Cisco 350X Series Stackable Managed Switches vs. Cisco 550X Series Stackable Managed Switches

Well Suited : For Medium to Large Organization networks where Scalability, Advanced features, efficient management of different network segments and robust security is required. Less Suited : For small offices where simple and unmanaged switch is enough and in temporary and frequently network setup reconfigured.

Incentivized

It works very well as stack of core switches in small/medium company with 4x 10Gbit SFP+ interfaces. Native stacking is simple and in ring topology every switch has 2 redundant connections. They support maximum of 8 units per stack. You could use Cisco SG500X in hybrid stack with other series of switches, but make sure if other switch is compatible with hybrid mode stacking. Hybrid stack mode lower the number of units in stack. You should consider other model of switches if you need more then four SFP+ ports to connect more access switches using fiber cables.

Incentivized

• Scalability
• Redundancy and High Availability
• Easy and User friendly Web based management interface
• High Performance , it provides fast and reliable data transfer
• Inter-Vlan routing is very good.

Incentivized

• Easy to create stacking
• Easy to configure using web interface or command line
• Similar command line to Cisco IOS

Incentivized

• Process of firmware Update
• Need Cloud Management Capabilities
• Enhanced Reporting
• Find difficulty in process of VLAN configuration so need simplified

Incentivized

• Missing command line options like show running-config "| include, exlude"
• Possibility to connect to switch using usb console cable or usb dongle
• Missing vtp protocol support, only gvrp available

Incentivized

It provide the best reliability and redundancy which is most important. We choose this product because of comprehensive feature set, Interoperability, scalability and quality of service.

Incentivized

Cisco 550X switches stack using 10Gbit SFP+ ports on the front, while Dell N Series has dedicated ports (with cables) on the back of the unit. On the other hand dell N switches has number on small digital display showing stack member number, which is easier to identify. The cisco switches has dot beside the number of the switch member. I think Cisco devices are more reliable and stable than dell switches.

Incentivized

• Positive : Increase Scalability
• Positive : Increase Performance
• Positive : enhanced security
• Negative : Initial investment cost
• Negative : Potential downtime during implementation

Incentivized

• Money savings as they are cheaper than competative Cisco IOS switches
• Cisco Business Switches has limited lifetime warranty
• Good switching capacity, and reliability

Incentivized