Catalyst 2960 vs 3750 for Small business

[yusufd]

Hey everyone, I want to upgrade our office network and I'm trying to decide on a design that we should use. We want to forecast security so kindly assist, we have a firewall(Fortinet) that we want to connect to a Cisco switch(Either 2960 or 3750). From the switch, all devices should be connected to it. 

Which switch do you suggest and if you have a different model kindly advice.

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Most, if not all, of those two series are long past end-of-life.

Of the two, the 2960 is a L2 switch and the 3750 is L3, so if you want to route on the switch, the 3750 is the choice.  Also, believe the 3750 has more buffer RAM.

[vishalbhandari]

When upgrading your office network with a focus on security and connectivity, both the Cisco 2960 and 3750 switches are solid choices, but they serve slightly different purposes and capabilities. Here's a breakdown to help you decide which one might be better suited for your needs:

Cisco 2960 Series

• Purpose: Primarily designed for small to medium-sized businesses, ideal for access layer deployments.
• Features:
  • Basic Layer 2 switching.
  • Limited Layer 3 routing capabilities (depending on the model).
  • Gigabit Ethernet ports.
  • Basic security features like port security, DHCP snooping, and dynamic ARP inspection.
  • Lower cost compared to the 3750 series.
  • Suitable for straightforward, less complex network environments.

Cisco 3750 Series

• Purpose: More advanced, designed for medium to large-sized businesses, often used in distribution layer deployments.
• Features:
  • Full Layer 3 routing capabilities.
  • StackWise technology allows stacking multiple switches for higher port density and redundancy.
  • Advanced security features and Quality of Service (QoS) options.
  • Supports more complex network topologies and larger number of devices.
  • Higher cost but offers better scalability and performance for growing networks.

Network Design Considerations

1. Security: Ensure your switch supports robust security features. Given your focus on security, features like 802.1X authentication, advanced ACLs (Access Control Lists), and threat detection are crucial.
2. Scalability: Choose a switch that can handle your current load and allow for future growth without needing a complete overhaul.
3. Redundancy: Consider switches that offer redundancy features like StackWise in the 3750 or newer models to ensure network uptime.
4. Management: Look for switches with easy management interfaces, preferably those that support centralized management tools.

For a straightforward setup with limited future growth, the Cisco 2960 is a solid choice. For more advanced needs with potential for network growth and requiring advanced security and performance features, the Cisco 3750 or a more modern alternative like the Cisco Catalyst 9200 or 9300 series would be advisable.

By considering your current and future network requirements, you can make a well-informed decision to upgrade your office network effectively.

[balaji.bandi]

Both of the model getting end of life soon and some are already anouced.

Cat 9200 or Cat 9300 is future model if you looking Layer 2 Layer 3

https://www.cisco.com/site/uk/en/products/networking/switches/catalyst-9000-switches/index.html

You can also look Cat 1K models if you looking for Longer support.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/catalyst-1000-series-switches/index.html

Cisco have small Business switch different model worth looking if the cost effective.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en_uk/solutions/small-business/networking/switches.html

[Leo Laohoo]

1.  Is the LAN Dot1X? 
2.  Is the LAN going to do SD-Access?

If "no" on item 1 & 2, go with Catalyst 1000 because it is the natural replacement for the 2960/3750 and Catalyst 1000 still runs on the industry-recognized classic IOS.  

If the plan is to go with SD-Access, then look at Catalyst 9300 or Catalyst 9200.  

If the plan is to go with Dot1X, Catalyst 1000 will still work.