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Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs MikroTik Routers and Switches comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024
 

Categories and Ranking

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
15th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
23
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
MikroTik Routers and Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
6th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
65
Ranking in other categories
Routers (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of December 2024, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 1.5%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of MikroTik Routers and Switches is 4.1%, down from 5.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

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.
AnikIslam - PeerSpot reviewer
Cost-effective protocol support and a straightforward setup with room for login enhancements
In the network operations center, I manage our client's bandwidth. We connect with our clients through BGP and OSPF based on client demands. We also manage routing protocols, policies, internal firewalls, and other details like QE bandwidth, client manage bandwidth management, PoE, PPPoE, and DNS…

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"All the features are necessary, like tracking evidence and IPS. However, I appreciate the ability to connect the logs and the dashboard functionality."
"Configurations between FortiGate and FortiSwitch have to link to each other. We need configuration. The configuration is not like a Cisco switch. It has a unique configuration."
"I like the solution's technical support. I rate the technical support a ten out of ten."
"What I like about the solution is that it can be accessed anywhere."
"The initial setup was simple."
"The interface is very straightforward."
"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."
"It's very user-friendly."
"The most valuable feature is its bandwidth management ability."
"We make use of a script that will automatically re-route traffic when connections are slow."
"We have found this solution is quite robust and there are a lot of features in a small device."
"We have use cases like providing power over ethernet, as an access controller for Wi-Fi, and normal networking."
"The product is very reliable."
"The cost and versatility are the solution's most valuable features. You can do anything with them if you know how to. The solution has a whole portfolio of routing features available."
"The stability is good."
 

Cons

"Does not have as many features as other solutions, such as segmentation and analytics engines."
"The solution can improve by upgrading QSFP+, it is very limited and must be supported more than it is now. If we need FortiSwitches to support all the QSFP ports our budgets would have to be very large."
"We need to understand a bit more about certifications and knowledge for understanding capabilities. The solution should make that more clear to its users."
"There could be more porting software options for easy deployment in the product."
"They could improve availability and security by detecting and preventing switch attacks."
"Managing the VLANs is an area where the solution lacks and needs to improve."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center needs to improve its UI and stability."
"There is room to improve the integration between FortiSwitch and other third-party solutions, as challenges arise when integrating with different vendors."
"They should improve technical support and make direct access available to the customers."
"The initial setup is a bit complex."
"We'd like for them to improve the UI and improve on speed."
"I would appreciate enhancements to impose more restrictions on VPN connections."
"I would like to see some content filtering with MikroTik Routers and Switches."
"The initial setup could be easier."
"The queuing functionality needs improvement. The initial setup could be simplified."
"Wireless throughput has not kept up with the competition."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product has a mid-range price."
"The solution is not expensive."
"It is reasonably priced."
"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution, which is expensive."
"Cost-wise, Fortinet solutions are cheaper than those offered by Cisco."
"This solution is expensive but it does not require a license."
"The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."
"There is a one-time license fee for the use of this solution and it is less expensive than Cisco products."
"The main reason we use this solution is for the price — it's very cheap."
"The pricing of the solution is significantly lower than other solutions. There are no additional costs involved."
"It's reasonably priced. It's not the most cheap solution, but also, it's not the most expensive one."
"MikroTik Routers and Switches' pricing is reasonable."
"The price is affordable."
"There is no licensing fee in addition to the hardware, but we do pay an annual fee for support."
"Here in Bangladesh, MikroTik Routers and Switches cost 90,000 Taka, or converting that figure to dollars is $1,000."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
21%
Government
9%
Comms Service Provider
7%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Computer Software Company
17%
Comms Service Provider
11%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Government
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?
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?
Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved. Sometimes there are bugs when integrating with Sophos and other products.
How do Cisco Enterprise routers compare with Mikrotik routers and switches?
Cisco Enterprise Routers are very stable and easy to use. They offer a very solid performance and are very secure. They also have a very good, long lifespan. We feel the command configuration is ve...
Which are better - Ubiquiti UniFi switches or MikroTik routers and switches?
Ubiquiti Unifi is a great solution. For starters, it is easy to configure and implement, and doesn’t require a learning curve because it is easy to use. It is also simple to reconfigure an AP or ga...
What do you like most about MikroTik Routers and Switches?
The price is a big factor. They are very affordable, and the quality is high.
 

Learn More

 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
ABB, Boingo Wireless, JPL, HP, Allied Telesis, iPass, Mips Technologies, MicroAge, Matsushita, Telia, undp, WFP, NASA
Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. MikroTik Routers and Switches and other solutions. Updated: December 2024.
824,053 professionals have used our research since 2012.