PACKETPERF

Primary Device

Cisco Catalyst 9178i
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
  • Est. Price: $85,000 - $125,000

Compare Against

Cisco Catalyst CW9171
Cisco Catalyst CW9171
★ 3.7 Value Score

Technical Specifications

  • Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
  • Spatial Streams (MIMO): 2x2:2 per radio (Tri-band)
  • Aggregate Throughput: 6.12 Gbps
  • Radios (bands): 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz
  • Uplink Port Speed: 1 x 2.5 Gbps Multigigabit Ethernet
  • Max Clients: 768 (256 per radio)
  • PoE Requirement: 802.3at (PoE+)

Curation Review

  • ✔ Pros: Supports latest Wi-Fi 7 standard for future-proofing; Tri-band operation includes 6GHz spectrum; Versatile management via Meraki Dashboard or Catalyst Center; Compact and discreet design ideal for retail or branch offices; High 2.5 Gbps uplink port.
  • ✘ Cons: Entry-level 2x2:2 MIMO configuration limits high-density performance compared to 4x4 or 8x8 models; Full features require PoE+ power; Mandatory recurring license subscriptions for management.
  • Est. Price: $600 - $750

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