Arista Networks Platform vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center comparison

Arista and Fortinet are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Arista is ranked #9 with an average rating of 8.5, while Fortinet is ranked #15 with an average rating of 8.1. Arista holds a 2.5% mindshare in ES, compared to Fortinet’s 1.4% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Arista users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.

Arista Networks Platform

Read 25 Arista Networks Platform reviews

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5,960 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...

Read 21 Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center reviews

1,829 Views
1,365 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Arista Networks Platform

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

Arista Networks Platform and Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center are direct competitors in data center networking. Arista tends to lead in scalability and flexibility, while Fortinet is prominent for its strong security features.

Features: Arista Networks Platform stands out for its outstanding automation capabilities, offering high flexibility for scalable networks. Its programmability and seamless integration are key advantages. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is unparalleled in its robust security features, ensuring access control and comprehensive protection. It integrates well with FortiGate for enhanced security management.

Room for Improvement: Arista Networks Platform could benefit from refining its integration process, which can occasionally be tricky, as well as expanding its telemetry capabilities for even broader metrics. Users may also desire a more intuitive interface. Fortinet FortiSwitch may need improvements in its configuration complexity compared to other vendors and optimizing usability in standalone mode. Maximizing SD-WAN integration could also enhance its offerings. Additionally, broadening compatibility with diverse non-Fortinet products can be valuable.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Arista offers straightforward deployment with a focus on automation, simplifying processes and enabling efficient management. It provides reliable customer support with quick responses to issues. In contrast, Fortinet prioritizes security-focused deployment with detailed steps that could take longer but ensure extensive protection. Fortinet's customer service is specialized, addressing specific technical inquiries effectively.

Pricing and ROI: Arista Networks Platform usually involves a higher upfront investment but delivers a significant ROI by enabling scalability and long-term benefits. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is more cost-effective initially, appealing to budget-conscious buyers, with ROI driven by its security features and resilience. Arista is perceived as a strategic long-term investment, while Fortinet offers immediate cost savings focusing on security ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Arista Networks Platform vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center Report (Updated: October 2024).

Buyer's Guide

Arista Networks Platform vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

October 2024

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Categories and Ranking

Arista Networks Platform

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

9th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Data Center Networking (2nd)

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

15th

Average Rating

8.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2024, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Arista Networks Platform is 2.5%, up from 2.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 1.4%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches

Featured Reviews

MarekSzafrański

Senior Core Network Engineer at Eurofins

Feb 12, 2024

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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Muhammad Aamir Riaz

Senior Manager Security Operation Center at The Bank of Punjab

May 14, 2024

Handles network connectivity between data centers and supports internet applications

We use Fortinet FortiSwitch—Data Center to switch and manage our data centres. It handles network connectivity between them and supports our internet applications All the features are necessary, like tracking evidence and IPS. However, I appreciate the ability to connect the logs and the…

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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

"We find the CloudVision switching feature of this solution really useful."

"It provides telemetry and visibility for many metrics that are not supported by most of the other vendors. Out of the box, no third party solutions are needed."

"The most valuable aspect of Arista Networks products is their ease of configuration, especially when compared to Cisco products. When we implement advanced features for data centers such as BGP EVPN and VXLAN, Arista's configuration process is similar to that of Cisco's process, but at the same time it is simply much easier, clearer, and more understandable."

"Arista Networks Platform is comfortable, easy to deploy, and easy to manage, with non-blocking technology. Additionally, it has a useful CloudVision platform and automation capabilities."

"I find the operational system used by Arista to be very valuable, and the hardware is exceptionally nice. Arista has a unified operational system called EOS that is easy to set up and replicate on other devices. The ease of configuration and transition between devices is a significant advantage for me."

"The solution is very stable."

"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."

"It is very stable. It has good hardware and very stable code. It provides good value for its price. They are a very lean type of organization, so they are very responsive, and they're able to focus more on their platform versus having multiple products out there."

More Arista Networks Platform pros

"It allows us to manage all necessary services, such as data centers, networking, and cybersecurity."

"The initial setup was simple."

"The product is stable."

"SD-WAN and the security fabric are essential features of the product."

"We are able to monitor everything that is happening on our network."

"Based on my use cases, Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center was a great product that was easy to manage and work with while being a powerful tool."

"A valuable feature of FortiGate is its management integrity."

"The single pane of glass that helps us manage everything through FortiManager is the most important feature."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center 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."

"The solution needs to improve their product range."

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

"The product fails to offer functions related to cloud orchestration, making it in areas where improvements are required."

"The solution’s pricing could be better."

"My company does face issues in terms of interoperability when it comes to the product, making it an area that needs to be fixed."

"Something that you will often hear about Arista products is that the price is a bit too high and, like with Cisco, we sometimes have problems with our customers because of its pricing."

"A weakness would be that in our company, we don't have many people within our team who support the product because there are different vendors, and most of them are not tier-one vendors, so the skills required sometimes are just not there."

More Arista Networks Platform cons

"Managing the VLANs is an area where the solution lacks and needs to improve."

"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center needs to improve its UI and stability."

"The FortiSwitch product was initially quite complex."

"The tool is not easy to use."

"The solution could always benefit from more security. It's of critical importance to organizations right now."

"Routing is an area in Fortinet FortiSwitch with certain shortcomings where improvements are needed."

"With IT products, there is always room for improvement."

"Cisco is better in terms of price, scalability, and ease of management. Regarding resources, they are available in Pakistan to manage these systems."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"Arista Networks Platform was cheaper than Cisco. I have heard that the product is affordable for enterprise-sized companies."

"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."

"There is an annual license required to use the Arista Networks Platform."

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

"Arista is very expensive. Not everybody is in a position to spend $70,000 to $80,000 for one switch."

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

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

More Arista Networks Platform pricing and cost advice

"Cost-wise, Fortinet solutions are cheaper than those offered by Cisco."

"The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's."

"The solution is not expensive."

"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution, which is expensive."

"It is reasonably priced."

"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."

"The solution's pricing is a little high. The solution deserves the current price it receives from its users."

"The product has a mid-range price."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

18%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Manufacturing Company

University

Computer Software Company

23%

Government

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

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.

See all answers

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

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

See all answers

What needs improvement with Arista Networks Platform?

A lack of skills across multiple teams is a concern when it comes to Arista Networks Platform. Arista Networks Platform isn't one of the major players. Even though Arista's operating system looks v...

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What do you like most about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?

The initial setup was simple.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?

On a scale of one to ten, where ten is expensive, I would rate the cost as seven. The pricing and licensing specifics are handled by my networking and Alliance teams, so I do not have detailed info...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center could integrate AI capabilities for easier management, accessibility, and configuration, similar to what Juniper offers. Enhancing security on the firewall and th...

See all answers

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Compared 8% of the time

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Compared 3% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Arista Networks Platform

November 2024

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Buyer's Guide

Ethernet Switches

October 2024

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center report

Download Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center product report

Also Known As

7000 Series

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Arista

Fortinet

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.

With 10 or 40 GE access ports and a high-throughput backbone, FortiSwitch Data Center Switches are ideal for the top-of-rack (ToR) server or firewall-aggregation applications. The high-speed switching fabric is also well suited for enterprise network core or backbone network installations.

Sample Customers

American Internet Services

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data

Buyer's Guide

Arista Networks Platform vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

October 2024

Free Report: Arista Networks Platform vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Find out what your peers are saying about Arista Networks Platform vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center and other solutions. Updated: October 2024.

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