What Is a Cisco Multigigabit Switch? Speeds, Cabling, and Selection
A Cisco multigigabit switch has multi-rate copper ports that can negotiate a common Ethernet speed such as 1, 2.5, 5,...
Layer23-Switch Blog
Network Hardware Guides Page 5 of 10
Selection, compatibility, licensing, and EOL replacement guides for Cisco switches, routers, firewalls, wireless, and optics.
Searches blog articles only. For product pricing, use the main search.
Latest Guides
Newest first
How to Recover a Cisco Switch Password Without Losing Configuration
To recover a Cisco switch password without losing your current configuration, power cycle the device and hold the Mode button...
How to Factory Reset a Cisco Switch: The Ultimate Guide
Whether you are troubleshooting a catastrophic network loop, decommissioning end-of-life hardware, or repurposing an inherited device with unknown credentials, executing...
Fixed vs Modular Cisco Switch: Architecture, Cost, and Upgrade Path Guide
A fixed Cisco switch has a predetermined number of ports built into the hardware and is typically deployed as a...
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless Controller Comparison: C9800-L-C-K9 vs C9800-L-F-K9 vs C9800-40-K9 vs C9800-80-K9
When choosing a Cisco Catalyst 9800 wireless LAN controller, the C9800-L-C-K9 and C9800-L-F-K9 fit small to midsize deployments, while the...
What Is an Access Switch? The Definitive Guide to Edge Network Design
An access switch is a network edge device that directly connects end-user hardware such as computers, IP phones, wireless access...
What Is a Distribution Switch? The Definitive Guide to Enterprise Network Design
A distribution switch is a Layer 3 network switch that sits between the access layer and the core layer in...
What Is a Core Switch? The Definitive Guide to Network Architecture
A core switch is a high-capacity, high-performance Layer 3 switch positioned at the physical backbone of an enterprise network. Engineered...
How to Configure a Cisco Switch: Initial Setup, Management IP, VLANs, Trunks, and SSH
Configuring a Cisco switch for first-time deployment usually includes console access, basic security, setting a management IP, VLAN preparation, trunk...
Cisco StackWise Explained: How Cisco Switch Stacking Works
Quick answer: Cisco StackWise joins compatible switches through dedicated stacking connections so they operate as one logical switch, with shared control...
How to Choose a Cisco PoE Switch: The Enterprise Deployment Guide
Choosing a Cisco PoE switch requires a deployment-first methodology, not just a port count. Enterprise architects must select switches based...
Cisco Industrial Switch Models by Port Count: 4, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 48 Port Options
Cisco industrial switches should be selected by port count, PoE budget, uplink type, mounting style, and deployment role. Smaller 4-port...
Cisco Switch Ports Explained: Physical Types, Logical Modes, and CLI Configuration
Cisco switch ports are categorized by their physical hardware interfaces (such as RJ45 copper, fiber-optic SFP uplinks, and console ports),...
SFP vs SFP+ vs QSFP vs QSFP28 vs QSFP-DD: Compatibility, Speed, and Upgrade Guide
SFP, SFP+, QSFP, QSFP28, and QSFP-DD differ in bandwidth, lane architecture, physical size, power draw, and upgrade path. SFP-family modules...
New vs Refurbished Cisco Equipment: Cost, Reliability, and Enterprise Buying Guide
Refurbished Cisco equipment refers to previously used Cisco hardware that has been rigorously tested, repaired, and certified for resale. Compared...
Perpetual vs. Subscription Licensing in Cisco Networks: CAPEX vs. OPEX for Procurement Teams
Ten years ago, buying Cisco infrastructure was a predictable capital event. You bought a Catalyst switch, depreciated it over five...
How to Configure VLAN on a Cisco Switch: Step-by-Step Guide
Configuring a VLAN on a Cisco switch means more than just creating a VLAN ID. In a real network, you...
Cisco DAC vs AOC Cable: Differences, Distance, Power and Data Center Use Cases
Direct Answer Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables utilize twinaxial copper for short, cost-effective intra-rack connections (up to 7 meters), offering...
Cisco 3650 EoL Migration: Catalyst 9300L Hardware Mapping & Performance Guide
The direct replacement for the End-of-Life Cisco Catalyst 3650 is the Catalyst 9300L. Both switches feature fixed uplink architectures, making...
Cisco Catalyst 9200 and 9300 Hardware Accessory & Procurement Guide
Looking for compatible modules, power supplies, or optics for Cisco Catalyst 9200 or 9300? Here’s a quick compatibility overview: This...
Cisco Catalyst vs Juniper EX Switches: Enterprise Architecture, Licensing, and Deployment Guide
Cisco Catalyst and Juniper EX switches offer different ways to run your network. Cisco is best for deep security and...
Cisco ISR vs ASR Routers: What is the Difference?
The primary difference between the two platforms lies in their architectural purpose and underlying packet-processing hardware. The Cisco ISR (Integrated...
Cisco vs Aruba Switches: Enterprise Campus Comparison, Licensing, and Buyer Guide
When comparing Cisco vs Aruba switches for enterprise networks, Cisco Catalyst leads in massive scalability, deep proprietary feature sets like...
Cisco C1300 Datasheet: Full Specifications, Quick Check & Ordering Guide
The Cisco Catalyst 1300 series includes Gigabit, PoE+, multi-gigabit (mGig), and 10G uplink models engineered specifically for small and medium-sized...
Browse by Topic
Core guides for each topic
Switches
84 guides
Switching resources for access, aggregation, core, data center, industrial, and PoE deployments.
Cisco Equipment Guide
54 guides
Guides for comparing Cisco switches, routers, firewalls, wireless products, modules, and accessories across enterprise environments.
Network
44 guides
Practical networking knowledge for enterprise IT teams, integrators, and technical buyers.
Routers
13 guides
Router FAQs and guides for branch, WAN, edge, and enterprise connectivity planning.
Interfaces & Modules
12 guides
FAQs and guides for network modules, interface cards, transceivers, power supplies, uplink options, and related accessories.
Firewalls
11 guides
Firewall FAQs covering model selection, security appliance families, licensing, high availability, throughput planning, and replacement options.
Wireless
6 guides
Wireless networking FAQs covering access points, controllers, licensing, PoE requirements, deployment scale, and replacement planning.
More Topics
Free Help from CCIE Experts
Send a topology, BOM, or model list for review by our CCIE team.