Cisco switches supplied by AZEIDK in Saudi Arabia come in five families: Catalyst 1200 for small sites, the stackable managed Catalyst 1300/1300X, Catalyst 9200 and 9300 for enterprise networks, and the cloud-managed Meraki MS130. The right choice depends on device count, the PoE that cameras, access points and phones need, how the network will be managed, and whether you need stacking and faster uplinks.
This guide compares the Cisco families using figures from the official datasheets, and shows where each one fits an office, a branch or a multi-storey building in Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam. AZEIDK supplies, installs and configures these switches as part of its network and communication systems. For a comparison across vendors, see Network Switch and Wi-Fi Brands in Saudi Arabia.
Key takeaways
- Catalyst 1200 is a smart managed switch with 8 to 48 ports and no stacking, suited to offices, shops and clinics.
- Catalyst 1300 is fully managed and stacks up to eight units; the 1300X models add OSPF routing.
- Catalyst 9200 and 9300 are stackable enterprise families with field-replaceable power supplies; only the 9300 reaches 90 W per port (UPOE+).
- Meraki MS130 is managed entirely from the Meraki cloud dashboard and needs a licence for each switch.
- Check both the per-port PoE limit and the total switch PoE budget before choosing a model.
In this article
- Which Cisco switch families does AZEIDK supply in Saudi Arabia?
- Smart, managed or cloud-managed: what is the difference?
- How do you choose a Cisco family by building type?
- How much PoE do cameras, access points and phones need?
- When do you need stacking and 10G or faster uplinks?
- Common mistakes when buying Cisco switches
- Frequently asked questions
- Conclusion
Which Cisco switch families does AZEIDK supply in Saudi Arabia?
The table lists the five families as shown on AZEIDK’s product pages and in Cisco’s official datasheets. Figures are family maximums and vary by model.
| Family | Management | Ports | Max PoE per port | Stacking | Uplinks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalyst 1200 | Smart managed (web, CLI, mobile app) | 8 to 48 Gigabit | 30 W (PoE+) | Not listed in the datasheet | 1G SFP or 10G SFP+ by model |
| Catalyst 1300 / 1300X | Fully managed, Layer 3 | Gigabit, 2.5G and 10G | 30 W (PoE+) on the listed models | Up to 8 units | 10G SFP+ on the listed models |
| Catalyst 9200 / 9200L | Enterprise (Cisco IOS XE) | 24 or 48, some with mGig up to 10G | 30 W (PoE+) | Up to 8 members (StackWise-160 or 80) | Modular on C9200; fixed 1G/10G/25G on C9200L |
| Catalyst 9300 / 9300X / 9300L / 9300LM | Enterprise (Cisco IOS XE) | 24 or 48 | 90 W (UPOE+) | Up to 8 members (320 Gbps to 1 Tbps) | 1G up to 100G by family |
| Meraki MS130 | Cloud, Meraki dashboard | 8, 12, 24 and 48; X models add 2.5G | 30 W (PoE+) | Not listed in the datasheet | 1G SFP, or 10G SFP+ on X models |
Smart, managed or cloud-managed: what is the difference?
The real difference between the families is how the network is run after handover, and by whom.
Smart managed
Catalyst 1200 supports up to 255 active VLANs, limited static routing (32 routes and 16 IP interfaces), and management from a browser, the CLI or the Cisco Business mobile app. That is enough to separate cameras, staff and guests on a small site without dedicated IT staff.
Fully managed
Catalyst 1300 adds stacking, IPv4 and IPv6 routing and RIP, with OSPF on 1300X models only. Catalyst 9200 and 9300 run Cisco IOS XE and are managed from the CLI, the web UI or Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center). The licence tier, Network Essentials or Network Advantage, determines some advanced routing features.
Cloud-managed
Meraki MS130 is claimed into the Meraki dashboard, where configuration, monitoring and firmware updates happen. It suits multi-branch businesses, such as a retail chain across several cities, because one team runs every site from one place. The datasheet states that each switch needs an Enterprise or Advanced licence, with Enterprise terms from one to ten years, so licensing belongs in the lifetime cost.
How do you choose a Cisco family by building type?
Small office, clinic or shop: Catalyst 1200
With a limited device count and PoE for a few cameras and phones, one Catalyst 1200 is often enough. PoE budgets are 67 W on the C1200-8P-E-2G, 195 W on the C1200-24P-4G and 375 W on the C1200-48P-4X, which also has four 10G SFP+ uplinks.
Office building, hotel or mid-size warehouse: Catalyst 1300 / 1300X
Once a project needs more than one switch, stacking up to eight units managed as one system (up to 400 ports) keeps administration simple. PoE budgets on the listed models run from 195 W (C1300-24P-4X) to 740 W (C1300-48FP-4X), and the C1300-24MGP-4X adds eight 2.5G ports for newer access points. Cisco notes that stacking works only within the same family.
Multi-storey building, hospital or mall floors: Catalyst 9200
Catalyst 9200 is built for the access layer in floor IDF rooms. C9200 models take modular uplinks and StackWise-160; C9200L models have fixed 1G, 10G or 25G uplinks and StackWise-80. The C9200L-48P-4X delivers 740 W of PoE with one power supply and 1,440 W with a second, and the supplies are field-replaceable, which matters where cameras and phones cannot go down.
Core, aggregation and data rooms: Catalyst 9300
Cisco describes the 9300 as its lead stackable enterprise access platform, and it can also act as the aggregation switch in the main room of a building or small campus. Stacking ranges from 320 Gbps on the 9300L/LM to 1 Tbps on the 9300X, uplinks reach 100G, UPOE+ models deliver up to 90 W per port, and MACsec encryption is available. StackPower, which shares power across the stack, is supported only on C9300 and C9300X.
How much PoE do cameras, access points and phones need?
The most common mistake with a Cisco PoE switch is looking at port count alone. Compare two figures: the maximum power per port and the total PoE budget of the switch.
| Device | Power requirement (datasheet) | Suitable switch |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco Desk Phone 9841 | PoE Class 2 | Any PoE port in the five families |
| Cisco Desk Phone 9851, 9861, 9871 | PoE Class 3 | Any PoE port in the five families |
| Cisco Wireless 9176 access point | 802.3bt (Class 5), 39 W max for full performance; PoE+ up to 25.5 W | UPOE or UPOE+ port on Catalyst 9300 for full performance |
| IP CCTV cameras | Per camera datasheet (higher with heaters, IR and PTZ) | Calculated per project |
A worked example: if power is reserved at the IEEE 802.3af Class 3 maximum (15.4 W at the switch), 24 phones need about 370 W. That exceeds the 195 W of a C1200-24P-4G and sits right at the 370 W of a C9200L-24P-4G on one power supply. Leave headroom, choose a 48-port model with a larger budget, or add a second supply where the model allows. For detailed camera calculations see PoE Switches for CCTV.
When do you need stacking and 10G or faster uplinks?
Stacking joins several switches with dedicated cables so they run as one device with one management address; if one member fails, the rest keep working. It pays off in a room with more than 48 points, such as a large office floor or a warehouse with many cameras.
- One room, few points: a single Catalyst 1200 or MS130 is often enough.
- More than 48 points in one room: a stacked Catalyst 1300, 9200 or 9300.
- Several floors feeding a main room: at least 10G uplinks from each floor and a Catalyst 9300 aggregation stack in the main room.
- Multigigabit access points: 2.5G ports on the C1300-24MGP-4X or MS130 X models, or mGig ports up to 10G on C9200 PXG models.
Fibre uplinks also need SFP modules and fibre suited to the distance, which belongs in the network room design, not left to installation day.
Common mistakes when buying Cisco switches
- Writing “Cisco 24-port switch” in the BOQ without a model number: the 1200 and 9300 differ completely in management and power, and the quotes will not be comparable.
- Sizing PoE by port count only: 24 PoE+ ports do not mean 24 devices at full power at the same time.
- Choosing Meraki without budgeting licences: the switch will not run from the dashboard without a valid licence.
- Mixing families in one stack: stacking works within a family, C9200 with C9200, not C9200 with C9200L.
- Ignoring uplinks: a floor switch with 1G uplinks can become a bottleneck once high-resolution cameras and new access points are added.
- A single power supply on critical sites: the 9200 and 9300 accept a second supply, so decide early.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Cisco Catalyst 1200 and 1300?
Catalyst 1200 is a smart managed switch for small sites with limited static routing. Catalyst 1300 is fully managed, stacks up to eight units, offers broader Layer 3 routing, and adds OSPF on 1300X models.
What is the difference between Cisco C9200 and C9200L?
C9200 models take modular uplinks and StackWise-160 at 160 Gbps. C9200L models have fixed uplinks and StackWise-80 at 80 Gbps, and the two cannot be stacked together.
Do Cisco Meraki switches need a licence?
Yes. The MS130 datasheet states that each switch needs an Enterprise or Advanced licence to run from the Meraki cloud dashboard.
How many cameras can a 24-port Cisco PoE switch power?
It depends on camera draw and the switch budget. The C1200-24P-4G has 195 W and the C9200L-24P-4G has 370 W, so add up camera consumption from the datasheets and keep headroom.
Which Cisco switch supports 60 W or 90 W PoE?
Of these families, only specific Catalyst 9300 models deliver 90 W per port (UPOE+). 60 W (UPOE) is available on Catalyst 9300 UPOE models and, per Cisco’s datasheet, on some Catalyst 1300X models.
Is Cisco better than Huawei for switches?
There is no general answer. What matters is the family and model that fit the project size, the management model and the team that will run the network; our network brands article compares the vendors.
Where can I get Cisco switches in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam?
AZEIDK supplies Cisco switches across the Kingdom and has offices and warehouses in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, as listed on its contact page. Send your BOQ or drawings for a technical offer.
Conclusion
Choosing Cisco switches starts with two questions: who will run the network after handover, and how many watts each port needs. Small sites are well served by Catalyst 1200, mid-size buildings by a stacked Catalyst 1300, large facilities by Catalyst 9200 on the floors and 9300 at the core, and multi-branch businesses by cloud-managed Meraki MS130. Writing the full model number into the BOQ avoids most disputes at handover.
Selecting Cisco switches for a new building or branch? Send us the number of points, the PoE devices and the number of floors, and we will propose the family and models with datasheets. Talk to the AZEIDK team
