Cisco Catalyst C1300-16XTS Review A 16-Port 10G Switch

We have looked at a number of inexpensive 10GbE switches recently, but the Cisco Catalyst C1300-16XTS is a different kind of product. This is a managed 10GbE switch with a Cisco software and support story behind it, not simply a low-cost unmanaged box with a set of ports. Here we have a 16-port 10Gbase-T switch with SFP+ uplinks, so the big question is whether the extra management depth makes sense versus cheaper alternatives.

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Cisco Catalyst C1300-16XTS External Hardware Overview

Starting with the front of the switch, Cisco keeps the layout straightforward. Ports, status LEDs, and management access are all on the front edge, which makes the C1300-16XTS easy to cable and monitor in a rack or on a bench. The chassis is still compact enough that it does not feel like a large enterprise…