Cisco Catalyst 2960-XR vs Catalyst 9200 (WS-C2960XR-24PD-I vs C9200-24P)
The Catalyst 9200 (C9200-24P) is Cisco's modern replacement for the end-of-life 2960-XR (WS-C2960XR-24PD-I). Both are 24-port PoE+ switches with 370W budgets and Layer 3, but the 9200 moves to IOS XE, the UADP ASIC, StackWise-160, and modular uplinks, making it the future-proof choice for any refresh.
Catalyst 2960-XR 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960XR-24PD-I)
A legacy 24-port GbE IP Lite switch with 370W PoE+, 2x 10G SFP+, dual power supplies, and FlexStack-Plus.
- 24x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports, 370W budget
- 2x 10G SFP+ uplinks with FlexStack-Plus
- IP Lite feature set with field redundant power supplies
- End of life on Cisco IOS
Catalyst 9200 24-Port PoE+ (C9200-24P)
Cisco's current enterprise access switch: 24 PoE+ ports, modular uplinks, UADP ASIC, and IOS XE.
- 24x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports, 370W budget
- Modular uplink network module (1G/10G/25G options)
- UADP 2.0 Mini ASIC and programmable IOS XE
- StackWise-160 stacking with redundant power option
Catalyst 2960-XR 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960XR-24PD-I) vs Catalyst 9200 24-Port PoE+ (C9200-24P): spec comparison
| Spec | Catalyst 2960-XR 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960XR-24PD-I) | Catalyst 9200 24-Port PoE+ (C9200-24P) |
|---|---|---|
| Downlink ports | 24x 10/100/1000 (PoE+) | 24x 10/100/1000 (PoE+) |
| PoE budget | 370W | 370W |
| Uplinks | 2x 10G SFP+ (fixed) | Modular (4x 1G / 4x 10G / 2x 25G options) |
| Stacking | FlexStack-Plus (up to 80 Gbps) | StackWise-160 (160 Gbps, up to 8) |
| ASIC | Legacy 2960-X/XR ASIC | UADP 2.0 Mini |
| Software | Cisco IOS | Cisco IOS XE (programmable) |
| Layer 3 | IP Lite (static, RIP) | Routing scales with license (OSPF/EIGRP/BGP options) |
| Redundant power | Dual internal PSUs | Field-replaceable, optional StackPower |
| Telemetry / automation | Limited (SNMP/CLI) | Model-driven telemetry, NETCONF/YANG, DNA Center |
| Lifecycle status | End of life | Current / actively sold |
Choose Catalyst 2960-XR 24-Port PoE (WS-C2960XR-24PD-I) if
Keep the 2960-XR only as an in-warranty spare or to extend an existing FlexStack-Plus stack briefly. As an end-of-life platform it is not appropriate for new deployments.
Choose Catalyst 9200 24-Port PoE+ (C9200-24P) if
Choose the Catalyst 9200 for any refresh. You keep 24 PoE+ ports and 370W while gaining modular uplinks, IOS XE, the UADP ASIC, StackWise-160, and an active security lifecycle.
Verdict
Migrate to the Catalyst 9200 C9200-24P. It is the modern successor to the 2960-XR, matching the 24-port PoE+ 370W layout while adding modular uplinks, IOS XE, UADP, and StackWise-160. Keep the 2960-XR only short term to extend an existing stack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the replacement for the Catalyst 2960-XR?
The Catalyst 9200 is Cisco's modern successor. The C9200-24P matches the 2960-XR 24-port PoE+ layout while adding IOS XE, UADP, StackWise-160, and modular uplinks.
What is the difference between the 2960-XR and the standard 2960-X?
The 2960-XR adds IP Lite Layer 3 (static routing and RIP) and dual internal power supplies for redundancy, where the standard 2960-X is LAN Base with a single supply. The 9200 carries that Layer 3 and redundancy forward with far more capability.
Does the Catalyst 9200 support 25G uplinks?
Yes. The 9200 uses modular uplink network modules, including 4x 1G, 4x 10G, and 2x 25G options, which is a step up from the 2960-XR's fixed 2x 10G uplinks.
Is the 2960-XR still supported?
The 2960-XR is end of life. Plan a migration to the Catalyst 9200 to stay on a supported, security-updated platform.
More Catalyst 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.