We use Cisco Ethernet Switches for LAN networking and connecting our systems.
Project Manager at a real estate/law firm with 10,001+ employees
A robust and stable network switch
Pros and Cons
- "Cisco Ethernet Switches is stable and robust."
- "It'll also help if it can support more network utilization."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
Cisco Ethernet Switches is stable and robust.
What needs improvement?
It could be cheaper. It'll also help if it can support more network utilization.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for about two years.
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches
February 2025
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Learn what your peers think about Cisco Ethernet Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
838,713 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I think Cisco Ethernet Switches are quite stable, and it's pretty robust,
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches is scalable.
How are customer service and support?
We are satisfied with technical support.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup and installation are straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
A consultant implemented it.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It could be cheaper.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches to potential users.
On a scale from one to ten, I would give Cisco Ethernet Switches an eight.
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.
IT Support Executive at a healthcare company with 51-200 employees
Stable, easy to use, and has the ability to scale
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is easy to use."
- "The user interface, the UI, could be better."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution like a normal wired network. We use it in the area before you connect it to outer networks using the firewall. Our inner network is managed by switches. All the wired connections come to those switches. We can do internal networking on the switches such as VLANs and all of those things. We use it for basic switching purpose.
How has it helped my organization?
Yes, it has improved.
What is most valuable?
The solution is easy to use.
The product is quite stable, which is one of its main selling points. The solution can scale.
What needs improvement?
I don't really have a complaint about the features that the solution has.
It can be a bit expensive, however, it's not as expensive as Meraki switches.
The user interface, the UI, could be better.
Going command mode to make hardcore changes to the config. It's not so futuristic environment for configuration purposes.
While you can scale the solution, it can get expensive.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using the solution for quite a while now. We've used them for at least four or five years at this point.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is extremely stable. We never have issues with it. It doesn't have any underlying issues and is quite reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
While the solution can scale, it's a costly endeavor. Scaling definitely will cost an organization more money.
We have about 60 or 70 users of the product within our organization.
How are customer service and technical support?
While we've occasionally had issues with the solution, we've never actually reached out to technical support. Therefore I can't speak to their responsiveness or knowledgability.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We've always used Ciscos switches of one kind or another. We've never used another brand. We're currently planning to change to Cisco Meraki switches. We haven't yet configured them, however. We're going to use it with a Palo Alto Firewall.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was not complex at all. It was extremely straightforward. That said, our setup required a very minimal configuration, and therefore it didn't take up much time. The deployment took maybe half an hour or so.
What about the implementation team?
I handled the implementation myself. I didn't need help from consultants or integrators.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
While normal switches are not too expensive, Meraki switches are pricier.
What other advice do I have?
We're just customers and end-users. We don't have any business relationship with Cisco.
It's my understanding that we are not using the latest version of the switches.
I'd recommend the solution to other organizations.
I would rate the solution at an eight out of ten. We've been largely pretty satisfied with the solution.
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 Ethernet Switches
February 2025
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Learn what your peers think about Cisco Ethernet Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
838,713 professionals have used our research since 2012.
IT Specialist at Xpert Systems Shpk
Simple to implement, stable, and quick support
Pros and Cons
- "Cisco Ethernet Switches have a lot of valuable features. One that stands out to me is its ease of implementation."
- "The ease of use of Cisco Ethernet Switches could improve. It is different to use them if you do not have prior knowledge."
What is our primary use case?
We have been utilizing Cisco Ethernet Switches to establish networks tailored to the customer's needs. For instance, if they want to set up a network for their office or personal use, but not for large corporations. I am not as proficient or experienced with implementing it for large enterprises.
What is most valuable?
Cisco Ethernet Switches have a lot of valuable features. One that stands out to me is its ease of implementation.
What needs improvement?
The ease of use of Cisco Ethernet Switches could improve. It is different to use them if you do not have prior knowledge.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for approximately six months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of Cisco Ethernet Switches is great. Once we did have a problem Cisco was quick and fast to solve it.
How are customer service and support?
The support was quick to solve one of the issues we were having with stability.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Cisco Ethernet Switches can be simple, but it does require some level of experience and certification. Once you have that, it's easy to apply all your knowledge and scripts to real-world scenarios.
The deployment took some time because we had to configure each one individually and troubleshoot any issues that arose. Once we were able to successfully ping the last router and access the internet, we were finished. However, some of our trouble may have been due to our lack of experience and professionalism as some of my colleagues who work with Cisco and other solutions did not have as much difficulty. It ultimately depends on how much hands-on experience you have with the products.
I rate the initial setup of Cisco Ethernet Switches a seven out of ten.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution has different prices depending on the features that you want to have.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches for those who have prior knowledge because they can be difficult to use.
I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a nine out of ten.
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: Implementer
RF Planning Manager at Sabafon
High quality, stability solid, scalable, feature functions need updating
Pros and Cons
- "We have found it to be scalable. We have approximately three million subscribers."
- "In the future, some of the features could be updated to support the latest functions."
What is our primary use case?
We are a GSM mobile network operator and we use the solution for internet data.
What is most valuable?
Cisco is a large company and their product is very good with high quality. The features and customer support are good.
What needs improvement?
In the future, some of the features could be updated to support the latest functions.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for approximately ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product is really stable we have not had a problem in the ten years we have been using it.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have found it to be scalable. We have approximately three million subscribers.
What about the implementation team?
We have 20 internal engineers that do all the installation, configuration and aftercare of the product.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It is an expensive product.
What other advice do I have?
If there is another product cheaper than Ciscos and runs just as well we would switch but currently, we are satisfied.
I would recommend the solution to others.
I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a seven 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.
Owner with self employed
Easy and straightforward setup but the dashboard needs improvement
Pros and Cons
- "For me, the initial setup was easy and straightforward, but for some of our customers who are not as familiar with networking, it can be complicated."
- "The dashboard needs some minor improvements."
What is our primary use case?
Our clients use this solution for monitoring and configuration purposes.
The deployment model varies from client to client.
What needs improvement?
The dashboard needs some minor improvements. Sometimes it is difficult to find items, other times it is quick, it just depends. Most of the feedback we receive are not complaints but suggestions or ideas about the dashboard.
The stability could be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for more than twenty years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We have some glitches once in a while. There are times where it's a little bit slow or a bit delayed.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have not had to scale yet, we are normally working with a fixed size. We haven't had to worry about upsizing or downsizing.
For our purposes, we are not using this, but on the client-side, we have anywhere from two to eight users, they are made up of technicians, support staff, and engineers.
How was the initial setup?
For me, the initial setup was easy and straightforward, but for some of our customers who are not as familiar with networking, it can be complicated.
For a technical person, it is straightforward. Of course, now and then you have to look in the manual and read it, as nothing is completely self intuitive.
Deployment can take anywhere from one to five days, depending on the requirements.
We require two employees for deployments.
What about the implementation team?
We implement this solution ourselves.
What other advice do I have?
There is no favorite function or feature, it depends on what you have to do and how you do it.
My advice regarding this solution is to understand your network, definitely have a look in the manual, understand the structure and don't just rely on trial and error. It's not target-aiming, so trial and error will not work.
I would rate this solution a seven out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior Solution Architect at a comms service provider with 501-1,000 employees
DNA is a very good way to do the configuration of all the equipment
Pros and Cons
- "Good and stable operational experience with nearly no loss of hardware and very few software bugs."
- "DNA Center is very interesting in automating the setup and monitoring as with each occurrence it gets easier to troubleshoot and provides an impression about what could be the problem."
- "Location of customers to connect clients to the servers and transport the data and VoIP in parallel with QoS and NBAR with 802.1X."
What is our primary use case?
- Collecting Clients in the floors.
- Concentrate distribution and to forward over routers to other parts.
- Fiber and copper ports with enhanced power over Ethernet and stacks.
- NM-modules with 10G
How has it helped my organization?
- Good and stable operational experience with nearly no loss of hardware and very few software bugs.
- Plug and play works now.
- DNA is a very good way to do the configuration of all the equipment.
What is most valuable?
DNA Center is very interesting in automating the setup and monitoring as with each occurrence it gets easier to troubleshoot and provides an impression about what could be the problem.
What needs improvement?
Location of customers to connect clients to the servers and transport the data and VoIP in parallel with QoS and NBAR with 802.1X.
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior Network Security Advisor at a computer software company with 11-50 employees
Highly stable, beneficial central management system, but support could improve
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is the simplicity of the central management system(CMS)."
- "The technical support could improve, they are about average quality."
What is our primary use case?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are used in a network as a relay.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is the simplicity of the central management system(CMS).
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for approximately 20 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is the main reason why I used the solution. It is highly stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches can be scaled up.
We are not using this solution extensively, it is not our main solution.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support could improve, they are about average quality.
How was the initial setup?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are easy to deploy and set up. It takes approximately 30 minutes to do the process.
What about the implementation team?
We have our own team for the implementation.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The cost of the solution is by unit.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a seven 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.
IT support network at a government with 1,001-5,000 employees
Good features, performance, and reliability
Pros and Cons
- "Its performance and reliability are valuable."
- "Its management should be improved."
What is our primary use case?
I am using it for core data infrastructure. I am using model 9600.
What is most valuable?
Its performance and reliability are valuable.
What needs improvement?
Its management should be improved.
It is not easy to scale.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for seven years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is not easy to scale. We have between 1,000 to 2,000 users.
How are customer service and support?
I have not interacted with them. We have a contractor for support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We also have Surecom and NETGEAR, but Cisco comes under a different class. They differ in price. Cisco is the best for our company.
How was the initial setup?
Its initial setup is simple. The deployment duration can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on the model.
What about the implementation team?
We deployed it internally.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It is expensive. There are additional costs besides the license cost.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend it for its features and reliability. I would rate it an eight out of 10.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Updated: February 2025
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DNA is relatively new product even it gets use of some matured features in the background. But it is quite a change on how we do access layer management. What I like about the solution, I could preserve my investment in the legacy hardware when deploy DNA. Older switches (not all - please, consult feature support for Cisco equipment) could be integrated into DNA matrix.