Eric Sommers

7 min read

Cloud-Managed Catalyst, Explained: Management Mode vs Configuration Source

Eric Sommers: 06.11.2026

Engineer's guide to what Cisco actually asks you when you onboard a Catalyst or Smart Switch to the Meraki dashboard, and what each choice does to...

20 min read

Cisco Catalyst Access-Layer Switches: 3650 to 9350 Compared

Eric Sommers: 06.09.2026

Direct answer: Strip the Catalyst 9350 down to what an access-layer switch actually does, and it's simply a new version of the 9300, which was itself...

8 min read

Why Smart IT Teams Use Both a VAR and Edgeium for Network Hardware

Eric Sommers: 05.28.2026

The short answer: Edgeium is not a VAR replacement. Every Edgeium customer still has a VAR. But for access-layer switches, EOL hardware, emergency...

6 min read

Cisco Networking Subscription: What Changes for Catalyst and Meraki Customers - and What It Means for Your Budget

Eric Sommers: 05.15.2026

19 min read

Is Secondary Market Network Hardware Less Reliable than New?

Eric Sommers: 05.06.2026

The short answer: No - properly tested secondary-market network hardware is not less reliable than new hardware. In most cases, it is more reliable...

7 min read

Why Cisco's EULA Doesn't Override Your Hardware Resale Rights

Eric Sommers: 04.13.2026

The short answer: Cisco's End User License Agreement (EULA) does not prevent you from reselling pre-owned Cisco hardware. Courts have consistently...

19 min read

Is the Cisco Secondary Market Legal, Safe, and Reliable?

Eric Sommers: 03.12.2026

The short answer: buying pre-owned Cisco hardware from the secondary market is legal. Lawful resale of lawfully acquired hardware is protected under...

4 min read

Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7

Eric Sommers: 02.25.2026

4 min read

How to Handle Meraki End-of-Support Alerts Without Replacing Your Hardware

Eric Sommers: 02.19.2026

What does Meraki End-of-Support (EoST) actually mean? — and how to silence dashboard alerts without a forced hardware upgrade.

7 min read

Why Companies Should Think Twice Before Adopting Catalyst Center for Access-Layer Switches

Eric Sommers: 02.18.2026

Is Catalyst Center for Access-Layer Switches Worth It? The short answer: Access-layer switches don't benefit from Catalyst Center the way core and...

12 min read

Can Cisco Access Switches Stay Secure and Compliant Without New IOS Updates

Eric Sommers: 01.15.2026

Are software updates required to maintain compliance with SOC 2, ISO 27001, or PCI DSS? The short answer: No, a properly hardened Cisco access-layer...

8 min read

AI in Networking

Eric Sommers: 12.01.2025

What an explosion we’ve seen with Artificial Intelligence (AI)! My initial scope for this article was to explain how AI works for network management...