Cisco C9200 Series Switches and Cisco C9300 Series Switches are both LAN switches designed for corporate networking.
Cisco Catalyst 9200 model Switches are intended to accommodate corporate branches with little configuration.
The Cisco Catalyst 9300 model Switches are designed to accommodate big companies while also supporting fibre connectivity. Larger businesses are the most likely to utilize both types of LAN switches.
Key Takeaways
- The Cisco C9300 offers higher performance than the C9200, supporting larger networks.
- Cisco C9300 switches have additional advanced features compared to the C9200.
- The C9300 series is more expensive than the C9200 due to its enhanced capabilities.
Cisco C9200 vs C9300
The Cisco Catalyst C9200 is a stackable switch series that offers high-density gigabit Ethernet access, 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks, and network segmentation. The Cisco Catalyst C9300 series is also a stackable switch series that supports Network Data Platform (NDP), which provides analytics.
The Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series enterprise-class access switches bring the benefits of intent-based networking and Catalyst 9000 hardware and software innovation to a wider range of installations.
Catalyst 9200 Series switches, in contrast to the scalability and feature richness of Catalyst 9300. The series switches are designed to provide the necessary amount of switching for small branch installations.
The Catalyst 9200 Series, with its family heritage, delivers simplicity without sacrificing security, always-on operation, and a greater level of IT convenience.
The Cisco 9300 is the most extensively developed switching platform in the Catalyst 9K family. According to Cisco, this is one of the few switching platforms tuned for high-density Wi-Fi and 802.
11ac Wave 2. These Stackable Enterprise Switches are designed to provide excellent security, IoT, mobility, and various other features.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Cisco C9200 | Cisco C9300 |
|---|---|---|
| PoE | A total of 48 ports full perpetual PoE+ with mGig | PoE, PoE+, UPOE, UPOE+. |
| Stacking technology | StackWise 160 | StackWise 480 |
| Bandwidth | 128 Gbps – 176 Gbps | 208 Gbps – 640 Gbps |
| Switching capacity range | 128 Gbps – 176 Gbps | 208 Gbps – 640 Gbps |
| Rate of forwarding | 190.4 Mpps- 261.9 Mpps | 154.76 Mpps – 476.19 Mpps |
What is Cisco C9200?
The Cisco C9200 features a modular uplink configuration as well as an FRU redundant fan and power supply. They contribute to high levels of resilience to keep the network running smoothly.
When powered by its primary power supply, the power over Ethernet ports give 370w of available power. Like all other Cisco 9200 devices in the series, this switch may be stacked to form a single virtual switch.
This allows for a single control/management plane. It has a switching capacity of 128Gbps and a forwarding performance of 95.23Mpps on a 64-byte packet standard.
The switch supports layer two and layer three switchings, enabling sophisticated network security with routing access, advanced QoS, and other intelligent services.
The switch is outfitted with several automation techniques, such as granular visibility, software upgrade/patching, API-driven configuration, and automatic provisioning.
They work together to produce a network automation solution that is expandable, open and based on standards. Each PSU has a power holdup period of roughly 20 milliseconds when fully loaded.
Each has front-to-back variable-speed cooling fans as well as a push-release latch for quick and safe Online Insertion and Removal.
Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series switches accept alternating current (AC) power and include two field-replaceable Power Supply Unit (PSU) slots.
Two redundant variable-speed fans are located at the back of the switch. All Catalyst 9200 Series variations contain an integrated passive RFID for inventory management, a Blue Beacon LED for device-level identification, and a tricolour LED for system status.
What is Cisco C9300?
The Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series has the same high-availability capabilities as the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series.
Eight switches may be stacked together to make a single logical switch in StackWise-480, and failovers preserve both SSO and NSF methods.
The same stacking cables may be used to stack 9300 Series switches for clients transitioning from 3850 Series stacks to 9300 Series stacks.
The 9300 switching platform is built using a variety of Cisco technologies. The series has a strong power architecture that is backed up by excellent power efficiency measures.
Overall, the 9300 models are intended to provide a stable basis for intent-based networking. These devices may be used in a variety of applications. This series is available with either modular or fixed uplinks.
Models having fixed uplinks are denoted by an L inside the SKU, resulting in 9300L.
These fixed uplink variants are ideal for smaller businesses, as they have all of the amazing features and capabilities found in the 9300 models.
The integrated virtual automation capabilities are not only effective but also standard-based and extensively verified to ensure that they will persist for the duration of the network’s operation.
Stacking is possible on these models using Cisco StawckWise, allowing customers to utilize some of the industry’s greatest back panel stacking bandwidths, reaching up to 208 Gbps – 640 Gbps switching capacity.
Main Differences Between Cisco C9200 and C9300
- The Cisco C9200 model consists of a total of 48 ports full perpetual PoE+ with mGig, whereas the Cisco C9300 model contains PoE, PoE+, UPOE, and UPOE+.
- Cisco’s StackWise -160 technology enables stacking the devices in the 9200 series. The 9300 series stacking, on the other hand, is allowed with StackWise-480 technology.
- The Cisco C9200 models are designed to give bandwidth performance of 128 Gbps – 176 Gbps, whilst the C9300 models are providing bandwidth performance of 208 Gbps – 640 Gbps.
- The Cisco 9200 model has a lower switching capacity range between 128 Gbps and 176 Gbps, whereas the Cisco 9300 model has a higher switching range between 208 Gbps and 640 Gbps.
- The Cisco C9200 model is equipped to provide a 190.4 Mpps- 261.9 Mpps forwarding rate, whereas the Cisco C9300 model provides a forwarding rate of 154.76 Mpps – 476.19 Mpps.
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The details about the integrated virtual automation capabilities of the C9300 were discussed in a well-structured manner. It’s quite enlightening.
The bandwidth performance of the C9300 is impressive, but is it justified to pay more for it? 640 Gbps is extraordinary!
It’s quite interesting seeing the comparison between the two models, but I would like to see some real world usage examples.
The advances and the features of the C9300 are no doubt impressive, but the C9200 seems to be a better fit for smaller companies.
Honestly, the C9300 seems to be costly, but the features prove to be worth it. I am more interested in knowing more about the advanced features.
The differences between the two models are quite clear and well explained. It adds clarity particularly for those considering the two options.