Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Reviews

The primary use case of the solution is for campus environments and their offices.

The solution has improved our organization by providing a single pane of glass for managing large networks. The solution improves our operational experience.

What stands out is the effective management and enhanced security provided by the solution's function as an extension of the firewall.

I have been using the solution for one year.

I give the stability a seven out of ten because we have noticed when we hook up phones the switching of ELANs et cetera doesn't work as it should. We have a workaround but we are not pleased with having to do this at the moment. They have a different approach to this method of working. We were used to a traditional environment and transitioning to this new environment requires learning and adapting to a new way of thinking. We haven't fully invested the necessary time and resources to fully understand how Fortinet's solution works. Therefore, we may need to allocate more time and seek guidance from Fortinet to fully understand certain aspects of the solution.

I give the scalability of the solution an eight out of ten.

We currently have 200 people using the solution.

Depending if opportunities arise we will consider expanding this implementation to include remote offices and other locations.

Technical support helps resolve our issues most of the time.

The initial setup is straightforward.

I give the deployment an eight out of ten. There is only one Gate with this and that can sometimes be a limitation, making it feel unusual at times.

I estimate the deployment would take around four hours to complete the process, given that the implementation involves more than ten switches, which is larger than a typical user setup.

The implementation was completed in-house. We are FortiGate-authorized resellers and do all the implementations ourselves.

We have seen a return on investment. The solution is more cost-effective in terms of operational expenses, as it is easier to operate compared to using multiple separate switches.

The solution is expensive but overall the cost makes sense. We acquire the license for a five-year period all at once, rather than incurring yearly license costs.

I give the solution a nine out of ten.

For new users, the only way to get the experience with the solution is by simply using it. The solution is simple and intuitive.

The platform's most beneficial features for network management are its network access control with 802.1X and its integration into the secure fabric.

One of the main challenges was integrating FortiSwitch with FortiGate, as the switches are managed through FortiGate rather than independently.

I have been using Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access for approximately two years.

I rate the overall stability as a nine. We have experienced very few issues, with only one notable problem occurring after an update.

We have three customers using FortiSwitch, each working with around 500 to 1,000 employees. 

It scales easily, but its scalability may not be as extensive as other solutions. I rate its scalability as a seven.

The technical support services at levels one and two could be more helpful, but tier three support is good.

We also work with Extreme Networks, Cisco, Juniper, and API Enterprise.

The installation process was relatively easy but more complex than other switch access products we have used. Some concepts were handled differently than those in our usual products. It took about two weeks for approximately 15 appliances.

For setup and configuration, three people were involved: two engineers and one operator. We follow the recommended software update path and have maintenance windows approximately six times a year, depending on the firmware update schedule.

Operational costs are lower than solutions like Cisco, and deploying new hardware is straightforward. However, smaller setups may find it less cost-effective due to fixed licensing requirements.

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.

The solution has enhanced network security by integrating access control more seamlessly, reducing overhead, and simplifying the network environment by removing the need for interfaces with other vendors.

Its security features are valuable in the health sector in a campus network with numerous components.

I rate it an eight out of ten.

It allows for centralized monitoring and management of all connected appliances, helping to minimize potential internet disruptions. This solution includes features such as IPS, antivirus, and vulnerability scanning. Fortinet is not just a firewall. It is an advanced next-generation firewall that offers comprehensive management capabilities. FortiGate manages the FortiSwitch, and policies created on the FortiGate can be applied across all connected devices. This setup ensures that the internet and internal network environments are monitored effectively. Additionally, FortiGate handles antivirus, EDR, and other security measures to ensure customer protection. It also manages VPN connections.

It is managed. You can create the VLANs and all the VLANs from the FortiGate. The FortiGate manages it, so you don't have to do anything. It also functions as NAC, which is very important. You can manage everything from a single interface.

 The Secure Pack fabric is made of security fabric. You can do many things. You can hook all the other components to be monitored. You can create policies and block certain people from accessing the Internet. You can also block specific websites, which is very relevant. The antivirus is embedded securely in the solution. In some cases, you may need to obtain antivirus from a third party.

FortiSwitch offers eight and 24-port models. They don't have a 16-port model, which can be an issue for some clients. If clients don't need twenty-four ports, they must settle for eight ports. Unfortunately, Fortinet doesn't sell a fifteen-port switch. Another issue with Fortinet is that their warranty is not as long-lasting as that of HPE. HPE offers a lifetime warranty, while with Fortinet, the switch is considered end-of-life after three to five years, and you have to replace it. 

I have been using Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access for ten years.

The solution is stable.

I rate the solution’s stability a ten out of ten.

They have many types of switches. You can even buy a type of switch and stack it. You can make two 40-40 switches work together and manage them from the FortiGate.

I rate the solution’s scalability a nine out of ten.

The technical part is good. You create the ticket and call them, and they'll help you. If you have the training, they can even give you a code. If you are certified with them, that is something interesting.

Positive

The initial configuration is not simple. But when you read the documentation and knowledge bases carefully, it is very possible to make a good configuration that meets the specific needs of the end user.

You have to set up the appliances and add the policy before deploying them. FortiGate also manages the asset access points. It provides a single pane of glass, where everything is centralized. The feature allows you to manage everything, including the FortiSwitch, from the FortiGate. It is secure, providing public security. The FortiGate acts as a central dashboard, managing other devices.

Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access relies on continual advancements in technology. Each FortiSwitch has a dedicated processor and various components that improve over time. Although I haven't tested the latest model, it seems to have new features. However, the older models I have are reliable, with no complaints. Once configured, they operate smoothly without issues. This contrasts with some HPE models, where ports might occasionally fail, requiring immediate replacement. FortiSwitch continues to perform well, but when it reaches the end of its life, it must be replaced. HPE also updates its products, offering new features when a new model is purchased.

They need to define what they want and have a plan. They need to search for a product that can fit in the short and mid-term. When you invest, the minimum should be for five years.

Overall, I rate the solution a nine-point five out of ten.

We use the solution for internal networking in an office environment.

FortiSwitch scans for viruses on the network easily. I was using another firewall, but after Fortinet, I don't use any other.

Fortinet infuses the updates regularly. If you get updated, then you are secured. The updates did not cover all the threats. I use the solution in both the field and the main office. It centralizes everything. We had to dig deeper than the graphs or manually check if that device performed well. You can check the server so that you can access it easily. It provides us with the protection that we need.

Fortinet FortiSwitch is easy to configure and simple to use with support.

The product could have better prices, analytics, and better graphs.

I have been using Fortinet FortiSwitch for two years.

I rate the solution’s stability a nine out of ten.

We have 250 users using this solution.

I rate the solution’s scalability an eight out of ten.

We have used Cisco and Ubiquiti switches. FortiSwitch frees you every time you set the switches or configure them over and over again. It is much better than other solutions.

The initial setup is simple and takes a few hours to complete.

We have achieved 10% ROI.

The solution is reliable and is working well. It has been a generation of investment. It is not very expensive, not much cheaper.

I recommend the solution.

Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

It is a multi-location solution used for security purposes.

The solution's most valuable features are ease of deployment and manageability.

They should enhance the solution's orchestration level. Also, they should integrate it with other Fortinet solutions. In addition, they should improve the cloud features and certain functionalities on the switching front.

I have been using the solution for more than eight years.

It is a stable solution from the security front. But there is still time to say for the switch as they are relatively new in the market. It may take a year or two for us to completely vouch for Fortinet from a switching or a wireless front, but they are working on it.

We have three to four customers using the solution.

The solution's technical support team is good. They provide round-the-clock support. But they need to scale up a bit more to reach the levels of tech support provided by LiveOps.

The solution is very straightforward to use and implement. The deployment takes 30-45 minutes. Once you plug it into the environment and remotely switch to FortiManager, it manages all the infrastructure.

We have to pay for the solution's subscription.

If someone is looking for a stable and cost-effective solution to secure the environment at the gateway, then Fortinet FortiSwitch is the right choice. It has a good lead time, is easy to deploy, and provides fast delivery. Also, locally certified resources are available for implementation purposes.

I rate the solution as a six.

We are using those switches as our main switches on-site. Everything is FortiSwitch, and everything wireless is FortiAP.

The product is very secure. It's enterprise-level. Because we are always upgrading to the latest firmware and stuff, everything is very solid, and our network runs much better than before.

The pricing could be improved, and it could be easier to configure. As Fortinet comes up with different firmware and updates, I am sure these problems will decrease. They will finetune their upgrades and firmware to make upgrading to the next versions easy.

I've used the solution for about two years, and we're using the latest version.

The product is stable and reliable. It's an enterprise-grade switch. If you plug anything into any outlet in the office, it gets connected to a switch, and you'll be able to get analytics.

We used to get issues where people bring in their own devices, and once they get access to a network cable, they just plug into the network point and had access to browse the Internet. Now, even though all ports are connected to switches, you won't get anything if the port is not enabled.

About 500 people at our company use the solution.

We have managed service providers who have support licenses with Fortinet. We normally have a three-year support license with Fortinet, so anything beyond that is good. On-site, we are the first line of support, the managed service providers are the second line, and Fortinet will be the third line, in that order.

Before this, we were using Ubiquiti wireless access points. However, because that was not enterprise-level, the company policy changed that we should only use enterprise-level devices, and Fortinet was chosen over Cisco. We changed all the Ubiquiti access points to FortiAPs and all the switches that used to be HPE to FortiSwitches, and the firewall also is FortiGate so that they'll all work together to get alerts.

The setup is a bit complex, but it works once you get it right.

During deployment, we first deployed the firewalls before we came to the switches and the APs. We were fully set up for the firewalls and switches within three months. After that, it took a week to change all the APs to FortiAPs.

We have a managed service provider, so they are the ones we work with. They manage our backend systems, so they are the ones that did the deployment.

I have seen an ROI. My investment is very good because security is key for us. Our network is secure from the firewall down to the AP, and we have peace of mind.

We signed up for a three-year license for support and replacement. We've had one situation where one switch we were upgrading to the latest firmware failed after I rebooted. Fortinet came in to try and troubleshoot. They tried everything, but it still wasn't working, so they replaced the switch. The pricing is expensive.

We have cloud solutions as well, where we have FortiCloud, a cloud solution around our switches.

I rate the product a ten out of ten for reliability and scalability. It's sometimes a bit difficult to configure. If we want to add another FortiSwitch to uplink on another one, it is difficult to remember where we have to go to tell the other switch to also talk to the FortiLink. However, I am confident that that is a security feature because it means nobody can just get on and do anything. Overall, I rate the product a ten out of ten.

To anyone planning to use the product, we are scaling it to other mining sites as well. Because this is the first location, we've done everything here. Once everything is deployed here successfully, we will scale it onto the other sites. We are ready to install the product onto another site, which we have already put in the firewall. But instead of the switches, we went with the APs first and have deployed about 165 APs. Now, we are waiting for the switches to come in so we can also put in the switches to complete the work. We will then scale from there to the next site.

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. 

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is confusing with too many add-ons. 

I have been using the product for two years. 

I rate the product's stability a ten out of ten. 

My biggest client has around 4000 users. I rate the tool's scalability a seven out of ten. 

I rate the tool's deployment a seven out of ten. It can take around four hours to complete. 

I do the deployment myself. 

I rate the product's pricing an eight out of ten. 

We have small, medium, and enterprise customers for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access. I rate it a nine out of ten. 

The solution helps provide a seamless internet connection.

I can't comment much on the valuable features of the solution since I work in a cargo company that has outsourced its IT operations to another company. I can say that the product is easy to use.

I feel that the product's stability is an area where improvements are required.

I have experience with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access. I use an older version of the solution.

It is a stable solution. Stability-wise, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

I don't know about the solution's technical support since Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is a product that is outsourced to others by our company. The product's technical support is good.

The initial setup of the product was easy.

The solution can be deployed in an hour.

There is another external IT team to take care of the deployment process of the tool since my company is only involved in the action of outsourcing the product to other companies.

The initial setup of the product was managed by one of the in-house teams in the company.

Price-wise, I find Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access to be an okay product. It is not an expensive product.