PoE Requirement: 30W High Power over Ethernet (High PoE)
Curation Review
✔ Pros:Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with strong throughput and improved efficiency for high-density deployments; Compact form factor suitable for office/retail environments; Integrated Cisco security features and Meraki cloud management support; Excellent per-client performance with dual-band support; Cost-effective for enterprise Wi-Fi 6 deployments
✘ Cons:1 Gbps uplink limits throughput potential in high-demand scenarios; 2x2 MIMO is entry-level for enterprise (competitors offer 4x4); Requires High PoE infrastructure; Limited to 2.4 GHz band coverage without additional APs; Lacks advanced features (Wi-Fi 6E, multi-gig uplink) found in higher-tier models
Est. Price:
$2,400 - $3,200
Compare Against
Cisco Catalyst 9178i
★ 4.3 Value Score
Technical Specifications
Switching Capacity: 204.8 Tbps (full chassis)
Forwarding Rate: 204.8 Tbps
Ports: Up to 288 u00d7 10/25/40/100 Gbps (via modular line cards)
Layer: L2/L3
Stacking Support: Yes (up to 9 units via Stacking Cables)
Chassis Type: 3-slot modular chassis
PoE Budget: Up to 5.6 kW per module (optional PoE+ modules)
Max Power Consumption: 10.2 kW (full chassis)
Backplane Bandwidth: 204.8 Tbps
Throughput per Port: Up to 100 Gbps per port
Cooling: Redundant, variable-speed fans
Uplinks: Multiple 100 Gbps QSFP28 capable
Curation Review
✔ Pros:Industry-leading 204.8 Tbps switching fabric supports next-generation high-density deployments; Modular architecture allows flexible line-card configurations for different port densities and speeds; Full redundancy support (PSU, fan, uplinks) ensures carrier-grade reliability; Native support for Cisco DNA Center and SD-Access intent-based networking; Excellent in-service upgrade capabilities with no traffic disruption
✘ Cons:Significantly higher capital cost compared to fixed-configuration switches; Requires skilled technical staff for modular line-card installation and configuration; Power and cooling infrastructure overhead for large deployments; Complexity of managing modular chassis in smaller networks may be overkill; Limited flexibility in port mix compared to disaggregated options