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Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs HPE Ethernet Switches 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:
 

Categories and Ranking

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
15th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
24
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
HPE Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
9th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
103
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 1.7%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE Ethernet Switches is 2.4%, down from 2.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Rias Majeed - PeerSpot reviewer
Enables easy management of traffic and enhances security
FortiSwitch Data Center allows for centralized management of both Fortinet switches and firewalls from a single interface. This integration makes network management streamlined and secure. Additionally, the controllers are built into the firewall, which enables easy management of traffic and enhances security. Unlike some solutions, a Fortinet firewall is not just a firewall; it also acts as a full-fledged router.
LuisSilva6 - PeerSpot reviewer
Provides ease of management and has an easy initial setup process
Primarily, we use the product for network and VLAN segmentation across our hospitality property. It forms the backbone of our network, providing connectivity to devices like TVs, phones, access points, and even electrical switches within guest rooms The product's most valuable feature is the ease…

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"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."
"What I like about the solution is that it can be accessed anywhere."
"The solution has made configuration and setup very, very easy."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center's scalability is good."
"FortiSwitch Data Center allows for centralized management of both Fortinet switches and firewalls from a single interface."
"SD-WAN and the security fabric are essential features of the product."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center offers flexibility and control over the entire network from a single pane of management."
"It is a stable product."
"HPE Ethernet Switches offer a good return on investment. They offer a lifetime warranty, which is good. Cisco SMB level only declares a one-year warranty, and for the enterprise level, you need to get a service pack, which costs extra."
"The product's stacking technology is stable and works well."
"The most valuable features of HPE Ethernet switches include configuring VLAN trunking and the overall ease of configuration."
"The solution is very stable and easy to use."
"The initial setup of this solution is easy."
"The graphical userface is very good and quite easy to run with."
"I have found the most valuable feature is stability."
 

Cons

"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."
"The solution could always benefit from more security. It's of critical importance to organizations right now."
"The solution’s pricing could be improved."
"With IT products, there is always room for improvement."
"The product must improve the latency in the management center."
"There is room for improvement in customer support and device speed. Sometimes, customer support does not provide prompt assistance, leaving projects hanging."
"The FortiSwitch product was initially quite complex."
"The pricing could be lowered."
"The solution’s licensing could be improved."
"The ability to stack, as well as a unified operating system, would be extremely beneficial."
"We would always be happier if the price were reduced."
"The solution is very comparable to Huawei, however, it could be more scalable. Huawei is easier to scale."
"The quality of the service needs improvement."
"The solution would be easier to set up if its GUI could improve or if it had a wizard."
"The product could always use better technical support."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Cost-wise, Fortinet solutions are cheaper than those offered by Cisco."
"It is reasonably priced."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."
"The product is less expensive than one of its competitors."
"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution, which is expensive."
"The solution is not expensive."
"The product has a mid-range price."
"The solution's pricing is a little high. The solution deserves the current price it receives from its users."
"The price is fair."
"There are no licensing costs for this solution."
"The pricing is very good."
"There are free software updates and there is a lifetime warranty for a few of the switch series."
"Licensing fees are on a yearly basis."
"We have to pay for a yearly license for HPE Ethernet Switches."
"I believe HPE is less expensive than Aruba's and UniFi and that is why certain clients have chosen them as their solution."
"It would be great if certain features, like licensing, were included in the base price of the switches."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
19%
Government
10%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Retailer
6%
Computer Software Company
16%
Educational Organization
8%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
 

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?
The Fortinet switches come with no additional cost as they are open source, with only hardware warranties applicable.
What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?
There is room for improvement in customer support and device speed. Sometimes, customer support does not provide prompt assistance, leaving projects hanging. Additionally, improving the speed of th...
What do you like most about HPE Ethernet Switches?
The solution is very stable and easy to use.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for HPE Ethernet Switches?
When compared to Cisco, Aruba is about 40% cheaper. However, Huawei would be even cheaper than Aruba. We can't compare HPE Ethernet Switches with Huawei directly because of different price ranges.
What needs improvement with HPE Ethernet Switches?
HPE Ethernet Switches have room for improvement in the initial setup and integration process, especially when incorporating them into an existing infrastructure with competitor products. It's a cha...
 

Also Known As

No data available
HP Ethernet Switches
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Emirates Palace Hotel
Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. HPE Ethernet Switches and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
847,772 professionals have used our research since 2012.