Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Reviews

Name: Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4.1 (46 reviews)

4.1 out of 5

46 reviews
88% willing to recommend

411 followers

What is Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?

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.

Get the Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access, Cisco Ethernet Switches, Aruba Switches and more!

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is the #5 ranked solution in top Ethernet Switches. PeerSpot users give Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 46 most recent Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.6. (Among the highest in the category). Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is most commonly compared to Cisco Ethernet Switches: Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs Cisco Ethernet Switches. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 45% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 16% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access

November 2024

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Helped 816,636 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

SherifAbdelrahman

IT Director at Rabbit Mart

I use Fortinet FortiSwitch for my retail business to manage voice switches and access points. It's easy to configure, powerful, and integrates well, enhancing device management. It improved our IT budget and business stability compared to alternatives like Cisco and Aruba.

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Volodymyr Khorenzhyi

Network Engineer at Thunder Software Technology Co., Ltd.

It's mainly just a distribution switch. I just needed one, whether it's part of the Fortinet suite or not. What I actually use in this deployment are Forti APs (Fortinet Access Points). So, I can see all my office infrastructure from a single console, which is handy. One FortiGate, one FortiSwitch, and five access points, everything under good control. It's really nice to see it all together like this. The integration report benefits our organization with regard to its security ecosystem. FortiSwitch is designed to work seamlessly with FortiGate. While it can operate independently, its true potential lies in integration with FortiGate. I would rate the ease of management a seven out of ten, with ten being excellent.

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Ofelia Madriz V.

General Manager at Continex S.A.

In Fortinet, the packet reconstruction in the SD-WAN solution needs a little bit of improvement. When it comes to the Secure Access to the switches or the mix of Fortinet solution, the very small ones do not have the capability to use fiber cables. So, the small FortiGates have to work with the copper cables and cannot use fiber cables. Even though they have the capacity and throughput on all technical connectors, they don't have the interfaces, which is one of the good things with Cisco. They just add models to it. You buy the independent models, and you add them.

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Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access mindshare

As of November 2024, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access in the Ethernet Switches category stands at 6.2%, up from 6.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 14, 2024

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access offers seamless integration with FortiGate for superb monitoring and reporting, ease in managing network components, detailed visual interface for device isolation, simple setup, and centralized management through a single console. Its user-friendly interface, security fabric, and low total cost of ownership make it reliable and effective in providing top-tier network management. Features like VLAN setup, SD-WAN support, and robust connectivity enhance its comprehensive network capabilities.

"The powerful integration capabilities allow us to manage all devices from a single interface through the firewall."
"It's easy to be configured and powerful in terms of performance."
"The solution has enhanced network security by integrating access control more seamlessly, reducing overhead, and simplifying the network environment by removing the need for interfaces with other vendors."

Room for Improvement

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access faces challenges in pricing, management integration with FortiGate, and lacks some features like SDN and stacking. Technical support response is slow. Users report issues with firmware updates and complexity in configuration. Improved scalability and security features, better central management, and enhanced integration with other platforms are desired. Pricing structure for licensing and annual renewals is cumbersome, and users want a more intuitive interface with clearer documentation.

"The pricing is considered high due to the currency exchange changes in our region."
"One of the main challenges was integrating FortiSwitch with FortiGate, as the switches are managed through FortiGate rather than independently."
"FortiSwitch offers eight and 24-port models. They don't have a 16-port model, which can be an issue for some clients."

ROI

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access offers significant cost savings compared to Cisco and other competitors, despite not fully matching their capabilities. Users have observed benefits in operational expenses and ease of deployment. Security enhancements have contributed to peace of mind, and a 10% ROI has been noted. The use of Fortinet with a VPN is perceived as more financially beneficial than Cisco with a dedicated ISP. Businesses find an improvement in IT budget management and network stability.

Pricing

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is considered by users to be expensive but justified by its functionality and reliability. Licensing costs are annual, covering support and warranty, with various contract lengths available. Prices are generally seen as mid-range compared to competitors like Cisco, but higher than Huawei. Although the structure can seem complex, the overall consensus is that Fortinet provides good value, especially as it avoids a subscription-based model common in other brands.

"The product pricing seems to be mid-range."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch is a pricey solution."
"The solution has reasonable pricing. The firewall costs around 500$ annually."

Popular Use Cases

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is primarily used for access-level connectivity in diverse sectors such as banking, education, and healthcare. Clients integrate it with FortiGate for centralized network management and enhanced security. It offers seamless connectivity, uniformizes equipment, and supports various devices like phones and computers. Users appreciate its cost-effectiveness and ability to fulfill specific security requirements, such as complying with regulations. The product facilitates connectivity in campus environments and serves as a gateway for FortiGate firewalls.

Service and Support

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access customer service and support receive mixed opinions. Some users appreciate the fast, knowledgeable assistance once contacted. Others find technical support slow, particularly in the mornings or when time zone differences arise. Many report needing to navigate language barriers. While some praise the overall service quality, others wish for faster response times, especially for simple issues. Generally, support is rated favorably, but users suggest improvements are needed to match competitors like Cisco.

Deployment

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access installation is generally straightforward and user-friendly, often taking minutes to a few hours, depending on experience and network complexity. Many users find it simple, especially with Fortinet's video resources, though some encounters require CLI activation. Experience with Fortinet products simplifies the process, while transitioning from non-Fortinet networks can increase complexity. Deployment duration varies, from rapid deployments in small networks to extended phases in larger environments, sometimes due to external factors like ISP issues.

Scalability

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is known for its scalability, supporting diverse network architectures and user groups. It is praised for ease in expanding through FortiGate management, with many finding it effective for small to large businesses. Users report it manages well to scale, although hardware upgrades may be necessary. While opportunities for scaling are noted, some observe limitations compared to other options. Ratings generally range from seven to nine out of ten, indicating strong scalability.

Stability

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is widely praised for its stability. Many highlight its reliability and smooth operation without major issues. Users appreciate its straightforward functionality, though some mention configuration complexities and learning curves. Occasional concerns about external factors like power interruptions are noted, but these don’t appear widespread. Several ratings indicate it performs well, often scoring between eight to ten out of ten. Small configuration-related challenges exist but are typically manageable with guidance.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

Educational Organization

Comms Service Provider

Construction Company

Retailer

Healthcare Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Insurance Company

Non Profit

Hospitality Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

University

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

Media Company

Legal Firm

Transportation Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Logistics Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Marketing Services Firm

Consumer Goods Company

Compare Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access with alternative products

Learn more about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access

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.”