Cisco Catalyst 9300 vs Meraki MS355
The Catalyst 9300 is an IOS XE stackable access switch, while the Meraki MS355 is a cloud-managed multigigabit aggregation/access switch with 40G uplinks. Choose the 9300 for IOS XE control and broad port options; choose the MS355 for cloud-managed mGig with high-bandwidth uplinks.
Cisco Catalyst 9300
IOS XE stackable access switch with StackWise-480 and broad port/uplink options.
- Cisco IOS XE, managed via Catalyst/DNA Center
- StackWise-480 (480 Gbps), up to 8 units
- PoE+/UPOE, mGig, modular 1G/10G/25G/40G uplinks
- SD-Access and full programmability
Cisco Meraki MS355
Cloud-managed multigigabit switch with 10G/40G uplinks and physical stacking.
- Cloud-managed via the Meraki dashboard
- mGig RJ45 (up to 10G) with 10G/40G uplinks
- 160G physical + virtual stacking
- UPOE up to 60W per port, up to 688 Gbps capacity
Cisco Catalyst 9300 vs Cisco Meraki MS355: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Catalyst 9300 | Cisco Meraki MS355 |
|---|---|---|
| Management | IOS XE CLI + Catalyst/DNA Center | Meraki cloud dashboard |
| Port type | 1G/mGig copper | mGig copper (100M/1/2.5/5/10G) |
| Uplinks | Modular 1G/10G/25G/40G | 10G SFP+ and 40G QSFP+ |
| Stacking | StackWise-480 (480 Gbps) | 160G physical + virtual |
| Switching capacity | Up to ~1 Tbps (stack) | Up to 688 Gbps (48X2) |
| PoE/UPOE | UPOE up to 1100W per unit | UPOE up to 60W per port |
| ASIC | UADP 2.0 | Meraki mGig silicon |
| Software model | On-prem IOS XE | Cloud-managed |
| Licensing | DNA Essentials/Advantage | Meraki Enterprise/Advanced |
| Best for | IOS XE / SD-Access shops | Cloud-managed mGig access/agg |
Choose Cisco Catalyst 9300 if
Choose the Catalyst 9300 if you want IOS XE, Catalyst Center or SD-Access, deeper Layer 3 and segmentation, and the broadest range of PoE and uplink options under on-premises control.
Choose Cisco Meraki MS355 if
Choose the Meraki MS355 if you need cloud-managed multigigabit access or aggregation with high-bandwidth 40G uplinks and 60W UPOE for dense Wi-Fi 6 deployments, run from a single dashboard.
Verdict
Both are strong multigigabit switches; the split is management model and role. The 9300 gives IOS XE depth, SD-Access, and flexible uplinks, while the MS355 delivers cloud-managed mGig with 40G uplinks tuned for high-density wireless aggregation. Decide based on whether your team operates on IOS XE/Catalyst Center or the Meraki dashboard, and confirm the MS355's lifecycle status before standardizing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Catalyst 9300 and Meraki MS355?
The 9300 is an IOS XE stackable switch managed on-premises via Catalyst Center, while the MS355 is a cloud-managed multigigabit switch run from the Meraki dashboard with 10G/40G uplinks. The core difference is management model.
Does the MS355 support 40G uplinks?
Yes. The MS355 offers 40G QSFP+ uplinks in addition to 10G SFP+, which makes it well suited to aggregating high-density Wi-Fi 6 access points.
Which has higher PoE?
The 9300 offers a larger total budget (up to about 1100W per unit), while the MS355 supports up to 60W UPOE per port. Compare total budget and per-port needs based on your endpoints.
Can I mix the 9300 and MS355 in one network?
They can coexist on the same network but are managed separately and cannot stack together. Most organizations standardize on either IOS XE/Catalyst Center or the Meraki dashboard.
More Switching comparisons
Specs are for planning and may change; Uniqcli confirms the current Cisco bill of materials and pricing on your quote. Cisco, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki, and Firepower are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Uniqcli LLC is an independent authorized Cisco partner.