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Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

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

ROI

Sentiment score
8.0
Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches are valued for stable, cost-effective performance with ROI generally recovered within seven years.
Sentiment score
7.9
Fortinet FortiSwitch offers cost-effective, secure network access with ROI benefits, though less ideal for smaller setups due to licensing.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
5.8
Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches' support is praised for professionalism, but response times vary, especially for live regional support.
Sentiment score
6.8
Fortinet FortiSwitch support is inconsistent, with mixed reviews on response time and depth compared to industry leaders.
They were easily reachable for technical support in our last project.
I rate Cisco's technical support at eight out of ten.
It's a potential area for improvement, possibly in terms of response time or quality.
My local support is working fine, and I have my connection with my account manager in the public company of Fortinet.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
6.7
Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches excel in scalability for SMBs but are less suitable for large enterprises due to feature limitations.
Sentiment score
8.0
Fortinet FortiSwitch offers adaptable network solutions, ideal for varying enterprise sizes, but pricing may limit large-scale scalability.
For enterprise solutions, it's extendable easily with options for edge connectivity or stackable devices.
You just need to connect another switch or replace the current one, and it integrates well with the existing setup.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.5
Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches are praised for their stability and reliability, though some users note occasional connectivity issues.
Sentiment score
8.7
Fortinet FortiSwitch is considered stable, secure, and reliable, with minor configuration issues and room for improvement.
The stability has been good overall.
I would give it a nine out of ten for stability.
 

Room For Improvement

Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches need better pricing, support, manageability, automation, security, user-friendly GUI, and regional support improvements.
Fortinet FortiSwitch needs pricing, manageability, support, integration improvements, and enhanced features to effectively compete with HP and Cisco.
There should be an improvement in Cisco's response time and overall competence.
I would like Cisco to improve their technical support.
The introduction of AI integration could be valuable for detecting abnormal traffic directly on the switch.
 

Setup Cost

Cisco Linksys Switches are reliable, high-performing, and scalable, though pricier than competitors but considered worth the investment.
Enterprise buyers view Fortinet FortiSwitch as a mid-priced solution, cheaper than Cisco but costlier than Huawei, with complex licensing.
Pricing can be high when compared to other solutions in the market.
It has increased by about two hundred percent over the past three years.
 

Valuable Features

Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches are cost-effective, reliable, user-friendly, and secure, with dynamic features and lifetime warranty for diverse applications.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access integrates with FortiGate for centralized control, robust security, and efficient network management and access.
Cisco is trusted by most broadcast customers for data centers due to their experience and knowledge.
Some of the most valuable features of Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches include their security features.
The powerful integration capabilities allow us to manage all devices from a single interface through the firewall.
One of the main features is the integration with FortiGate.
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Linksys Ethernet Swit...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
10th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
75
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secu...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
5th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
47
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches is 3.0%, up from 2.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is 5.5%, down from 5.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Hakan Pehlivan - PeerSpot reviewer
Enhanced broadcast management with trusted support and intuitive interfaces
Cisco is the best on the Metro Solution side and also strong in the broadcast sector. Cisco and Arista support the IP standard, which is more in demand nowadays for TV broadcasting. Cisco is trusted by most broadcast customers for data centers due to their experience and knowledge. Cisco Linksys switches offer ease of management and experience, especially for engineers holding CCNA certificates. The functionalities and measurements are similar across switches, but Cisco offers a useful web interface.
SherifAbdelrahman - PeerSpot reviewer
Efficient integration allows streamlined network management with a straightforward setup
I use it for retail business. We are using the FortiSwitch solution for our voice switches and access points as well It has helped us by providing easy management from a single platform through the firewall interface. It's very easy to manage and provides all the insights and vulnerabilities,…
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Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Ethernet Switches solutions are best for your needs.
838,713 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
12%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Healthcare Company
7%
Computer Software Company
15%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches?
Regarding pricing, I take the cost of Cisco Linksys Ethernet switches into consideration.
What needs improvement with Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches?
I would like Cisco to improve their technical support, and I have encountered challenges with Cisco Linksys switches. Additionally, I would like to see improvements in overall solution features in ...
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...
What do you like most about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?
With FortiSwitch, you can easily identify who is connected to each port, disable ports as needed, and retrieve configurations from FortiGate when required.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?
Currently, I don't have an opinion about the price as I focus on implementation and am not informed about pricing in comparison to other vendors.
 

Also Known As

Linksys Ethernet Switches
No data available
 

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 Linksys Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access and other solutions. Updated: January 2025.
838,713 professionals have used our research since 2012.