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Catalyst 1200 is a managed switch for single-site networks: it provides static routing and up to 375 W of PoE power. Catalyst 1300 adds RIP dynamic routing, stacking for up to 8 devices, 2,5 Gb/s ports and up to 740 W of PoE power. Both series replace Catalyst 1000, which Cisco no longer sells and which will lose support in 2030.
Below, we compare both series, translate PoE power into real-world device capacity and show how to migrate the configuration from an older switch.
What are Cisco Catalyst 1200 and 1300?
Catalyst 1200 and 1300 are managed Cisco switches for small and medium-sized businesses and branch offices. They connect computers, printers, cameras, VoIP phones and Wi-Fi access points into a single network. Most models also power devices over the network cable (PoE), so a camera mounted on the ceiling does not need a separate power socket.
Cisco launched both series in December 2023. They share the following core features:
- a dual-core Arm 1,4 GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM, providing twice the processor performance and four times the memory of the previous generation,
- a TPM chip that protects software against tampering,
- up to 58% lower power consumption than the previous generation,
- support for IPv4 and IPv6, as well as Energy Efficient Ethernet, which reduces power consumption during periods of lower traffic,
- a limited lifetime warranty with no additional licensing or update fees,
- management through a web browser, the Cisco Business mobile app or Cisco Business Dashboard.
Catalyst 1200 vs 1300: key differences
The main differences concern routing, stacking, high-speed ports and PoE power. Data is based on Cisco datasheets.
| Feature | Catalyst 1200 | Catalyst 1300 |
|---|---|---|
| L3 routing | static only (up to 32 routes) | static + RIPv2 (up to 990 routes, up to 7168 on 10G models) |
| Stacking | not available | up to 8 switches (10G uplink models) |
| Uplinks | 1G SFP or 10G SFP+ | 1G SFP or 10G SFP+, with fully 10G models also available |
| 2,5 Gb/s ports (multigigabit) | not available | yes (MGP models) |
| PoE power per port | up to 30 W (PoE+) | up to 30 W (PoE+) |
| Maximum switch PoE power | 375 W | 740 W |
| Active VLANs | 255 | 4094 |
| Link aggregation groups (LAGs) | 4 | 8 |
| ACL rules | 512 | 1024–2048 |
| Additional security features | 802.1X, port security, DoS protection | the same, plus DHCP snooping, IP Source Guard, Dynamic ARP Inspection and TACACS+ |
| DHCP server on the switch | not available | yes |
The advanced security features of the 1300 series are also useful wherever guests connect to the network, such as in a hotel or an office with open Wi-Fi.
Routing: static or dynamic?
Catalyst 1200 forwards traffic between VLANs based on manually configured routes. In an office with a single router, this is a fully adequate solution. With RIPv2, Catalyst 1300 automatically exchanges routes with other devices, simplifying management of networks with multiple segments or branch offices.
Stacking: which models support it?
A stack is a group of switches managed as one, with a single address and configuration. In the 1300 series, it is supported by models with 10G uplinks (the -4X or -2X designation) and fully 10G models. Models with 1G uplinks (-2G, -4G) cannot be stacked. The 1200 series does not offer this feature, but a stack is not needed in a network with one or two switches: each switch is managed separately and they are connected through their uplink ports.
Catalyst 1300X: the higher-end option
Catalyst 1300X is a 1300 series variant with OSPF routing, 5 Gb/s ports and PoE++ power of up to 60 W per port. It is useful for the latest access points, which require more power than 30 W.
Which model should your business choose?
The choice depends on the number of devices, planned expansion and how much equipment needs to be powered via PoE.
- Small single-site office with several cameras and access points: Catalyst 1200, for example C1200-8P-E-2G or C1200-24P-4G.
- Growing business with multiple VLANs, VoIP phones and video surveillance: Catalyst 1300 with 10G uplinks, for example C1300-24P-4X or C1300-48P-4X. They can be stacked later.
- Many PoE-powered devices: FP models with 740 W, for example C1300-48FP-4G.
- Office with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7: models with 2,5 Gb/s ports, for example C1300-24MGP-4X.
- Small network core, connecting other switches: fully 10G models without PoE, for example C1300-24XS.
How much PoE power do you really need?
A switch’s PoE power budget is the total wattage it can distribute across all connected devices. Calculate the maximum power draw of each device, add them together and allow at least 20% headroom. If you plan to expand, 30% is better.
Power consumption of typical devices
| Device | Typical power draw | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed IP camera (bullet, dome) | 4–6 W | PoE (802.3af) |
| VoIP phone | up to 7 W | PoE (802.3af) |
| Wi-Fi 6/6E access point | up to 30 W | PoE+ (802.3at) |
| Wi-Fi 7 access point (e.g. Cisco CW9172I) | up to 30 W | PoE+ (802.3at) |
| Higher-power Wi-Fi 7 access point (e.g. Cisco CW9176I) | 39–60 W | PoE++ (802.3bt) |
| PTZ camera, camera with heater | 15–60 W, depending on the model | PoE+ or PoE++ |
Check the device datasheet for its exact power draw.
How many devices each switch can support
The table assumes no more than 80% of the switch’s PoE power budget is used, with a single device type connected to each switch. An asterisk indicates that ports will be exhausted before the power budget.
| Model | PoE power budget [W] | PoE ports | 6 W cameras | 7 W phones | 30 W access points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1200/C1300-8P-E-2G | 67 | 8 | 8* | 7 | 1 |
| C1200-24P-4G, C1300-24P-4X | 195 | 24 | 24* | 22 | 5 |
| C1200-24FP-4G, C1300-24FP-4X | 375 | 24 | 24* | 24* | 10 |
| C1200/C1300-48P-4X | 375 | 48 | 48* | 42 | 10 |
| C1300-48FP-4G, C1300-48FP-4X | 740 | 48 | 48* | 48* | 19 |
Migrating from Catalyst 1000: dates and the Cisco tool
Catalyst 1000 no longer receives bug fixes, and Cisco will issue security patches only until the end of April 2028, while service contracts remain valid until the end of April 2030. From May 2026, the switch will no longer receive software updates, and during the final two years of support (2028–2030), it will not receive security patches either. It is therefore worth planning the replacement in advance.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| End of sale | 30.04.2025 |
| End of software updates | 30.04.2026 |
| End of security patches | 30.04.2028 |
| Last day of Cisco support | 30.04.2030 |
Which model should replace Catalyst 1000?
Cisco identifies the following as successors: models from the 1300 series with the same number of ports and the same uplink type. For example, C1300-16P-2G replaces C1000-16P-2G-L, while C1300-24T-4X replaces C1000-24T-4X-L.
How to migrate the configuration: IOS CLI Migration Assistant
In April 2026, Cisco released a tool that translates configurations from Catalyst 1000 into the format used by the 1200, 1300 and 1300X series. Use it as follows:
- In the new switch’s web interface, go to Administration > IOS Configuration Conversion and click Go.
- Sign in with a Cisco, Google or Apple account.
- Upload the configuration file from Catalyst 1000 and select the target series.
- Click Translate and compare the result with the original. Commands with no equivalent are highlighted in red with an explanation.
- Copy or download the completed configuration and upload it to the new switch.
Initial setup
You can configure the new switch in three ways: through a web browser, using the Cisco Business app on your phone, or from the command line. With Network Plug and Play, the switch can automatically download a prepared configuration when connected to the network, while connecting a Bluetooth adapter to the USB port lets you configure it without a cable. For a small office, you can manage most settings through the browser-based interface. For multiple switches across several locations, Cisco Business Dashboard is more convenient. Detailed instructions are available in the Cisco documentation.
FAQ
What is the main difference between Catalyst 1200 a and 1300?
Catalyst 1300 supports RIP dynamic routing, stacking of up to 8 switches, 2,5 Gb/s ports and up to 740 W of PoE power. Catalyst 1200 supports static routing and up to 375 W of PoE power, which is sufficient for a single-site network.
Does Catalyst 1300 support PoE?
Yes. Models with P, FP and MGP in the name supply power to devices via PoE+ up to 30 W per port. Models with T and X in the name (e.g. C1300-24T-4X, C1300-24XS) do not support PoE.
Does Catalyst 1200 support stacking?
No. Stacking is available on selected models in the 1300 and 1300X series. In a network with one or two switches, this feature is usually not needed.
Do Catalyst 1200 and 1300 switches require a licence?
No. Both series operate without licences, and software updates are free.
Until when is Catalyst 1000 supported?
Cisco will issue security patches until 30.04.2028, with support ending on 30.04.2030.
How many IP cameras can a switch with 195 W support?
With cameras drawing 6 W and a 20% power reserve, it can support all 24 ports. If the switch reserves power based on the device class, the number falls to around 10.
What is Cisco Business Dashboard, and do you have to pay for it?
It is free Cisco software for managing a network from one central location. It supports Catalyst 1200 and 1300 switches, as well as Cisco Business routers and access points. It lets you deploy new devices, monitor the network and update software across multiple devices at once, including at several locations. IT companies serving multiple clients (MSPs) can manage each client’s network separately. For a small network, the Lite version, which is installed on a Windows computer, is sufficient.
Summary
Catalyst 1200 is a good choice for single-site networks without stacking or dynamic routing. Catalyst 1300 is ideal as your business grows, if you need stacking, faster ports for Wi-Fi 7, or more PoE power. If you still have Catalyst 1000 switches, plan their replacement before security patches end in 2028.
You can find the full range in the Cisco switches and access points.
Article sponsored by Cisco.
