Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 1, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

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

Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.5
Cisco Ethernet Switches customer service is efficient and reliable, though occasionally slow, especially for complex issues.
Sentiment score
7.8
Fortinet's FortiSwitch - Data Center customer service is highly rated, providing reliable solutions, comprehensive documentation, and high customer satisfaction.
It takes two to three days for Cisco support to address issues.
Technical partners provide responses within a day for any technical queries.
 

Room For Improvement

Sentiment score
4.7
Cisco Ethernet Switches are criticized for high costs, complexity, and compatibility issues, with calls for improved support and features.
Sentiment score
5.2
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center needs better automation, integration, UI, enhanced management, improved security, and competitive pricing.
The pricing and hardware warranty renewal costs are more expensive than other products.
Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
8.5
Cisco Ethernet Switches are globally preferred for their resilience, scalability, modular integration, despite cost and configuration challenges.
Sentiment score
8.6
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center excels in scalability and seamless integration, praised for performance and management flexibility in enterprises.
The latest products do not allow integration with the earlier environment.
When used in a dedicated Fortinet infrastructure, FortiSwitch scalability is better than some other switches, like Cisco, Meraki, or Arista.
 

Setup Cost

Sentiment score
5.4
Cisco Ethernet Switches are costly but valued for reliability; competitors like HPE offer cheaper alternatives, influencing budget-focused buyers.
No sentiment score available
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is seen as mid-to-high cost, affordable, offering value without hidden fees or extra licenses.
Cisco Ethernet switches are priced at a rating of nine, indicating they are expensive.
The Fortinet switches come with no additional cost as they are open source, with only hardware warranties applicable.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.9
Cisco Ethernet Switches are praised for their reliability, durability, and stable performance, scoring high in user satisfaction ratings.
Sentiment score
8.3
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is highly stable and reliable, with minimal disruptions, earning strong user satisfaction ratings.
 

Valuable Features

Sentiment score
8.3
Cisco Ethernet Switches are valued for reliability, scalability, power-saving features, advanced security, and efficient management with user-friendly interfaces.
Sentiment score
8.3
Fortinet FortiSwitch enhances network security and management with centralized integration, intuitive interfaces, SD-WAN, and cost-effective solutions.
The Cisco Ethernet switches are sturdy products that do not require any kind of maintenance.
This feature allows the switch's ports to be used as firewall ports, enhancing network security by enabling IPS and network profiling directly on the ports.
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
1st
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
132
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
15th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.6
Number of Reviews
22
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2024, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Cisco Ethernet Switches is 19.3%, down from 20.1% 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

Ronald Van Rees - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers a power stacking feature and enhances port speed with impressive stability
The vendor is presently working with large digital network architectures and additional software, as it is now willing to become a software-focused company instead of a hardware one. Cisco Ethernet Switches presently provide two options, either the user can utilize the basic features or the advanced software. Previously, advanced features were included in the basic package, but now they are provided as add-ons that need to be purchased separately for an extensive period of three or five years. As part of the advanced features in the solution, there is Digital Network Architecture (DNA) that provides insights, multiple dashboards and monitoring capabilities over Nexus and Catalyst switches from Cisco. Sometimes, customers need to buy features for Cisco Ethernet Switches that they do not require or use. The basic switches like the C1000 from the vendor don't have the DNA feature, but advanced version switches like Cisco Ethernet Switches have made the add-on purchases mandatory to avail certain features, which makes it difficult for several users.
Muhammad Aamir Riaz - PeerSpot reviewer
Handles network connectivity between data centers and supports internet applications
Thanks to the availability of a graphical user interface, installing the switches is not complicated, and configuring them is easier. The time required for deployment depends on the specifics of your project. Setting up a new data centre will generally take less time than migrating from other hardware. Migrating involves replicating the configuration of your existing environment, which can extend the time needed. To deploy the solution, you typically need support from a Fortinet engineer. Additionally, depending on your data centre, you might need about two to three other personnel.
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Ethernet Switches solutions are best for your needs.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Comparison Review

it_user82779 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jan 29, 2014
Benefits of Juniper vs Cisco
Both are decent products. I prefer Juniper for the following reasons: 1) Cleaner separation of data plane from control plane. Higher end Cisco devices are better at this but most of the lower end products still seem to be more integrated than I like. 2) The Hierarchical config design means I can…
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Computer Software Company
22%
Government
9%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Comms Service Provider
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

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 ...
Which would you choose - Fortinet Fortiswitch secure access or Cisco Ethernet Switches?
We researched Cisco but ultimately chose Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access, mostly because of the price. Fortinet FortiSwitch is an ethernet switch solution that provides security and performance...
In terms of ethernet switches, would you go with Cisco or Juniper?
Our organization ran comparison tests to determine whether Cisco or Juniper Ethernet switches were the better fit for us. We decided to go with Juniper. Juniper ethernet switches are a lesser-known...
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

Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches
No data available
 

Learn More

 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Linz AG
Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center and other solutions. Updated: October 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.