We are pleased to announce the launch of a whole new category of switches: micro switches.
Cisco Catalyst Micro Switches provide Gigabit Ethernet and PoE+ in ultra-small 4-port form factors that can be mounted in cable ducts or on the desktop.
For those looking to provide Gigabit ethernet right to the end device, these full-featured, enterprise-class switches make it easy for you to extend intent-based networking all the way to your work-zones.
What in the world is a micro switch?
In the world of networking, micro switches are small Ethernet switches with 4 to 6 ports downlinks and 2 SFP or copper uplinks. These come in small form factors that can be discretely mounted right near the endpoints that connect to them, such as a cable duct or on a desktop. Micro switches are commonly used in Fiber-to-the-office (FTTO) network architectures, and allow for a simpler, more flexible environment.
Why would I deploy FTTO?
In a FTTO network, fiber optic cable is pulled throughout the building instead of copper. The extended range and higher bandwidth of fiber means that only one aggregation closet is needed to supply the entire building. This thereby eliminates the need for intermediate distribution frames, freeing up valuable real estate and reducing hardware, electricity and cooling infrastructure. In addition, failure control is highly localized, and floorplans can be easily reconfigured.
Enterprise-grade security
As a part of the Cisco Catalyst switch product line, the new micro switches will incorporate many of the same enhanced and integrated security features customers depend on to protect information and infrastructure.
- 1x authentication
- IPv4 first hop security
- Trustworthy Solutions
- Automated policy-based segmentation with Cisco Software-Defined Access
Simple installation and management
We designed the new micro switches with simplicity and compatibility in mind, to make deployment and management as easy as possible.
- Snap-in mounting hardware
- Industry-compatible power supplies
- Cisco network Plug and Play
- Manage with Cisco DNA Center, CLI or third-party software
Reliable PoE
Ensure that the IoT devices running on Power over Ethernet (PoE) have a consistent source of power.
- PoE+ with Perpetual PoE continues power to devices even when switch is rebooted
- USB-C ports on desktop model deliver up to 60W
Notable use cases
There are several situations in which the strategy of placing micro switches near the end devices is very desirable. These include:
- Update existing FTTx infrastructure: if you are looking to update your existing micro switches, look no further. The Cisco Catalyst Micro Switches conform to the Mosaic-45×45 industrial standard and are compatible with most of your existing mounting accessories. It can even reuse selected third-party power-supplies. “Switching Over” has never been easier.
- New buildings and major retrofits: Some organizations are turning to an FTTO type of network architecture in order to support higher bandwidth applications. This is commonly determined during planning and design of a new building, since changing over from full copper cabling to full fiber is a major retrofit. A major advantage here is having Cisco hardware throughout the network, making it easier to manage everything from a single pane of glass with Cisco DNA Center, and even roll out a Software-Defined Access network fabric.
- Widespread physical spaces: In locations like airports, stadiums and entertainment venues, fiber optic cable is preferable over copper due to distance limitations of copper. This makes it possible to have just one network to manage and allows IT to take advantage of the full capabilities of Cisco DNA Center.
- PoE-powered workspaces: Cisco Catalyst Micro Switches provide Power over Ethernet to power wireless access points as well as the myriad IoT devices that are being adopted to automate building systems. The desktop model can provide power over integrated USB-C ports, making it possible to power laptops from a switch located near the user. These features make the micro switches a great option for health care, hospitality and smart buildings.
Conclusion
The Catalyst Micro Switches aren’t the only fiber-based switching options Cisco has available. These go well with the fiber models within the Catalyst 9000 family of switches, including:
- Cisco Catalyst 9300 series: 24 or 48 ports 1G fiber models
- Cisco Catalyst 9500 10G fiber models
- Cisco Catalyst 9600 1/10 G fiber model
Whether you are looking to refresh your existing micro switch deployments or are planning a new building with FTTO, Cisco Catalyst Micro Switches are just what you need right where you need it.
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This catalyst switch melts my heart. It looks beautiful.
Aw shucks. Thank you!
Exactly…!! <3
Good Knowledge base Blog
Looks cool.
Nice
Good & usefull product for customers. Nice profits for Cisco.
Excellent Product
Who is PM for this product dbokotey@nupsys.com
[responded privately]
When they will be available for order?
Any 10G uplink and/or mGig downlink models?
Could you please link to the datasheet..
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-micro-switches/nb-06-cat-micro-switch-series-ds-cte-en.html?oid=dstswt024490
Hi Michael. No 10G uplink or mGig downlink models at this time.
Here is a link to the data sheet: Cisco Catalyst Micro Switch data sheet
Machines copiers packaging equipment etc have been using micronswitches for over 75 years. Usually a single pole with a normally open & mormally closed contact from 3 to 15 amps and up to 600 volts.
I see what you did there ?
It looks like Cisco has a nice competitive product for Nokia’s PON solution. I’m excited to hear more on this.
PONs use single fiber multidirectional with one gigabit copper port. To use these as a pon of sorts wouldn’t make sense because you would have to purchase the single fiber sfp and there could be management of course but that’s not the way internet companies have it today and would just create more expense for them due to modems themselves being so cheap and a one size fits all solution.
Correct. These are Ethernet devices and the optical connections are actively powered. PON optics rely on things like mirrors for splitting data streams. Cisco has recently launched a PON series: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/catalyst-pon-series/index.html
Thanks for information, and provide knowledge about Cisco micro switch.
Pricing info would be helpful!
Pricing is available from your Cisco seller or Cisco Partner. These are also available through all the usual distributors.
Portability with the same versatility provides more deployment options. Great!
SO Retail price? 100K
Looks really adorable
Hey you created a switch that we can easily throw when we get frustrated with it. Nice!
Very buggy ios
Strange – it doesn’t run ios…
The micro switches run IOS LAN Lite.
Happy to see Microswitch availability with critical features in this formfactor!!!
You also need a type-c powered hub-switch for the next generation of school/hospital charging docks that also allow wake on lan to do updates.
This is awesome and a wonderful experience.
Disadvantage is you need a large number of fibre ports at the distribution cabinet. Which makes it very expensive to deploy as a solution.
But you will safe money if you don’t need a access cabinet with switches and cooling in the floor.
Not to mention, fiber is getting really cheap. We just had some stuff done, and the copper was just a teensy bit less than the 6 strand fiber we ran (and we could carry 30+ gigabits over that one cable) or in this case 3 separate of these switches with their own separate up links. Also, the power utilization is generally lower on Fiber switches, meaning less heat, and centralization of cabling for some industries makes things loads easier.
OMG, Nice for SOHO
My thoughts exactly. I am looking forward to pricing and opperating temp durability.
After such a lengthy description you forgot to give one of most important piece of information the price or price range. Feel like I read that whole article for nothing.
Looks nice…
It’s useful to all network employees
This is like the baby yoda of switches.
Any thoughts of offering this in a weatherized, outdoor configuration?
The great thing that I could say is that the lack of small and easy switches were a black-hole in Cisco products that this series of equipment can fill it. Good job.
I love the industrial look and Catalyst reliability in one small package.
That is not industrial look, it is a metal box – cheap.
Nice enabler for an all-wireless enterprise, can put in ceiling and connect PoE+ attached AP’s and cellular Small Cells. Do they support remote power strategies over composite (optical + copper) cabling? I’d like to avoid figuring out how to power these at the edge.
DC with the right stuff could be run quite a ways, and it looks from other things I’ve seen like these have a little power brick with them.
These can be powered by an external power supply or by Power over Ethernet from an upstream switch.
Excellent concept
When will these be a full product rollout and MSRP per model please?
The walljack models are set to ship in mid-February. Desktop model should be available in April.
Prices are available from your account manager or partner.
Hi Guys
It is very nice one to use some of edge connection. Do we have any comparison list with IE1000, IE3000 switches?
You already had the best mini-switch on the market. The 3560-12CX.
This met the market demands for density vs cost very nicely. It could use 10Gb/sec support on SFP. The money spent on this could have been spent on that, with 12 UTP ports being more useful.
I can’t see any use for this line of switches. Fibre isn’t cheap. It still costs more to get the job done than copper, when all things are said and done.
If only you could have updated 3560….
Does this switch run a full Cisco IOS operating system? Can it be configured by an API if we were to deploy thousands of these devices in enterprise networks for iot devices? A particular use case would be the need for 802.11x auth.
Where’s the datasheet?
Yeah, this is REALLY cool! Especially the desktop model where you can power a laptop from the ethernet port of a switch. WOW!