Need to replace 2 stacked 3850 switches

[Steven Couture]

Hello - we need to replace two 3800 series switches. We are currently utilizing the embedded wireless option. We plan on running a standalone wireless controller to separate this from the new switches. I think we want the 9200 series, we need POE. It is a small office of about 30 users and we need layer 3 for multiple VLANs…

[balaji.bandi]

We are currently utilizing the embedded wireless option. We plan on running a standalone wireless controller to separate this from the new switches

in this case i take as you going to install new WLC 9800 WLC for this requirement or you looking to have Switch act as WLC Look below information :

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/guide-c07-744299.html

 I think we want the 9200 series, we need POE. It is a small office of about 30 users and we need layer 3 for multiple VLANs…

yes if you looking for only Layer 2 limited Routes expected on the switch and PoE that works as expected.

compare the datasheet between thease 2 models :

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-9300-series-switches/nb-06-cat9300-ser-data-sheet-cte-en.html

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-9200-series-switches/nb-06-cat9200-ser-data-sheet-cte-en.html

[DanielP211]

Hello!

The direct replacement for the C3850 is the C9300. But it all depends on the configuration you have, if you have a few L3 VLANs with basic routing you can go with with the  C9200. But if you need advanced functions like MPLS you will have to go with the C9300. So it all depends on the current configuration.

BR

[paul driver]

Hello
Can you confirm.

• Are the current 3800 switches traditionally stacked and not virtually stacked because the 9200's do not support this feature (9400/9500 do).
• Do the 3800 perform the intervlan routing at present
• As for the standalone WLC - c9800L could be a viable option ( depending on your budget)

Regard's the migration there is not enough information here to provide a more detailed plan however as you only have 30 users, it would be applicable to do a hard swap instead of a planned migration

A high level summary of this change would be to build up the new cisco 9200 stack along side the existing stack (WLC also) so they are totally separated with all the l2/l3 SVIs that are currently running on the 3800 stack applied to the new 9200 stack

As/when applicable relocated the a few users and aps on to new hardware, not forgetting the wan uplink and test connectivity ( dhcp, email, network shares, internet etc..), if all is well complete the relocation for the rest of the users.

[Steven Couture]

Thank you for the replies - and yes, I think we need a little more dialogue.  I wasn't aware the 9000 series had embedded WLAN controllers.  We may want to go this route to save on the budget - although i do like the stand alone controller to distribute the points of failure....depending on costs.  Our current switches are 3850's and yes they perform inter VLAN routing.  Both 3850's are stacked.

[balaji.bandi]

I wasn't aware the 9000 series had embedded WLAN controllers.

Cat 9300 and higher model support that EWC - even Cat 9K AP can be act as Controller EWC

But if only Limited AP then that is viable solution, But Switch and AP can act as WLC. 

 although i do like the stand alone controller to distribute the points of failure.

In this case you can look AP as controller. check the Features and Limitation if any which do not support.

[Ruben Cocheno]

@Steven Couture 

If replacing like for like, probably 9300 series as you have Layer 3 capabilities and PoE, but perhaps a Matrix of current requirements and what the customer has on his BluePrint so the investment can be properly justified and have gains for future technologies Layers required.