Cisco Catalyst 8000 Series (C8000) routers deliver high-performance, secure, and cloud-optimised routing for enterprise branch deployments and data-centres. Designed for SD-WAN and hybrid connectivity, Catalyst’s diverse 8200, 8300 and 8500 models combine advanced routing intelligence with integrated security, automation, and analytics to support modern, distributed networks.
As a trusted Cisco partner, we bring decades of expertise in networking and security solutions. Our team has an extensive technical understanding of Cisco’s product portfolio – enabling us to assess, integrate, and optimise solutions for even the most complex or high-demand environments.
Expert guidance for the right fit
We don’t just sell IT hardware. Every Cisco solution we recommend is assessed against your specific security concerns, performance requirements, and both current and future infrastructure plans. This consultative approach ensures that our guidance is aligned with your bespoke needs, so that you can invest in new enterprise routers with complete confidence.
Exclusive access and strategic advantages
Through our partnership with Cisco, your business will gain access to partner-only promotions, bundled solutions, and live demos. Combined with our technical expertise and ongoing support, this ensures your hardware is secure, cost-optimised, and future-ready.
Expert Networking Services
When you buy Cisco hardware from Steel City Consulting, you’ll receive expert deployment and maximum benefits. We also provide support in the following specialist areas:
| Our service | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Networking Design & Installation |
+ Custom architecture aligned to your business goals + Scalable networks built for growth + Expert installation with minimal disruption to operations + 30-day support window post-installation |
| Network Management & Support |
+ Real-time performance and traffic monitoring + Network design tools for scaling and upgrades + Security alerting and incident response + Backup and failover strategy implementation |
| WiFi Site Surveys |
+ Heatmapping and signal analysis + Access point optimisation + Detailed reports and tailored recommendations + Security enhancements and interference mitigation |
| Business Fibre & FTTP Installation |
+ Up to 1Gbps dedicated bandwidth + Private and uncontended connections + Seamless installation and expert aftercare + 24/7 support and monitoring |
Through Cisco’s Capital Finance and Flexible Payment Solutions, we help enterprises and data centres fund new initiatives in ways that fit both IT and business priorities.
Speak with our team today to explore how Cisco financing can help to launch your next IT project sooner.
Cisco Refresh gives you access to certified remanufactured equipment that performs like new and has the same warranty, but at a lower cost and environmental impact.
Cisco Refresh must be purchased via authorised partners like Steel City Consulting. Ask us to check Cisco Refresh stock availability and provide a cost comparison for your next upgrade or expansion project today.
As a certified partner, we provide access to Cisco promotions that reduce upfront spend and accelerate upgrades.
When you work with us, we can bundle and stack multiple offers, navigate application processes, and secure pricing that often isn’t accessible without a Cisco partner. Visit our promotions hub for current Cisco offers and to discuss your eligibility
Cisco offers a wide portfolio of subscription-based services that enhance visibility, security, and operational resilience across enterprise and data center networks.
With the right combination of platforms and licenses, you can simplify management, protect critical infrastructure, and unlock advanced analytics. Explore Cisco service options below.
What is Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)?
Cisco ISE is the central policy engine for user and device access across your entire network – routers, switches, VPN gateways, and wireless. It enables you to enforce identity-aware policies wherever users connect.
ISE Licenses | Features | Advantages |
Essentials | User and device authentication (RADIUS, TACACS+), profiling, guest access | Centralised control over who can route traffic through your network |
Advantage | Posture checks, device health assessment, dynamic VLAN or access policies | Increase security at the edge—e.g. if device is non-compliant, limited to guest VPN or remediation |
Premier | Integration with threat intel, dynamic adaptive policies, integration with enforcement systems | Automatically tighten routing or access policies in response to threats |
Why work with a Cisco partner?
Licensing can be complex. Our team helps to align ISE with your router hardware and enforce zero-trust across your WAN and campus edges.
What is Cisco ThousandEyes for Routing & WAN Visibility?
Cisco ThousandEyes is a subscription-based observability and performance analytics platform. It gives you end-to-end visibility – from application performance to routing paths and BGP health – across your WAN, Internet, and hybrid infrastructure, including routers.
ThousandEyes License Tiers | Features | Advantages |
Essentials | Agent-based internal monitoring, path visualization, health dashboards | Basic insight into routing paths, latency, and infrastructure health |
Advantage | Anomaly detection, capacity forecasting, path analytics | Spot routing issues early and understand performance trends |
Premier | Audit reporting, compliance validation, multi-cloud correlation | Maintain service SLAs, compliance, and deeper diagnostics at scale |
Why work with a Cisco partner?
Tailoring ThousandEyes’ deployment, test profiles, and analytics to your WAN topology is critical. Out team can provide expert guidance to maximise coverage and interpret insights across your enterprise routing fabric.
What is Cisco SMARTnet for Routers?
Cisco SMARTnet is a support and maintenance subscription for Cisco router hardware (such as ISR, ASR, and Catalyst edge routers). It ensures your routing infrastructure is always supported, patched, and backed by hardware-replacement SLAs.
| SMARTnet Service Levels | Features | Advantages |
| NBD | Hardware replacement shipped next business day | Cost-efficient support for branch or non-critical routers |
| 4-Hour Onsite | 24/7 support with 4-hour onsite replacement | Minimise downtime for critical routing and WAN links |
| 2-Hour Onsite | 24/7 support with 2-hour replacement (where available) | Protect aggregation/core routers where downtime is very costly |
Why work with a Cisco partner?
SMARTnet must be purchased via authorised partners like Steel City Consulting. We’ll ensure you get the right service level for your router fleet, fast hardware replacements, and strategic lifecycle planning.
Talk to a certified Cisco expert. We’ll help you choose the right combination of hardware, licenses, and services.
Modernising your network with Cisco C8000 hardware routers? Our FAQ answers 5 common questions.
Q1: How compatible are Cisco Catalyst 8000 hardware routers with existing ISR or ASR infrastructures?
Cisco documentation confirms full protocol interoperability between Catalyst 8000 platforms and prior ISR/ASR generations – including BGP, OSPF and MPLS. Both autonomous and SD-WAN modes are supported within mixed environments.
Q2: Which operational features distinguish Catalyst 8000 routers in enterprise and data-centre deployments?
The Catalyst 8200, 8300 and 8500 Series are designed with varying RU, interface density, and NEBS options. Cisco provides detailed parameters for rack space, airflow, power draw and redundancy. These attributes support predictable integration in facilities with defined physical and environmental standards.
Q3: What is the difference between Catalyst 8200 and 8300 hardware router platforms?
| Attribute | Catalyst 8200 Series Router | Catalyst 8300 Series Router |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Fixed platform | Modular platform |
| Typical throughput range | Up to 3.8 Gbps (model-dependent) | Up to 12 Gbps (model-dependent) |
| Power supplies | Single | Dual redundancy |
| Expansion | NIM / PIM slots | NIM / SM slots |
| Intended role | Compact enterprise branch or edge routing | Branch or regional aggregation |
Q4: In enterprise aggregation or data-centre edge scenarios, how does the 8500 Series router differ from other Catalyst 8000 models?
Cisco positions the 8500 Series as the high-capacity member of the Catalyst 8000 family. It supports denser 10 / 40 / 100 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces and includes hardware acceleration for encryption at scale. Throughput figures and platform specifications exceed those of 8200 and 8300 models, aligning the 8500 Series with large aggregation and data-centre edge use cases.
Q5: How are licensing, subscriptions and support structured for Catalyst 8000 hardware routers?
Cisco Catalyst 8000 hardware routers utilise Cisco DNA subscriptions or Catalyst Routing Essentials licences, defining throughput, SD-WAN features and support tiers.
As an official Cisco partner, we can identify the ideal licensing model for your deployment. For more information, please navigate to our ‘Cisco licenses & subscriptions’ section above. Our team is available for a free 30 minute consultation or 10 minute initial phone call, to suit your preference.
