Cisco Smart Switches. The next generation of intelligent switches.

Cisco is introducing intelligent switches (the Smart Switches series). This isn’t just the next step after the Catalyst 9200 and 9300. According to the manufacturer, it’s a completely new approach to designing enterprise networks. In this article, we’ll show how Smart Switches differ from traditional models and what this means for IT engineers and managers.

What are Cisco Smart Switches?

Cisco’s new switches are intelligent, defense-enabled network components that combine switch, firewall, and analytics functions in a single device.

The Cisco Smart Switch family includes two main series:

• C9000 (including C9350, C9610) designed for enterprise campuses, ready for AI.
• N9300 – for modern data centers, integrated with Cisco Hypershield and DPU. Supports zone-based segmentation at Layer 4.

For what companies or environments will Cisco Smart Switches be the best choice?

Cisco Smart Switches make the most sense for companies and environments that:

• Plan to or are already implementing AI/ML solutions where low latency and high throughput are required (e.g., data analytics, AR/VR, automation).
• Manage complex enterprise networks—multiple locations, integrated services, and the need for centralized management.
• Build modern campuses or data centers, seeking performance, security, and scalability.
• Operate in sectors requiring high levels of security, such as finance, healthcare, and government, where micro-segmentation and Zero Trust compliance are essential.
• Think strategically about digital transformation and want to simplify infrastructure, reduce operating costs, and prepare networks for the future.

Implementing Cisco Smart Switches into your network infrastructure is a strategic decision that delivers tangible benefits at both the operational and business levels. IT engineers gain greater control, efficiency, and simplified administration, while technology managers can expect lower operating costs, improved security, and organizational readiness for the challenges of AI and digital transformation.

What are the differences between the Cisco Smart Switches and the Catalyst series?

The new Cisco Smart Switches are switches designed from the ground up with AI in mind, offering dramatically improved performance, built-in security, and automation. Let’s take a closer look at how they differ from the Catalyst series.

Smart Switches C9350. Source: cisco.com

Efficient Architecture, Ready for AI Requirements

The Catalyst 9200/9300 were powerful, but designed with traditional network environments in mind. Smart Switches were built from the ground up for:

• Parallel processing (Cisco Silicon One ASICs),
• Handling large volumes of real-time data,
• AI/ML, AR/VR, and industrial automation communications,
• 10x performance increase: lightning-fast data transfer up to 1.6 Tbps (when stacked) and 4x100G uplinks.

Built-in security and Hypershield

instead of external firewalls and complex overlays:

• DPU and Cisco SiliconOne E100 network processor
• The N9300 has an integrated DPU (AMD Pensando) and Hypershield software.
• Each port acts as a security policy enforcement point.
• Distributed protection (micro-perimeters) is used.

AI and automation in switches

• Cisco AI Assistant enables configuration and diagnostics in natural language.
• Cisco AI Canvas supports collaborative analysis and task automation.
• We have a single centralized management system for switching, routing, SD-WAN, and wireless.
• Zero-Touch provisioning and monitoring are available in real time.

Energy efficiency with ESG in mind

• Smart Power and hibernation modes,
• Device-level energy consumption analytics,
• Potential energy savings of 30-40%. 

How do Cisco Smart Switches integrate with Meraki and Catalyst?

The Cisco Smart Switches were designed not to require a complete architecture overhaul, but rather to extend it with features we will use in the future (AI, automation, Hypershield, PQC). They integrate seamlessly with existing Catalyst infrastructure and interoperates with Meraki, providing full flexibility in network environment design and migration.

Smart Switches Integration with Cisco Catalyst

The C9000 and N9300 series Smart Switches are part of the new generation of Catalysts. They are their direct successors and share many common technologies, enabling a smooth migration.

• Smart Switches can be managed from the same platform as earlier Catalyst 9200/9300 devices, such as Cisco DNA Center.
• The CLI, API, and policy models (e.g., TrustSec, MACsec) are common or compatible.
• Smart Switches can coexist in a single routing domain or aggregation layer with classic Catalysts.
• Integration with Cisco ISE, UZTNA, and SDA segmentation provides a consistent security policy.

For IT engineers, this means no need to redesign the entire network. You can implement Smart Switches gradually where performance and AI-readiness matter.

Cisco N9300 smart switch. Source: cisco.com

Smart Switches Integration with Cisco Meraki

While Meraki is a separate cloud-based ecosystem, Cisco ensures interoperability and visibility across platforms.

If you want to manage Cisco Smart Switches using the Meraki dashboard, the new, cloud-native version of iOS XE allows you to choose one of the following management modes – depending on your individual needs and preferences.

• Meraki Dashboard Management
  • Cloud-based Configuration
  • On-Device Configuration
• On-Premises Management

Current management options are as follows:

What management features do Cisco Smart Switches offer?

The Cisco Smart Switch is a switch you can easily manage from one place, without running between consoles or juggling hardware. You configure it once, and then it updates itself, monitors itself, and suggests what’s not working. Plus, thanks to AI Assistant, you can talk to it like a human (or at least that’s what the manufacturer claims).

✅ Centralized management from a single dashboard

• Consistent administration of switches, routing, SD-WAN, and wireless networks from a single platform (e.g., Cisco Nexus Dashboard, Cisco DNA Center, Meraki Dashboard).
• Easy configuration, monitoring, updates, and real-time analysis.

✅ Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP)

• Automatic device deployment without manual configuration.
• Ideal for distributed environments and rapid network scalability.

✅ Cisco AI Assistant

• Natural language interface. Ask questions and receive specific answers about network performance.
• Aids in root cause analysis, recommends actions, and enables automatic deployment of fixes.

✅ Cisco AI Canvas (GenAI Workspace)

• A collaborative space for NetOps, SecOps, and DevOps teams. Enables data visualization, event analytics, and automation.
• Facilitates faster problem resolution and collaborative incident resolution.

✅ Built-in telemetry and assurance

• Real-time analysis of network traffic and behavior without the need for external sensors.
• Anomaly detection, trend analysis, and problem diagnosis before they impact users.

✅ Security policy management (Zero Trust + UZTNA)

• Each port acts as a security policy enforcement point.
• Dynamic assignment of access rules based on device type, user, or location.
• Integration with Cisco ISE, TrustSec, and Hypershield.

✅ Energy Analytics and Sustainability Management

• Monitor energy consumption by devices and ports.
• Supports ESG goals with Smart Power and hibernation features.
• Ability to implement power scheduling and carbon footprint reporting.

✅ Support for programmable APIs and automation

• Integration with DevOps/NetDevOps tools (Ansible, Terraform, REST API).
• Create custom workflows and automatic event responses.

What are the benefits of upgrading your network to a Cisco Smart Switch?

If you build or maintain an enterprise-class network, you’ll reap benefits at both the operational and business levels.

As an IT engineer:

• You avoid bottlenecks and latency in AI environments,
• You strengthen security without purchasing additional appliances,
• You simplify management and shorten response times,
• You’re ready for future threats (including quantum threats).

From the perspective of a CIO or technology manager, Cisco intelligent switches offer benefits in the form of saved hours and greater fault tolerance. But not only that.

• Better TCO – fewer devices, lower energy consumption, fewer operational hours.
• Greater resilience – no single point of failure in security.
• Future readiness – AI, PQC, operational automation.
• A strong platform for digital transformation and compliance.

How to choose the right Cisco Smart Switches for your infrastructure?

As a long-time Cisco authorized partner, Grandmetric helps design, implement, and optimize modern networks, including those based on the C9000 and N9300. We understand that today’s networks must be intelligent, secure, and AI-ready, and we deliver just such infrastructure.

Want to find out if Cisco Smart Switches will work for your network? Contact our team. We’ll tailor a solution to your needs and architecture.