Guide
Which switch suits the office?
The number of ports is rarely the hard part. What matters is the PoE budget, the uplink to the server and whether the network will grow. Here are three ready-made starting points with products we actually sell.
Short answer
Count the devices that need a cable, not the employees, and add 30 percent. Up to about twenty ports, one 24-port PoE switch is enough; around 50 users usually need 48 ports or two switches. Choose PoE+ for access points and phones, a 10G uplink if you have a local server, and Catalyst 9200L or 9300 if the network should be stacked and grow.
How many ports do you need?
Take the number of fixed workplaces, add access points, printers, cameras and IP phones, then add 30 percent for growth and spare ports. If you land on 30 ports, buy 48 – the difference is small compared to needing another switch.
How much power does the equipment draw?
The PoE budget is the sum of everything powered over the network. Rough rules of thumb:
- Wi-Fi 6 access point: 15–30 W
- Wi-Fi 7 access point: about 25–50 W for full functionality (often 802.3bt)
- IP phone: 5–15 W
- Surveillance camera: about 13 W (802.3af), up to 25.5 W with a heater (Meraki MV data sheet)
Read more: PoE – is there enough power?
What do offices usually choose?
Below is what we most often suggest. We always adjust to your situation – send a request and we will size your office.
- 10–25 users: one 24-port PoE switch is enough, preferably with a 10G uplink (a -4X model) if you have a local server.
- 50 users: 48 ports, or two 24-port switches – one per floor – connected by fibre (stacking cables are at most 3 m, so stacked switches must sit close together).
- 200 users: stacked access switches plus a core switch, and fibre between floors.
Read more: Worked example for 50 users · Catalyst 9200 or 9300? · All switches
Conclusion
How we would choose
Common choices with us:
Catalyst 1300 24-port GE PoE+
Smaller offices wanting simple web management with no licence cost.
Catalyst 9200L 48-port PoE+, 4× 1G (Network Essentials)
Growing offices wanting Cisco IOS XE, stacking and support.
Catalyst 9300 48-port PoE+ (Network Essentials)
Head offices where the network should last and grow with 10G or 25G.
Frequently asked questions
Questions we often get
Do we need 10G already?
Usually not between switch and desk, but preferably as the uplink between switches and to the server. That is where the traffic converges.
Can we mix brands in the same network?
Yes, it works technically. But management and support are easier with one brand, especially when troubleshooting.
Does the switch need a licence?
Catalyst 9200 and 9300 require a subscription (Essentials or Advantage for 3, 5 or 7 years) and Meraki switches a Meraki licence. Catalyst 1200 and 1300 have no licence cost.