Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Reviews

The customer wanted to have a switch, but then we managed to buy a console: FortiGate. This has been deployed to control the switching. This switch has 40 access points for WiFi access. This has been deployed to the university for student access. We have the controller using FortiGate with the access point being FortiGate. So, we chose FortiSwitch to uniformize our entire equipment and the WiFi for students access.

The version depends on the version of FortiOS which is running on the switch.

The interface is great because we can do all the administrative tasks with a user vertical interface. FortiSwitch can be managed by the FortiGate, so a lot of tasks are doable using FortiGate. If you master FortiGate, you won't have a lot of difficulty mastering FortiSwitch. What I really love in FortiSwitch: its usability, the graphical user interface, and the ability to be managed by FortiGate.

The technical support could be improved.

I have been using this solution for two years.

It's stable. The installation was deployed two years ago. We haven't had any big problems with it. If there are problems, they are related to the configuration, passwords changes, and sometimes the access point loses connection. 

FortiSwitch can be managed and controlled by FortiGate. The configuration is done on FortiGate. To scale, you just need to purchase some other switches, even they are not really the same model of the one deployed. With two or three clicks, we can scale them to the other switch.

With the university example, where it is not fully functional, there are almost 2000 or 3000 students who are using the access points to access the WiFi, which are connected to the switch. 

I am almost an expert on the solution, so I don't often need support. But, if you contact Fortinet, it's a bit difficult. Most of the time, they send you just links and documents to read for troubleshooting. When you contact support, you don't need documents. You want someone that can understand your problem, give a hand, and help you. I'm not impressed by the support really.

Initial setup is like plug and play. It's really simple.

I can deploy a FortiSwitch in a maximum of one hour.

Maybe Fortinet can improve FortiSwitch's functionalities, because they are not the best on the market. Cisco switches offer more functionalities regarding access control and other features, like WLAN security. They can improve these on FortiSwitch.

It's affordable compared to other switching products, like Cisco switches. 

I can recommend the solution.

I would rate the solution as a seven (out of 10).

FortiSwitch is a member of what Fortinet calls its security fabric. 

 Fortinet is working well for us overall. It can integrate well with other Fortinet products.

All the parts of VPN are working well. The performance has been reliable.

The security of the solution could be a bit better. We've tried to mobilize the infrastructure of the network, however, with security, it's tricky.

We've had issues with faulty switches. Right now we have only two firewalls and we're trying to change to a new firewall and fix a faulty switch. We're looking to change in the next three to six months to help us move away from faulty lines.

The fiber optic switch needs to be changed a bit. The specifications need to be adjusted.

We are also using Aruba, although we are considering switching over completely to Fortinet.

We're customers and end-users. We buy the product and arrange an online portal for customers.

We are going to upgrade some of our switches from 300, which we have, to the 300E.

In general, I would rate the solution at a ten out of ten. We're mostly happy with it, although we've had some issues.

We primarily use the solution for different reasons. It depends on our customer security requirements and the projects that we are implementing for banks, hospitals, etc. 

The visual scope of the solution is very good. It allows me to see and download all of the network information.

In terms of improvements, the solution has SD-WAN but it doesn't have SDN. This should be added.

The solution can only be managed by FortiGate.

The stability of the solution is good.

The solution can scale, but there are some limitations. Our partner just started using the solution so I'm not sure how many people they have on it at this time.

Technical support is good.

The initial setup is straightforward; it's not complex.

I handled the implementation myself.

I've been using the solution for five years. We use both cloud and on-premises deployment models.

The solution is secure for small and medium-sized companies. For larger companies, you need to have an LPM on it. 

I'd rate it eight out of ten.

The most valuable feature is the security switch. The deployment is also better than competitors like Cisco and HP.

An area for improvement would be the segmentation and network in logic networks. In the next release, I would like to see a new dashboard with more information.

I've been using this solution for three months.

This is a stable solution.

This solution is easy to scale.

Fortinet's technical support is good. 

Positive

I would give this solution a rating of eight out of ten.

The management from Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is very good.

The range of products could improve from Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access.

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

The stability of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access could improve.

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has good scalability.

We have used other solutions, such as Cisco.

The deployment of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is straightforward.

The price of the solution could improve, it is expensive.

I rate Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access a six out of ten.

The most valuable feature is the breakability after integration with the FortiGate firewall.

The central management needs improvement.

The initial setup could be easier.

I've been using this solution for about two years.

Up to the present, it has been a stable solution.

It is easy to scale. We have about 3 to 400 users and plant to increase the number of users.

I would rate technical support at nine out of ten.

Positive

We switched to Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access because it can integrate to the firewall in FortiGate. This means that we can centralize the management console on the firewall to manage the security and network on one brand. It lowers the cost of management.

The initial setup is a little complex. It takes about five minutes for one device.

You will need five engineers for deployment and maintenance.

We implemented it through an in-house team.

We have an annual licensing cost. There are no additional costs.

I would rate Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access at eight on a scale from one to ten.

We use Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access for enhanced network security.

I have been using this solution for approximately one year.

The solution is stable.

I have found the solution to be scalable.

We have between 100 and 1,000 users using the solution in my organization.

The technical support has been very good.

The installation is not difficult. However, some features have to be activated from the CLI.

I did the implementation of the solution.

We have one technician who can operate the solution.

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access requires a license and the price is expensive.

I would recommend this solution to others. 

I rate Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access a nine out of ten.

We are a customer and end user of Fortinet.

Integration is good, as well as price and technical support.

When we started using the solution, it was quite complex but then it became easier to use. It takes a while to get used to the interface.

I have been using this solution since the beginning of 2018.

The stability is fine.

The scalability is fine.

I haven't had any issues in technical support.

We worked with an integrator, so that wasn't completely my area.

The price is good.

I would rate this solution 9 out of 10.