Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs Ubiquiti UniFi Switches comparison

Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access is a secure, high-performance, and easy-to-manage switch. Fortinet FortiSwitch is the best solution for threat-conscious enterprises of all sizes because it is secure, simple, and scalable. Secure Access, which is tightly integrated into the Fortinet Security Fabric via FortiLink, may be handled directly from the FortiGate interface.

Regardless of how people and devices connect to the network, this single-pane-of-glass administration provides total visibility and control. This makes the Fortinet FortiSwitch perfect for SD-Branch and campus deployments, allowing enterprises to combine their security and network access with applications ranging from desktop to data center aggregation. Fortinet FortiSwitch's Secure Access is the most adaptable security platform with end-to-end protection in the industry.

Switches for Secure Access: Small to medium-sized businesses, scattered organizations, branch offices, and industrial control systems can all benefit.

Switches for Data Centers: Ideal for users requiring high-performance 10 GE or 40 GE.

Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access Features

Fortinet FortiSwitch has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

• Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access is designed for various installations, including desktops and wiring closets.

• Deploy and manage switches using the FortiGate interface, with FortiGate Cloud as a cloud administration option, or manage as a standalone switch using CLI, API, GUI, or the cloud with FortiSwitch Cloud.

• Switch configuration, management, and troubleshooting are all simplified with a single-pane-of-glass dashboard.

• Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access is ideal for SD-Branch deployments.

• Secure Access uses FortiGate interfaces to connect with FortiLink. This provides centralized security and access control.

• Integration of the Security Fabric: Fortinet FortiSwitch's FortiGate management brings Security Fabric features to the Ethernet access layer.

• Voice, data, and wireless traffic can all be carried over a single network, making it ideal for converged network environments.

• Non-FortiLink deployments can be supported via the onboard GUI, API, or command line settings.

• Up to 48 ports in a compact and 1 RU form factor.

• Depending on the model, up to 300 switches can be stacked per FortiGate.

• Supports wire-speed switching, as well as store and forward mode.

Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access Benefits

There are many benefits to implementing Fortinet FortiSwitch. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

• You can easily manage all deployments in one interface if your company scales and opens a new office or location.

• You can ensure that users are authenticated before giving network access.

• Power over Ethernet makes it simple to set up wireless access points and IP phones.

• With network segmentation, you can help satisfy data separation compliance.

Reviews from Real Users

Fortinet FortiSwitch stands out among its competitors for a number of reasons. Two major ones are its stability and its VLAN setup. PeerSpot users take note of the advantages of these features in their reviews:

Rutul S., CXO at Aariha Enterprise Private Limited, writes of the product, “The most valuable feature is the SD-WAN support. This device is easy to use.” He adds, “Stability-wise, this product is better than others that are on the market.”

Emil V., System Consultant at I team, notes, “I like the VLAN setup of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has very good scalability.” He adds, “Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is easy to set up. It only takes minutes to deploy this product, because it is mostly boxes.”

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches are managed Gigabit switches (Available with 24 or 48 RJ45 Gigabit ports) designed to meet all your network needs while delivering excellent performance. The switches’ excellent network performance is combined with fiber connectivity that includes two SFP ports and the ability to process traffic without putting packet loss at risk.

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches Are:

• Easy to deploy
• Simple to use
• Affordable
• Reliable and stable

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches Support These Three Output Modes:

• PoE: Uses IEEE 802.3af standard to deliver up to 15.4W.
• PoE+: Uses IEEE 802.3at standard to deliver up to 30W.
• PoE++: Uses IEEE 802.3bt standard to deliver up to 60W.

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches Support These Three Input Modes:

• US-8 (PoE, PoE+)
• USW-Flex (PoE, PoE+, PoE++)
• USW-Flex Mini (PoE, PoE+)

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches Features:

• Scalability
• Stability
• Reliable hardware
• Alarm alerting system
• Dual-band
• PoE+ flexibility
• Fiber connectivity
• User-friendly GUI
• Mesh networking
• Secure management
• High speed
• Excellent dashboards
• Reporting and detailed analytics
• Multi-site management
• Deep packet inspection

Benefits of Ubiquiti UniFi Switches:

• Ubiquiti UniFi Switches are silent because they are designed without a fan.
• They help simplify your network infrastructure and cabling.
• Ubiquiti UniFi Switches offer 24 to 48 port switch versions to work with.
• Ubiquiti UniFi Switches provide redundant power if the internal power supply fails.
• Ubiquiti UniFi Switches include the forwarding capacity to simultaneously process traffic on all ports at line rate without any packet loss.
• Ubiquiti UniFi Switches are rated as affordable when compared with competitors.
• Available with 24 or 48 RJ45 Gigabit ports
• Configuration with Ubiquiti UniFi is easy; It's simple to configure or reconfigure an AP or gateway quickly.
• By having a mobile app, Unifi makes it easy to check on sites and to configure APs individually if necessary.
• With Ubiquiti UniFi Switches, you can operate your IP cameras and phones through a single network cable.

Reviews from Real Users

A PeerSpot user who is a Director of Technical Operations/CTO at a consultancy says "The ability to deploy quickly and then having one central location for all the settings are its most valuable aspects."

"The integration with the controller is one of the most valuable features of these switches. They are also very stable. For example, we have some equipment that we haven't touched for four years that is still reliable," says Doru I., Senior solutions architect at Aplix Technologies

Murali S., Management Consultant at a consultancy, explains that “For the world where you have to balance traffic and traffic loads and bandwidth, their GUI makes it really easy because the switches, though they are enterprise grade level two or level three switches, the GUI is designed so that it's easy to set up VLANs where you need to control your traffic so that your phones don't break up and get choppy because of other people loading the network down too heavily."