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it_user1199781 - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Engineer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Real User
High quality product with great VPC features and good stability
Pros and Cons
  • "The quality, like all Cisco solutions, is very high. The fact that it's Cisco is one of the reasons we chose to use it."
  • "Cisco has a licensing procedure that is very complicated and it changes every six months."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution on our equipment.

What is most valuable?

The VPC feature is the solution's most valuable aspect.

The quality, like all Cisco solutions, is very high. The fact that it's Cisco is one of the reasons we chose to use it.

What needs improvement?

Cisco has a licensing procedure that is very complicated and it changes every six months.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for at least ten years.
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches
February 2025
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Ethernet Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
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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?

Scaling and upgrading the solution is easy. Our group has about 500 employees and all of them use Cisco and its switches.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support is okay, but they do need to respond quicker to tickets.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have personally previously used Dell, which is very unstable in comparison to Cisco. You must review all documents and if you don't correctly do this, you must open a ticket. It takes  a few days for a simple question about the licenses to get answered. It can be a very frustrating process and should be simplified.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward.

What about the implementation team?

I handled the implementation myself.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The cost of licensing is very expensive, especially if you compare it to Fortigate.

What other advice do I have?

We're using the on-premises deployment model.

I'd recommend the solution. It has all the features we need included within it.

I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1083660 - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Manager at a tech vendor with 11-50 employees
Real User
Good monitoring and management features, but needs better integration with third-party products
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features are network monitoring and management."
  • "Integration with third-party products could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We are a solution provider and Cisco Ethernet Switches are one of the products that we implement for our customers. We also use them internally, and they make up the backbone of our network.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features are network monitoring and management.

Depending on the model, the switch might have its own firewall or router.

What needs improvement?

Integration with third-party products could be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Cisco Ethernet Switches for fifteen years, and have been reselling them for about six.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We have had no complaints about the stability of Cisco products. Once you install the switch, it just keeps running with little maintenance. Occasionally, we see a firmware update.

How are customer service and technical support?

For some of the higher-end switches, starting at the 6500 series, we need assistance from Cisco. For the 4000 series and below, we can manage them ourselves.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very straightforward. We have not had any complications.

They are essentially plug-and-play, where you turn the power on and it will be working in a few seconds. Beyond this, if different configurations are needed to satisfy the user's requirements then it takes a lot of time. That said, the entire deployment will only take a few hours or a day at the most.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We are happy with the pricing from Cisco.

What other advice do I have?

This is a very good product and definitely one that I recommend.

I would rate this solution a seven 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: Partner
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches
February 2025
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.
Solutions Architect at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Well documented, straightforward to install, and the command-line interface is easy to use
Pros and Cons
  • "The command-line interface is easy to use."
  • "The licensing needs to be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We use this solution to connect our computers.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of this solution are guidance, cover sheets, and access control.

The command-line interface is easy to use.

What needs improvement?

The licensing needs to be improved. You have to know upfront what kind of license you require. If you want to check quality assurance then you need to use an IP-based license. You can get that done, but sometimes it's a nuisance. For example, if you want to run certain commands then they are not all available because it depends on your license.

On the new switches, it is a bit hard to do the SPANning. The SPAN ports on the 9K series should be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Cisco switches for between ten and fifteen years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of this solution is good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of this solution is fine.

How are customer service and technical support?

We have just changed partners for technical support so we are not able to rate them yet.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We did not use another solution prior to this one. We have always used Cisco.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of this solution is straightforward.

We do part of it manually and part of it automatically. The biggest part is the installation and the connecting and cabling. The actual deployment of the CD itself can be a couple of hours.

What about the implementation team?

We use a partner for technical support.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price of this solution is good.

What other advice do I have?

In general, Cisco is ok. It's convenient and well-documented. If you have a big landscape then Cisco is a good way forward. It is well supported and a lot of engineering people know the Cisco switches. It's like the default environment, and I recommend it.

I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer2226447 - PeerSpot reviewer
Pre-Sales Engineer (Network & Security) at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Top 5
Easy-to-deploy product with the availability of good technical documentation
Pros and Cons
  • "We can easily integrate the product with any OEM solutions."
  • "In the case of an already existing network, we encounter technical issues related to following protocols."

What is our primary use case?

At present, I am evaluating Cisco Ethernet Switches.

What needs improvement?

We can easily integrate the product with any OEM solutions. But in the case of an already existing network, we encounter technical issues related to following protocols.

How are customer service and support?

They provide good technical documentation and webinars.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Cisco Catalyst Switches are more scalable than the product.

How was the initial setup?

Deploying the product is very straightforward. With the help of the OEM's datasheet, product guide, and installation guide, we can easily set up the switches.

What about the implementation team?

I help my customers implement the product.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Cisco and Aruba have similar functionality. We provide these solutions to the customers as per their requirements.

What other advice do I have?

I advise others to understand their business requirements and goals before purchasing the product. I rate it a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1042635 - PeerSpot reviewer
Science Technician at a government with 201-500 employees
Real User
Secure, high performance, and good technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution's valuable features are the speed of network transfer, it can transfer four to six gigabits per second."
  • "The installation is difficult and requires further training documentations."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution as a networking switch.

What is most valuable?

The solution's valuable features are the speed of network transfer, it can transfer four to six gigabits per second. Additionally, we found it to be secure.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for approximately eight years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I find the solution to be stable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of the solution is good. 

I am the only one in my organization using the solution.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have little experience with the solutions technical support and I am satisfied with it.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is difficult and requires further training documentations. I can configure it alone with some supervision.  

What about the implementation team?

For the deployment of the solution, we were aided by consultants, and no other technical team is needed for the maintenance. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution does not require a license. However, it is expensive and the price could improve. 

What other advice do I have?

I recommend the solution to others.

I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a 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.
PeerSpot user
PeerSpot user
Infrastructure Connectivity Engineer at Reputable Service Company
Consultant
Cisco Ethernet Switches are very reliable in any network.

What is most valuable?

Port-based security feature, network virtualization using VLAN, loop-avoidance mechanism using different variants of STP, many others.

How has it helped my organization?

It has improved the network reliability, It has improved the network availability which results to improved productivity of the users ( Increased ROI).

For how long have I used the solution?

4 to 5 years now

What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

No

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

No

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

No

How are customer service and technical support?

Customer Service: GoodTechnical Support: Good

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Yes, due to demand driven by requirements.

What about the implementation team?

In-house

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Dlink, Mikrotik
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Solution Architect - Presale at BESTCOMP GROUP
Real User
High performance, stable, and installation easy
Pros and Cons
  • "This solution is overall a high-grade solution compared to others."
  • "There could be an improvement in the licensing by reducing the price of the different types, such as essential, advantage, and premium."

What is our primary use case?

This solution is used as a networking switch for my customers.

What is most valuable?

This solution is overall a high-grade solution compared to others.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for approximately 16 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

My customers are satisfied with the stability of the solution when they are using DNA architecture, otherwise, they are not.

How was the initial setup?

I am an engineer and I think that the initial setup was not difficult. However, if you are going to build DNA architecture in this case, it is difficult because to build an operational DMI network architecture, the customer must have a CCI engineer.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price of this solution is high. 

There could be an improvement in the licensing by reducing the price of the different types, such as essential, advantage, and premium.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I have evaluated HP and other solutions.

What other advice do I have?

My advice is there are other options than Cisco solutions.

I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches an eight 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: Partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer1196946 - PeerSpot reviewer
Solutions Architect at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
Real User
Good support, stable, and several models support organizations of different sizes
Pros and Cons
  • "This product is widely available and the warranty is very good."
  • "The pricing should be reduced so that they are more competitive."

What is our primary use case?

We are a solution provider and the Cisco Ethernet Switch is a network infrastructure product that we implement for our clients. The use case depends on their requirements but it is used for network access. We also use them for our network.

What is most valuable?

This product is widely available and the warranty is very good.

There should not be any challenges with configuration or maintenance.

They have an internal monitoring system.

What needs improvement?

The pricing should be reduced so that they are more competitive.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for 15 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This product is very stable and I don't think that we've had any failures.

We had trouble with the hardware one time but Cisco replaced it.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability varies from model to model. We have a particular model that was sized according to our use case and requirements. In general, they are very scalable.

How are customer service and technical support?

We have good support from Cisco. They have a nice team and when it comes to service, they have a defined timeline. We haven't face any issues in terms of service.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Cisco now has more products that are priced for small businesses, so they do have some cheaper models.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I am happy with this product and I don't have any suggestions for improvements to features at this time. I think that they have the best product available.

I would rate this solution a nine 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.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Cisco Ethernet Switches Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: February 2025
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Buyer's Guide
Download our free Cisco Ethernet Switches Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.