Regardless of the size of your IT environment, you understand the importance of a functioning network.
You also know that for a well-planned network to be possible, you need to implement the right solutions, including switches or routers, access points, controllers, and firewalls.
If you’re looking to upgrade or replace some of those components, the options can feel endless.
One of the networking solutions The KR Group recommends most often is Cisco’s Catalyst gear.
Our engineers have implemented various configurations of Cisco’s Catalyst series. Most recently, they’ve begun working with the latest devices in the Catalyst 9000 series.
Customers have repeatedly asked us about the differences between the Catalyst 9000 gear and older models.
Like every new release, there is an endless list of differences and new features. To help you better understand what you get with the switches in the Catalyst 9000 series but not write a novel, we’ll look at a few of the most significant benefits.
But, to start, let’s review what the Catalyst 9000 series is.
What is Catalyst 9000?
This series includes multiple components, including:
- Catalyst 9100 access points, which are Wi-Fi 6 enabled and support multigigabit connections
- Catalyst 9200 switches for small and midsize deployments looking for fixed, stackable options up to 160 Gbps
- Catalyst 9300 switches for larger deployments looking for fixed, stackable options up to 1Tbps
- Cisco DNA Center, the network management controller for software-defined innovation
In this article, we’ll primarily focus on the switches and DNA center components. You can find general information about access points in the article, “Best Enterprise Wireless Access Points.”
Benefits of Cisco Catalyst 9000 Switches
Now, the question you’re likely asking is why you should implement new switches, specifically Catalyst switches, in your IT environment.
Maybe you’re happy with your current switching hardware, or it’s good enough for you to question making a significant investment.
The real power in the Cisco Catalyst 9000 switches lies in the slew of new or enhanced features they offer compared to previous Catalyst devices.
Here are some of the benefits you can expect from implementing this equipment.
- They’re designed to be a part of Cisco’s DNA Center.
- You can choose different licensing models.
- Multigigabit connections are supported.
- The Catalyst 9000 switches are built for wireless.
- The new series helps you be cloud-ready.
Remember that, for brevity’s sake, this article will take a high-level overview. If you want to nerd out on some of the more intricate features of this gear, you’ll find that information in Cisco’s datasheet.
Designed to Work with DNA Center
The biggest differentiator between the Catalyst 9000 switches and its predecessors is how it integrates with Cisco DNA Center.
When you purchase your new switch, you’ll be able to choose a DNA Center license. While this does come at an additional price, it dramatically increases the capability of your switches.
With DNA Center and Smart Accounts, Cisco has moved to decoupling hardware and software. So, you can use the dashboards from the integrations and configure or re-install features and licenses on the physical hardware.
This is a valuable feature if you have a hardware failure. Instead of starting at square one and re-configuring all of your settings, you use Smart Accounts and DNA Center to install your previous settings on the new device.
The DNA Center license also allows you to update the code on switches while being centrally managed and deployed. As a result, programming switches is still complex but takes physically less work.
Networking and DNA License Options
Speaking of DNA Center, you should note that you’ll have the choice of three license options:
- DNA Essentials includes base automation, monitoring, and easy management.
- DNA Advantage offers the features of essentials plus Cisco SD-Access, and Cisco DNA Assurance.
- DNA Premier provides all the components of advantage licenses, and you can enable all Cisco DNA use cases with Cisco Identity Services Engine and Stealthwatch.
Most Cisco partners will recommend you pick either an Essentials or Advantage license as the best fit for the Catalyst 9000 switches.
Additionally, you must purchase a license for the switch itself. The two licenses for the Catalyst switches are also called Advantage and Essentials for access to your switches’ centralized management and control components.
If you opt for a DNA Essentials license, you’ll need to purchase the Networking Essentials license. With this option, you can access essentials’ switch capabilities, programmability features, zero-touch provisioning, 128-bit MACsec encryption, streaming telemetry and visibility, and more.
On the other hand, if you purchase DNA Advantage or DNA Premier, you’ll need the Networking Advantage license. This option gives you all the attributes of the Networking Essentials plus flexible network segmentation, high availability, 256-bit MACsec encryption, and more.
Understanding these licenses and their compatibility can be confusing. If you still have questions, we suggest you go to Cisco’s website for a more in-depth comparison of these options.
Capable of Multigigabit Connections
If you have a multigigabit internet connection, you know you need the right infrastructure to handle it.
The Catalyst 9000 switches (as well as the access points in this family) were built to handle this.
You’ll no longer need to stack multiple Catalyst switches to handle more than 1 Gbps. Instead, you can stack multiple switches and utilize up to 1 Tbps.
This accounts for the trends toward faster and faster internet speeds and allows a wireless-first IT environment to be a reality.
Built for Wireless
Multigigabit capability isn’t the only feature of the Catalyst 9000 switches that is great for wireless-first environments.
The switches also streamline new trends in IoT, where you might have multiple sensors that require more power than traditional POE devices, such as desk phones.
With Catalyst 9000 switches, you can take advantage of the increased power over the network.
This means fewer cables and faster deployments.
Become Cloud-Ready
As the demand for cloud services increases, Cisco has adapted to embrace it. 
The Catalyst 9000 series is a part of that initiative and works to ensure your network is ready for the cloud.
How do you benefit?
The Catalyst 9000 series software has features already there for you to use with your cloud environment. With the Cisco DevOps toolkit, you can:
- Use off-the-shelf applications
- Create and manage applications that can be locally hosted on the switch, in a container-based hosting environment
- Or take advantage of Cisco and partner applications
Again, the increased bandwidth capability also makes it possible to work with multiple cloud platforms without sacrificing performance.
Why Upgrade to Catalyst 9000 Switches?
Cisco has created the Catalyst 9000 series to incorporate a variety of technology that supports modern business needs.
With these switches, you can access multigigabit bandwidth and manage your networking devices through the Cisco DNA center.
The various license options for the switches allow you to have control at different budget points.
Overall, if you’re looking to embrace more wireless technology or adapt your network for multiple cloud services, the Catalyst 9000 switches will help you accomplish those goals.
Don’t forget that if you’re moving from an older Cisco switch to one in the Catalyst 9000 series, you can get better pricing through Cisco Capital. In some cases, you may even get credit for non-Cisco gear.
For more information about the Catalyst 9000 series, check out this e-book from Cisco.