Cisco Catalyst 3850 Switches Support Ended in 2025.

Next Step: Risks, Replacements & Cashback Options.

The Cisco Catalyst 3850 series has been essential for enterprise campus networks in the UK for nearly a decade. However, Cisco has announced that most models will reach their End of Support (EOSL) on 31 October 2025.

After this date, organisations that continue to use Catalyst 3850 switches will face higher security risks, decreased reliability, and possible compliance issues.

At Flux IT Hardware, we assist organisations at every step of Cisco’s hardware lifecycle, from EOSL planning and third-party maintenance to hardware replacement and IT equipment cashback.

What Does End-of-Support Mean for the Catalyst 3850?

When a Cisco switch reaches End of Support, Cisco will stop providing:

❌ Security vulnerability patches

❌ IOS XE bug fixes or software updates

❌ SmartNet hardware replacement

❌ TAC technical support

For industries such as finance, education, healthcare, manufacturing, and the public sector, using unsupported network infrastructure can also pose audit and regulatory risks.

Cisco C3850 Lifecycle

End of Sale and End of Life for the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Copper Switches

End of Life: October 31, 2019
End of Sale: October 30, 2020
End of SW Maintenance Release: October 30, 2021
End of Vulnerability/Security Support: October 31, 2025
Last Day of Support: October 31, 2025

End of Sale and End of Life for the Cisco Catalyst 3850 Fibre Switches

End of Life: April 30, 2021
End of Sale: April 30, 2022
End of SW Maintenance Release: April 30, 2023
End of Vulnerability/Security Support: April 30, 2027
Last Day of Support: April 30, 2027

If you’re unsure which Catalyst 3850 models are installed across your estate, Flux IT can help perform a hardware audit and lifecycle assessment.

Cisco Catalyst 3850 Replacement Options

Option 1 – Upgrade to Cisco Catalyst 9300

WS-C3850-24T, C9300-24T
WS-C3850-24P, C9300-24P
WS-C3850-24U, C9300-24U
WS-C3850-48T, C9300-48T
WS-C3850-48P, C9300-48P
WS-C3850-48U, C9300-48U

Considerations:

Cisco DNA and Smart Licensing required
Higher initial costs
Long lead times

Get a Quote

Option 2 – Extend Life with Third-Party Maintenance (TPM)

If a complete refresh isn’t feasible before 2025, Third-Party Maintenance lets you keep running Catalyst 3850 switches beyond Cisco EOSL.

Benefits include:

Up to 70% support cost reduction
No forced licensing changes
Hardware replacement and support backed by an SLA
Ideal for stable, low-change environments

Learn more

Option 3 – Buy Refurbished Cisco Hardware

For growth, spare parts, or phased refresh projects, refurbished Catalyst 3850 and Catalyst 9300 switches are still widely available.

Flux IT supplies:

Enterprise-grade refurbished Cisco hardware
Fully tested, serial-verified stock
Fast UK and EMEA delivery

Get a Quote

Option 4 – Trade-In & IT Equipment Cashback

EOSL does not mean worthless.

Flux IT offers IT equipment. Cashback for:

Decommissioned Catalyst 3850 switches
Network refresh projects
Data centre consolidations

Benefits:

Offset upgrade costs
Reduce e-waste
Support sustainability goals

👉 How cashback works: What is IT Equipment Cashback & How Does It Work?

Learn more

ℹ️ Did you know? Backward compatibility with many of the C3850’s power supplies and uplink modules is a major benefit of switching from the C3850 series to the most recent Cisco Catalyst 9300 series. Because of this compatibility, users can save a lot of money by upgrading to a C9300 switch and reusing existing parts from their C3850. The compatible parts between the two-switch series are listed in the table below. Users may find the transition easier and have fewer reservations about embracing the newer technology thanks to this compatibility.

Other Benefits of Upgrading:

Publicly available software downloads.
Increased performance, enhanced security, and the latest software upgrades from the OEM.
Current Gen C9300 – no EOL dates announced yet.

	WS-C3850	C9300
C3850-NM-4-1G	✔	✔
C3850-NM-2-10G	✔	✔
C3850-NM-4-10G	✔ (48-port, XS, and mGig)	✔
C3850-NM-8-10G	✔ (XS and mGig)	✔
C3850-NM-2-40G	✔ (XS and mGig)	✔
C9300-NM-4G	x	✔
C9300-NM-4M	x	✔
C9300-NM-8X	x	✔
C9300-NM-2Q	x	✔
C9300-NM-2Y	x	✔
PWR-C1-350WAC	✔	✔
PWR-C1-350WAC-P	x	✔
PWR-C1-715WAC	✔	✔
PWR-C1-715WAC-P	x	✔
PWR-C1-1100WAC	✔	✔
PWR-C1-1100WAC-P	x	✔
PWR-C1-1900WAC-P	x	✔
PWR-C1-1900WHV-T	x	✔
PWR-C1-440WDC	✔	x
PWR-C1-715WDC	x	✔
PWR-C3-750WAC-F	✔ (48XS models)	x
PWR-C3-750WAC-R	✔ (48XS models)	x
PWR-C3-750WDC-F	✔ (48XS models)	x
PWR-C3-750WDC-R	✔ (48XS models)	x

Risks of Running Catalyst 3850 Switches After 2025

⚠️ No security updates

⚠️ Increased risk of cyber-attacks

⚠️ No OEM support during outages

⚠️ Compliance and audit failures

⚠️ High emergency replacement costs

Having a planned lifecycle strategy is always cheaper and safer than responding to a failure.

Why Flux IT Hardware?

✔ Cisco specialists (enterprise & data centre)

✔ Large UK & EU stockholding

✔ TPM, resale, buy-back & recycling under one roof

✔ Fast response for EOSL-driven projects

✔ Sustainability-focused IT lifecycle management

We work within or outside the traditional Cisco channel, depending on what fits your organisation best.

Make use of Flux IT hardware knowledge.

Speak to the team today on 03330 048885

Let talk

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Flux IT help with a phased migration?Lewis Nolan2026-02-17T14:30:49+00:00

Cisco Catalyst 3850 Switch Series End of Support was in 2025, Next Step!

Cisco Catalyst 3850 Switches Support Ended in 2025.

Next Step: Risks, Replacements & Cashback Options.

What Does End-of-Support Mean for the Catalyst 3850?

Cisco C3850 Lifecycle

Cisco Catalyst 3850 Replacement Options

Option 1 – Upgrade to Cisco Catalyst 9300

Option 2 – Extend Life with Third-Party Maintenance (TPM)

Option 3 – Buy Refurbished Cisco Hardware

Option 4 – Trade-In & IT Equipment Cashback

Risks of Running Catalyst 3850 Switches After 2025

Why Flux IT Hardware?

Frequently Asked Questions

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