Looking to leverage Cisco Catalyst Center for network automation and management? Not every Cisco switch is supported. Here’s your up-to-date guide to which Cisco switches are compatible with Cisco Catalyst Center, how to check device support, and what to consider when planning your network upgrade.

What Is Cisco Catalyst Center?

Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly Cisco DNA Center) is Cisco’s flagship network controller for enterprise automation, monitoring, and policy management. It helps you simplify network operations, gain actionable insights, and enforce security from a single dashboard.

Which Cisco Switches Are Supported by Cisco Catalyst Center?

Not all Cisco switches work with Catalyst Center. Generally, only modern, enterprise-class models are fully compatible.
Below is a summary of supported Cisco switch series as of 2025:

Fully Supported Cisco Switch Series

  • Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series
    • C9300, C9300L, C9300X
    • C9400 modular chassis
    • C9500, C9600
  • Cisco Catalyst 3850/3650 Series
    (Limited support, software/firmware requirements apply)
  • Cisco Catalyst 2960-X/XR Series
    (Basic monitoring only, not full automation)
  • Cisco Catalyst IE3x00 Series (Industrial switches, selected models)
  • Meraki switches are not natively supported by Catalyst Center; use Meraki Dashboard instead.

Tip:
Always check the Cisco Catalyst Center Compatibility Matrix for the latest details and software version requirements.

How to Check If Your Cisco Switch Is Compatible

  1. Model:
    Look at your switch’s model number (e.g., C9300-24T-E).
  2. Software Version:
    Make sure your switch is running the minimum recommended IOS XE version. Catalyst Center often requires modern firmware (e.g., 17.3 or later).
  3. Feature Set:
    Some advanced Catalyst Center functions require DNA Advantage licenses on your switches.

Quick Check Table:

Switch Model

Supported

Notes

Catalyst 9300 Series

Yes

Full automation, analytics, policy

Catalyst 9400 Series

Yes

Modular, access & core roles

Catalyst 9500 Series

Yes

High-performance aggregation/core

Catalyst 3650/3850

Limited

Some features, monitoring only, end-of-life soon

Catalyst 2960-X/XR

Partial

Only basic monitoring, no automation

Catalyst 2960-S

No

Not supported

Catalyst 4500/6500

No

Not supported

Frequently Asked Questions

Only limited monitoring is possible with 2960-X/XR (and not all features). 3750/2960-S are not supported.

Yes. DNA Essentials or DNA Advantage licenses are required for advanced features.

See Cisco’s compatibility documentation here.

Conclusion

The Cisco Catalyst 9000 family (9300, 9400, 9500, 9600) is the best choice for full Cisco Catalyst Center support in 2025.
Before planning an upgrade or network automation rollout, check your model and software version for compatibility. Investing in supported hardware will help future-proof your enterprise network and enable you to leverage the full power of Cisco’s software-defined networking solutions.

More Cisco Switch Questions? Visit our [Ultimate Cisco Switch FAQ page]

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