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Introduction – Where the Cisco CBS350 Stands in 2025
The Cisco CBS350 Series has long been one of the most popular managed switches for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Positioned as part of Cisco’s Business Switch family, it bridges the gap between simple unmanaged switches and the fully enterprise-grade Catalyst line.
As of 2025, the CBS350 continues to deliver solid performance and dependable reliability. However, Cisco has begun transitioning this product line to its next-generation successors — the Catalyst C1200 and C1300 Series, which unify the small-business segment under the Catalyst brand.
This article, prepared by the Network-Switch.com (NS) engineering team, evaluates the CBS350’s current value, highlights its strengths and limitations, and outlines the best upgrade paths for businesses moving forward.
Overview
What is the Cisco CBS350 Series?
The Cisco CBS350 Series was introduced in 2020 as part of the Cisco Business portfolio, designed specifically for SMBs, branch offices, and distributed environments. It serves as a “smart managed” switch line, offering enterprise-level reliability with simplified management.
Product positioning:
- Successor to the older Cisco SG300/SG350 lines.
- Aimed at organizations needing secure, efficient LAN connectivity without the complexity of full Catalyst management.
- Operates with Cisco Business OS and supports both web-based and SNMP management interfaces.
Typical 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 (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: Power 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 combines enterprise-class reliability with SMB-oriented simplicity, making it one of the most flexible 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.
NS Engineers’ Verdict: “For small offices and static networks, the CBS350 still delivers excellent value. But for growing businesses seeking scalability, modern security, and automation, the Catalyst C1200 or C1300 series are the natural successors.”
Why Catalyst C1200 and C1300 Series?
Cisco has gradually phased out the “Business Switch” branding and consolidated all new SMB solutions under the Catalyst family. The C1200 and C1300 represent the next generation of small-business switches, built on a unified IOS XE (Lite) platform with improved 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 essence, the C1200 and C1300 are the direct evolution of the CBS350 — same simplicity, now backed by the Catalyst name and IOS XE architecture.
Recommended Upgrade Paths – Moving Beyond CBS350
| Series | Target Users | Highlights |
| Cisco Catalyst C1200 Series | SMBs and branch networks | Direct CBS350 replacement with faster throughput, PoE+, and IOS XE Lite. |
| Cisco Catalyst C1300 Series | 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 – Great for cloud-based management environments.
NS Engineering Recommendation: Businesses planning growth within the next few years should transition from CBS350 to the Catalyst C1300, ensuring long-term security, scalability, and feature 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 remains supported, but Cisco encourages customers to migrate to the Catalyst C1200/C1300 series over time.
Q2: Does CBS350 run Cisco IOS XE?
A: No. It runs Cisco Business OS. The new Catalyst SMB switches (C1200/C1300) use IOS XE Lite for enhanced features.
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’s reliable and cost-effective for small deployments, especially when advanced automation isn’t required.
Q5: Does CBS350 support stacking?
A: Yes, up to 4 switches. The C1200/C1300 doubles this to 8.
Q6: Does CBS350 work with Cisco DNA Center?
A: Not directly. However, the C1200/C1300 series 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 requirements are basic, CBS350 is sufficient. For higher performance and future scalability, upgrade to the C1300.
Conclusion
The Cisco CBS350 Series remains one of the best smart-managed switches for SMBs — affordable, stable, and easy to operate.
However, 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 features into the SMB space.
Ideal for: Small offices, schools, retail stores, and hospitality networks.
Upgrade when: You need higher bandwidth, stronger security, or integration with Catalyst ecosystem tools.
NS engineers recommend CBS350 for stable, cost-sensitive deployments, and the C1200/C1300 as the most future-ready upgrades for 2025 and beyond.
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