MikroTik Routers and Switches and Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center compete primarily in the networking equipment category. Fortinet FortiSwitch appears to have the upper hand due to its seamless integration and extensive security features.
Features: MikroTik Routers and Switches are noted for their versatility and affordability, offering extensive routing features, a robust firewall, and traffic management without special licenses. Users mention the solution's high performance relative to cost and its flexible configuration capabilities. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center provides comprehensive network visibility, security integration, centralized management, port analytics, and advanced security features through FortiGate.
Room for Improvement: MikroTik requires enhancements in wireless solutions and UI/UX simplification, along with better integration with third-party systems and wireless controller development. Fortinet FortiSwitch needs improvements in UI, specific feature integrations, simplified switch management, and enhanced scalability and troubleshooting.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: MikroTik offers flexible on-premises deployment but lacks direct technical support, with users often relying on community forums. Fortinet FortiSwitch boasts robust on-premises and hybrid cloud deployment options, with more consistent direct technical support, leading to a generally positive customer support experience.
Pricing and ROI: MikroTik is highly cost-effective, appealing to budget-conscious customers by eliminating ongoing licensing fees, leading to significant ROI. Fortinet FortiSwitch, though more expensive, offers value through FortiGate integration, making it a preferred choice for users prioritizing advanced features and security integration.
Technical partners provide responses within a day for any technical queries.
Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved.
When used in a dedicated Fortinet infrastructure, FortiSwitch scalability is better than some other switches, like Cisco, Meraki, or Arista.
The Fortinet switches come with no additional cost as they are open source, with only hardware warranties applicable.
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.
With 10 or 40 GE access ports and a high-throughput backbone, FortiSwitch Data Center Switches are ideal for the top-of-rack (ToR) server or firewall-aggregation applications. The high-speed switching fabric is also well suited for enterprise network core or backbone network installations.
MikroTik Routers and Switches provide all the features necessary for network administrators to secure and monitor their networks and are suitable for companies of any size. The solution is ideal for creating Wi-Fi hotspots, connecting multiple servers, setting up firewalls and VPNs, and distributing bandwidth. MikroTik's user-friendly dashboard helps you interact easily with your hardware. With MikroTik's user interface, you can obtain real statistics by user or IP address and monitor bandwidth consumption.
Benefits and Key Features of MikroTik Routers and Switches
Reviews from Real Users
MikroTik stands out among competitors for a number of reasons. Two major ones are its reasonably priced products and its user-friendly user interface, which makes it easy to work and communicate with its hardware.
Parameshwar P., a director at Navyug Networks, writes, "I like MikroTik's GUI. It's completely handy and easy to handle because of its GUI. Despite other brands like Cisco urging me to switch, I didn't because they don't have a GUI. This is the most comfortable thing in my project that anyone can use easily. It’s effortless to maintain MikroTik routers because both screens make it very easy in GUI mode. You can easily interact with your hardware.”
Rodney T., the chief solutions architect at Tech2go Strategic IT Solutions, says, "They are very good at providing the bandwidth for multi-tenants and multi-dwelling units. We're managing Wi-Fi hotspots for hundreds of locations, and the speed and performance are quite there. They also have very cheap 10G products that come with really good and flexible software. They are way cheaper than the top brands, and they're able to deliver the same performance and capabilities."
A principal consultant at a tech services company notes, "The most valuable aspect of this solution is the combination of value for money. They're extremely cost effective, yet they provide you with an extensive feature set of things you can do across the board. Also, they're pretty reliable, as far as equipment goes."
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