I like the VLAN setup of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access.
System Consultant at I team
Delivers ethernet solutions with good scalability and stability; easy to set up and offers good technical support
Pros and Cons
- "Stability and scalability for this product are very good. Setup is easy and deployment can be completed within minutes. The technical support for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is good."
- "It would be easier if Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access could be managed via cloud, and this is something that could be improved in this product. Bandwidth display could also be better."
What is most valuable?
What needs improvement?
It would be easier if Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access could be managed via cloud, and this is something that could be improved in this product.
In the next release of this product, it would be great if they could display or show the bandwidth in a better way.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access for eight years, and I've used it in the past 12 months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is very good.
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
815,854 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has very good scalability.
How are customer service and support?
I have experience contacting the technical support team of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access, and if I were to rate them with five being the highest, I'm rating them four out of five.
How was the initial setup?
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is easy to set up. It only takes minutes to deploy this product, because it is mostly boxes.
What other advice do I have?
I'm using Fortinet, and I'm working mostly with FortiGate. They have a lot of programs. I also have experience with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access.
I have experience with versions 6.4 and 7.0 of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access.
The number of users we have for this product, including the users of our customers, total to 3,000.
We're not using a licensed version of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access. You can buy it, but that's mostly for maintenance.
I'm giving Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access a score of eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
vice president at IMP Solutions
Offers better insight into what's going on in our customer's network
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature would be network management, separating the network management component from security. It can do both but we promote it on its own. It's a good solution to do network management."
- "It could be simpler but compared to the competition, it's not so bad."
What is our primary use case?
Our customers use Secure Access to capture log files of many different vendors out there. They're looking at their network, wireless servers, and anything that can capture log files. It seems to be one of the more cost-effective solutions.
How has it helped my organization?
It offers better insight into what's going on in our customer's network and faster resolution for issues that are happening. It helps our customers find out what's going on.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature would be network management, separating the network management component from security. It can do both but we promote it on its own. It's a good solution to do network management.
Secure Access is a strong platform. It's very user-friendly.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have around two years of experience with FortiSwitch Secure Access. We deploy it 80% on-prem.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is pretty good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability is also pretty good. Our clients are generally SMB.
How are customer service and technical support?
I would give their support an eight out of ten.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is somewhere between straightforward and complex. It takes just a couple of days to a few weeks depending on what you're doing.
It could be simpler but compared to the competition, it's not so bad.
What other advice do I have?
I am a big supporter of Secure Access.
I would rate it a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
815,854 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Network Team Lead at Atlas Security
Easy to deploy and scalable switches that provide LAN access to endpoints and users
Pros and Cons
- "Deploying the solution is a breeze, even a novice can do it."
- "I believe that stacking, a feature that is available in Huawei and Cisco, is not available in Fortinet products."
What is our primary use case?
We use FortiSwitch in conjunction with a FortiGate Firewall, as it simplifies the configuration process. The firewall will push all the configurations via the FortiLinks to the switches, meaning that we don't need to configure them separately. This is particularly useful for customers who require the use of a FortiGate Firewall. FortiSwitch can be used to connect various endpoints, such as cameras, workstations, IoTs, WAPs, IP phones, and doors, as well as servers to the network infrastructure.
How has it helped my organization?
We use FortiSwitch a lot in the UAE and have not had any critical issues with the switches.
What is most valuable?
Deploying the solution is a breeze, even a novice can do it. All we need to do is use the web browser, and we can configure all our servers. The licensing is also straightforward and easy to understand. The graphical user interface is very user-friendly, so we don't need to be tech geniuses to use the solution.
What needs improvement?
I believe that stacking, a feature that is available in Huawei and Cisco, is not available in Fortinet products unless when managed by FortiGate. Adding stacking would be beneficial if Fortinet could incorporate it into their switches.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for a few years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
We have approximately three big clients (with approx. 10,000 users) who are utilizing Fortinet switches.
How are customer service and support?
When we encountered a FortiGate Firewall that had expired, our client asked for a new license. The response from their support team was incredibly fast, and we were able to get the license right away with the client present. Their support was nice.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is easy. The solution comes with a default IP address and we only have to enter it in the web browser to connect.
Deployment was not difficult, depending on the size of the environment. For a single switch, it could take around two to three hours to complete. Overall, it was a straightforward process.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is cheaper than Cisco but more expensive than Huawei.
What other advice do I have?
I give the solution an eight out of ten.
Having the opportunity to use the entire Fortinet ecosystem, will make our life much simpler. As opposed to buying separate vendor products, with Fortinet we can use FortiNAC, Fortinet Access points, FortiSwitch, and FortiGate. This will save us time and effort and we can rest assured that Fortinet is always looking to provide great customer support.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Infrastructure Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
The solution's setup is easy but needs improvement in CLI
Pros and Cons
- "The tool's setup was very easy."
- "The tool should improve its CLI."
What needs improvement?
The tool should improve its CLI.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with the product for three months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate the product a nine out of ten.
How was the initial setup?
The tool's setup was very easy.
What was our ROI?
We have seen ROI with the tool's use.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The tool's pricing is fine.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Security, infrastructure and networking engineer at Abetelnet Solutions
Provides security access and can integrate with FortiGate with good policies
Pros and Cons
- "The policies are very good."
- "We've had some issues with Layer 3 FortiSwitch. We can deploy the device in the cloud. However, we can't deploy this solution in complex environments easily."
What is our primary use case?
FortiSwitch is a great solution. It provides security access and can integrate with FortiGate. We use the devices for health environment for some companies who need to be secured.
What is most valuable?
The policies are very good.
What needs improvement?
We've had some issues with Layer 3 FortiSwitch. We can deploy the device in the cloud. However, we can't deploy this solution in complex environments easily. Sometimes, it can be challenging because configuring it for Layer 3 operations requires additional expertise and configuration.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Fortinet FortiSwitch as a partner for over a year.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
How are customer service and support?
The customer service is pretty good and fast.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The solution is easy to deploy. Depending on the environment, it takes one to two days to complete. One to two network engineers can deploy the solution. I rate the deployment a nine out of ten.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The product is expensive than other vendor.
What other advice do I have?
A couple of engineers are there for solution’s maintenance.
I recommend the solution. Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Last updated: Jun 18, 2024
Flag as inappropriateSenior Network Engineer at Netcotech
Valuable connections from other devices to the solution
Pros and Cons
- "My advice those using a firewall Fortigate is: use their APs because they work very well."
- "In the next release, I would like to see more outdoor products."
What is most valuable?
The feature I value most is the connection from other devices to the Fortigate, so you can manage them from the Fortigate device. You can also use the cloud to manage them and for protection. They know how to talk well to the firewalls.
What needs improvement?
In the next release, I would like to see more outdoor products. It would be great if the APs and the physical box could be weatherproof.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Fortinet for years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate the stability of this solution a 10, on a scale from one to 10, with one being the worst and 10 being the best.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I would rate the scalability of this solution a 10, on a scale from one to 10, with one being the worst and 10 being the best.
How was the initial setup?
I would rate the initial setup a nine, on a scale from one to 10, with one being the worst and 10 being the best.
What other advice do I have?
My advice those using a firewall Fortigate is: use their APs because they work very well.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Director at REDCO
Has a nice interface, but is hard to configure
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is easy to scale."
- "I would like Fortinet to make this product easier to configure."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution for our physical site. It is only for switches without secure access.
What is most valuable?
FortiSwitch Secure Access has a nice interface.
What needs improvement?
Personally, I don't really like this product.
Fortinet FortiSwitch is oriented to secure, not for switching. Solutions like Cisco, Ruckus or Deeplink have more options to configure. With Fortiswitch you need to configure with the controller without many options. This means you have to deploy too many. It requires you to configure the solution, such as voice IP and then turn around the LLDP. The quality of voice is very manual.
Cisco and other vendors you can interface for a range between one and 48 ports, with Fortigate you need to do one by one. When working with 96 ports, I need to change them one by one, making it very manual to configure.
I would like Fortinet to make this product easier to configure.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access for one month.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is easy to scale.
How are customer service and support?
Fortinet's customer service is good.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing for Fortinet FortiSwitch is not expensive. We have an annual contract.
What other advice do I have?
If someone is looking at this solution for switching, I would recommend it. On a scale from one to ten, I would rate it a nine.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
Systems Engineer at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Easy to use, good network visibility, and is able to isolate compromising devices, but the network management needs improvement
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is that I can completely isolate devices that are compromising the network."
- "I don't like the way it's managed."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution for access-level connectivity for phones and computers. Using it as an access point to connect to the switches directly for their POE.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is that I can completely isolate devices that are compromising the network.
I get all of my analytics from the FortiGate point of view. I have FortiGate, FortiAnalyzer, and FortiManager for all of my analytics. The analytics are collected from the switch and everything that is connected to the switch. I get a physical view of every single device that is connected to every point in my network.
I love the view, because I know which computer is connecting to what access point, as well as which computer or node is connecting to what switch and to what port.
What needs improvement?
I don't like the way it's managed. For some of the smaller switches that we have, I was not able to log into it and manage it. I am not sure if it is something that I am missing or something that I am not doing correctly or if this applies to all switches.
It had to be managed through the FortiGate firewall appliance, which to me is one of the downsides.
I am not sure if they have management outside of FortiGate itself.
The switches should have the capability to be managed without having to connect to FortiGate. You might have clients who are using Cisco or other solutions who would have to use FortiGate at the access level but won't be able to log in into the switch, then it would be completely useless to them and it becomes unmanaged.
There is no console port and nothing in the default IP that could help with this issue. I checked online and there was nothing available.
The dashboards are easy but a bit cloggy. The more switches that you connect the more cloggy it becomes.
For how long have I used the solution?
We started using this solution three months ago.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This solution is stable. I love it!
I don't have to do anything. I can just see it from the FortiView, and I can point it out.
I never have issues. I don't even need to do many analytical watches, it makes life very easy.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This solution is scalable. We are a small site running only three switches, but from what I have heard, it's pretty easy to scale because of the looping feature. It uplinks and can automatically be used from your management console. I haven't done a big system, so I don't know what that would be like.
My entire company is running on Fortinet, and we have two people managing the entire environment for over forty users.
How are customer service and technical support?
Fortinet support is fantastic, except for the morning hours. Morning hours, my time, they are very slow. I am GMT+3. Anything after three in the afternoon is very fast.
The support is generally fantastic. You can call them or write to them and they always give you a solution.
The KB online is on point.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously we were with Cisco, but we were already using FortiMail and received the distribution for Fortinet. We purchase Fortinet firewalls.
The firewall and the mail were already working for us, so we thought that would just do everything with Fortinet. Then we can use our company to demonstrate what Fortinet has to offer.
We have multifactor authentication running on Fortinet, FortiAnalyer, and FortiManager.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward, it was pretty easy. Anyone can do it.
It took fifteen minutes to deploy.
What about the implementation team?
I implemented this solution and did not use an integrator or a vendor.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's affordable and there are no additional costs, just regular support, and license fees.
What other advice do I have?
I am working on a roadmap to ensure that everything is running on a Secure Access and not just from the switches. I am currently working on introducing SSO and Active Directory. It's going to be extensive, where everything will be running on a secure level.
This solution is affordable, it makes sense, and it's easy to manage so it saves you time in both practice and in technical training. You don't have to train anyone to work with Secure Access. If you are going to invest in training, just invest in the training for FortiGate. After that, your environment is good to go because everything else is self-explanatory and easy on the interface for the Secure Access and all of Fortinet solutions.
It makes economic and security sense for any organization that is intending to deploy this kind of solution. I wish that it had come sooner.
There are several switches that I have looked at, and when I am looking at the capabilities of other switches there is still much to be discovered on Fortinet. They don't have all of the capabilities, especially when it comes to the throughput.
I would rate this solution a six out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
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Updated: November 2024
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