Cisco Networking Hardware Compared
Every Cisco device in the PacketPerf catalog — 21 access points, 18 firewalls, 19 network switches — compared on normalised specs and street pricing, and ranked by Value Score against the rest of the market.
Cisco
Catalyst 9178i
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO
Aggregate Throughput: 24 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO
Aggregate Throughput: 24 Gbps
$1,150 - $1,600
Cisco
Secure Firewall 1220 (1220CX)
Firewall Throughput: 15 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 9.0 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 10.0 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 9.0 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 10.0 Gbps
$3,000 - $4,400
Cisco
Catalyst CW9174
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 10 (2x2:2 @ 2.4GHz, 4x4:4 @ 5GHz, 4x4:4 @ 6GHz)
Aggregate Throughput: 17.5 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 10 (2x2:2 @ 2.4GHz, 4x4:4 @ 5GHz, 4x4:4 @ 6GHz)
Aggregate Throughput: 17.5 Gbps
$1,100 - $1,300
Cisco
Catalyst CW9176
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 12 (4x4:4 per band)
Aggregate Throughput: 18 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 12 (4x4:4 per band)
Aggregate Throughput: 18 Gbps
$1,495 - $1,600
Cisco
Catalyst CW9171
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 2x2:2 per radio (Tri-band)
Aggregate Throughput: 6.12 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 2x2:2 per radio (Tri-band)
Aggregate Throughput: 6.12 Gbps
$600 - $750
Cisco
Catalyst CW9176I
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4
Aggregate Throughput: 18 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4
Aggregate Throughput: 18 Gbps
$1,450 - $1,600
Cisco
Catalyst CW9172I
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 2x2:2 (Tri-band) / 4x4:4 (Dual-band 5GHz)
Aggregate Throughput: 9.3 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 2x2:2 (Tri-band) / 4x4:4 (Dual-band 5GHz)
Aggregate Throughput: 9.3 Gbps
$775 - $950
Cisco
Secure Firewall 1210
Firewall Throughput: 6.5 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 6.0 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 5.0 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 6.0 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 5.0 Gbps
$2,189 - $4,505
Cisco
Cisco Secure Firewall 1210
Firewall Throughput: 6.5 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 6.0 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 5.0 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 6.0 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 5.0 Gbps
$2,100 - $2,600
Cisco
Cisco Wireless 9178I (CW9178I)
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 per radio (Up to 16 total streams)
Aggregate Throughput: 24 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 per radio (Up to 16 total streams)
Aggregate Throughput: 24 Gbps
$1,640 - $3,200
Cisco
Catalyst 9176I (CW9176I)
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO (12 total streams)
Aggregate Throughput: 18 Gbps (11.5 Gbps 6GHz, 5.8 Gbps 5GHz, 688 Mbps 2.4GHz)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO (12 total streams)
Aggregate Throughput: 18 Gbps (11.5 Gbps 6GHz, 5.8 Gbps 5GHz, 688 Mbps 2.4GHz)
$2,100 - $2,300
Cisco
Catalyst CW9178I
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO
Aggregate Throughput: 24 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO
Aggregate Throughput: 24 Gbps
$1,500 - $3,000
Cisco
Catalyst 9200L
Switching Capacity: Up to 176 Gbps
Forwarding Rate: Up to 261.9 Mpps
Ports: 24 or 48 ports 10/100/1000 (Data or PoE+)
Forwarding Rate: Up to 261.9 Mpps
Ports: 24 or 48 ports 10/100/1000 (Data or PoE+)
$800 - $2,500
Cisco
Catalyst 9120AX
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO
Aggregate Throughput: Up to 5.2 Gbps (Dual 5 GHz mode)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO
Aggregate Throughput: Up to 5.2 Gbps (Dual 5 GHz mode)
$650 - $1,100
Cisco
Secure Firewall 4245
Firewall Throughput: 95 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 80 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 80 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 80 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 80 Gbps
$55,000 - $75,000
Cisco
Catalyst CW9166
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO
Aggregate Throughput: 7.78 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO
Aggregate Throughput: 7.78 Gbps
$1,150 - $1,450
Cisco
Catalyst CW9164
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 2.4GHz: 2x2, 5GHz: 4x4, 6GHz: 4x4
Aggregate Throughput: 7.49 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 2.4GHz: 2x2, 5GHz: 4x4, 6GHz: 4x4
Aggregate Throughput: 7.49 Gbps
$1,150 - $1,400
Cisco
Cisco Catalyst 9200
Switching Capacity: Up to 392 Gbps
Forwarding Rate: Up to 292 Mpps
Ports: 24 or 48 ports (10/100/1000 or mGig), with modular or fixed uplinks
Forwarding Rate: Up to 292 Mpps
Ports: 24 or 48 ports (10/100/1000 or mGig), with modular or fixed uplinks
$2,200 - $9,500
Cisco
Catalyst 9164 (CW9164I)
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 2.4 GHz: 2x2:2, 5 GHz: 4x4:4, 6 GHz: 4x4:4
Aggregate Throughput: 7.49 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 2.4 GHz: 2x2:2, 5 GHz: 4x4:4, 6 GHz: 4x4:4
Aggregate Throughput: 7.49 Gbps
$1,150 - $1,450
Cisco
Secure Firewall 220
Firewall Throughput: 1.6 Gbps (Stateful)
Threat Prevention Throughput: 1.5 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 1.2 Gbps - 1.8 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 1.5 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 1.2 Gbps - 1.8 Gbps
$790 - $1,100
Cisco
C9200L-48T-4G
Switching Capacity: 104 Gbps
Forwarding Rate: 154.76 Mpps
Ports: 48 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet (Data), 4 x 1G fixed SFP uplinks
Forwarding Rate: 154.76 Mpps
Ports: 48 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet (Data), 4 x 1G fixed SFP uplinks
$1,050 - $3,717
Cisco
Secure Firewall 1010
Firewall Throughput: 650 Mbps (FTD) / 2.0 Gbps (ASA)
Threat Prevention Throughput: 650 Mbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 300 Mbps (FTD) / 500 Mbps (ASA)
Threat Prevention Throughput: 650 Mbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 300 Mbps (FTD) / 500 Mbps (ASA)
$750 - $1,100
Cisco
Secure Firewall 3105
Firewall Throughput: 10 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 10 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 5.5 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 10 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 5.5 Gbps
$9,000 - $18,500
Cisco
Secure Firewall 3110
Firewall Throughput: 18 Gbps (Stateful Inspection)
Threat Prevention Throughput: 17 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 8 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 17 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 8 Gbps
$11,000 - $33,000
Cisco
Secure Firewall 3140
Firewall Throughput: 49 Gbps (1500B UDP)
Threat Prevention Throughput: 45 Gbps (Firewall + AVC + IPS)
IPsec VPN Throughput: 22.4 Gbps (up to 39.4 Gbps with VPN Offload)
Threat Prevention Throughput: 45 Gbps (Firewall + AVC + IPS)
IPsec VPN Throughput: 22.4 Gbps (up to 39.4 Gbps with VPN Offload)
$35,000 - $150,000
Cisco
Catalyst 9300-48P
Switching Capacity: 256 Gbps (Standalone) / 736 Gbps (Stacked)
Forwarding Rate: 190.47 Mpps (Standalone) / 547.62 Mpps (Stacked)
Ports: 48 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet PoE+ ports; modular uplinks (1G, 10G, 25G, 40G options)
Forwarding Rate: 190.47 Mpps (Standalone) / 547.62 Mpps (Stacked)
Ports: 48 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet PoE+ ports; modular uplinks (1G, 10G, 25G, 40G options)
$3,200 - $4,800
Cisco
Cisco Catalyst 9166I
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO
Aggregate Throughput: Up to 7.78 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO
Aggregate Throughput: Up to 7.78 Gbps
$1,400 - $3,050
Cisco
Catalyst 9136I
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 2.4 GHz 4x4, 5 GHz 8x8, 6 GHz 4x4
Aggregate Throughput: 10.2 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 2.4 GHz 4x4, 5 GHz 8x8, 6 GHz 4x4
Aggregate Throughput: 10.2 Gbps
$1,400 - $3,000
Cisco
Cisco Secure Firewall 3110
Firewall Throughput: 18 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 17 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 8 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 17 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 8 Gbps
$16,000 - $55,000
Cisco
Catalyst 9166
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO
Aggregate Throughput: 7.78 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO
Aggregate Throughput: 7.78 Gbps
$1,200 - $1,800
Cisco
Cisco Catalyst 9200L
Switching Capacity: 56 Gbps - 176 Gbps
Forwarding Rate: 83 Mpps - 261 Mpps
Ports (breakdown): 24 or 48 ports 10/100/1000; Fixed uplinks: 4 x 1G SFP or 4 x 10G SFP+
Forwarding Rate: 83 Mpps - 261 Mpps
Ports (breakdown): 24 or 48 ports 10/100/1000; Fixed uplinks: 4 x 1G SFP or 4 x 10G SFP+
$500 - $3,500
Cisco
Catalyst CW9166I
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4
Aggregate Throughput: 7.78 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4
Aggregate Throughput: 7.78 Gbps
$1,700 - $3,050
Cisco
Catalyst 9200
Switching Capacity: 128 Gbps - 176 Gbps
Forwarding Rate: 190.4 Mpps - 261.9 Mpps
Ports: 24 or 48x 10/100/1000 ports (Data or PoE+); Modular Uplinks (4x 1G, 4x 10G, or 2x 25G)
Forwarding Rate: 190.4 Mpps - 261.9 Mpps
Ports: 24 or 48x 10/100/1000 ports (Data or PoE+); Modular Uplinks (4x 1G, 4x 10G, or 2x 25G)
$1,800 - $5,000
Cisco
Catalyst 9166 Series (CW9166)
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz)
Aggregate Throughput: 7.78 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 MU-MIMO (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz)
Aggregate Throughput: 7.78 Gbps
$1,450 - $3,500
Cisco
C9200L-24T-4G
Switching Capacity: 56 Gbps
Forwarding Rate: 41.66 Mpps
Ports: 24 x 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45 downlinks, 4 x 1G SFP fixed uplinks
Forwarding Rate: 41.66 Mpps
Ports: 24 x 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45 downlinks, 4 x 1G SFP fixed uplinks
$1,500 - $2,800
Cisco
Secure Firewall 1120
Firewall Throughput: 4.5 Gbps (ASA) / 1.5 Gbps (FTD)
Threat Prevention Throughput: 1.5 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 1 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 1.5 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 1 Gbps
$2,300 - $4,800
Cisco
Secure Firewall 1140
Firewall Throughput: 2.2 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 2.2 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 1.2 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 2.2 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 1.2 Gbps
$3,700 - $9,280
Cisco
Secure Firewall 1150
Firewall Throughput: 7.5 Gbps (Stateful), 3 Gbps (FW + AVC + IPS)
Threat Prevention Throughput: 3 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 1.4 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 3 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 1.4 Gbps
$6,100 - $12,500
Cisco
Secure Firewall 3120
Firewall Throughput: 22 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 21 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 10 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 21 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 10 Gbps
$35,000 - $75,000
Cisco
Secure Firewall 3130
Firewall Throughput: 42 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 38 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 33 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 38 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 33 Gbps
$77,000 - $122,000
Cisco
Secure Firewall 4225
Firewall Throughput: 95 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 80 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 80 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 80 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 80 Gbps
$200,000 - $230,000
Cisco
Catalyst 9500-48Y4C
Switching Capacity: 3.2 Tbps
Forwarding Rate: 1 Bpps
Ports (breakdown): 48x 1/10/25G SFP28, 4x 40/100G QSFP28
Forwarding Rate: 1 Bpps
Ports (breakdown): 48x 1/10/25G SFP28, 4x 40/100G QSFP28
$10,500 - $17,500
Cisco
Nexus 93180YC-FX3
Switching Capacity: 3.6 Tbps
Forwarding Rate: 1.2 Bpps
Ports (breakdown): 48 x 1/10/25-Gbps SFP28, 6 x 40/100-Gbps QSFP28
Forwarding Rate: 1.2 Bpps
Ports (breakdown): 48 x 1/10/25-Gbps SFP28, 6 x 40/100-Gbps QSFP28
$12,000 - $25,000
Cisco
Catalyst 9200 Series
Switching Capacity: 128 Gbps - 176 Gbps
Forwarding Rate: 190.4 Mpps - 261.9 Mpps
Ports: 24 or 48 ports 10/100/1000 (Data or PoE+); Fixed or Modular Uplinks (1G, 10G, 25G, 40G)
Forwarding Rate: 190.4 Mpps - 261.9 Mpps
Ports: 24 or 48 ports 10/100/1000 (Data or PoE+); Fixed or Modular Uplinks (1G, 10G, 25G, 40G)
$2,500 - $10,200
Cisco
Catalyst 9136
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 2.4GHz: 4x4, 5GHz: 8x8, 6GHz: 4x4
Aggregate Throughput: 10.2 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 2.4GHz: 4x4, 5GHz: 8x8, 6GHz: 4x4
Aggregate Throughput: 10.2 Gbps
$2,050 - $3,660
Cisco
Catalyst 9500
Switching Capacity: Up to 12.8 Tbps
Forwarding Rate: Up to 8 Bpps
Ports: 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G, and 400G options
Forwarding Rate: Up to 8 Bpps
Ports: 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G, and 400G options
$11,000 - $55,000
Cisco
Cisco Secure Firewall 3105
Firewall Throughput: 10 Gbps (FW + AVC)
Threat Prevention Throughput: 10 Gbps (FW + AVC + IPS)
IPsec VPN Throughput: 5.5 Gbps (up to 7 Gbps with VPN offload)
Threat Prevention Throughput: 10 Gbps (FW + AVC + IPS)
IPsec VPN Throughput: 5.5 Gbps (up to 7 Gbps with VPN offload)
$23,000 - $26,500
Cisco
Cisco Catalyst 9500
Switching Capacity: Up to 6.4 Tbps (Standard) / 12.8 Tbps (9500X)
Forwarding Rate: Up to 2 Bpps (Standard) / 8 Bpps (9500X)
Ports: High-density 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G, and 400G SFP/QSFP ports
Forwarding Rate: Up to 2 Bpps (Standard) / 8 Bpps (9500X)
Ports: High-density 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G, and 400G SFP/QSFP ports
$5,000 - $18,000
Cisco
Catalyst 9300
Switching Capacity: 208 Gbps - 1000 Gbps
Forwarding Rate: 154 Mpps - 1488 Mpps
Ports: 24 or 48 ports (1G/Multigig) with Modular Uplinks (10G/25G/40G/100G)
Forwarding Rate: 154 Mpps - 1488 Mpps
Ports: 24 or 48 ports (1G/Multigig) with Modular Uplinks (10G/25G/40G/100G)
$2,500 - $10,000
Cisco
CW9176
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 on all bands (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz)
Aggregate Throughput: 18 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4 on all bands (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz)
Aggregate Throughput: 18 Gbps
$3,200 - $4,500
Cisco
Catalyst 9500 Series
Switching Capacity: Up to 12.8 Tbps
Forwarding Rate: Up to 8 Bpps
Ports: Fixed 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G, and 400G options
Forwarding Rate: Up to 8 Bpps
Ports: Fixed 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G, and 400G options
$5,000 - $35,000
Cisco
Secure Firewall 4215
Firewall Throughput: 90 Gbps (ASA) / 65 Gbps (FTD)
Threat Prevention Throughput: 65 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 45 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 65 Gbps
IPsec VPN Throughput: 45 Gbps
$56,000 - $435,000
Cisco
Catalyst 9300X
Switching Capacity: Up to 2,000 Gbps (2.0 Tbps)
Forwarding Rate: Up to 1,488 Mpps
Ports: 48x 10G Multigigabit (mGig) Copper or 24x 25G SFP28 Fiber, with Modular Uplinks (up to 100G)
Forwarding Rate: Up to 1,488 Mpps
Ports: 48x 10G Multigigabit (mGig) Copper or 24x 25G SFP28 Fiber, with Modular Uplinks (up to 100G)
$6,000 - $35,000
Cisco
Catalyst 9500X
Switching Capacity: Up to 25.6 Tbps
Forwarding Rate: Up to 8 Bpps
Ports: 28x 40/100G (QSFP28) + 8x 40/100/200/400G (QSFP-DD)
Forwarding Rate: Up to 8 Bpps
Ports: 28x 40/100G (QSFP28) + 8x 40/100/200/400G (QSFP-DD)
$64,000 - $75,000
Cisco
Catalyst CW9179F
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4
Aggregate Throughput: 24 Gbps
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4:4
Aggregate Throughput: 24 Gbps
$6,300 - $9,755
Cisco
Cisco Catalyst 9300X
Switching Capacity: Up to 2,000 Gbps (Standalone) / 3,000 Gbps (Stacking)
Forwarding Rate: Up to 1,488 Mpps
Ports: Modular uplinks (100G/40G/25G/10G), Downlinks (10G/25G Fiber or Multigigabit Copper)
Forwarding Rate: Up to 1,488 Mpps
Ports: Modular uplinks (100G/40G/25G/10G), Downlinks (10G/25G Fiber or Multigigabit Copper)
$5,500 - $12,500
Cisco
Nexus 9300-GX2 (N9K-C9332D-GX2B)
Switching Capacity: 25.6 Tbps
Forwarding Rate: 4.17 Bpps
Ports: 32 x 400G QSFP-DD, 2 x 1/10G SFP+
Forwarding Rate: 4.17 Bpps
Ports: 32 x 400G QSFP-DD, 2 x 1/10G SFP+
$21,000 - $75,000
Cisco
Nexus 9300-GX2
Switching Capacity: 25.6 Tbps - 51.2 Tbps
Forwarding Rate: 4.17 Bpps - 8.35 Bpps
Ports: 32, 48, or 64x 400G QSFP-DD (breakout support for 10/25/40/50/100/200G)
Forwarding Rate: 4.17 Bpps - 8.35 Bpps
Ports: 32, 48, or 64x 400G QSFP-DD (breakout support for 10/25/40/50/100/200G)
$25,000 - $60,000