Introduction – The Cisco CBS350’s Position in 2025
The Cisco CBS350 Series has consistently ranked among the top choices for managed switches in small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). As a key component of the Cisco Business Switch family, it effectively fills the gap between basic unmanaged switches and the full-featured enterprise Catalyst line.
In 2025, the CBS350 continues to provide robust performance and dependable operation. Nonetheless, Cisco has started shifting this product family toward its next-generation successors—the Catalyst C1200 and C1300 Series. These newer models consolidate the small-business portfolio under the unified Catalyst brand.
This evaluation, prepared by the telecomate.com engineering team, examines the CBS350’s present value, outlines its strengths and weaknesses, and suggests optimal upgrade paths for businesses planning ahead.
Overview
What is the Cisco CBS350 Series?
Launched in 2020 as part of the Cisco Business portfolio, the CBS350 Series was specifically engineered for SMBs, branch offices, and distributed network environments. It operates as a “smart managed” switch line, delivering enterprise-grade reliability alongside simplified management.
Product Positioning:
- Successor to the earlier Cisco SG300/SG350 series.
- Targets organizations requiring secure, efficient LAN connectivity without the complexity of full Catalyst management.
- Operates on Cisco Business OS and supports both web-based and SNMP management interfaces.
Common Models:
- CBS350-8P-E-2G (8-port PoE)
- CBS350-24T-4X (24-port with 10G uplinks)
- CBS350-48FP-4X (48-port full PoE+)
- CBS350-12NP-4G (12-port hybrid with SFP uplinks)
Management Options: Cisco Business Dashboard, intuitive Web UI, CLI (with limited IOS-like commands), and SNMP for centralized monitoring.
Key Features and Capabilities
Core Hardware Features:
- Layer 2 and Static Layer 3 Routing: VLAN segmentation, inter-VLAN routing, IPv4/IPv6 support.
- PoE/PoE+ Support: Powers IP phones, access points, and cameras with up to 382W PoE budget (model dependent).
- Security: ACLs, DHCP Snooping, 802.1X port authentication, and DoS prevention.
- QoS (Quality of Service): Prioritizes voice and video traffic for smooth communication.
- Stacking: Stack up to 4 units for simplified management and redundancy.
- Energy Efficiency: IEEE 802.3az compliance for reduced power consumption.
Software Capabilities:
- Smartport templates for easy device provisioning.
- User-friendly web interface for quick configuration.
- Dual image support for firmware reliability.
- Fanless models available for silent operation in office environments.
The CBS350 merges enterprise-class reliability with SMB-friendly simplicity, establishing it as one of the most adaptable small-business switches of its generation.
CBS350 Product Family Overview
| Model | Ports | Uplinks | PoE Budget | Stackable | Ideal Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBS350-8P-E-2G | 8x GE | 2x SFP | 45W | No | Small office / branch |
| CBS350-24T-4X | 24x GE | 4x 10G SFP+ | — | Yes | SMB core or access |
| CBS350-48FP-4X | 48x GE | 4x 10G SFP+ | 382W | Yes | High PoE workloads |
| CBS350-12NP-4G | 12x GE | 4x SFP | 120W | No | Edge networks / IP phones |
Is Cisco CBS350 Still Worth it in 2025?
Advantages:
- Proven hardware stability and reliability.
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio for SMBs.
- Supports PoE+ for powering APs, phones, and IoT devices.
- Simple web interface ideal for non-CLI users.
- Energy-efficient and quiet operation.
Limitations:
- No Cisco IOS XE or DNA Center integration.
- Limited Layer 3 functionality (static routing only).
- 4-unit stacking limit restricts scalability.
- Lacks the enhanced security and multi-gig capabilities of newer Catalyst models.
telecomate.com Engineers’ Verdict: “For small offices and static networks, the CBS350 still offers excellent value. However, for growing businesses that require scalability, modern security, and automation, the Catalyst C1200 or C1300 series are the logical successors.”
Why Catalyst C1200 and C1300 Series?
Cisco has progressively retired the “Business Switch” branding, integrating all new SMB solutions into the Catalyst family. The C1200 and C1300 represent the next evolution in small-business switching, built on a unified IOS XE (Lite) platform that offers better performance and security.
Key Improvements Over CBS350:
| Feature | Cisco CBS350 | Cisco Catalyst C1200 / C1300 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Cisco Business OS | Cisco IOS XE (Lite) |
| Layer 3 Routing | Static Routing | Enhanced IPv6 and routing features |
| Automation | None | DNA Center Discovery-ready |
| Performance | 1G / 10G | 1G / 2.5G / Multi-Gig |
| PoE Support | PoE+ | PoE+ / UPOE Ready |
| Stacking | Up to 4 units | Up to 8 units |
| Security | Basic ACLs | Advanced ACLs, MACsec on select models |
| Integration | Business Dashboard | Unified Catalyst management tools |
In short, the C1200 and C1300 are the direct progression from the CBS350—retaining the same ease of use while gaining the Catalyst brand and IOS XE architecture.
Recommended Upgrade Paths – Moving Beyond CBS350
| Series | Target Users | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco Catalyst C1200 | SMBs and branch networks | Direct CBS350 replacement with faster throughput, PoE+, and IOS XE Lite. |
| Cisco Catalyst C1300 | Advanced SMBs and light enterprises | Adds enhanced routing, stacking up to 8 units, and improved security with MACsec. |
Alternative Options:
- Cisco Business 250 Series – Entry-level L2 managed switch for small networks.
- HPE Aruba 6000 Series – Cost-effective alternative for SMBs.
- Juniper EX2300 – Compact enterprise-ready access switch.
- Ubiquiti UniFi Enterprise Switch – Suitable for cloud-based management environments.
telecomate.com Engineering Recommendation: Businesses anticipating growth within the next few years should transition from the CBS350 to the Catalyst C1300. This move ensures long-term security, scalability, and alignment with Cisco’s evolving platform strategy.
CBS350 vs. C1200/C1300 – Detailed Comparison
| Feature | Cisco CBS350 | Cisco Catalyst C1200 | Cisco Catalyst C1300 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Platform | Cisco Business OS | IOS XE (Lite) | IOS XE (Full) |
| Routing Capabilities | Static | Enhanced IPv6 | Enhanced IPv6 + Automation |
| PoE Support | PoE+ | PoE+ | PoE+ / UPOE |
| Stacking Capacity | 4 units | 8 units | 8 units |
| Speed Options | 1G / 10G | 1G / 2.5G | 1G / 2.5G / Multi-Gig |
| Security | ACLs, 802.1X | Advanced ACLs | MACsec, advanced ACLs |
| Management | Web UI / SNMP | DNA Discovery / Web UI | DNA Discovery / CLI / Web UI |
| Target Market | SMB | SMB / Branch | Advanced SMB / Light Enterprise |
FAQs – Cisco CBS350 and Its Successors
Q1: Is Cisco CBS350 still supported?
A: Yes, it continues to receive support. However, Cisco encourages a gradual migration to the Catalyst C1200/C1300 series.
Q2: Does CBS350 run Cisco IOS XE?
A: No. It uses Cisco Business OS. The new Catalyst SMB switches (C1200/C1300) operate on IOS XE Lite for improved functionality.
Q3: What’s the direct upgrade for CBS350?
A: The Cisco Catalyst C1200 and C1300 are the official next-generation replacements.
Q4: Is CBS350 still a good choice for small businesses?
A: Yes, it remains reliable and cost-effective for small deployments, particularly where advanced automation isn’t a priority.
Q5: Does CBS350 support stacking?
A: Yes, up to 4 switches. The C1200/C1300 series doubles this capacity to 8 units.
Q6: Does CBS350 work with Cisco DNA Center?
A: Not directly. The C1200/C1300 series, however, supports limited DNA Center discovery and monitoring.
Q7: Should I upgrade if my CBS350 is working fine?
A: If your current setup is stable and security needs are basic, the CBS350 is sufficient. For higher performance and future scalability, consider upgrading to the C1300.
Conclusion
The Cisco CBS350 Series remains a leading smart-managed switch for SMBs—offering affordability, stability, and user-friendly operation.
That said, Cisco’s new C1200 and C1300 Series represent the future of small-business networking, bringing the Catalyst family’s proven reliability, IOS XE architecture, and enhanced management tools into the SMB space.
- Ideal for: Small offices, schools, retail stores, and hospitality networks.
- Upgrade when: You require higher bandwidth, stronger security, or integration with Catalyst ecosystem tools.
telecomate.com engineers recommend the CBS350 for stable, budget-conscious deployments, and the C1200/C1300 as the most future-ready upgrades for 2025 and beyond.
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