If you are familiar with Cisco Switches, then you have definitely come across the Catalyst and SMB devices. Both are pretty expansive collections of gadgets designed to meet enterprise class needs with top industry tech and capabilities. While from the same manufacturer, there are many differences between the Catalyst and Small Business series of switches. Below, you will find a comprehensive review and comparison of what either collection has to offer. Here is Cisco CATALYST Vs. Cisco Small Business (SMB) for more.

What are the differences between Cisco CATALYST and Cisco SMB?

Cisco CATALYST vs Cisco SMB- How do they compare?

Size

While the Small business collection certainly has a wide selection of switching solutions, the Cisco catalyst features a more comprehensive list of options for users. The sheer size of the catalyst collection offers users a wider selection of devices, with different options on the product line designed to meet different enterprise needs.

Application and performance

The Cisco Catalyst collection features devices with great switching capacity, forwarding rates and overall higher bandwidths. Compared to these rates, switching capacity and forwarding on SMB devices is noticeably slower. This limits diversity in terms of areas where Cisco SMB devices can be deployed. However, the SMB collection holds its own on small to medium sized enterprises. In fact, it is a more budget friendly option for enterprise class networks with growing needs and demands.

Overall, the Cisco Catalyst offer more diverse deployment scenarios and business applications compared to the Cisco SMB line, which is exclusively designed for small to midsized business networks.

Cost

Since the Cisco Catalyst features some of the Industry’s leading features, capabilities and technologies, this collection tends to be on the higher side. In fact, even the build quality on Cisco Catalyst hardware is

The SMB collection on the other hand is founded on providing affordable Switching solutions for smaller networks. This collection features smaller, cheaper but similarly reliable switches, which are unfortunately limited to small operations.

Cisco CATALYST vs. Cisco SMB- Comparison review

Cisco CATALYST

Undoubtedly one of Cisco’s biggest family of Switches, the Cisco Catalyst is an elaborate product line packed with many switching solutions. The collection features Campus and Brach access devices wonderful for business class needs.

Features

There are two fundamental types of Switches on the Cisco Catalyst collection: modular and fixed configuration. Many variations of Switches are based on these two basic types. The Cisco Catalyst series is no different. It includes Smart and Managed switches, both of which are considered fixed configuration switches.

Modular switches are expandable units which come equipped with expansion modules and incorporate flexibility into networks. Often, these cost more and are often application specific. The catalyst collection features a reasonable range of modular switches, including the catalyst 6500 and 4500. Some of the benefits that accompany integration of modular switches include improved performance, with scalability within the network and incremental expansion which serves growing businesses quite well.

Among the most popular modular switches on the catalyst include the 4500E switches with Supervisor 8-E are great functionality based branch and campus access switches. Fixed configuration Switches form the greater part of this collection which houses some of Cisco’s more recognizable series like the 2960 and 3750 product lines. According to Cisco, these types of switches come with a fixed number of ports, and often, do not offer expansion slots. There are many variations of fixed configuration switches including managed, unmanaged and smart types. The Catalyst series features these variations, offering some of the industry’s best for building network infrastructure.

WS C2960x-24PS

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The Cisco WS C2960x-24PS is a 24 port switch that offers POE support, perpetual POE and a power budget of 140W. It is very easy to access, set up and use. The device offers device management through a web-UI, over air Bluetooth, SNMP, USB console and a command line interface. Included enhanced Qos and several protocols designed to simplify operation such as embedded wizards and templates.

Operation and deployment times are made significantly shorter thanks to the auto-detection,  auto install, smart troubleshooting and smartports which shorten. The wizards and templates will help users set up a desirable configuration even without prior experience. Available network management tools to enhance ease of use including Cisco Network Plug & Play, Cisco Prime  and Cisco DNA Center

The Cisco 2960 switch features several network protocols to mitigate threats and contain unauthorized access. It utilizes TrustSec, Comprehensive 802.1X , Threat Defense, Trust Anchor, multidomain authentication, access control lists, private VPN and other tools to ensure comprehensive network security.

Cisco SMB

Like the name suggests, the SMB collection is specifically designed for Small Business networks. The design features and capabilities on these models are all geared towards boosting productivity among workers while increasing overall efficiency within the network.

Features

The collection includes a wide selection of Switches, all of which are designed for growing enterprises. Cisco manufactured the SMB series as an affordable solution for small enterprises’ networking problems. In fact, these high performance devices introduce more intelligent features onto networks for improved operational performance.

Notably, the series includes a wide selection of Switches, some of which are older generation devices, while others carry newer Cisco SMB technology. Currently, constituent series within this collection include the 550X, 350, 350X, 250, 220 and 96/110 collections, most of which are second generation replacements for older Switch technologies. Since all the switches on this line are fixed configuration,  they are only available as Managed, Smart and Unmanaged Switch types, with a large selection of protocols, with some of the Switch Models allowing more advanced features.

Offering a wide variety of capabilities, the Cisco portfolio features devices with Basic Layer 2 to advanced Layer2/Layer 3 functionality. Some of the benefit that accompany these Switches includes the overall improved network flexibility, with extensive security measure to safeguard your operation and data.

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Cisco SG 300-20

Cisco SG 300-20 (SRW2016-K9-NA) 20-Port Gigabit Managed Switch

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The Cisco sg 300-20 switch features 18 10/100/1000 ports with 2 additional expansion slots. This model features power optimization measures including energy efficiency technologies which combine to monitor and limit over-consumption.  This switch also features a great fan-free design which reduces power intake while helping control consumption levels.  The switch is very easy to set up and use since it features a large number of protocols and settings for simpler operation.

Aside from these easy management and configuration standards, the model comes with Power over Ethernet capabilities for simplified deployment of wireless, telephony and other solutions.  Since this model supports IPv6 and IP telephony, it allows for embedded intelligence to help streamline troubleshooting and other services.

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Now, let’s compare the Cisco catalyst WS C2960x-24PS to the SMB Cisco SG 300-20

Conclusion

Cisco manufactures some of the best Switch families available on the market: including the Catalyst and Small Business series.   They might not be on the same level features/performance wise, but both series are great switching solutions for users with diverse networking needs.

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