Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs Cisco Nexus comparison

Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs. Cisco Nexus

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch L...

Ranking in LAN Switching

10th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

4.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Cisco Nexus

Ranking in LAN Switching

2nd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.7

Number of Reviews

108

Ranking in other categories

Data Center Networking (3rd)

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches is 4.1%, down from 4.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Nexus is 10.5%, up from 8.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

LAN Switching Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Cisco Nexus	10.5%
Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches	4.1%
Other	85.4%

LAN Switching

Featured Reviews

reviewer2048676

App. Manager at a political organization with 501-1,000 employees

Reliable network access has improved daily connectivity and simplified graphical management

The specific network design is done by another company, and we just manage the access switches, in fact, the local access switches on the LAN. I don't think there is much prioritization in our network for the moment. I don't think that the users see much about it; it's transparent for users. Whether there is a Cisco switch or an Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switch, the user doesn't care. We are not expert users, but we are users for maintaining and keeping the situation alive, not experts of network switch programming. I'm not an expert of the switches to say what's missing. For smaller sites with 10 persons or so, it's sometimes not so easy to choose Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches.

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Fakhar Mahmood

Sr. Network Administrator at i2c

Migration between data centers has strengthened core connectivity and simplified segmentation

The biggest problems during migration were corporate issues, including dependencies on other devices such as F5, HSMs, and firewalls from Palo Alto. Everything was connected over the core switches, which made this a quite difficult part to manage and to onboard the teams and to understand the impact of the migration. We encountered an issue where we have two data centers, and unknowingly we were configuring the devices with the same VPC number on both devices. By doing that, we were not able to terminate the lease lines over those core switches. According to Cisco, we had to change the VPC number of one of the data center's core switches since they are in a VPC. We are still waiting, and it has been more than five to six years just to change the VPC number and migrate back the lease line. Now we are having cabin switches for the lease line and then the core switch. That VPC number issue was quite surprising for us. However, we have a very frequent issue with Cisco Nexus, particularly with the SFPs. Every time a port or the SFP heats up, it gets faulty. We have almost sixteen Nexus switches per data center. In a year, we experience one or two port issues per annum. We have standard Equinix data centers with standard installations, but somehow the temperature is always maintained and there is no ducting, yet the ports and the SFPs heat up or become faulty. This is a very frequent issue with the SFP-based port.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"OmniSwitch LAN Switches' performance is very good."

"These OmniSwitches are very manageable and easy to configure."

"We have been selling for eight or ten years, and the customer is satisfied, and the entire Qatar army project is powered by the Alcatel-Lucent network."

"The most valuable feature is the ease of configuration."

"One of the main advantages of the solution is that the configuration is straightforward, offering various configuration options through CLI or web interfaces. I'm satisfied with the customer service and support. The solution is good and people should know about it."

"With Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches everything comes from one vendor. It operates very smoothly."

"I rate the technical support an eight or a nine out of ten. So far, they've been very professional and helpful, especially when we need to raise a case for any issue."

"Overall, this is a good product and there are many benefits to using Alcatel-Lucent."

More Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches pros

"The most valuable feature is that it is high-density, ten-gig."

"The most valuable features of the solution are capacity and scalability."

"The most valuable feature of this solution is its ease of use."

"The most valuable feature of this solution is that it scales well. It supports a lot of servers. We don't have to come up with different designs for anything. That's the best part about it."

"Cisco has that X factor in their solutions, and specifically with networking, and Nexus is definitely their bread and butter; it is an exceptional solution."

"The seamless integration of Nexus in the data center provides a scalable and stable solution."

"This product has absolutely surpassed our expectation of throughput."

"The most valuable feature is performance."

More Cisco Nexus pros

Cons

"For smaller sites with 10 persons or so, it's sometimes not so easy to choose Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches."

"n general, the way the product is put together is not well done."

"There are some issues with the network firmware being deleted from the switches."

"I would like to see better third-party integration with third-party systems."

"A customer expressed dissatisfaction with the color of the switches, preferring black over the current color, which is close to white. While the color is not a personal concern, my earlier preference was for all products to be extendable in one large stack since some equipment limits stacking to four elements instead of eight."

"There is no OEM support in India so RMAs need to be sent to France, which takes a long time if the hardware is faulty."

"It's a stable solution, but there are a few bugs here and there in it and it would be nice if they weren't there."

"Although with the Nexus line generally, we've had a couple of bad experiences recently. I have a general concern that Cisco Nexus may be declining."

"We have encountered some software bugs."

"There is room for improvement in the pricing. The solution is expensive. Compared to other vendors, it's costly for similar products."

"Currently, the switches don't behave like the 4500 switches in terms of acting as one physical chassis. So the multi-chassis PortChannel feature is not applicable in this case. Nevertheless, virtual port-channel feature covers this."

"We are switching away from this solution because it is too much for what we have."

"Technical support could be better."

"I would like to see some development into the SAE world where you can virtualize. That would be the only thing I would like to see because I need to start virtualizing my infrastructure gear at some of the other data centers that I have."

More Cisco Nexus cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"OmniSwitch LAN Switches are cheaper than Cisco's switches."

"The solution’s price is at a moderate level."

"The license is purchased one time only, it is a perpetual license with no renewal."

"The price is okay. It's comparable to similar switches."

"This is a very expensive product."

"Our licensing fees are paid annually."

"The price of this solution is good when compared to others in the market."

"The solution is relatively expensive when compared with Cisco Catalyst."

"In most cases, there is a need to secure perpetual licenses to be able to use the product. When I set up the product, there isn't just a one-time cost that is involved."

"We have three hundred to four hundred data centers of Nexus. So the coverage associated with Smart Net is 27 by 4, is basically what we spend each year. If the incentives get better, which I know they're working on, it would be great but right now we're buying year to year."

"Costs more than most, but the reliability pays for the difference."

"The licensing fees for this solution are approximately $800,000 USD annually."

More Cisco Nexus pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

18%

Outsourcing Company

14%

Comms Service Provider

12%

Computer Software Company

12%

Outsourcing Company

15%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Construction Company

10%

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	3
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	2

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	19
Midsize Enterprise	17
Large Enterprise	83

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches?

What is your primary use case for Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches?

I still work with Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches. We work with internet switches, but we also use LAN switches from Alcatel-Lucent. All the switches on the sites or across sites are Alcatel...

What advice do you have for others considering Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches?

Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches work well for us. I would rate this solution a 9 out of 10.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Nexus?

Cisco Nexus switches are generally priced at the higher end of the market, but their performance, scalability, and reliability make them a strong option for enterprise data centers. The overall cos...

What needs improvement with Cisco Nexus?

What is your primary use case for Cisco Nexus?

Cisco Nexus is used in data centers with a simple Nexus OS deployment model. In our environment, we do not use programmability with Cisco Nexus. The switches are used very basically in our infrastr...

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Product Reports

Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches

Download Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches product report

Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches report

Cisco Nexus

Download Cisco Nexus product report

Also Known As

Alcatel Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches, OmniSwitch, OmniSwitch LAN Switches

No data available

Overview

Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches offer a single interface for effortless configuration, appealing to users familiar with Cisco or HP, and enabling seamless integration within hospitality.

These switches streamline network management through a user-friendly interface, simplifying operations for hospitality and military applications. Supporting stacking up to eight switches, they enhance scalability and feature robust security. The appealing design of Alcatel APs and simplified management reduce downtime and maintenance efforts, while ensuring high performance in networking environments. Despite room for improvement in third-party integration and regional support, they provide comprehensive IT solutions.

What are the most important features?

Streamlined Configuration: Offers a single interface accessible through CLI or web.
Stacking Capability: Supports stacking of up to eight switches for enhanced scalability.
Security Features: Includes robust security features for network protection.
User-Friendly Design: Features an appealing design and simpler management interface.
Seamless Integration: Provides integration for hospitality and comprehensive IT solutions from one vendor.

What benefits should users look for in reviews?

Scalability: Easily scale network operations with stacking support.
Reduced Downtime: Simplified management reduces downtime and maintenance needs.
Security: Robust security features ensure network protection.
Comprehensive Solutions: Integration provides a one-vendor solution for hospitality industries.
Design Efficiency: Appealing design enhances aesthetic and functional aspects.

Organizations in the hospitality and military sectors commonly employ Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches for network connectivity, access, and security. These switches are typically implemented by solution providers for layer 2 switching in environments for approximately 30 users, with maintenance managed by a few staff. They are essential in networking environments, ensuring seamless operations and high customer satisfaction.

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

Cisco Nexus delivers flexibility, scalability, and performance for data centers, offering stability and ease of management. The integration with third-party security and high port density support are key features, making it ideal for core network infrastructures.

Cisco Nexus stands out in data centers for backbone switching and network management, known for its modularity and Virtual Port Channels. Organizations value its capacity for handling large data volumes and automation capabilities. The system's redundancy features enhance reliability in complex network environments. Despite its strengths, technical support, licensing complexity, and integration require improvement. Users benefit from features like Active/Active FEX connectivity and wish for enhancements in routing support, interface usability, and documentation. Cost concerns and port overheating issues are noted, with calls for better training and simplified configurations.

What are the key features of Cisco Nexus?

Modularity: Enables customization and upgradability.
Virtual Port Channels (VPCs): Offers resilience and high availability.
Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF): Supports routing domains within a network device.
High Port Density: Allows connection of multiple devices in a compact space.
Automation: Simplifies network management and operations.
Redundancy Features: Provides network reliability and uptime.

What benefits and ROI should users expect from Cisco Nexus?

Scalability: Supports growing network demands.
Stability: Offers a reliable operational environment.
Efficiency: Enhances data center connectivity and management.
Security Integration: Works seamlessly with third-party security solutions.
High Performance: Optimizes data handling and throughput.

In enterprise settings, Cisco Nexus is essential for switching, routing, and server connection aggregation. It's integral in spine-and-leaf architectures for scalability in multi-tenant environments, often integrated with hyper-converged technology to ensure reliable, secure server connectivity. Implementations span industries, each leveraging its strength for improved network efficiency.

Cisco

Sample Customers

Advocate Health Care, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Azienda Ospedaliera della Provincia di Lodi, Centre Hospitalier Carcassonne, Certis Cisco Security, China Tianchen Engineering Corporation Co. LTD, City of Frankfurt, Dongseo University

Advanced Medical Transport, Banco de Guayaquil, Baylor Scott & White Health, BH Telecom, Bowling Green State University, Calligaris, Children's Hospital Colorado, City of Biel, Del Papa Distributing, Department of Justice, Dimension Data, Dualtec Cloud Builders, Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Grupo Industrial Saltillo (GIS), Hertz, K&L Gates , LightEdge, Lone Star College System, Management Science Associates, Mindtree, NBC Olympics, Quest, Sony Corporation, The Department of Education in Western Australia, Valley Proteins

Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs. Cisco Nexus