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Cisco Catalyst Access-Layer Switch Reference

112 models across 8 product lines  ·  Click any row to expand full specifications  ·  Source: Cisco product datasheets  ·  Compiled by Edgeium

Platform Reliability Runway — Average MTBF per Cisco Datasheets

Bars start at release year and extend to estimated MTBF end year  ·  Red line = 2026  ·  Orange = PoE+ only (Wi-Fi 6/7 risk)  ·  Red = Subscription required

Perpetual license
Subscription required (C9350)
PoE+ only — Wi-Fi 6/7 risk (C9200/C9200L)
2026
Showing 112 of 112 models  ·  Click any row to expand full specs
Part ID ↕ Platform ↕ Ports Multi-Gig Uplinks PoE ↕ Max PoE ↕ Stacking ↕ Switch Cap ↕ Fwd Rate ↕ Quote

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which Cisco Catalyst access-layer switches still support perpetual licensing?

The Catalyst 9300, 9300L, and 9300X, along with the earlier 9200, 9200L, 3850, and 3650 lines, use perpetual DNA or Network licensing that you own for the life of the hardware. The newer Catalyst 9350 moves to a subscription model tied to Catalyst Center. The comparison table flags each model's licensing status so you can filter for perpetual-license switches.

What is the difference between the Catalyst 9300 and the Catalyst 9350?

The Catalyst 9300 family offers perpetual licensing and runs standalone, while the 9350 is built around a Catalyst Center subscription. For access-layer switching where the goal is to avoid recurring software fees, the 9300 family remains the common choice. The table shows licensing model, End of Sale, and support dates for both side by side.

Do Catalyst 9200 switches support UPoE?

No. The Catalyst 9200 and 9200L provide PoE+ at up to 30W per port, not UPoE at 60W. If you need UPoE for high-power access points or endpoints, the Catalyst 9300 family is the access-layer option. PoE capability, maximum PoE budget, and default power supply are listed per model in the table.

What do End of Sale and End of Support mean, and can I still buy the switch?

End of Sale (EoSale) is the date Cisco stops selling a model new, and End of Support is when software and hardware support ends. Between those dates, and often well beyond, the switch remains available on the secondary market. The table lists EoSale and End of Support dates so you can plan refreshes or extend the life of in-service hardware.

Which Catalyst access-layer switches have multi-gigabit (mGig) ports?

Multi-gigabit support varies by model and matters when uplinking Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 access points that exceed 1 Gbps. Filter the comparison table by multi-gig to see which models offer 2.5G or higher ports, alongside their PoE budget and stacking bandwidth.

How do I choose between these Catalyst models for the access layer?

Match the switch to your PoE needs (PoE+ versus UPoE), multi-gig and uplink requirements, stacking bandwidth, and licensing preference (perpetual versus subscription). The comparison tool lets you filter all 112 models across these attributes, plus EoSale and support status, to shortlist candidates quickly.

© 2026 Edgeium. All rights reserved. This comparison tool, including its compilation, selection, and arrangement of data, its design, and its underlying code, is the proprietary property of Edgeium and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law. Reproduction, redistribution, scraping, or reuse of this tool or its compiled dataset, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of Edgeium is prohibited. Specifications are provided for reference only and should be verified against current manufacturer datasheets. Cisco and Catalyst are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Edgeium is an independent reseller and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cisco Systems, Inc.

© 2026 Edgeium. Cisco Catalyst switch comparison data, structure, filtering logic, and Edgeium commentary are proprietary to Edgeium. All rights reserved.