This assessment synthesizes 11 recent reviews of the Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms, focusing on use cases, strengths, weaknesses, and ROI. The platform is primarily used for WAN connectivity and routing, with 6 of 11 reviewers specifically mentioning its role in connecting customer sites to extranets via various methods like MPLS, internet, and dedicated point-to-point circuits. It also serves as a foundation for SD-WAN implementations, linking branch offices and data centers. Reviewers highlight its reliable performance, security features (like IPSec), and routing capabilities. However, a notable concern is the product's price point, with 2 reviewers stating that the cost of the 8200 and 8500 models can be a barrier, especially when positioned as a lower-end solution. Furthermore, 2 of 11 reviewers reported encountering product issues such as code and hardware bugs, memory errors, and licensing complications.

Pros

Reliable WAN connectivity and routing performance
Robust security features, including IPSec for secure access
Effective routing capabilities, including dynamic routing
Suitable for SD-WAN implementations connecting branch offices and data centers
1U form factor is a positive aspect related to ROI

Cons

High price point for 8200 and 8500 models can be a barrier for some customers
Reported issues with code and hardware bugs
Instances of memory errors
Licensing issues reported by some users

What positive or negative impact (i.e. Return on Investment or ROI) has Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms had on your overall business objectives?

From 11 reviews

Summary

This report synthesizes 11 recent reviews of the Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms, focusing on the return on investment and overall business impact perceived by reviewers. While direct mentions of "Return on Investment" appear in 2 reviews, some reviewers express concerns about the product's price point. Specifically, 2 reviewers indicated that the price of the 8200 and 8500 models can be a barrier for their customers, particularly when positioned as a lower-end offering. Therefore, while the 1U form factor is seen as a positive aspect related to ROI, the price point is a noteworthy consideration for potential buyers.

Reviews

35 Reviews

Catalyst 8000 A superhero

Rating: 10 out of 10

Incentivized

June 16, 2025

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I continuously demo how the Catalyst 8000 virtual router can deploy easily on our PS451 Server line with multiple Type 1 Hypervisors.

Pros

Dmvpn
VRF
IPSec
Dynamic Routing.

Cons

CPU overhead.

Likelihood to Recommend

It had enabled the reduction of equipment in our edge nodes as well as increased the functionality and efficiency in the edge networks.

Shane Walradt

Solutions Architect in Sales at Curtis’s Wright Defense Solutions (501-1000 employees)

Vetted Review

Reseller

5 years of experience

Cisco 8000 Series - Best in Class

Rating: 10 out of 10

Incentivized

June 16, 2025

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use the 8000 Series routers on our MPLS and Internet Edge. They provide connectivity to our WAN and connects our locations together.

Pros

Routing
Security
QOS

Cons

Config templating
More robust memory
Restore capability in case of misconfig

Likelihood to Recommend

Well suited in our Office Environments, but not necessarily Industrial Areas

Verified User

Employee in Information Technology (1001-5000 employees)

Vetted Review

16 years of experience

review of Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms 8200 series

Rating: 7 out of 10

Incentivized

June 16, 2025

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

we use them as customer premise router that we manage / terminating MPLS circuits. We use these to connect to transaction processing systems for our customers

Pros

NAT
ACL
Speed of interfaces

Cons

we are using them to replace isr 4331's. as such, the ethernet (speed/duplex) interoperabiliyt with customer equipment seems to have issues at times.

Likelihood to Recommend

as stated before, the only bad thing we have seen is the speed/dupex interoperabilit with customer gear using the gig ethernet ports. a 4331 router will connect fine, but the Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms 8200 will not. it's likely older customer gear that the Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms 8200 has issues connecting? ethernet interfaces stay down//down

Tim Yosmali

senior network engineer in Information Technology at Worldpay (5001-10,000 employees)

Vetted Review

20 years of experience

A great product and great choice

Rating: 9 out of 10

Incentivized

June 11, 2025

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We have many challenges to connect our branch offices and manufacture plants over the country.

Pros

Connect branch offices to Central Office
Reliable connection
Stable network

Cons

Empower production line
Environment stability
Security operations

Likelihood to Recommend

It's appropriate to use where customers are facing problems with latency and network outage based on carrier problems

Fernando Guedes

IT Supervisor in Information Technology at Yamaha Motor Do Brasil (10,001+ employees)

Vetted Review

4 years of experience

Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms

Rating: 8 out of 10

Incentivized

June 11, 2025

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use these catalysts as distributed switches (edge towards the customers in this case)

Pros

(inter VLAN) Routing
Securing the access ports

Cons

Functionality wise, I cannot think of anything

Likelihood to Recommend

It's suited well for most applications. However, the price can be a bit too high for some use cases.

Verified User

Manager in Information Technology (11-50 employees)

Vetted Review

6 years of experience

Reliable platform

Rating: 10 out of 10

Incentivized

June 11, 2025

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Providing site wan connecting over mpls to our data centers

Pros

Superior features
Robust
Reliable

Cons

None really

Likelihood to Recommend

Robust routers for critial site connectivity

Verified User

Employee in Information Technology (10,001+ employees)

Vetted Review

2 years of experience

Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms is fast

Rating: 9 out of 10

Incentivized

June 11, 2025

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

The Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms address the growing need for SDN capabilities when we refresh medium sized branch sites.

Pros

Allows throughput reliable at over 200mb MPLS sites
Supplies reliable performance at mid-sized sites
Is much more quiet than an ISR4K

Cons

Easier to identify DNA-Advange license tiers
Provide additional front-facing ports on lower end models
Add cable security to PSU area on 8200

Likelihood to Recommend

Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms are good at medium to large sized sites

Verified User

Engineer in Information Technology (1001-5000 employees)

Vetted Review

4 years of experience

Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms review

Rating: 9 out of 10

Incentivized

June 11, 2025

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We utilize Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms for customer site connectivity into our Extranet network utilizing MPLS, internet and dedicated point to point circuits. We use them for building secure connectivity from the customer site into our Extranet core infrastructure utilizing GetVPN, BGP and EIGRP, normally in a redundant connectivity per site via HSRP.

Pros

Encryption
Remote site connectivity
Ease of management

Cons

Lack of dedicate management interface

Likelihood to Recommend

The Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms is extremely well suited for remote site connectivity and for dedicated customer connections.

Verified User

Engineer in Information Technology (1001-5000 employees)

Vetted Review

2 years of experience

Here we Go Advanced Connectivity

Rating: 10 out of 10

Incentivized

June 11, 2025

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

One of the best products I have used. I'm working on the new merge with Meraki as well, which will add more depth to the products that we are crafting at du. Moreover the Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms gives you all what you need from networking to security and more. It is fantastic.

Pros

Security
Networking and agility
Durable

Cons

Rack mount kits
External antenna for 5G
VCPE or UCPE version of it

Likelihood to Recommend

Scenario of multi branches business that needs to get full networking service

Verified User

Director in Product Management (1001-5000 employees)

Vetted Review

6 years of experience

Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms - a good overall choice

Rating: 8 out of 10

Incentivized

June 11, 2025

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We utilize the routers for SDWAN for branch and data center and autonomous mode for internet edge.
Problems we’ve faced have been with code and hardware bugs of drops with the qfp in the 8500s.
Additional bugs we’ve run into were memory errors on the 8200 platform.
Licensing issues due to HSEC requirements.
Overall product has been mostly stable.

Pros

SDWAN
Throughput
Rack size

Cons

Scalability
Quality control of product (physical components)
Keep up with clear difference of SDWAN vs Autonomous mode capabilities

Likelihood to Recommend

Mostly Scaleable - Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms 8500 series routers work well for higher end needs. 8200 series feel somewhat appropriate for low end, but doesn't quite nail it, feels like we easily need to go to 8300.

Verified User

Manager in Engineering (10,001+ employees)

Vetted Review

3 years of experience

Loading Reviews List....