The Cisco Catalyst C1300-12XT-2X is a sweet switch. With twelve 10Gbase-T ports and two SFP+ 10G ports, this offers something many folks might want to use in a 14-port switch form factor. A fun story on this one is that we accidentally purchased the Cisco Catalyst C1300-12XS when we meant to purchase this one. On the plus side, that yielded an extra review in our series. We wanted to cover the C1300 series in a bit of detail since we think that might be an entry into Cisco switches for many folks.
If you want to purchase one of these, here is an Amazon Affiliate link. We also found them on B&H (affiliate link.)
Cisco Catalyst C1300-12XT-2X External Hardware Overview
The Cisco C1300-12XT-2X is a 1U rackmount switch. We did not have the rackmount ears for it, but they are fairly easy to find. It is also not a full 19″ EIA rack width, nor a half-width chassis at 268 x 300 x 43.94mm or 10.55 x 11.81 x 1.73in.
Starting off, on the left side, we have multiple ways to access Cisco’s console CLI.
Next, there are twelve 10Gbase-T ports. Here is something that Cisco could improve upon: labeling. It would have been nice to have each port labeled instead of only ports 1 and 12. If you plug a cable into port 7, as an example, you have to look up which is port 1 and 12, figure out the numbering convention, then count the ports across until you arrive at the port. That is not difficult, but it is superfluous mental effort, since it can be solved with the common approach of simply numbering each port.
Ports 13 and 14 are labeled. These are the SFP+ 10G ports. Importantly, these are not combo ports.
One nice feature of this switch, which was not present on the Cisco Catalyst C1300-8FP-2G, is that there is an out-of-band management port.
On the side, there is a vent.
On the other side, there is another vent.
On the rear, we get a product label.
There is even a Kennsignton lock port. That is probably less common on rackmount gear, but this is perhaps a bit of a rackmount/ desktop hybrid chassis, so it makes sense here.
Next to that port, is perhaps the most important vent in the chassis.
On the other side, there is an AC input.
On the bottom, we get mounting points and another label.
Next, let us open up the switch and get inside.
