Cisco Core & Access Switch

[keeran]

I am looking for a Cisco Core and an Access Switch.

I heard that C9300 isn't designed to function as a core switch. Is it true ? if yes which should catalyst Serie should i consider for core and which one for access switch ?

thx in advance

[Leo Laohoo]

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@keeran wrote:

I heard that C9300 isn't designed to function as a core switch. Is it true ? if yes which should catalyst Serie should i consider for core and which one for access switch ?

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Without knowing any other information about the network, yes.  A 9300 can, potentially, be used as a core/distro and access switch in a single logical stack.  

[pman]

Hi,

You may want to elaborate a little more on the environment in which you want to add the devices,

It is important to note that CORE devices also have cards / interfaces / licenses / etc ... that sometimes do not need them all, and it will be unnecessary to spend money on something that is not needed, so I recommend making an adjustment according to your needs.

for example:

1. Is it an existing environment
2. What technologies do you intend to apply
3. How many components are involved
4. Topology (the higher the resolution, the more we will know what suits you)
5. What applications / services will be used
6. And more ...

Regarding your request, I have attached catalyst devices that configured to serve in CORE environment:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/switch-selector.html?ccid=cc000098&guide=enterprise-e&oid=otres000315&search_keyword=core

[marce1000]

 - A generic starting point can be found here :

                   https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/switch-selector.html

 M.

[paul driver]

Hello

it is applicable for L3 functionally and to be a core device - for advanced  bgp/igp/ multicast capabilities you will require network advance licence package 

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Much depends on how your "core" and "access" will be used.  "Core" and "access" tells a bit about where in the topology the switches will reside, but there's more, often much more, we need to know to suggest suitable switches to meet your requirements.

For example, although many switches (and/or modular line cards) may offer gig copper ports, how the switch's hardware supports them can differ greatly.

Today, almost any Enterprise class switch will provide a non-blocking fabric architecture and PPS rates supporting all ports, running concurrently, at full line rate, even with minimum packet/frame sizes.  Yet, hardware support, for things like buffers, QoS, tunnels, routing protocols, NAT, and more, will often differ.

Generally, for the same number of "like" ports, one switch will be more expensive than another.  The more expensive switch, though, will be have "better" hardware and/or feature support.  (It also will likely be more expensive because it's a premium device.)  Assuming you don't want to spend more than you need, you need to identify what your switches need to do.

[balaji.bandi]

I heard that C9300 isn't designed to function as a core switch

This all depends on how big network and design, what is scalability and throughput you looking in the network

some small network they do use Cat 9300 as core, Cat 9200 as access here. again depends as mentioned above. network topology and requirement.

In the new world of catalyst 

Cat 9500 or Cat 9600 as Core

Cat 9400 as distribution

Cat 9300 / Cat 9200 or lower as access switch,

to achieve the best of Enterprise Lan.