Guide
Catalyst 1200, 1300 or 9200L?
Three switch families that often end up on the same shopping list for smaller offices. They look similar on paper, but differ in management, licensing and stacking – and therefore in what they cost over time.
Side by side
Comparison
| Feature | Catalyst 1200 24-port GE PoE+ C1200-24P-4G | Catalyst 1300 24-port GE PoE+ C1300-24P-4G | Catalyst 9200L 24-port PoE+, 4× 1G (Network Essentials) C9200L-24P-4G-E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ports | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| PoE budget (W) | 195 | 195 | 370 |
| Uplink | 4× SFP | 4× SFP | 4× SFP |
| Management | Web (smart managed) | Web, CLI (fully managed L3-lite) | CLI, Catalyst Center |
| Licence | – | – | Subscription (Catalyst Essentials/Advantage, 3/5/7 years) required at purchase – choose it under Accessories and support (or let us add the right licence in the quote) |
| Our price |
Our price
€521
excl. VAT
|
Our price
€898
excl. VAT
|
Our price
€1,654
excl. VAT · hardware
|
| Add |
All prices are maximum prices – the quote is never higher, and often lower for larger volumes. Prices are excl. VAT, shipping extra. How the maximum price works
Short answer
The Catalyst 1200 is the simplest and cheapest: web interface, static routing and no stacking. The Catalyst 1300 adds stacking of up to eight switches and dynamic routing. The Catalyst 9200L runs Cisco IOS XE like the larger Catalyst switches and can be managed from Catalyst Center or the Meraki dashboard, but requires a Catalyst subscription at purchase.
How are they managed?
The Catalyst 1200 and 1300 have their own operating system and are managed through the web interface, the command line, Cisco Business Dashboard or the Cisco Business mobile app. The Catalyst 9200L runs Cisco IOS XE – the same system as the Catalyst 9300 and 9500 – and can be managed via the command line, the web interface, Catalyst Center or the Meraki dashboard.
- 1200: web, command line, Cisco Business Dashboard and mobile app
- 1300: as the 1200, plus dynamic routing (RIP; OSPF on the 1300X)
- 9200L: Cisco IOS XE, Catalyst Center or the Meraki dashboard
Is a licence needed?
The data sheets for the Catalyst 1200 and 1300 mention no licence or subscription – the features are included with the hardware. For the Catalyst 9200L, Cisco states that an add-on licence must be ordered with the switch (Catalyst Essentials or Advantage for 3, 5 or 7 years). That makes the 9200L more expensive in total, but gives the same features and tools as the rest of the Catalyst family.
Read more: How Cisco licensing works · Essentials or Advantage?
Can they be stacked?
| Catalyst 1200 | Catalyst 1300 | Catalyst 9200L | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stacking | No | Up to 8 switches | Up to 8 (StackWise-80, stacking kit ordered separately) |
| Routing | Static | Dynamic (RIP; OSPF on the 1300X) | Cisco IOS XE |
| Licence | None | None | Catalyst subscription required |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty | Limited lifetime warranty | See the warranty and support guide |
Read more: Warranty and support contracts
How much PoE and which uplinks?
The models in the table above have 24 PoE+ ports and four 1G SFP uplinks. The PoE budget differs: the 24-port 1200 and 1300 have 195 W, while the Catalyst 9200L-24P has 370 W. If you need 10G to the server, all three come in versions with four 10G uplinks (-4X in the part number).
Read more: PoE – is there enough power? · Catalyst 9200 or 9300?
Conclusion
How we would choose
Our recommendation:
Catalyst 1200 24-port GE PoE+
A smaller office with one switch, no need for stacking and no in-house network engineer.
Catalyst 1300 24-port GE PoE+
You want to stack several switches and need routing between VLANs – without a licence cost.
Catalyst 9200L 24-port PoE+, 4× 1G (Network Essentials)
The network should be managed like the rest of a Catalyst network, with IOS XE, Catalyst Center or the Meraki dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
Questions we often get
Can I stack a Catalyst 1300 with a 9200L?
No. The Catalyst 1300 only stacks with other 1300 switches and the 9200L only with other 9200L switches at the same licence level.
What happens if I do not renew the licence on the 9200L?
The switch keeps working, but the features included in the subscription stop applying. We remind you well before renewal.
Is a Catalyst 1200 enough for an office of 20 people?
Often yes, if one switch is enough and you do not need stacking or dynamic routing. Check that the PoE budget covers access points, phones and cameras.