Cisco 3850 vs 9300 Switches: Which is Better?

Introduction

Designed to meet the diverse needs of modern businesses by offering a variety of switches, Cisco is a leader in networking solutions. In enterprise networking, switch stacks cannot be compromised. They take on such a heavy workload that sacrificing ability at any level can be harmful to the entire network. Among some of the superior Cisco switches, two specific series always come up, the Cisco 3850 series switches and the Cisco 9300 series switches. Let us compare these two switch series and discuss the key features, specifications, and considerations when choosing between these two series.

What are Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches?

The Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Switches, often referred to as c3850, are a part of the Cisco Catalyst 3000 family. These switches are known for their stackable design, offering enhanced flexibility and scalability. The key features of the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series include:

StackPower Technology:

The Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches support StackPower, allowing for power sharing among stacked switches. This feature enhances system resiliency and simplifies power management in the network infrastructure.

Converged Access:

Converged Access is a noteworthy capability of the Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches, enabling wired and wireless convergence through a single platform. This simplifies network deployment and management, particularly in environments with both wired and wireless devices.

Integrated Wireless Controller:

Some models within the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series come equipped with an integrated wireless controller. This eliminates the need for a separate wireless LAN controller, streamlining network architecture and reducing costs.

What are the Cisco 9300 switches?

The Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series Switches often abbreviated as c9300, are part of the Cisco Catalyst 9000 family. These switches are recognized for their advanced security features and high-performance capabilities. Key features of the Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series include:

Cisco DNA (Digital Network Architecture):

The Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches are designed with Cisco DNA, providing an intent-based networking approach. This allows for automation, assurance, and analytics, facilitating a more responsive and adaptive network infrastructure.

Multigigabit Technology:

The c9300 switches support multigigabit technology, allowing for faster data rates over existing cabling infrastructure. This is particularly beneficial for organizations looking to upgrade their network speeds without incurring significant rewiring costs.

Modular Uplinks:

Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches offer modular uplinks, providing flexibility in choosing the type and speed of uplink interfaces. This modular approach enables organizations to adapt their networks to changing requirements.

System Hardware

The Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series is built on Cisco's UADP ASIC and x86 CPU architecture. Cisco's UADP 2.0sec ASIC is used in 9300X models, while UADP 2.0 is used in 9300 modular and fixed uplink models. It also offers additional internal and external storage options of up to 240GB of SSD, allowing the device to host containers and run third-party applications and scripts natively within the switch. 

Table 1. summarizes the system hardware differences between the Cisco 3850 and Catalyst 9300 switches.

Modular Uplinks

The comparison between the modular links of the c3850 and Cisco 9300 switches is shown in Table 2 below.

System Default Behavior

The system default behavior on the Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches is very much the same as that of the Catalyst 9300 Series switches. For example, interfaces default to Layer 2 switch port mode, IP routing is disabled, and the management interface is in a dedicated Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) instance, and so on. However, there is one difference in the control plane policy when the Catalyst 3850 switches are running Release 3.X.

Table 3. lists the differences in system default behavior between the two switch series.

Operations

Interface Reference

Only Gigabit Ethernet and 10G Ethernet ports are available on Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Multigigabit switches. The Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series Multigigabit switches now support 1G, 2.5G, 5G, and 10G Ethernet on the 48-port models.

Management Interface

The management interface on the Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series is Gigabit Ethernet, similar to the interface on the Cisco 3850 switches. On both platforms, the management port has its own VRF instance to separate management traffic from normal data traffic.

Software Features

The following are the only feature differences for customers migrating from the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series to the Catalyst 9300 Series:

Host Tracking Feature

Release 3.X of the Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches supports IP Device Tracking (IPDT), which is a mechanism for tracking connected hosts (MAC and IP address associations). With the most recent release of Cisco IOS XE software, the Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series is compatible with the new IP device-tracking feature based on Switch Integrated Security Features (SISF). Using IP-agnostic Command-Line Interface (CLI) commands, this feature enables snooping and device-tracking capabilities available with First Hop Security (FHS) in IPv4 and IPv6.

Quality of Service

The most recent ASIC and operating system enable new features and improvements for the Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series. Each downlink or uplink port on the Catalyst 9300 Series can have a unique egress queuing policy thanks to the support for per-port queuing. All uplinks and downlinks in the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Switches use the same egress queuing policy.

QoS Specifications

Table 4. QoS specifications in the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series and Catalyst 9300 Series Switches.

Specifications

Table 5 showcases the specification differences between the Cisco 3850 series and Catalyst 9300 switches.

New vs Refurbished Cisco Switches

When considering purchasing a Cisco Catalyst switch, deciding between new and refurbished switches is crucial. New switches come with the latest features, warranties, and support from Cisco. On the other hand, refurbished switches, often more budget-friendly, can provide reliable performance if sourced from reputable vendors. It's essential to weigh the cost savings against the potential limitations and warranty coverage when opting for refurbished equipment.

Where to Buy Cisco Catalyst Switches?

Choosing a reliable vendor is important when purchasing Cisco Catalyst switches. These vendors ensure the authenticity of the equipment, offer warranties, and provide support for both new and refurbished switches. Visit ORM Systems for the best offers and accessible Cisco Catalyst switches.

Want to buy this series of products? please contact:

• Tel: +1 (281) 747-5957 (USA)/ (+44) 800 3688 330 (UK)/ +971 4 323 8318 (UAE)
• Email: [email protected] (Sales Inquiries) Or visit: Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series Switches and Cisco 3850 switches.

About Us

ORM Systems is a global IT hardware and software solution provider. Our core focus is providing authentic, reliable, and cost-effective IT hardware products along with enterprise software solutions. Our superior customer service team has built a strong correlation between our customers and suppliers. We have laid out our physical presence by having operational branches and warehouses in the UK, USA, Europe and the Middle East. We stock huge inventory globally and provide fast delivery, an absolute supply chain and logistics for our consumers all around the world, with a guarantee of meeting your standard requirements.

Final Thoughts

Advanced security features, wired vs. wireless integration requirements, and stackability vs. modularity all play a role in the choice between the two switches. Additionally, depending on financial limitations and performance requirements, choosing between new and refurbished switches is an important decision. For companies of all sizes, a well-informed choice guarantees a dependable and future-ready networking solution, whether selecting the Cisco Catalyst 3850 or 9300 Series.

Related Topics:

Cisco 9200 VS 9300 Series Switches: Head-To-Head Comparison

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Cisco Catalyst C9200-24P-A Installation Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the key differences between the Cisco Catalyst 3850 and 9300 Series Switches?
A. The primary differences lie in their design and feature sets. The c3850 series is stackable with an emphasis on converged access, while the 9300 series focuses on modularity, Cisco DNA, and multigigabit technology.

Q. How does StackPower Technology benefit Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches?
A. StackPower allows for power sharing among stacked switches, enhancing system resiliency and simplifying power management in the network infrastructure.

Q. What is the significance of Converged Access in Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Switches?
A. Converged Access enables wired and wireless convergence through a single platform, simplifying network deployment and management, especially in environments with both wired and wireless devices.

Q. What does Cisco DNA bring to the Catalyst 9300 Series Switches?
A. Cisco DNA (Digital Network Architecture) in the 9300 series facilitates an intent-based networking approach, providing automation, assurance, and analytics for a more responsive and adaptive network infrastructure.

Q. How does Multigigabit Technology benefit Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches?
A. Multigigabit technology allows for faster data rates over existing cabling infrastructure, enabling organizations to upgrade network speeds without significant rewiring costs.

Q. What considerations should be made when choosing between new and refurbished switches?
A. Considerations include budget constraints, warranty coverage, and the need for the latest features. New switches offer the latest features and warranties, while refurbished switches can provide cost savings if sourced from reputable vendors.

Q. Where is the recommended place to buy Cisco Catalyst switches?
A. It is recommended to purchase Cisco Catalyst switches from authorized Cisco partners, reputable IT hardware suppliers, or official Cisco distributors. Online marketplaces, such as Cisco's official website, are trustworthy channels for procurement.

Q. Can the Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches support modular uplinks?
A. Yes, the Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches offer modular uplinks, providing flexibility in choosing the type and speed of uplink interfaces.