I am using the Cisco Ethernet Switches in the food industry.
Deputy IT Manager at ICAPP (Americana Group)
Reliable, straightforward implementation, and highly scalable
Pros and Cons
- "The initial setup was for Cisco Ethernet Switches was straightforward."
- "Cisco Ethernet Switches could improve if they removed the command line interface and replaced it with a better GUI. It is too difficult at the moment, we always need to figure out the commands."
What is our primary use case?
What needs improvement?
Cisco Ethernet Switches could improve if they removed the command line interface and replaced it with a better GUI. It is too difficult at the moment, we always need to figure out the commands.
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 very stable.
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Cisco Ethernet Switches
November 2024
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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are scalable.
We have approximately 250 people using the Cisco Ethernet Switches.
How are customer service and support?
I did not have any experience with the technical support of Cisco Ethernet Switches.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We were previously using Aruba switches and we migrated to Cisco because of the groups' direction, it was not a fault of Aruba switches. Aruba switches are great. We were working with Aruba for 10 years without any problem, and they gave us a lifetime warranty for the switches. If we had a faulty switch they would give us new ones.
The service from Aruba was very good, but I think that Cisco solutions are more professional for something VLANs. I didn't try Aruba with VLANs, however, we make all of our VLANs with Cisco.
I prefer Aruba solutions because they are easier to use.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was for Cisco Ethernet Switches was straightforward.
I rate the implementation of Cisco Ethernet Switches a four out of ten.
What about the implementation team?
The implementation of Cisco Ethernet Switches was done with a partner and our experience was very good.
We are in a manufacturing environment running 24 hours a day. We have a dedicated team of three that works on the switches and network.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We have a one-year license to have the Smart Net Total Care service. The license to use the Cisco Ethernet Switches comes with the initial purchase of the solution.
I rate the price of Cisco Ethernet Switches a two out of five.
The cost of Cisco Ethernet Switches is expensive.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I have evaluated other switches, such as Aruba.
What other advice do I have?
My advice to others looking to purchase a Cisco Ethernet Switch is the best use case depends on many factors. For example, the number of users, details of the company, type of network, and how large the network is. If the company is small to medium-sized I would recommend Aruba. For larger companies, I would recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches.
I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
ERP / HMIS / EMR Specialist at Fauji Foundation
ERP deployment & Cisco Ethernet Switches
High availability and sustainable network is a prime and foremost obligatory requirement of ERP deployment, Cisco layer 2-4 switches deliver the best when robust, secured, sub- netted and resilient network is concerned.
Strong Areas:
The Catalyst switches give ease of configuration with a comprehensive set of management protocol support such as Telnet, HTTP, CLI, SNMP and much more with software's like CMS (Cluster Management Suite) and Ciscoworks, all together. Conventional Fast Ethernet to Gigabit Ethernet connectivity with outstanding QoS, stackable and fixed configuration, security features like static VLAN support and in Linux OS ,TACACS with Radius Dial in authentication support where environment of installation of device(Switch) is harsh , less maintained temperature and less manageable environment like Tertiary care hospitals, Universities, Call centers, Tech labs and SMB’s where limited manpower is the major factor in considerations. Productivity of mid line layer 2 switches (Catalyst 2950G) can be coupled by using in conjunction with Catalyst 4506 Ethernet layer 3 switch acting as core of the IP routing. 2 x GBIC I/O slots (standard) for gigabit Ethernet and single mode fiber channel is one of the distinct specialties in sub- netted network, they offer.
Possible Cons:
Cost is one of the substantial aspect for layer 2 supported devices like catalyst WS-2900 series as compared to HP networking device with HP 2900 series. Yes cisco is little higher in cost but in return cisco offer resilience, reliability and dependable network for any application
Though Cisco provides lifetime limited warranty for their products like WS-2950G -48 switch, but HP 2900 series is shipped with “As long as you owned the device with advance replacement in a very short time.”
My experience is with a gigabit network of 467 active nodes spanned across 29 Catalyst WS-2950G-48 switches and inter-VLAN routed through Catalyst 4506 layer 3 switches with fiber optic backbone. Beside this I have had the experience of using HP 2920 switches which are less rugged and require a temperature moderated environment with less resilience as compare to Cisco 2950.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Ethernet Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,636 professionals have used our research since 2012.
IT Manager at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Enhanced network stability and easy to integrate with essential IP routing features
Pros and Cons
- "The IP routing is the most important feature."
- "AI technology must be involved in the future."
What is our primary use case?
I am using Cisco Ethernet Switches in my company.
How has it helped my organization?
The solutions meet my sign and safety requirements, integrate easily with my firewall device, and ensure the stability of our network.
What is most valuable?
The IP routing is the most important feature. It has saved my devices and PC printers and it is a very important feature.
What needs improvement?
AI technology must be involved in the future. Also, it would be better to have a little bit lower price or another licensing model.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Cisco Ethernet Switches for about 14 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Till now, I have not placed any maintenance requests because this device is stable all the time.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are scalable.
How are customer service and support?
I haven't needed technical support because the device is stable all the time.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Before Cisco Switches, I worked with 3Com devices, but only a few. I switched because Cisco is the most popular company.
How was the initial setup?
The integration was easy.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Cisco is more expensive in my country. It is usually just one payment, and I do not need to pay for maintenance or support.
What other advice do I have?
I strongly recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches.
I'd rate the solution 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.
Last updated: Oct 2, 2024
Flag as inappropriateSecurity Administrator at NDIC
A stable and robust solution for switching routing
Pros and Cons
- "When it comes to switching routing, we have no doubts about Cisco."
- "I would like for the solution to have more more security features and be more user-friendly."
What is our primary use case?
We don't work with the latest version, which is why I am currently conducting research. We wish to see if we can move from the existing solution to an upgrade. We have been using 2960 switches for a very long time, say... five, six or seven years, and they have reached the end of their lives, which is why I proposed a change.
What is most valuable?
When it comes to switching routing, we have no doubts about Cisco. It's a robust solution. One cannot find latency, such as attenuations, even within our cables. It's really stable. In contrast, some other switches can switch over, but we found Cisco Ethernet Switches to be stable and robust, even taking into account Africa's infrastructure.
What needs improvement?
I would like for the solution to have more security features and be more user-friendly. It should have a GUI graphical user interface which would allow the person to interact with it. The look and feel should be addressed. As people are in the process of moving away from CLI, it should be something that anybody can manage.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for more than 10 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
the solution is really stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We may switch to another solution, although this will depend on the cost. The dollar has multiplied five times over the past ten years, which means that certain things are not affordable in dollars at the moment. I am not saying that the best product would be be cost prohibitive for us. This said, one's budget and the cost of materials must be weighed.
How are customer service and technical support?
Cisco is consistently at the top of its game when it comes to quickly routing our security. Other solutions with which I have experience are less so, such as concern identity service engines. The problem with this is the support. Switches are appliances that, once put in place, hardly require support. However, this is needed for firewalls, routers and other security appliances, but is hard to come by in Nigeria
I'm not saying that I am dissatisfied with Cisco's technical support, but I am looking at what is involved in reaching it and having the app escalated to the second party.
Generally speaking, it is not possible to reach second-line support. One would usually reach the original equipment manufacturer at first-line support. Generally speaking, they would prefer not to escalate an issue. Take, for example, the Cisco security appliance we currently have deployed. It must be unplugged and we are not benefiting from the support that we need.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution can be comparatively cheaper.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I am currently in the process of comparing the solution with that of Huwei switches, which I know can be cheaper, taking into account the exchange rate with Yuan and the dollar increase in Nigeria.
Although I am not looking for a cheaper solution, I am doing so for one that is affordable.
What other advice do I have?
There are between 2,000 and 2,500 people making use of the solution in our company.
I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches as 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.
Network consultant at Juniper Solutions Ltd
Secure and reliable switches with a straightforward setup process
Pros and Cons
- "Cisco Ethernet Switches are rugged, secure, and scalable. It provides smart devices and reliable switches."
- "There are instances where the commands you are familiar with might change or be replaced with newer syntax."
What is our primary use case?
The use case for Cisco Ethernet switches is foundational networking, which includes packet switching and routing within the organization's network. It facilitates communication between devices and networks, ensuring data packets are appropriately directed to their destinations.
What is most valuable?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are rugged, secure, and scalable. It provides smart devices and reliable switches.
What needs improvement?
There are instances where the commands you are familiar with might change or be replaced with newer syntax. They could provide details to know about the changed processes. Additionally, its pricing needs improvement.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable platform.
How are customer service and support?
We can find references in the product's knowledge base to resolve the technical issues.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup process is straightforward. It involves understanding the user's configuration requirements. Setting up IP addresses or configuring security features like authentication can be accomplished within three to four minutes. Further, we configure security features like passwords, consoles, and connectivity to help prevent unauthorized access. It requires one technical executive for deployment and maintenance.
What was our ROI?
The product is worth the investment.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The product is expensive. However, it is cost-effective, considering its durability. There is only a need for licensing in case of specific security requirements or advanced configurations where we need to activate certain modules. We need to buy licenses for wireless controllers or VPNs.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches to others and rate it a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Manager Infrastructure & Projects at Kinetic Pride
Durable, robust, and my go-to solution for organizing the network for my clients
Pros and Cons
- "Being able to deal with multiple VLANs to segment the network logically is the biggest feature for us. The management of these switches is okay for us. These switches work very well, and they meet our needs."
- "In terms of features, they tick all the boxes as of now. That could be because we tailor the solution around the product. I have not seen anything that pulls me back or is not working well for me. However, there could be better integration with the network monitoring systems. It doesn't mean it is currently not there, but there could be better discoverability with some of the network monitoring systems to be able to have more visibility. When you're setting up a control room, you can have more visibility into what is going on in the network. It has been doing that, but it can do that more."
What is our primary use case?
We have distributed locations, and we have them at different locations behind firewalls.
What is most valuable?
Being able to deal with multiple VLANs to segment the network logically is the biggest feature for us. The management of these switches is okay for us. These switches work very well, and they meet our needs.
What needs improvement?
The pricing can be improved to make them more suitable for SMBs.
In terms of features, they tick all the boxes as of now. That could be because we tailor the solution around the product. I have not seen anything that pulls me back or is not working well for me. However, there could be better integration with the network monitoring systems. It doesn't mean it is currently not there, but there could be better discoverability with some of the network monitoring systems to be able to have more visibility. When you're setting up a control room, you can have more visibility into what is going on in the network. It has been doing that, but it can do that more.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for over five or six years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Their stability is very good. Even when they are reaching the end of life, they still have a lot of life in terms of stability. They are very durable and stable. They can run for a lot more time, but for a business, security is important, and it becomes necessary to upgrade to new models and let these devices die. We have to upgrade to the latest models because of company policy, but there is no problem with their durability or robustness.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We usually over-spec, and there is no problem with scalability. They're able to handle everything very well. In all the fields where we are using them, we haven't encountered a situation that they are not able to handle. They work fine.
In our company, they are being used at different levels. They're basically serving everyone, and there are about 500 people in our company. They serve right up to the data center.
In terms of our plans to increase its usage, a lot of discussions are going on about moving to the cloud, SD-WAN, and things like that. With the ongoing situation of the pandemic, there have been discussions about scaling down the local network and moving towards service provision for remote workers, as opposed to on-prem. We might scale down the local network and move things to the cloud and other remote access technologies.
How are customer service and support?
I've not interacted much with them because I've not had a lot of issues. If there is anything, I get a lot of information from FAQs and online forums. It does not really go to the point where I've to go to Cisco's support desk. There is a lot of good documentation. They've done a good job with the documentation of it. It has always helped me.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We didn't use any other solution previously on this site. It was our go-to solution from the start because of its security and market sentiment. At different locations for different clients, we use different products, but this is what we have been using on our site.
How was the initial setup?
It was straightforward. I have a lot of experience with them in different organizations and through my own career path, so it wasn't hard for me. I'm used to them.
The project was deployed in phases. Most of the time was spent on the server-side of things. The setup time for switches was very less. It took two to three hours to get them up and running. It was not a problem.
What about the implementation team?
It was done in-house. We have in-house expertise.
We have four people for its deployment and maintenance, and we are able to handle it well. There are two technicians from the IT department, and the rest of them are in the management role, but when it comes to the deployment, they are able to do the physical work.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Quality comes at a price. I've been around the block a bit, and I know that good quality comes at a price. However, some of the organizations don't have big budgets, so you have to develop different solutions for them. They don't have the budget to get some of the high-end features. Cisco can consider providing entry-level hardware to suit SMBs.
What other advice do I have?
I have complete confidence in this solution. It is my go-to solution when I'm organizing any network for a client. Of course, for many people, its cost could be an issue, but when you consider running a stable implementation and the risk of downtime in case of any issue vis-a-vis the initial purchase cost of the equipment, it is a no-brainer. I would suggest people take this route. If someone has the budget, they shouldn't skimp on it.
I would rate it an eight out of 10.
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.
Sr. Security Network Engineer at Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357
Offers great bandwidth, speed and performance
Pros and Cons
- "The solution offers great bandwidth and speed."
- "Could use additional programmability for the switches."
What is our primary use case?
I'm a senior security network engineer and we have a gold partnership with Cisco.
What is most valuable?
The valuable features of this solution are bandwidth, speed, low latency, and performance. Those are all features we need for our data center.
What needs improvement?
I'd really like to see more programmability for the switches. We need more Python scripts because what we currently have doesn't cover all the configurations in the switch configuration. It would be helpful to have ASIC fast switching. I'd like higher speed and we're always looking for additional bandwidth.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using this solution for over three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution becomes more scalable as more switches are connected to the ACI fabric. We currently have 2,000 users and this is increasing all the time. We just increase our switches as our users increase.
How are customer service and support?
If there are issues regarding the iOS or something similar, we open a ticket with Cisco tech support and they are very helpful. We're able to deal with most issues ourselves.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is relatively easy although I'd prefer if it were automated. If we have 100 sites and every site has nine or ten switches, it's a lot of work. For a small or medium implementation, it doesn't take long but for the enterprise sites, it takes some time. The initial configuration on one switch takes about 30 minutes.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We pay an annual license fee and there are no additional costs other than when there is hardware failure.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend this solution, it's very dependable.
I rate this solution eight out of 10.
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.
Information Technology Security Architect at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Can be easily configured and used at data centers and at the enterprise level
Pros and Cons
- "It is easy to configure and troubleshoot."
- "Up to a certain network size, it is easy to scale, but after that, it becomes difficult."
What is most valuable?
I have found the ease of configuration and troubleshooting, compared to those with other solutions, to be the most valuable.
What needs improvement?
The number of bugs that come up on Cisco Ethernet Switches can be reduced, and the stability can be improved, in particular with the recent iOS.
The scalability can be improved as well. Up to a certain network size, it is easy to scale, but after that, it becomes difficult.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for almost 12 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of the recent iOS is not good, and every now and then, there are bugs.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is medium, that is, it's neither hard nor easy to scale.
Specifically, it is easy to scale up to a certain network size, but it becomes difficult beyond that.
How are customer service and technical support?
The technical support is very good.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is easy, and the whole switching fabric takes a lot less time to configure and be made ready for deployment.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of this solution is fair.
What other advice do I have?
Cisco Ethernet Switches can be easily used at data centers and also at the enterprise level. However, if you're looking for a solution for a large scale deployment or for a large scale data center, then you should probably consider a different solution.
I would rate Cisco Ethernet Switches at eight on a scale from one to ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Updated: November 2024
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