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Aruba Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024
 

Categories and Ranking

Aruba Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
2nd
Average Rating
8.6
Number of Reviews
80
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
15th
Average Rating
8.0
Number of Reviews
21
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2024, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Aruba Switches is 13.3%, up from 12.7% 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

Michael-Sugg - PeerSpot reviewer
Jun 6, 2022
As a managed service provider, it's important to have a solution that can manage everything from one console
There are some growing pains with Aruba Central. When you first launch the wireless access points or switches, a lot of updates are needed to get Aruba Central ready, especially on the access points, so the initial deployment time could improve. I would hope that I could just turn it on and leave the updates until later on. The switches themselves probably did okay. I'm primarily referring to the wireless access points. There was a lot of back and forth before everything was in sync. It took hours. I can't think of any missing features, but it would be nice if there were a free version of Aruba Central for my small business clients that doesn't have as many features.
Muhammad Aamir Riaz - PeerSpot reviewer
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…

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"There is a feature where you can use Bluetooth. You can set up a Bluetooth pairing connection and do the configuration through your phone."
"We like the framework of fabric virtual switching."
"The most valuable feature is the lifetime warranty."
"Aruba Switches is stable."
"All of the networking products that we use are Aruba, so we use Aruba Central to manage them."
"Aruba Central is valuable."
"The most valuable features of Aruba Switches include the dual control plane, stackable features such as stack V6 and VSF stacks."
"Aruba has a good switching solution. It has some basic security features and full switching features for the company. It’s not used as a security device, but it has some basic features like configuring ACL. However, it cannot be used as a complete security solution. The primary thing our clients look for in Aruba, or HPE now since HP acquired Aruba, is cost-effectiveness. Aruba is a good choice if the customer has budget limitations. We recommend Aruba switches because they are less expensive than Cisco but provide the same features."
"I have found the solution to be scalable."
"I like the solution's technical support. I rate the technical support a ten out of ten."
"The interface is very straightforward."
"All the features are necessary, like tracking evidence and IPS. However, I appreciate the ability to connect the logs and the dashboard functionality."
"An affordable and stable solution for small-medium companies."
"The product is stable."
"It integrates well."
"The most valuable feature is the port analytics."
 

Cons

"Aruba's switches are older so I'd like to see more upgrades. The newer ones may have that built-in. The product could be more user-friendly."
"Aruba Switches don't need licenses to activate features and work straight out of the box, which is an advantage over some competitors. This implies less room for complaints compared with other solutions."
"The initial setup is not easy."
"If we compare Aruba and Cisco at the data center layer, Cisco has its Nexus switch. Aruba provides the new 10000 series, but it does not compare with the Nexus switch."
"The solution must improve the switch models."
"There is room for improvement in the pricing because the Aruba Central licenses add a high cost."
"I think that the performance is getting better but they need to have more powerful switches on the market so that they can capture medium and large businesses."
"It would be good if I could get a 24-port, 10 gig module."
"FortiSwitch should improve the FortiGate map. The diagram cannot move automatically to show the switch. The map does not map the physical location. It cannot move or touch the diagram."
"The UI of the firewall and reporting could be improved."
"We need to understand a bit more about certifications and knowledge for understanding capabilities. The solution should make that more clear to its users."
"The tool is not easy to use."
"When there are many switches being used, the speed declines noticeably."
"The solution could always benefit from more security. It's of critical importance to organizations right now."
"Cisco is better in terms of price, scalability, and ease of management. Regarding resources, they are available in Pakistan to manage these systems."
"With IT products, there is always room for improvement."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The pricing is perfect."
"The price for Aruba is quite a bit cheaper than it is for similar products by Cisco."
"I don't know the exact cost of the licensing, but based on what I have heard from my sales team, Aruba is affordable. Aruba switches are cheaper than the switches from Cisco and other vendors."
"The pricing was still affordable compared to Cisco, which is usually less affordable for most companies. We are using the solution in a school, we need the price to be affordable."
"There is a license required if you want to use wireless controls for micro-segmentation. However, for Aruba Switches there is no license required."
"Aruba Switches are quite cost-effective."
"The pricing for Aruba Switches is definitely expensive."
"Aruba switches work without a license."
"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution, which is expensive."
"The product is less expensive than one of its competitors."
"This solution is expensive but it does not require a license."
"It is reasonably priced."
"The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's."
"Cost-wise, Fortinet solutions are cheaper than those offered by Cisco."
"The solution is not expensive."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Government
8%
Educational Organization
7%
Computer Software Company
23%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Comms Service Provider
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Aruba Switches?
Aruba lives up to the expectations of the tech giant hewlett packard enterprise providing excellent networking capabilities at a very affordable price compared to the equivalent from another tech g...
What needs improvement with Aruba Switches?
The power supplies are generally susceptible to power fluctuations and failure due to these fluctuations.
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...
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...
 

Also Known As

8400 Series, 8320 Series, 5400R Series, 3810 Series, 2930M Series, 2930F Series, 2920 Series, 2540 Series, 2530 Series
No data available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Purdue University
Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Find out what your peers are saying about Aruba Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center and other solutions. Updated: October 2024.
814,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.