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Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs NVIDIA Mellanox 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
7.6
Number of Reviews
22
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
NVIDIA Mellanox
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
20th
Average Rating
7.8
Number of Reviews
6
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 NVIDIA Mellanox is 2.0%, up from 1.8% 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…
Anil Ergunsah - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 20, 2022
Powerful hardware, reliable performance, and advantageous open-source OS
Mellanox Switches are used for spine-and-leaf topology in data center networks for top-of-rack devices, core devices for infinite bands at speed, and EVPN wasteland solutions. They're very good The most valuable features of Mellanox Switches are the powerful hardware and the software is open.…

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."
"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."
"The interface is very straightforward."
"I have found the solution to be scalable."
"The product's most valuable feature is its ability to manage switches from one central point."
"When configuring FortiSwitch with a FortiGate firewall, I can consider all FortiSwitch's ports as a part of the FortiGate firewall."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center's scalability is good."
"All the features are necessary, like tracking evidence and IPS. However, I appreciate the ability to connect the logs and the dashboard functionality."
"It is a very easy-to-use product."
"The most valuable features of Mellanox Switches are the powerful hardware and the software is open. They're using Linux operating system. You can do and install many things, and it performs well."
"The most valuable features of this solution are its functionality."
"From what I've been told, a valuable feature of Mellanox switches is they're quite user-friendly."
"The most valuable features of Mellanox Switches are the size, power consumption, and the vast amount of features."
"The tool is very configurable because it runs on a Linux operating system."
 

Cons

"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center needs to improve its UI and stability."
"The solution could always benefit from more security. It's of critical importance to organizations right now."
"Does not have as many features as other solutions, such as segmentation and analytics engines."
"The FortiSwitch product was initially quite complex."
"Enhancing security on the firewall and the switches, as well as focusing on price segment issues, would make it a better solution for the future."
"Managing the VLANs is an area where the solution lacks and needs to improve."
"They could improve availability and security by detecting and preventing switch attacks."
"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."
"Mellanox Switches were easier before Nvidia bought Mellanox and then their new version of the operating system changed. They started with Ennui, and now they only use Linux. If they returned to their previous CLI it would be a good option for starters. The new CLI is more difficult to use but more powerful than the older one. It has its advantages."
"The configuration is a bit different from Cisco, and therefore, for me at least, there's a bit of a learning curve."
"Mellanox Switches could improve by adding some features that can make it easier for integrating the switches in some managing and monitoring platforms, such as Elastic or similar software for monitoring data with the data center in a more holistic way."
"The scalability is working fine at the moment, but there's always room for improvement. As of right now, I don't know of any improvements to suggest."
"If you compare this solution with Cisco, utilization in Cisco is more popular and it is more friendly."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is not expensive."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."
"The product has a mid-range price."
"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution, which is expensive."
"It is reasonably priced."
"The solution's pricing is a little high. The solution deserves the current price it receives from its users."
"This solution is expensive but it does not require a license."
"Cost-wise, Fortinet solutions are cheaper than those offered by Cisco."
"The pricing is very competitive. The licensing costs are fine."
"It's an open-source solution."
"There is a license to use the switch ports of Mellanox Switches."
"The price of Mellanox Switches is reasonable compared to other solutions. The price and quality ratio was very good. There is a one-time license purchase that is needed."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
22%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Comms Service Provider
6%
Computer Software Company
23%
Manufacturing Company
13%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Government
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

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...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Mellanox Switches?
The solution is affordable. I rate the product’s pricing as two out of ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive.
What needs improvement with Mellanox Switches?
The response time of the support could be faster.
What is your primary use case for Mellanox Switches?
We use the solution to lock switches, storage switches, and border gate switches.
 

Also Known As

No data available
Mellanox Switches, Mellanox SN2700
 

Learn More

 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
CNPC, Korea Consumer Agency, Nutanix, Roxo Systems, StorPool, Atlantic.Net, INFN, StarWind, NYSE Technologies, Creative Consultants, ENKI
Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. NVIDIA Mellanox and other solutions. Updated: October 2024.
815,854 professionals have used our research since 2012.