Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches comparison

Arista Networks Platform vs. Cisco Catalyst Switches

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Categories and Ranking

Arista Networks Platform

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

14th

Ranking in Data Center Networking

2nd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

7th

Ranking in Data Center Networking

1st

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

173

Ranking in other categories

LAN Switching (1st), AV Over IP Switching (1st)

Featured Reviews

MarekSzafrański

Senior Core Network Engineer at Eurofins

Affordable for enterprise-sized companies

Speaking about whether the product enhanced our company's data center scalability, I would say that it was a solution that was used in a banking company, where it served as a replacement for Cisco. Though Arista Networks Platform is similar to Cisco IOS CLI, I feel that the former product offers better prices compared to the latter tool. Arista Networks Platform office is more efficient at a lower cost. I recommend the product to those who plan to use it. The tool is stable and cheaper than Cisco. I would say that Arista Networks Platform is 100 percent compatible with the existing infrastructure in my company. The impact of the tool's network telemetry on our company's troubleshooting practices was just good for the scope for which I need the product. I rate the overall tool a nine out of ten.

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SameerBali

Network Architect at Syriatel Mobile Telecom

Reliable and stable catalyst switch; can be easily installed

I like Cisco Catalyst Switches because most of the time, we can do what we want with the product. Cisco has good guidelines that enable us to implement anything, so we can have a multiple ability product on most of the network equipment worldwide. Cisco has communities or forums that help us implement more complicated areas in terms of network, so in addition, Cisco is not just a network equipment company, because they provide us most of the solutions, development, protocols, and new technologies, more than any other company in the world. I also like the availability of Cisco Catalyst Switches, including scalability and reliability. You can find all these in this product.

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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

"The platform is easy to scale."

"Arista's customer service is excellent."

"The solution is scalable."

"Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten."

"It's an extremely reliable platform for the network switches we use."

"Arista Networks Platform has a feature that helps with monitoring and management."

"I like the spine as a leaf model and low latency. The hardware is robust and meets expected latency in all environments, mainly if you belong to the media or trading industry. For multicast-based solutions, Arista is number one."

"If someone uses Arista Networks Platform, I believe they are secured."

More Arista Networks Platform pros

"Since Cisco Catalyst Switches don't go online, they are secured."

"We find the product very easy to configure."

"It can be expanded."

"The solution highly scalable."

"The solution is easy to use."

"These switches are flexible and user-friendly."

"The product is reliable."

"We heavily use the SmartPort features. It has really helped us. The U.S. policies are handled by the auto SmartPort feature"

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pros

Cons

"They need to enhance their code and their EOS. They need to improve some security features, and there are quite a number of bugs in their system. So, they need to work on that piece. In the next release, we need to have a modular feature. Instead of providing an integrated solution, they should go for something modular. They need to come up with modular highly scalable models. Even at the chassis layer, I want to see some improvement."

"A smoother transition between ISPs during failover would improve the user experience by reducing unnecessary notifications and interruptions."

"The solution is a bit pricey."

"The solution needs to accommodate new features."

"Arista Networks is currently less popular as they were initially more focused on data centers than campus networks. They should expand further into campus networks."

"They should have a more stable code."

"The stability of this solution needs to be improved as part of the next upgrade."

"The intent-based networking management, together with the provider of these solutions that are already free, would be beneficial."

More Arista Networks Platform cons

"The solution was stable 10 years ago, there is room for improvement in this area."

"Cisco should support all of the features that are included with the suite."

"An area for improvement would be the high price."

"Their price should be cheaper. We lose a lot of work because of the price that they have."

"We need to rely on other devices to provide management features."

"I would like to see a graphical user interface for the configuration."

"Currently, Catalyst is completely proprietary with Cisco. They should have programmability options, through open-source controllers."

"It would be good if Cisco Catalyst Switches could align maintenance with one version."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Specific tools definitely require a license for the subscription. But we are not using these tools in our environment. In terms of licensing, you need to spend approximately $10,000 per month."

"The customer price for an Arista router is approximately $7,000 USD, while Cisco's is around $18,000."

"The price of the Arista Networks Platform could be less expensive for the hardware and license."

"Network devices are generally expensive. However, during the evaluation, Arista was the most inexpensive vendor."

"Cost wise, Arista Networks Platform is more expensive than other networking solutions."

"I rate the product price a seven on a scale of one to ten where ten is high price and one is low price."

"It is pretty pricey for a networking platform. It is on par with Cisco."

"If one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the product price as seven out of ten."

More Arista Networks Platform pricing and cost advice

"The cost of Cisco switches is a little more expensive than the competition. However, as the saying goes, "you get what you pay for." If you want a reliable solution and other benefits, Cisco Catalyst Switches are worth the money."

"The general price of the solution could be cheaper."

"There needs to be some improvement with the Cisco DNA licensing activation process, it is difficult at the moment."

"You don't have to pay any additional costs while using the product."

"The price should go down instead of up. "

"It is expensive."

"The price for Cisco Catalyst Switches is not cheaper than other solutions."

"There is no licensing fee. All of the features are available on the switch from day one."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pricing and cost advice

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824,154 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

18%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Manufacturing Company

University

Educational Organization

63%

Computer Software Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Arista Networks Platform?

Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Arista Networks Platform?

Compared to Cisco, Arista routers are significantly cheaper. The customer price for an Arista router is approximately $7,000 USD, while Cisco's is around $18,000.

What needs improvement with Arista Networks Platform?

Arista Networks is currently less popular as they were initially more focused on data centers than campus networks. They should expand further into campus networks.

Would you recommend replacing a Cisco Catalyst Switch by a D-link one?

Hello Mesfin It depends on the real scenario, the cisco 2960 is a very good device and they usually have routing functions but there are many different models within the same 2960 line, and on the ...

What do you like most about Cisco Catalyst Switches?

We are a vendor for the healthcare sector, especially hospitals, and normally, we use a full Cisco solution for stability, especially for the stability of the Access Points and the security of swit...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Catalyst Switches?

Cisco Catalyst Switches are quite pricey.

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Product Reports

Arista Networks Platform

Download Arista Networks Platform product report

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Download Cisco Catalyst Switches product report

Also Known As

7000 Series

Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst

Learn More

Arista

Cisco

Overview

Arista Networks Platform is a stable and reliable solution for data center features, specifically for non-blocking switches used for spine-leaf connectivity with servers hooked to these switches. It also provides multi-layer switches for client networks, particularly in the banking sector.

Arista products are preferred for their stability, good hardware, ease of adoption and configuration, responsive and helpful support, and high throughput ratings. The solution has helped prevent screen loss and business outages in the media industry and is designed for next-generation data centers.

Cisco Catalyst Switches are a reliable and scalable network switching and routing solution, focusing on VLANs and VLAN switching. They are used as access switches, distribution switches, and core switches in various environments, deployed on-premises, and used for long connections. The switches are easy to configure, install, and upgrade and offer good pricing.

The most valuable features include warranty and firmware support, stability, security, good performance, flexibility, etc. The Cisco Catalyst Switches have provided a stable solution for the organizations and are widely used, trusted, and well-known in the networking industry.

Sample Customers

American Internet Services

Afni, Anilana Hotels and Resorts, Baylor Scott & White Health, Beachbody, Bellevue, Del Papa Distributing, Explorer Pipeline, Mindtree, Omaha World Herald, Radio 538, Sony Corporation, Telecom Italia, Telenor Arena

Arista Networks Platform vs. Cisco Catalyst Switches