We use this solution primarily for branch connectivity for our customers.
Technology Consultant- Networking Services at STS
Great for branch connectivity to customers and is a solid solution
Pros and Cons
- "It is easy to use and is very solid."
- "The solution could be priced better."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
It is easy to use and is very solid.
What needs improvement?
The solution could be priced better because sometimes it is expensive.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using this solution for 18 years and we currently use version 16.6.
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Cisco Enterprise Routers
November 2024
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The product is very scalable.
How are customer service and support?
Our experience with customer service and support has been very good.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward and was completed in one day.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We recommend using smart licensing with this product because of the positive experience we have had with it.
What other advice do I have?
I rate this solution a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Manager - Enterprise Networking Solutions at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Easy to configure with a low failure rate
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is the ease of configuration."
- "Cisco could improve by reducing the delays in receiving physical devices."
What is our primary use case?
The primary use for this solution is to connect branch networks to the head office.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is the ease of configuration.
What needs improvement?
Cisco could improve by reducing the delays in receiving physical devices.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been working with Cisco Enterprise Routers for three to four years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This solution is scalable as we can fulfill our requirements by adding modules.
How are customer service and support?
Cisco's technical support is very good.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward and took between three to four weeks.
What was our ROI?
We get a good ROI from this solution because the failure rate is very low, which means customers are happy with the lack of maintenance required.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The cost of this solution is very low compared to other products.
What other advice do I have?
I would give Cisco Enterprise Routers a rating of ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Enterprise Routers
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Enterprise Routers. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Network Engineer at WEAVE
Quality enterprise routers that are more reliable
Pros and Cons
- "The quality is good. Cisco Enterprise Routers are stable and more reliable."
- "It would be better if Cisco had a User Interface (UI) that we could configure from a web browser. Right now, we only have a Graphical User Interface (GUI). I would like to see a new UI with a dashboard for configuration in the next release."
What is our primary use case?
We use Cisco Enterprise Routers for Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), internet services, and IP transfers. We use it mainly for an internet gateway.
What is most valuable?
The quality is good. Cisco Enterprise Routers are stable and more reliable.
What needs improvement?
It would be better if Cisco had a User Interface (UI) that we could configure from a web browser. Right now, we only have a Graphical User Interface (GUI). I would like to see a new UI with a dashboard for configuration in the next release.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Enterprise Routers for about five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Cisco Enterprise Routers has been stable for us.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Cisco Enterprise Routers are scalable. It's good. We have an average number of users at our organization, about 100.
How are customer service and support?
We rarely use their technical support, but it's good.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is quite simple. We have two people maintaining this solution.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We evaluated MikroTik before choosing Cisco Enterprise Routers. I think Cisco Enterprise Routers are more stable, and the reliability is better.
What other advice do I have?
On a scale from one to ten, I would give Cisco Enterprise Routers an eight.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
SW Engineer at a healthcare company with 51-200 employees
They're quite robust, don't malfunction, and we've had no complaints so far
Pros and Cons
- "Cisco Routers are quite robust. They don't malfunction, and we've had no complaints so far."
- "I would like it if Cisco Routers had a longer lifecycle. That's what we need. We don't want to renew or implement a new model. One model should be available for at least five years. This seems impossible nowadays."
What is our primary use case?
Cisco Routers have the native translation that we need for a couple of extra networks. They also provide firewall protection for our system.
What is most valuable?
Cisco Routers are quite robust. They don't malfunction, and we've had no complaints so far.
What needs improvement?
I would like it if Cisco Routers had a longer lifecycle. That's what we need. We don't want to renew or implement a new model. One model should be available for at least five years. This seems impossible nowadays.
For how long have I used the solution?
I think we first installed the Enterprise Routers about three years ago, but now they're reaching the end of their lifecycle, so we'll likely switch.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Cisco Routers are a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Cisco Routers are scalable enough for our needs. We only have a couple of networks we need to connect and 200 customers.
How are customer service and support?
So far I haven't had any issues. Support provides us with all the latest patches and updates.
How was the initial setup?
We prepare everything here in the factory and the site where our systems are. Then we set up a new IP address when needed. The time required for deployment depends on the person and site. Typically, if it's a competent person, it's a half-hour job with verification and testing.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Cisco Routers are quite affordable. The price is not the problem. It's the availability and the lifecycle.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I'm currently looking at Netgear for a replacement solution and some other candidates. We will evaluate and verify.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
Deputy Director at a sports company with 201-500 employees
A reliable product that does not require any major changes
Pros and Cons
- "In itself, Cisco is a reliable product and does not require any major change."
- "Cisco routers are an expensive product."
What is our primary use case?
We perform immigration checks in Pakistan. We have around 26 distributed check posts across Pakistan. We need network links to collect the data, implement the stop list, and other immigration-related data.
How has it helped my organization?
For immigration, we use an MIS system that helps the immigration personnel. This requires a network infrastructure at its core. We need to ensure the availability of data and to ensure data security. round 90 to 95 people use it within our organization.
What is most valuable?
In itself, Cisco is a reliable product and does not require any major changes. We have utilized Cisco for around 15 years, and in that time, there has hardly been any incident to my knowledge that a router suddenly became faulty, or started to malfunction. Cisco is an excellent and very comprehensive product, and we have no issues with that.
What needs improvement?
It's not really about how Cisco can be improved, but the utilities around it. For example, Fortinet has a good firewall and useful auditing tools with it. It also allows establishing centralize infrastructure, just by installing a Fortinet client software, VPN software, at the client end. However, we know that Cisco is also providing such a product in the name of AnyConnect. It is a concern over the cost aspect because of the budget we have available, Fortinet is much cheaper than the Cisco product, including the functionalities it provides. Cisco routers are an expensive product. Regarding Cisco usage in the future, it depends upon the increase in the immigration checkpoints. If our government decided to open 10 more immigration checkpoints, and other sites related to those, it would require more procuring of hardware, including the number of routers to support this.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been utilizing Cisco routers and switches, since 2004. We are a police organization in Pakistan.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We still use the Cisco router 1721 Modular Access Router, which is now obsolete but still works. It is very stable. We have some very old, like 16, 17 years, old models. We have been using Cisco for around 15, or 16 years. We are satisfied with Cisco.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's highly scalable. There should always be provision for scalability, as we procure many routers with modular capability. For example, we know that modular routers are capable of extension via WAN interfaces and other interfaces.
How are customer service and technical support?
We are very much satisfied with Cisco technical support.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Some companies provide initial licenses very cheaply, as do Cisco, but when you want to renew or expand something, the licensing becomes expensive.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
The network team proposes that we might utilize Fortinet instead of Cisco in the future. There is no problem with Cisco, but this is when we might move towards Fortinet because Fortinet can provide these things that are very much cheaper than Cisco, including additional resources.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate cisco 9 out of 10. Cisco is the network equipment leader. It introduces new features; it's the trend maker. The trade-off is cost. Cisco is highly recommended, subject to the availability of funds. It's all about the resources you have and how much you want to invest. We are the customer. However, we are also studying Fortinet and its comparisons and things like those to finalize the procurement process.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Other
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Infrastructure Program Manager at a non-profit with 1,001-5,000 employees
Good routing, flexible configuration and an easy deployment process
Pros and Cons
- "The routing feature is the solution's most valuable aspect."
- "The solution needs to offer some security features in a future release."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the routers for internet and wire connection.
What is most valuable?
The routing feature is the solution's most valuable aspect.
The solution is more flexible in configuration and in deployment. The deployment is very easy.
What needs improvement?
Currently, we use the 4000 series of the solution, however, there were issues with the 1900 series.
The solution needs to offer some security features in a future release.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for 15 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is very scalable. In our company, we have about 10,000 users. We don't plan to increase usage right now.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support is excellent. I'd rate them ten out of ten.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We previously used, and still use Juniper. We use both Juniper and Cisco within our organization; we haven't replaced one with the other.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward. Deployment takes about two hours.
Our strategy was to have both high and low-level information in regard to the configuration. We usually have it in our script and we can use this information to assist us with deployment.
You require about two people for deployment and maintenance of the solution.
What about the implementation team?
In most cases, I handle the implementation myself. However, in some cases, we used system integrators due to the nature of the contract involved.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There's a yearly licensing agreement. You can add more features at an additional cost if you need to.
What other advice do I have?
We're mostly using the 4000 series of the solution.
In terms of advice, I'd say users need to be clear about customer requirements to avoid overpaying for features they don't need. They should take care to select the proper router type and use the proper license. For deployment, they need a high level of understanding, for the implementation and configuration. They need to be prepared for all scenarios to be network ready. Something might turn off, for example, so they need to be prepared for those instances in order to properly handle them.
I'd rate the solution nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller.
Infrastructure and Security Officer at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Good support and documentation with excellent reliability
Pros and Cons
- "We have found the technology to be excellent. It provides a lot of services."
- "When we buy new hardware, since we are in Latin America, we have a very long wait in terms of getting the devices."
What is our primary use case?
I use the solution as an administrator and have experience with VPNs.
What is most valuable?
The support is very good.
We have found the technology to be excellent. It provides a lot of services.
The documentation provided by Cisco is very good. If we run into any issues, we know we can get help or figure things out via documentation or support.
It's stable and reliable.
The setup is easy.
The solution can scale.
What needs improvement?
When we buy new hardware, since we are in Latin America, we have a very long wait in terms of getting the devices. We might wait six to eight months for delivery once we buy it.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for over ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Cisco is very stable. I'd rate them nine out of ten. They are reliable. There are no bugs or glitches, and it doesn't crash or freeze.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is scalable. I'd rate the scalability eight out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
The support is great and they also have very good documentation. If we need help, it's no trouble finding an answer. That said, I have had a few cases that lasted a bit longer than expected.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The setup is pretty straightforward. I'd rate it eight out of ten. The process is very simple.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing is pretty high. I'd rate it six out of ten as it can be very expensive for some appliances compared to the competition.
What other advice do I have?
We are Cisco customers.
As long as you have the certifications and training, Cisco is very easy to configure and operate. I'd rate the solution nine out of ten. I've very happy with Cisco.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
ATM Systems Expert at a aerospace/defense firm with 5,001-10,000 employees
An easy solution to configure with much relevant documentation
Pros and Cons
- "Something I like about the solution is all the options it offers and ways it can be configured."
- "While scalability is available, it must be paid for."
What is most valuable?
Something I like about the solution is all the options it offers and ways it can be configured. I can do things with ease and find the relevant documentation to assist me. I believe that the reason the company chose to go with Cisco products is because they offer everything needed.
What needs improvement?
While scalability is available, it must be paid for. The licensing and price could be improved as the equipment purchased may come with very basic commands that require the consumer to pay for a more expensive license for a greater array of functions. The licensing policy can sometimes be very complicated.
All other aspects of the solution are fine, as in the past it was only possible to use certain commands to configure the solution, but now there is also the option of using a graphical interface.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Cisco Enterprise Routers for around 10 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
While scalability is available, this option costs money.
How are customer service and technical support?
We do not have experience with technical support for the simple reason that we did not purchase it. As such, we must rely on ourselves for this or read the relevant documentation.
What other advice do I have?
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Very interesting