Cisco Catalyst 1000 VS Aruba 2530 & 2540 Switches

A guide to help you choose among two industry-leading network switches. Pros and cons of Cisco Catalyst series and Aruba 2530 & 2540.

Before Starting, Do You Need a Network Switch?

Are you thinking about buying a new network switch for your business? Are you stuck between choosing Cisco and Aruba switches? Well, you're not the only one confused between these two enterprise-grade networking appliances. Both Cisco and Aruba are known to be one of the best in the industry for their performance and durability.

If you are not sure if you need a network switch, you can check our article HERE.

If you know that you need one, read along to see the pros and cons of three leading network switches.

Cisco

Cisco is undoubtedly one of the best in the networking industry. Whether it's routers, firewalls, PoE switches, or other emerging technologies, Cisco is the best at what it does.

Cisco is considered the king in the networking industry. Cisco develops, manufactures, and sells networking hardware, software, telecommunication equipment, and other high-technology services & products.

Cisco has a market share of around 60% of the entire networking industry. As a comparison, Cisco's close competitors' market shares are 20% (Hewlett Packard Enterprise), %4 (Huawei), and %3 (Juniper). Aruba is not even near to these vendors on the list.

Now let's see why Cisco is the top choice amongst the networking vendors globally:

1. Performance

Cisco is a top choice among end-users for PoE switches. It is able to deliver great operational output and optimized results.

2. Easy To Use and Learn

Business-grade Power-over-Ethernet switches are easy and working with them is fun. Most network engineers and IT technicians are Cisco-certified and familiar with Cisco IOS software. You can easily find a network admin or a technician with Cisco CLI (command-line interface) skills for your organization. Moreover, you yourself can learn the Cisco IOS interface by taking the CCNA course.

3. Offers Durability & Scalability

Cisco appliances are highly durable and scalable, referencing future network expansion and needs. The Power-over-Ethernet switches are designed and built to run without interruption for months without having to reboot or shut down for cooling or stabilization. Cisco network switches are also power-friendly and don't crash or get corrupted due to low power or fluctuations.

4. Huge Market CAP

As discussed earlier, Cisco has the highest market capture and stands untouched by any of its competitors at the number one position. As the networking industry's market leader, the tech giant introduces new technologies and solutions more often than its business rivals.

5. Better 24*7 Customer Support

Cisco's end-user support and customer-level support are the best in the market. The technical support representatives are well-educated and certified. They possess years of experience managing and troubleshooting networking issues at all levels.

Support for critical issues, whether technical or non-technical, is available 24*7. One can take official service support from Cisco by registering a case from the customer portal or their Cisco account. The response time from Cisco TAC is based on the issue's severity level and the end customer's license subscription type.

Customers can get prompt regional or global support based on their license type and contract/SLA agreement.

6. Active Community

The Cisco community is quite active. You can get your queries answered, from general issues to complex scenario-based questions and troubleshooting help. The members of the Cisco community are well-versed and experienced with a wide range of Cisco appliances, including network switches.

Cisco Catalyst 1000 Switches

The Cisco Catalyst 1000 series switches are specially designed and optimized for small-scale enterprise-grade networks, ideally suited for modern, small offices. The Catalyst 1000 series PoE switches can boost network performance while ensuring maximum output and network security. These are managed gigabit and fast ethernet smart switches designed for small enterprise-branched networks spread across multiple locations.

The Catalysts 1000 series switches are flexible and ideal for small-scale deployments. They have comprehensive GUI and CLI for detailed information and advanced configuration management. It runs on the Cisco IOS and offers enhanced security, operational efficiency, network infrastructure reliability, and management for small-sized business networks.

The power-over-ethernet feature support for access points, IP cameras, and other PoE-required hosts makes the Catalyst 1000 switches a top choice among small business networks. These switches are easy to manage and offer the latest features and services required by modern small network infrastructure.

The Catalyst 1000 is a good solution for small enterprises, especially when the budget is stringent while the demand for performance and security is high.

Following are the key features offered by Catalyst 1000 PoE-enabled switches:

·  Small faster deployment

·  Enhanced security

·  Ideal for small enterprises, modern office networks

·  Power-over-Ethernet support up to 740W

·  Support for VLANs, STP, SNMP

·  Management options through GUI and CLI

·  Network monitoring - SFLOW

·  Support for 802.1X, SPAN, and BPDU Guard

·  Device administration support with over-the-air access via Bluetooth and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), along with RJ-45 or USB console access

·  48, 24, 16, and 8 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces and 24, 48 Fast Ethernet interfaces

·  PoE ports with line-rate forwarding feature

·  Compact fanless models available with a depth of fewer than 13 inches (33 cm)

·  4, 2 fixed 1 Gigabit Ethernet small form-factor pluggable (SFP)/RJ 45 combo uplinks

·  2 or 4 fixed 1-gigabit ethernet SFP and RJ45 combo uplinks with eight-port models

·  4 fixed 10-gigabit ethernet SFP & SFP+ uplinks on the gigabit ethernet models

·  4 fixed 1-gigabit ethernet SFP along with 2 RJ 45 combo uplinks on fast ethernet models

 Please visit THIS LINK for detailed specifications and the datasheet.

Pros:

·  Great customer and technical support

·  Secure & Reliable

·  Cost-efficient, budget-friendly

·  Well-RADIUS documented KB

·  Power-over-Ethernet

·  Faster processing

·  IEEE standard

·  Support for additional SPF module

·  Ideal for small, modern enterprises

Cons:

·  Not suitable for large networks

·  Requires training to operate

Should You Go for Cisco?

Suppose you're looking for a power-packed, intelligent, and reliable managed switch with optimal performance for your small enterprise business. In that case, you should be looking at Cisco Catalyst 1000. The Catalyst 1000 series can not only manage your need for a core switch at the headquarters and connecting point at the branch offices but can also act as the edge switch at locally or remotely managed small data centers.

The Cisco Catalyst 1000 switch is ideal for a small multi-branch enterprise network looking for scalability and PoE options with up-to-date network security. If you have a no-barred budget and an enhanced firewall with reliability is your top concern, then get the Catalyst 1000 today for your business. 

Aruba

"Aruba" is a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company founded in 2002 and was later acquired by HP in 2015. "Customer first and customer last" has been the company motto since its foundation.

Aruba serves the IT domain with a wide range of networking and wireless technology products. Aruba is known to provide exceptional wireless services and performance through its robust enterprise-grade access points, network switches, and other appliances. With artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, Aruba delivers automated, faster, and simpler network management for all types of businesses. The cloud-centric management approach for Aruba devices and services helps enterprises run and operate without interruption while ensuring maximum output.

The HPE enterprise tenant company, with its next-generation network switches, and features, is suitable for all organizations.

Let's check out what Aruba offers with its 2530 & 2540 enterprise switches.

1. High Performance

Aruba offers powerful performance to match the needs of ever-evolving enterprise networks and workplaces. With reliable hardware and regular support for firmware upgrades, it pushes the latest security features along with other enhancements to the devices. Features like dynamic segmentation and unified management further boost performance.

2. Automation

Aruba fastens the onboarding and deployment scenarios with quick automated provisioning. The intelligent automation feature helps validate the configurations to enforce error-free deployments.

Aruba offers Aruba Central, Aruba AirWave, and Aruba Central. They provide efficient, live monitoring and higher security, which is especially useful for larger work environments.

3. Visibility

A comprehensive UI design to help end users quickly grasp the general settings and feature set offered by Aruba. The Audra web GUI is one place from where all the configurations and troubleshooting can be initiated. The CLI console further helps to dive deep into the technical aspects and settings of the Aruba network switch technology.

Aruba 2530

Aruba 2530 is best suitable for small and mid-sized enterprises looking for flexibility, performance, and security features. Aruba 2530 is an L2 access layer managed switch. It delivers excellent performance with a range of gigabit and fast ethernet interface options. The PoE-supported 2530 switches provide 370W power access to IP phones, cameras, and access points.

Should You Go for Aruba 2530?

Suppose you're looking for security and features like Power-over-Ethernet, a compact fanless design with a power-packed performance unit for your business. In that case, Aruba 2530 is the right deal for you. You can install additional SPF modules to increase the traffic throughput and bandwidth management.

Below are some of the salient features offered by Aruba 2530 series switches:

·  Reliable and secure Layer 2 switch and cost-efficiency

·  Centralized and simple management via Aruba AirWave, Aruba Central, and Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager

·  Right size deployment with the choices of 8, 24, and 48 port Gigabit and Fast Ethernet models

·  Up to 370W PoE+ to power IoT, APS, and cameras

·  REST API support

·  Simple deployment with zero-touch provisioning

·  Layer 4 prioritization enables priorities based on TCP/UDP port numbers

·  Flow control delivers reliable communication during full-duplex operation

·  Wired and wireless support

·  Layer 2 switching

·  Convergence and QoS

·  Resiliency & HA

Please visit THIS LINK for detailed specifications and the datasheet.

Aruba 2540

The 2540 series can be considered an upgrade to its older sibling, the 2530, specially designed for today's hybrid digital enterprise networks. 2540 is optimized to provide extreme performance for businesses with distributed networks and IoT environments. Unlike other series, 2540 can be managed using Aruba Central. The ClearPass feature offers centralized security and support for captive portals.

2530 stands out on the list with zero-touch provisioning capability, wire-speed backhaul bandwidth capacity, and a built-in 10GBE uplink. It also fulfills the need for the latest features and technology lacking in Aruba 2530 series switches.

Should You Go for Aruba 2540?

If your requirements just got updated and your business is expanding over multiple branches, then Aruba 2540 is an excellent choice.

·  2540 is a Layer 2 switch series with static, RIP routing, robust QoS, and ACLs.

·  Ease of security and network management via Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager, Aruba AirWave, and Aruba Central

·  Simple deployment with zero-touch provisioning

·  10 GbE uplinks and up to 370 W PoE+

·  ClearPass policy manager

·  Supports SDN

·  Support for REST APIs

·  Switch auto-configuration

·  Layer 2 switching

·  Layer 3 routing

·  Limited lifetime warranty

Please visit THIS LINK for detailed specifications and the datasheet.

Pros:

·  Ideal for mid/large, distributed enterprise networks

·  Offers IMC (Aruba proprietary) for network management

·  Supports IEEE standard

·  Secure

·  Easy deployment

·  Cloud Management

·  Power-over-Ethernet

·  Built-in 1/10GbE SPF uplinks

·  Compact fanless models

·  Centralized management using the cloud console

·  Supports L3 routing

·  SDN

·  REST APIs

Cons:

·  Highly Expensive

·  Average Technical/Customer support

·  Requires time to learn and operate

·  Power sensitive

·  Poor customer response

·  Lacks features compared with other products in this price segment

Comparison: Cisco Catalyst 1000 VS. Aruba 2530 & 2540 Switches

There are various models in each series, Cisco & Aruba. Here we've put a comparison of some standard generic features for you.

Final Verdict

The Cisco Catalyst 1000 series and Aruba 2530 and 2540 stand out in their segments. The deciding factor will be your requirements and supporting budget and the availability of the products in your region. All three units can deliver outstanding performance and durability in their designated environment and infrastructure.

If I had to choose between the above products, I would personally go for Cisco. Considering the cost, product performance, reputation in the IT industry, and exceptional technical support, it is an excellent choice.