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Olajide Olusegun - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Team Lead at Atlas Security
MSP
Top 5Leaderboard
Stable, durable, and quick to deploy
Pros and Cons
  • "We can expect Cisco Ethernet Switches to last for years without issue."
  • "Cisco should strive to improve the software for its switches."

What is our primary use case?

All Ethernet switches come in various sizes and capabilities. For example, we can have a 12-port switch, a 24-port switch, or even a 48-port switch with multiple fiber up-links. Additionally, there are different feature sets depending on the brand and model, such as IP services, LAN-based, or IP-based. Stacking is only possible with similar feature sets, which means two 9300 switches may not be stackable, but up to eight of the same model may. Additionally, the iOS and feature set capabilities may differ between the same models. All of the switches are Ethernet, but the features they are equipped with vary, which means they will operate differently. For example, a LAN-based switch will only work at primarily layer 2, whereas IP services works more as a router with features such as NAT, multicast, dynamic routing, QOS, and other additional and advanced services.

Generally, we use the switches to provide LAN access to endpoints (workstations, cameras, wireless access points, IP phones, and so on).

How has it helped my organization?

In most projects awarded to my organization, we used Cisco Ethernet switches.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of the solution is its stability and durability. There is no other alternative solution that is as stable as Cisco Ethernet Switches. We can expect Cisco Ethernet Switches to last for years without issue.

What needs improvement?

We often face issues with Cisco software, and while they do release patches to fix bugs, I believe they need to improve. Huawei, one of Cisco's competitors, is better in this regard. While I'm not a fan of Huawei due to my environment, clients insist on using it because it is cheaper. Despite this, I think Cisco could improve its software. Cisco should strive to improve the software for its switches. To make the switch more user-friendly, Cisco should create a system where a user can simply connect their cable and access the GUI interface without needing to configure the device first on the CLI.

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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For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for nine 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 highly scalable.

How are customer service and support?

We have a good TAC support experience.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of a Cisco switch is straightforward for those who are technically inclined. This is because most Cisco switches are manned, meaning they require some configuration on the command line interface (CLI) before access to the graphical user interface (GUI) is granted. With a basic knowledge of the Cisco CLI, setup should take approximately 20-30 minutes.

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

The pricing is comparatively expensive.

What other advice do I have?

I give the 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.
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PeerSpot user
Tata Medical Center logo Senior IT Infrastructure Supervisor at Tata Medical Center
Real User
Top 10
A stable solution that has useful features and provides excellent technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The tool is stable."
  • "The solution is expensive."

What is our primary use case?

We are a hospital. We use the solution in our endpoints. We have more than 2000 endpoints.

What is most valuable?

The tool is stable.

What needs improvement?

The solution is expensive. It is not cheap.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for 12 to 13 years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have around 3000 users. The tool is used daily.

How are customer service and support?

We get technical support from TAC.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

What about the implementation team?

We have three in-house engineers who deploy the product. We need three people for maintenance.

What other advice do I have?

We are absolutely fine with Cisco products. The product is good, but it is expensive. It will be helpful if it is cheaper. Whenever we order anything, it takes a lot of time to reach us. Overall, I rate the tool 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
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.
Daniyal Khalid - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Solutions Specialist at Google
Vendor
Top 5
A reliable and stable product for endpoint and server connectivity
Pros and Cons
  • "The product is pretty much reliable and stable."
  • "The technical support should be improved."

What is our primary use case?

I use the product for endpoint and server connectivity. I also use it as a core switch.

What is most valuable?

The product is the best in the market. It always works whether the environment is cold or hot. The product is pretty much reliable and stable.

What needs improvement?

The technical support should be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for seven years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the tool’s stability a ten out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of the solution depends on the models. I rate the scalability a nine out of ten.

How are customer service and support?

I have contacted support many times. The support is good, but not that good.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very straightforward and simple.

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

The solution is not too expensive.

What other advice do I have?

If someone uses the solution for the first time, they must know that network design is the most important part. They must pick the right models. Overall, I rate the product 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
Sr. Security Network Engineer at Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357
Real User
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.
PeerSpot user
Cyber Security Consultant at Ukroboronprom
Real User
Easy to use with perfect technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The features that I have found most valuable are that it is easy to use and it has good technical support."
  • "It would be good for Cisco to provide certification to our engineers for our IT infrastructure. Basically to train and certify our engineers."

What is our primary use case?

We built all our ground network on Cisco Switches.

What is most valuable?

The features that I have found most valuable are that it is easy to use and it has good technical support.

We cooperate with local Cisco teams here in the Ukraine. They help us to develop our system and support it.

What needs improvement?

It would be good for Cisco to provide certification to our engineers for our IT infrastructure. Basically to train and certify our engineers.

In the next release I would like to see more training and documentations for our engineers.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for about five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Cisco Switches is a stable product.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Cisco Switches are scalable.

We have 300 users using it and 5 guys from the IT department that support our network.

They are basically all engineers and some programmers.

How are customer service and technical support?

Cisco's technical support is perfect. There is no need to improve anything there.

How was the initial setup?

If we have problems with the setup, we ask the local Cisco team and they help us. We have good cooperation with the local team.

What other advice do I have?

Cisco Switches are very good. They are interoperable with Microsoft solutions, by the way.

On a scale from one to 10, I would rate Cisco Switches about a nine.

I would surely recommend Cisco Switches for other users who want to start using it.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
PeerSpot user
Technical & Pre-Sales Manager at GateLock
Real User
Good technical support for our LAN and routing solution
Pros and Cons
  • "The technical support is good and they respond quickly. I haven't had any problems."
  • "This may be something that they are already working on, but it would be an improvement if they could add a layer of security to layer two and layer three to protect the server and to protect the data."

What is our primary use case?

The primary use case is for LAN networking.

This solution is also used for internet routing in small businesses.

The deployment model we used was on-premises.

What needs improvement?

Lower the pricing to compete with Aruba and HPE.

If they could provide a management solution for all systems then it would be an improvement. They have a product, but it's a license, and I have to pay for it. 

It is difficult to manage one hundred switches in many areas, without having a managing board.

I would like a management product to manage both the small business and the Catalyst.

In my business, I have all of these products and I have to configure them one by one, so the troubleshooting and the monitoring of each can be challenging.

Also with a managing board, it would improve the scalability as it would be easier to handle the traffic and monitoring several users.

This may be something that they are already working on, but it would be an improvement if they could add a layer of security to layer two and layer three to protect the server and to protect the data.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for nine years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This solution is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

This solution is scalable. If I want to add switches to the existing one, I can easily do it. 

How are customer service and technical support?

The technical support is good and they respond quickly. I haven't had any problems.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is not difficult, it's easy.

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

The pricing is reasonable, and for small business it is acceptable.

Aruba and HPE are competitors that have a lower price than Cisco.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this solution a nine out ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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PeerSpot user
ERP / HMIS / EMR Specialist at Fauji Foundation
Real User
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.
PeerSpot user
Office Ohrid at AGENCY FOR REAL ESTATE CADASTRE
Real User
Top 5
Extremely stable, scalable, and easy to deploy
Pros and Cons
  • "Cisco Ethernet Switches have good performance."
  • "The price of the solution has room for improvement."

What is our primary use case?

We use Cisco Ethernet Switches to connect our infrastructure and application communication.

What is most valuable?

Cisco Ethernet Switches have good performance.

What needs improvement?

The price of the solution has room for improvement.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for a couple of years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I give the stability a ten out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I give the scalability a nine out of ten.

We currently have around 5,000 people using the solution. The amount of people is determined by the license we have. To scale up we need to increase our license.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support is helpful.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is not complex. The deployment time depends on the level of setup but on average between two to four days.

What was our ROI?

When the solution is stable and we don't receive any complaints we see a return on investment using the solution.

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

Cisco offers annual and three-year license options.

What other advice do I have?

I give the solution a ten out of ten.

Having a Cisco Ethernet Switch is beneficial when selecting a network environment. It is advantageous to compare all the necessary components from different manufacturers, but ultimately, Cisco covers all the areas that will be necessary for the future.

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
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Updated: February 2025
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