Comparing the Cisco Catalyst 9300 vs the Juniper EX2200 Switches

The Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series is a highly versatile and powerful stackable enterprise switching platform, purpose-built to support the increasingly demanding needs of modern businesses. Designed with a forward-thinking approach, it takes into account critical areas such as Security, IoT, Mobility, and Cloud.

Boasting a flexible uplink architecture, the series supports 1 GE, 10 GE, 25 GE, 40 GE, and 100 GE, making it adaptable to a wide range of network configurations. It offers downlink ports in both 24 and 48 configurations, with support for data, PoE+, Cisco UPOE, and Cisco UPOE+. This extends to multigigabit ports, offering up to 10 Gbps of speed with Cisco UPOE support.

Notably, the Catalyst 9300 Series does not compromise on security. It comes packed with advanced features like Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA), AES-256 MACSEC encryption, and Trustworthy Systems to protect your network from emerging threats.

Efficiency and speed are key factors in the design of the Catalyst 9300 Series. The series offers high-speed back-panel data stacking solutions with StackWise-320, StackWise-480, and StackWise-1T. This is complemented by Intelligent Power Management with StackPower technology for power redundancy.

For businesses looking to leverage IoT, the Catalyst 9300 Series has you covered. It supports IoT integration and policy-based automation from edge to cloud with the SD-Access solution. Furthermore, the series has RJ-45 and USB Mini-Type B console ports, along with USB Type A and USB Type C ports that support USB 3.0 and source 900 mA at 5 V. It also includes support for external USB 3.0 SSD pluggable storage, making it an incredibly adaptable and future-proof switch series for your enterprise needs.

The Juniper Networks EX2200 Ethernet Switches are robust, scalable, and high-performance networking solutions ideal for small to mid-sized businesses and enterprises. These switches are designed to cater to a wide variety of environments, including branch offices, campus locations, and data centers.

Equipped with Juniper Networks' proprietary Junos operating system, the EX2200 switches offer advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching, routing, and security services. It supports Virtual Chassis technology, allowing up to four EX2200 switches to interconnect and function as a single network entity, significantly simplifying network management and boosting efficiency.

The EX2200 switches are highly flexible, supporting converged data, voice, and video environments. They also provide Power over Ethernet (PoE or PoE+), delivering up to 15.4 watts of power to VoIP telephones, security cameras, wireless access points, and other IP-enabled devices, eliminating the need for separate power cords.

The switches are available in models with 12, 24, or 48 built-in network ports, with the compact, fanless model, the EX2200-C, having 12 network ports. These switches also come with up to four uplink ports, providing connectivity options and scalability.

Moreover, EX2200 switches are economical and designed for stand-alone access layer deployments, making them an excellent choice for branch and remote offices, as well as campus networks.

Additional features include console ports for device management, security slots for device security, and cable guards for cable management. Each model also supports optical and copper interfaces, and DC power supply models are also available for additional flexibility.

Overall, Juniper Networks EX2200 Ethernet Switches provide an excellent combination of functionality, flexibility, and affordability, designed to meet the demands of modern networks while maintaining a user-friendly management interface.

comparison table including Cisco Catalyst 9300:

Please note that the information provided is based on the general models of the switches. Some specifications may change depending on the specific model of the switch.

Juniper EX4600

Pros:

• High switching capacity (1.44 Tbps) and forwarding rate (1 Bpps), suitable for larger networks.
• Higher number of Ethernet and SFP+ ports, providing ample connectivity options.
• Redundant power supply support for enhanced reliability.
• Enhanced management ports and Virtual Chassis Technology with support for up to 10 members.
• Robust CPU and memory capacity for efficient data processing and task handling.

Cons:

• It might be overkill for smaller networks, leading to unnecessary costs.
• Despite having redundant power supply, the primary and backup power supply are not hot-swappable.
• Requires a higher initial investment due to its advanced features.

Juniper EX2200

Pros:

• More affordable option, making it a good fit for smaller networks.
• Provides features like Virtual Chassis Technology (up to 4 members), and support for PoE in certain models.
• Retains the same maximum VLANs and jumbo frame size as the EX4600.

Cons:

• Lower switching capacity (104 Gbps) and forwarding rate (77 Mpps) may not be sufficient for larger networks.
• The processing power provided by an 800 MHz ARM CPU is relatively lower.
• Not suited for network environments with high redundancy requirements.

Cisco Catalyst 9300

Pros:

• Higher switching capacity than the EX2200, catering well to medium-sized networks.
• Offers a multitude of models based on port count, PoE, network module, and uplink options, providing significant flexibility.
• Unique security features such as MACsec encryption and Cisco TrustSec for enhanced network protection.
• Provides comparable redundancy features and stacking capability with StackWise-480 technology.

Cons:

• Maximum VLAN capacity is slightly lower (4000) compared to Juniper models.
• The exact processing power and memory capacity can be lower or higher depending on the specific model chosen.
• While offering many different model options adds flexibility, it can also make selection more complex for some users.

Some of the top products for each series are below:

Juniper EX4600

1. EX4600-40F-AFO: 24x SFP/SFP+, 2x QSFP+, Dual AC PS, AFO
2. EX4600-40F-DC-AFO: 24x SFP/SFP+, 2x QSFP+, Dual DC PS, AFO
3. EX4600-40F-EMB: 24x SFP/SFP+, 2x QSFP+, Single AC PS
4. EX4600-40F-EMB-DC: 24x SFP/SFP+, 2x QSFP+, Single DC PS
5. EX4600-40F-BF: 24x SFP/SFP+, 2x QSFP+, Dual AC PS, Back-to-Front Airflow
6. EX4600-40F-DC-BF: 24x SFP/SFP+, 2x QSFP+, Dual DC PS, Back-to-Front Airflow
7. EX4600-40F-TAA: 24x SFP/SFP+, 2x QSFP+, Dual AC PS, Trade Agreement Act (TAA) compliant
8. EX4600-40F-DC-TAA: 24x SFP/SFP+, 2x QSFP+, Dual DC PS, TAA compliant
9. EX4600-EM-8F: EX4600, 8-Port SFP+ Expansion Module
10. EX4600-EM-2QSFP+: EX4600, 2-Port 40GbE QSFP+ Expansion Module

Note: For Juniper, specific hardware specs for each model can vary. Please check Juniper's product catalog or contact a Juniper representative for the most accurate information.

Juniper EX2200

1. EX2200-24T-4G: 24-port 10/100/1000BaseT with 4 SFP uplink ports
2. EX2200-24P-4G: 24-port 10/100/1000BaseT with PoE+ and 4 SFP uplink ports
3. EX2200-48T-4G: 48-port 10/100/1000BaseT with 4 SFP uplink ports
4. EX2200-48P-4G: 48-port 10/100/1000BaseT with PoE+ and 4 SFP uplink ports
5. EX2200-C-12T-2G: Compact, fanless, 12-port 10/100/1000BaseT with 2 SFP uplink ports
6. EX2200-C-12P-2G: Compact, fanless, 12-port 10/100/1000BaseT with PoE+ and 2 SFP uplink ports
7. EX2200-24T-4G-TAA: 24-port 10/100/1000BaseT with 4 SFP uplink ports, TAA compliant
8. EX2200-24P-4G-TAA: 24-port 10/100/1000BaseT with PoE+ and 4 SFP uplink ports, TAA compliant
9. EX2200-48T-4G-TAA: 48-port 10/100/1000BaseT with 4 SFP uplink ports, TAA compliant
10. EX2200-48P-4G-TAA: 48-port 10/100/1000BaseT with PoE+ and 4 SFP uplink ports, TAA compliant

Cisco Catalyst 9300

1. C9300-24T: Catalyst 9300 24-port data only, Network Advantage
2. C9300-24P: Catalyst 9300 24-port PoE+, Network Advantage
3. C9300-24U: Catalyst 9300 24-port UPOE, Network Advantage
4. C9300-24UX: Catalyst 9300 24-port mGig and UPOE, Network Advantage
5. C9300-48T: Catalyst 9300 48-port data only, Network Advantage
6. C9300-48P: Catalyst 9300 48-port PoE+, Network Advantage
7. C9300-48U: Catalyst 9300 48-port UPOE, Network Advantage
8. C9300-48UXM: Catalyst 9300 48-port mGig and UPOE, Network Advantage
9. C9300-NM-8X: Catalyst 9300 8 x 10GE Network Module
10. C9300-NM-4G: Catalyst 9300 4 x 1GE Network Module

Note: For Cisco, specific hardware specs for each model can var

The Juniper EX4600, EX2200, and Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches each offer unique features that can cater to different network needs. The EX4600, being a higher-end model, provides the most robust performance among the three. It has superior throughput, boasting a switching capacity of 1.44 Tbps and a forwarding rate of up to 1 Bpps. Additionally, it includes redundant power supply support and a higher number of ports, up to 48 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet or SFP+ ports. It also includes enhanced management ports and virtual chassis technology with support for up to 10 members. The CPU and memory capacity are also the largest among the three, which ensures swift data processing and greater task handling.

The Juniper EX2200 is a more affordable option compared to the EX4600 and is best suited for smaller networks. Despite its lower specs in terms of switching capacity (104 Gbps) and forwarding rate (77 Mpps), it still offers a good set of features like Virtual Chassis Technology (up to 4 members), support for PoE in certain models, and up to 48 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet ports. It also shares the same maximum VLANs and jumbo frame size with the EX4600. Its processing power, provided by an 800 MHz ARM CPU, is relatively lower, but still capable of effectively managing network operations.

The Cisco Catalyst 9300, on the other hand, falls between the two Juniper models in terms of capabilities. It offers a higher switching capacity than the EX2200 at up to 256 Gbps (depending on the model), making it a powerful contender in the medium-sized network segment. The Catalyst 9300 also supports a multitude of models based on port count, PoE, network module, and uplink options, offering significant flexibility. It also supports unique security features such as MACsec encryption and Cisco TrustSec, providing enhanced network protection. Its maximum VLAN capacity is slightly lower at 4000, but it provides comparable redundancy features and stacking capability with StackWise-480 technology. The exact processing power and memory capacity depend on the specific model chosen.