubber paddings at the bottom for grip and may slide off a smooth surface. There is a power port and holes for cooling at the back of the unit. Two LEDs are located at the front to indicate connections. Solid green color means that the connection is at 1000 Mbps while no color (off) means the connection is under 1000 Mbps
Netgear – Overview
If you want a reliable, durable and fast speed switch, Netgear has something for you. The company manufactures switches of all ranges from small home units to large and powerful switches for industries and institutions such as schools. Netgear switches are powered by a robust operating system known as NetgearOS. They may also use DD-WRT which is more prevalent in devices such as routers. Other products they manufacture include: physical gateways, cable modems, routers, bridges and hubs. If you’re looking for a router, there is Netgear product that is perfect for you and suits all your needs.The following are some of their best products
Netgear Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch GS108
- 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration needed
TheNetgear GS108 switch is also known for its great performance and this is the main reason we featured it. It can handle heavy traffic without breaking a sweat and run continuously for hours on end. It also comes with a secure Kensington lock for security and safety. The product comes with lifetime warranty and high speed. On paper, the switch states that it can reach up to 16 Gbps which is ideal for office and workplace setups. Other features include: plug and play, it comes with an internet splitter and allows you to find other switches in the network
Netgear GS308 Ethernet Switch
- 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration needed
The Netgear GS308 is built for small to medium sized offices and homes. It comes with eight ports for fast and quick gigabit connections. One of the best features of this switch however is the sturdy design and construction it uses. The GS308 has amazing durability because of this and has been reported to last for ten years without faults. The exterior is built from metal for the ultimate durable product.
Model |
Netgear Gigabit Ethernet Switch GS108 |
Cisco SG300-28 L3 Ethernet Switch |
Ports |
8 |
28 |
Speed |
Up to 1 Gbps |
1 Gbps |
Type |
Unmanaged |
Managed |
Size |
5.2 x 5 x 2.1 inches |
17.3 x 10.1 x 1.7 inches |
Color |
Black |
Light grey |
Availability |
Conclusion
The Netgear GS108 is a great choice for anyone looking simply for extension ports for small network setups such as homes or small office. It is cheap and features decent performance. It is also a plug and play device. Cisco’s SG300 is a much more professional option and needs the knowledge of networking to setup. It is good for business enterprises.
