Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Reviews

Name: Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4 (45 reviews)

4.1 out of 5

45 reviews
88% willing to recommend

408 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.

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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. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is most commonly compared to Aruba Wireless: Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs Aruba Wireless. 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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Featured reviews

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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Raphael Haroun Ikyagh

Network Administrator at Letshego

We use the FortiSwitch with our Fortinet firewalls. We configured a VPN to enable secure remote access. It also has a feature for managing policies and controlling traffic flow into and out of the network Access Point feature is very good. It's easy to manage and reliable. It tracks very well. I…

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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 3, 2024

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is valued for its seamless integration with FortiGate and centralized management, allowing comprehensive control of devices and network access. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface, ease of deployment, and robust security capabilities. Its network management features, including VLAN support and MAC functionality, enhance visibility and control. The solution is noted for its reliable performance, cost-effectiveness, and scalability, offering a singular platform for managing switches, security, and connectivity.

"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."
"You can hook all the other components to be monitored. You can create policies and block certain people from accessing the Internet."
"The most valuable feature of the solution is the MAC feature."

Room for Improvement

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access needs lower prices and improved technical support. Simplifying configuration and enhancing integration with non-FortiGate management would help. Users desire better security features, clearer interface terminology, and extended warranty periods. Improvements in scalability, VLAN management, dashboard functionality, and fiber optic support are also sought. Upgrades should be more transparent with better documentation, and initial setup needs to be easier. Additional models and better licensing terms are requested.

"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."
"The solution doesn't support other switches."

ROI

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access presents a cost-effective option, costing 30 to 40 percent less than Cisco, HPE, and Aruba. Its technical capabilities have improved significantly, appealing to buyers seeking value. Users report operational savings and an increase in ROI due to its ease of operation and robust security. However, gaps remain for larger enterprises. Users benefit from reduced operational costs and straightforward hardware deployment, though smaller setups may find it less advantageous due to licensing needs.

Pricing

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is considered expensive by many users, with licensing costs mainly billed annually. Some find the pricing justified by the product's robust functionality, while others suggest it could be more competitive. The solution can be purchased separately in terms of hardware and licenses, yet lacks discounts. Licensing includes FortiCare support and varies based on contract length. Users note its pricing is comparable to competitors, being less expensive than Cisco but costlier than Huawei.

"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 used for campus environments, SMBs, and enterprise networks to enhance network security and manage access-level connectivity. It integrates with FortiGate, enabling unified network management and centralized monitoring. Common applications include setting up secure LAN access, deploying WiFi access points, and extending core security features. Users appreciate its cost-effectiveness, and it is highly utilized in sectors like education, healthcare, and banking for deploying secure infrastructure.

Service and Support

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access receives mixed feedback regarding support. Users note a slow response in the morning but appreciate quick solutions post-afternoon. Some feel support lacks depth, only providing documents, while others praise their thoroughness despite language barriers. Many rate their customer service highly, acknowledging it as fast and efficient, although not as advanced as industry leaders. Technical support offers dependable assistance, yet could benefit from enhancements at levels one and two.

Deployment

Many users find Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access's setup straightforward, often describing it as easy or plug-and-play. Deployment generally takes minutes to a few hours, varying by project size and configuration needs. Some experienced users appreciate the simplicity, while beginners might need guidance. The availability of Fortinet's resources like videos aids the process, although CLI use may be necessary for advanced configurations. Integrations with FortiGate facilitate deployment in Fortinet-exclusive environments.

Scalability

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is highly scalable, suitable for small to large businesses. It integrates well with FortiGate, allowing for effortless scaling by adding switches. Users report ease of management and configuration. It handles different user loads effectively, but scalability may require occasional hardware upgrades. Pricing and expansion are potential challenges. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is suitable for diverse business sizes, supporting between tens to thousands of users effectively.

Stability

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is widely considered stable by users. Many rate it highly, often eight to ten out of ten, with minimal issues reported. Deployed devices have been reliable over long periods, seldom experiencing bugs or crashes. Some users note occasional configuration-related problems, such as lost ports or ELAN switching issues. Stability is often compared favorably with competitors. However, a few users mention needed improvements and challenges in adapting to the system.

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

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Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Construction Company

Retailer

Healthcare Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Non Profit

Hospitality Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

University

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

Media Company

Legal Firm

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Transportation Company

Logistics Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Consumer Goods Company

Marketing Services Firm

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.”