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Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024
 

Categories and Ranking

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
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secu...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
5th
Average Rating
8.2
Number of Reviews
45
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2024, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 1.4%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is 6.2%, up from 6.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

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…
Volodymyr Khorenzhyi - PeerSpot reviewer
Feb 2, 2024
Offers strong integration with FortiGate solutions and can manage them both from a single FortiGate console
It's mainly just a distribution switch. I just needed one, whether it's part of the Fortinet suite or not. What I actually use in this deployment are Forti APs (Fortinet Access Points). So, I can see all my office infrastructure from a single console, which is handy. One FortiGate, one FortiSwitch, and five access points, everything under good control. It's really nice to see it all together like this. The integration report benefits our organization with regard to its security ecosystem. FortiSwitch is designed to work seamlessly with FortiGate. While it can operate independently, its true potential lies in integration with FortiGate. I would rate the ease of management a seven out of ten, with ten being excellent.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"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."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center's scalability is good."
"The single pane of glass that helps us manage everything through FortiManager is the most important feature."
"The interface is very straightforward."
"What I like about the solution is that it can be accessed anywhere."
"It integrates well."
"All the features are necessary, like tracking evidence and IPS. However, I appreciate the ability to connect the logs and the dashboard functionality."
"The initial setup was simple."
"Integration is good, as well as price and technical support."
"It works really well, I think the equipment is solid, and the help is great."
"The product is a total solution with the FortiGate, switch, and access point. It is integrated with FortiGate, allowing us to manage all the equipment through it. You can handle everything from a single point."
"I would rate the the ease of management and scalability within our network architecture an eight out of ten, with ten being best."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has good scalability."
"I rate Fortinet support 10 out of 10. Their support is excellent and inexpensive. They respond immediately."
"What I really love in FortiSwitch: its usability, the graphical user interface, and the ability to be managed by FortiGate."
"I can say that the product is easy to use...The initial setup of the product was easy."
 

Cons

"They could improve availability and security by detecting and preventing switch attacks."
"The solution could always benefit from more security. It's of critical importance to organizations right now."
"Fortinet could have the ability to authenticate users like Aruba offers because managing ten or twelve SSIDs for different clients is complicated."
"The solution’s pricing could be improved."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center needs to improve its UI and stability."
"Before using FortiSwitch, you need several certifications."
"When there are many switches being used, the speed declines noticeably."
"Routing is an area in Fortinet FortiSwitch with certain shortcomings where improvements are needed."
"We've had some issues with Layer 3 FortiSwitch. We can deploy the device in the cloud. However, we can't deploy this solution in complex environments easily."
"In Fortinet, the packet reconstruction in the SD-WAN solution needs a little bit of improvement. When it comes to the Secure Access to the switches or the mix of Fortinet solution, the very small ones do not have the capability to use fiber cables. So, the small FortiGates have to work with the copper cables and cannot use fiber cables. Even though they have the capacity and throughput on all technical connectors, they don't have the interfaces, which is one of the good things with Cisco. They just add models to it. You buy the independent models, and you add them."
"FortiSwitch requires periodic firmware updates. It can be a little difficult because the switches aren't connected to the internet, so you cannot upgrade the firmware remotely. You need to go to the site and do it manually because it's a closed network."
"I believe that stacking, a feature that is available in Huawei and Cisco, is not available in Fortinet products."
"FortiSwitch offers eight and 24-port models. They don't have a 16-port model, which can be an issue for some clients."
"The solution doesn't support other switches."
"The solution has SD-WAN but it doesn't have SDN. This should be added."
"The tool should improve its CLI."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product has a mid-range price."
"This solution is expensive but it does not require a license."
"It is reasonably priced."
"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution, which is expensive."
"The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's."
"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 solution is not expensive."
"It's affordable and there are no additional costs, just regular support, and license fees."
"The pricing is cheap and only a yearly licensing cost needs to be paid."
"Licensing is billed annually and contracts are either one or three years in length."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access requires a license and the price is expensive."
"We have to pay for the solution's subscription."
"Price-wise, I find Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access to be an okay product. It is not an expensive product."
"The solution has reasonable pricing. The firewall costs around 500$ annually."
"The product is costly for SMB customers compared to other brands available in the market."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
23%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Comms Service Provider
6%
Computer Software Company
16%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
9%
Financial Services Firm
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

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...
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?
The product pricing seems to be mid-range. The licensing structure is not uniform and can be difficult to understand. I rate the pricing around five or six out of ten.
 

Learn More

 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

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