CAT vs IOS.... which one?

[mosc9562]

Hey All,

We have 4 6509 switches with the CATos on them. We just received a new 6509, this new one has the SUP720 engines in them. It also has the IOS, not CATos installed. Our olded switches have the sup1a's.

My question is which is better, the CATos or the IOS. Since we already use the CATos should I stay with that or use the IOS with the new switch, anyone have a preference? I heard that the CATos may be going away eventually and it makes better sence to go with the IOS, is that true? Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

Frank

 

[vipergg]

It is true they are pushing away from catos so they don't have to support 2 different OS's . I bet you will see end of life for catos within a couple of years. If you are going to use it as a layer 2 /layer3 switch-router then you should probably just use IOS . As a strictly layer2 switch I always found it easier and faster to get things done with catos . Just doing commands to multiple different ports was easier with catos . It's a matter taste and whether you want to dive in with the new IOS , and it is not an easy task to convert it back to hybrid mode .

 

[KiscoKid]

It's been ages since I checked and I can't recall what I was working on at the time but I do remember that catos offered a lot more functionality and module support than the IOS versions at that time.

As with everything, eventually IOS will catch up and surpass catos in this regard (if it hasn't done so already as it's been awhile since I looked at this).

To summarise, might be a good idea to verify the modules and functionality you'd like to use on your new switch is supported in IOS.

 

[ADB100]

There is very little now that CatOS supports that IOS doesn't (VTP Version 3 comes to mind?).

All new switches (apart from the ridiculous 500-series) run IOS (and have a CLI before anyone gets picky....) run IOS. If you have the choice (i.e. you have Cat6x00's with PFC's and MSFC's) then I would choose IOS every time, even if it is just a Layer-2 environment. If you have 6x00's without MSFC's then you can only use CatOS.

HTH

Andy

 

[jneiberger]

I haven't had the pleasure of toying around with the Catalyst Express 500. Are they pretty awful?

 

[ADB100]

There is no CLI or console port on the Catalyst Express 500 series, management is through HTTP or CNA. The problem I can see is that they do a PoE version and they are cheap, therefore sales people will sell them and niave customers will buy them......

I was hoping the 2960 series would have appeared with a PoE version as all the other PoE switches (3560 & 3750) are pretty expensive and are Layer-3. Why would you pay $2000 for a Cisco 24-port PoE 10/100 switch when you can pay $1000 for a Cisco 24-port PoE 10/100 switch....

The prices are just an example I don't know exactly how much they cost but the comparison is still valid.

Andy

 

[jneiberger]

We've been going through a VoIP RFP and our Cisco sales engineer specifically told me *not* to even think about the Catalyst Express. He told me up front that I would hate it.

I also wish that there was a PoE version of the 2960.