Cisco Catalyst Compact 2960CPD-8TT-L - switch - 8 ports - managed
Mfg # WS-C2960CPD-8TT-L
CDW # 2390287
Know your gear
The Cisco Catalyst 2960-C series compact switch is a small form-factor Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet switch designed for deployments outside the wiring closet. Enterprise and commercial customers can deliver advanced security services, unified communications, wireless, IP video cameras, and other applications for the office workspace, micro branch office, classroom, cruise ship, and other wiring-constrained environments.
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Cisco Catalyst Compact 2960CPD-8TT-L - switch - 8 ports - managed is rated
4.50 out of
5 by
31.
Rated 5 out of
5 by
David Skusek from
Multicast is a great feature, critical for access to video systems
What is our primary use case?
Our main use case of ethernet switches is for security networks for digital video, digital access control, and digital inter-communications. Most of our work is for public institutions, including hospitals and universities when they need upgrades to POE switches. We're consultants in the security industry and I'm the senior project manager/systems engineer.
What is most valuable?
One of the prime features of this product is Multicast which is critical for video systems, ensuring you don't take down the network during an event where everybody needs video access. It generally requires layer 3 switches so that we cut up VLANs and separate different aspects of the systems.
What needs improvement?
Network setup and Multicast are critical components for us and when you're also programming for video streams it can become quite complicated. It's more of an issue when you're dealing with public institutions and there might be a lack of tech-savvy people. When it comes to the video streams, if you're sending real-time video in a security system, and you drop packets, the information is lost and you can't get it back. That's a critical aspect for us. One of the issues we have is that the guy doing the video system knows how that works, and the network people know how the network works, but they don't know how to communicate with each other. The industry is trying to adapt to sort out that problem.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using this solution for over 30 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This solution covers it all. I've done everything from simple 12-port switches for a small facility to a wide area network with core switches and multiple redundant communication lines and there haven't been any scalability issues. There's no one-size-fits-all in terms of maintenance required, it depends on the size of the organization.
How are customer service and support?
On one of our recent large projects where we used core switches, I worked in-depth with technical support to help determine how to configure the switches, which hardware was required, and how to get the redundant communication paths. We don't use support much but when we do they're very helpful.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is complex. We've found that a lot of people don't know how to configure Multicast properly on a network, particularly in government agencies. It's one of the key components, especially when you're in the security industry, and it's a big issue for us. There's a steep learning curve in terms of properly setting up the network to manage the Multicast traffic, and then programming, especially on the IP video systems. Because they're managing video streams both systems have to be set up properly, and there seems to be a lack of knowledge around that.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Our clients purchase the license so we're not involved in that aspect. Cisco doesn't like to give out information unless you're a dealer. For smaller projects, the cost is an issue and organizations will often look for less expensive options. Cisco is the major player in the network environment, but there are numerous alternative products that may be less feature-rich but fit the bill from a cost perspective. In addition to licensing, there is likely to be an annual fee to enable access to support.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We previously looked at Extreme Networks, Fortinet, Aruba and NETGEAR. When we're dealing with harsh environments, we tend to look at companies like ComNet, EtherWAN, GarrettCom, who make hardened switches for harsh or difficult environments. A lot of the main players only make switches that go in data centers and IDF rooms.
What other advice do I have?
When configured properly, the solution works. I rate this solution nine out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2022-01-06T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
reviewer1693239 from
Good features, performance, and reliability
What is our primary use case?
I am using it for core data infrastructure. I am using model 9600.
What is most valuable?
Its performance and reliability are valuable.
What needs improvement?
Its management should be improved.
It is not easy to scale.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for seven years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is not easy to scale. We have between 1,000 to 2,000 users.
How are customer service and support?
I have not interacted with them. We have a contractor for support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We also have Surecom and NETGEAR, but Cisco comes under a different class. They differ in price. Cisco is the best for our company.
How was the initial setup?
Its initial setup is simple. The deployment duration can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on the model.
What about the implementation team?
We deployed it internally.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It is expensive. There are additional costs besides the license cost.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend it for its features and reliability. I would rate it an eight out of 10.
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2022-01-06T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
reviewer1699986 from
A good range of products, feature-rich, and straightforward to set up
What is our primary use case?
We are a financial institution and we use Cisco Ethernet Switches as part of our network infrastructure.
What is most valuable?
The Cisco product range is quite good and they have a lot of features available.
What needs improvement?
For each of the features that I want to use on a Cisco device, we have to purchase a license. For example, if we want the security features then we have to purchase that in another bundle. The price becomes more expensive than products from Juniper.
The local support resources for Cisco in Bangledesh are very poor and should be increased.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for approximately three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Cisco products are stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet switches are scalable. We have approximately 1,500 people using them in the company. We have a plan to increase our usage of Cisco by implementing an SD-WAN.
How are customer service and support?
Cisco technical support on the backend, from the OEM, is very good. They are very experienced. However, the local partner and technical support in Bangledesh need to be improved.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Currently, I am also using a Juniper product. The split between Cisco and Juniper devices is approximately 50/50.
We are switching to Juniper because they are more cost-effective.
One of the reasons that we still have Cisco devices is that they have offerings that are not available from Juniper. Juniper is good, but they only have routing and switching products, whereas Cisco has products such as Cisco ASA that we use. In that regard, Cisco can provide more value-added.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is really straightforward.
Our deployment took quite a long time. It was between three and six months.
We have six people in our network team and they are in charge of maintenance.
What about the implementation team?
Our local Cisco partner assisted us with the implementation and deployment.
The technical person from the local partner was not as skilled as we expected, which is something that should be improved.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
This is quite an expensive product.
We do not pay on a monthly basis. The fees are included when you purchase the device.
When we want an extra feature then we need to purchase another license bundle.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We are looking to gain some experience in using Mikrotik routers and switches.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2022-01-13T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Dinusha Bandara from
High reliability and super stable for a wide range of use cases
What is our primary use case?
The use cases that we have delivered to our customers include for hotel enterprises, government organizations, even military locations. This includes access switches and also distribution switches - perhaps for some organizations in call and data centers, as well.
What is most valuable?
The features that I have found most valuable are the core reliability and the switching group. All the features are very generic switching features with high reliability. That is the main key point I can highlight.
What needs improvement?
Feature-wise, almost all the features are there, but an improvement would be to change their market intention. Almost all the Cisco switches are now coming with a license called DNA. D for Delta, N for number and A for apple. That feature is required, he must purchase it and it is a mandatory thing that has been introduced. This is not matching with the Asian market, because let's say you are purchasing a vehicle and you don't want to have a reverse camera, right? But if the manufacturer is forced, fully telling you that you definitely should buy it, this is not fair in that way. DNA licenses, in most cases, are not required, but it should be told to the customers and added to the quotation, because we cannot remove it. This is not matching or suitable for the Asian market. It is not a requirement of the customer and it is forcefully added by the vendor. It's just a license, which you have to purchase for one year or three years, and it will never be used in some cases. In some cases, some specific customers may require that there should be the option to add it. But if it is not required by the customer, it should be optional.
In terms of what I would like to see in the next release, it would be good if they could introduce a switch which can work on cloud and on a local deployment. Maybe the same switch will work. Because some switches are only working alone with local deployments, and some switches are working with cloud based environments. So if the same switch could work on both cloud and from its node, that will be great.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for probably six to seven years.
I'm an integrator. We are using the latest version. I'm doing the designing and selling. I'm selling the latest version of these switches.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches have the best stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability in the sense varies with switching. Some switches are fixed, which we cannot expand with the design, but some switches are those you can expand. It's basically the design. So scalability is good.
How are customer service and support?
They have great, great technical support from 100 miles to 200 miles.
How was the initial setup?
Initial setup is straightforward to complete. It is very user friendly for the engineer to configure the deploy.
Implementation time depends, but in general, if it is a basic pre-plan implementation, it'll take only a few hours to configure and complete the installation. Maybe one or two hours, also we can complete it if it is a pre-plan, simple deployment. If it is a complex kind of networking fast structure, it'll depend on the solution and the configuration.
It also depends on the solution. If it is one switch, just one one engineer can deploy it. If it is two switches, also one engineer can, but if it is a complex network, it depends on how many switches and how complex it is. Basically, for switch one you can put only one engineer and that also can be done using a technician level person and by remote logging or you can manage it with over the phone instruction.
What other advice do I have?
Cisco is the leader of networking and I would recommend it for anyone.
On a scale of one to ten, I would give Cisco Ethernet Switches a 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2022-01-11T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Chukwunenye Ekwe Jnr. from
Supremely reliable but would benefit from bulk fixing and patching.
What is most valuable?
The features that I have found most valuable with Cisco switches are that once you get your configuration you can rest assured that it will work. The OS is not going to be failing intermittently or anything like that. Once you get your configuration end-goal right, the firmware and the OS are usually stable enough to work a long time without support. Support is only needed once in a while. My experience is that the Cisco switches are usually rocket.
What needs improvement?
In terms of what could be improved, there is the bulk issue that is sometimes experienced with the Cisco products we've used. I don't know how it could be possible to be done, but it would be very good if there was an automated patching system. It would be a very big and difficult one, because some of these routers or switches or products are not even within an internet environment. This is especially limited with the switches. Routers can be connected to the internet and switches might not even have internet access and might just be for the local area network. If it has an internet connection, that would be great and if it has an automated parking code inside of the POE this would help them to patch without the user's input.
In the next release, I would like to see bulk fixing. That is basically what I do now. If we could have an automated patch for Cisco to just be standard for patching switches or routers or firewalls by default without the input of anyone adjusting, that would be great.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches since 2009, so probably for 13 years now.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
In terms of scalability, normally you have a 24 port switch or a 48 port switch, which are fixed to scalability. So you can't really go beyond what has been provided. If it's a 24 switch, it's 24 users, if it's 48 it's 48, except if you're using the switch as an extender for a wireless device. That is a different conversation, but if you're using it in a LAN environment and for a connected, wired connection, then you can't scale.
But you can connect multiple switches to themselves and stack them and make it one switch depending on your design.
How was the initial setup?
The setup is pretty easy. It's usually easy to configure, especially when you are using it for basic switching. It is usually easy to configure the VLAN, the PTPs and all of that. The major work lies with your architecture and your design and how you want to use the solution, because once you get the architecture right, then your configurations and all will be very simple. But if you don't, you might have to do a lot of work when it comes to configuring.
A lot depends on how you configure it from the beginning. It's going to influence how it's going to work the rest of the time.
What other advice do I have?
When it comes to switches and routers, I will always prefer Cisco over any other.
On a scale of one to ten, I'll give Cisco Ethernet Switches a seven because switch-wise, I think Juniper switches are also very good in performance. Especially the high end switches.
Disclaimer: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:Partner
Date published: 2022-01-11T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
ManishKumar Goyal from
Stable and long-lasting solution, the best for harsh environments.
What is our primary use case?
My primary use case is in a balance network across my company.
How has it helped my organization?
These switches are very reliable in the long term, so we don't have to worry about failures.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using this solution for thirty-one years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a very stable solution with a very low failure rate - only about one in a hundred of these switches will fail over a ten-year period.
How are customer service and support?
I haven't had any issues with Cisco technical support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have previously used D-Link but remained with Cisco due to its reliability.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward.
What was our ROI?
Because the failure rate is so low and the product lasts for so long, the ROI is high.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Cisco switches are very highly-priced in comparison to other similar products.
What other advice do I have?
There is no better product than this for use in harsh environments. I would rate this solution as nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2021-12-08T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
reviewer1712970 from
Responsive support, stable, and scalable
What is our primary use case?
We have a local network and we have four Cisco Ethernet Switches that have 48 ports.
What needs improvement?
The management of the solution could improve.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
How are customer service and support?
Cisco technical support is good. We have a better experience because we have local support when we have some technical problems. The team support is very good.
How was the initial setup?
The setup of the solution is easy.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of Cisco Ethernet Switches here in India is too high. There are other cheaper solutions available.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Our management has decided we should look into other solutions, and we are currently evaluating Juniper switches. We are checking the performance of the solution.
What other advice do I have?
Cisco products are good, but nowadays technology is changing, some other products are available in the market. We are checking some different products available. I'll see how the performance is and how it works on the network.
I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2021-11-29T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Hamed Wasel from
Offers great bandwidth, speed and performance
What is our primary use case?
I'm a senior security network engineer and we have a gold partnership with Cisco.
What is most valuable?
The valuable features of this solution are bandwidth, speed, low latency, and performance. Those are all features we need for our data center.
What needs improvement?
I'd really like to see more programmability for the switches. We need more Python scripts because what we currently have doesn't cover all the configurations in the switch configuration. It would be helpful to have ASIC fast switching. I'd like higher speed and we're always looking for additional bandwidth.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using this solution for over three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution becomes more scalable as more switches are connected to the ACI fabric. We currently have 2,000 users and this is increasing all the time. We just increase our switches as our users increase.
How are customer service and support?
If there are issues regarding the iOS or something similar, we open a ticket with Cisco tech support and they are very helpful. We're able to deal with most issues ourselves.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is relatively easy although I'd prefer if it were automated. If we have 100 sites and every site has nine or ten switches, it's a lot of work. For a small or medium implementation, it doesn't take long but for the enterprise sites, it takes some time. The initial configuration on one switch takes about 30 minutes.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We pay an annual license fee and there are no additional costs other than when there is hardware failure.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend this solution, it's very dependable.
I rate this solution eight out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2021-12-05T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Paul Ojil from
The greatest advantage is reliability
What is most valuable?
Product counterfeiting is a big problem in the Kenyan market. Many people trust Cisco because you won't find a fake Cisco product, at least not in this use case.
What needs improvement?
You have to be Cisco-certified to work on Cisco products, so we can't get into Cisco to do even basic configurations. I may be speaking from ignorance, but in my experience, Cisco products lack a GUI. You can barely get around the basic system, so the interface is something I would improve. The overview and configuration are good for security purposes, but it's bad if you want your products to be the product of choice of the average user. Cisco should do work on making its switches less cryptic.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using Cisco Ethernet Switches since 2000. We recommend Linksys for customers who can't afford Cisco, but Cisco has always been our dominant product.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The greatest advantage of Cisco switches is their reliability. For example, we bought some 500 series switches back in 2002 or 2003, and they ran 24/7. I never had an issue for seven years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I think Cisco Ethernet Switches are quite scalable, with lots of options. It's not an issue at all for anyone to expand.
How are customer service and support?
You can get professional support in this market. We have quite a lot of guys working with Cisco in Kenya, so it's not too hard to get a Cisco specialist to configure your network for you. It's not hard to get a Cisco-certified professional in the market. They might not be cheap, but they're there.
How was the initial setup?
Setting up a Cisco switch isn't hard. You take it out of the box, switch it on, mount it, and connect it. Then it's up and running. It's more complicated to do port configurations, customization, or anything fancy.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Cisco is quite expensive. In our market, a lot of customers are forced to go with something else because they cannot afford a brand-new Cisco even though they know a Cisco switch will be more reliable. They'll for a Linksys switches because that is what they can afford. It's mainly an issue for medium-sized businesses. Pricing is negotiable and if you are a large enterprise, you're less worried about the price.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Cisco Ethernet switches eight out of 10. I would give them a higher rating, but they need to be more sensible on their pricing. They may want to maintain that high price because their products are higher quality. At the same time, other vendors are coming in and filling this space at the bottom of the pyramid. They might end up being a niche market product for people who know or prefer Cisco. I don't think this was their original strategy. I'm sure their original plan was to corner the market on switches for anyone who needs one. The advice I would give to potential Cisco customers is to make sure you know exactly what you want, so you get value for the money. Think about the scalability of your business and your requirements.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2021-12-04T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Ken Simiyu from
Durable, robust, and my go-to solution for organizing the network for my clients
What is our primary use case?
We have distributed locations, and we have them at different locations behind firewalls.
What is most valuable?
Being able to deal with multiple VLANs to segment the network logically is the biggest feature for us. The management of these switches is okay for us. These switches work very well, and they meet our needs.
What needs improvement?
The pricing can be improved to make them more suitable for SMBs.
In terms of features, they tick all the boxes as of now. That could be because we tailor the solution around the product. I have not seen anything that pulls me back or is not working well for me. However, there could be better integration with the network monitoring systems. It doesn't mean it is currently not there, but there could be better discoverability with some of the network monitoring systems to be able to have more visibility. When you're setting up a control room, you can have more visibility into what is going on in the network. It has been doing that, but it can do that more.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for over five or six years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Their stability is very good. Even when they are reaching the end of life, they still have a lot of life in terms of stability. They are very durable and stable. They can run for a lot more time, but for a business, security is important, and it becomes necessary to upgrade to new models and let these devices die. We have to upgrade to the latest models because of company policy, but there is no problem with their durability or robustness.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We usually over-spec, and there is no problem with scalability. They're able to handle everything very well. In all the fields where we are using them, we haven't encountered a situation that they are not able to handle. They work fine.
In our company, they are being used at different levels. They're basically serving everyone, and there are about 500 people in our company. They serve right up to the data center.
In terms of our plans to increase its usage, a lot of discussions are going on about moving to the cloud, SD-WAN, and things like that. With the ongoing situation of the pandemic, there have been discussions about scaling down the local network and moving towards service provision for remote workers, as opposed to on-prem. We might scale down the local network and move things to the cloud and other remote access technologies.
How are customer service and support?
I've not interacted much with them because I've not had a lot of issues. If there is anything, I get a lot of information from FAQs and online forums. It does not really go to the point where I've to go to Cisco's support desk. There is a lot of good documentation. They've done a good job with the documentation of it. It has always helped me.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We didn't use any other solution previously on this site. It was our go-to solution from the start because of its security and market sentiment. At different locations for different clients, we use different products, but this is what we have been using on our site.
How was the initial setup?
It was straightforward. I have a lot of experience with them in different organizations and through my own career path, so it wasn't hard for me. I'm used to them.
The project was deployed in phases. Most of the time was spent on the server-side of things. The setup time for switches was very less. It took two to three hours to get them up and running. It was not a problem.
What about the implementation team?
It was done in-house. We have in-house expertise.
We have four people for its deployment and maintenance, and we are able to handle it well. There are two technicians from the IT department, and the rest of them are in the management role, but when it comes to the deployment, they are able to do the physical work.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Quality comes at a price. I've been around the block a bit, and I know that good quality comes at a price. However, some of the organizations don't have big budgets, so you have to develop different solutions for them. They don't have the budget to get some of the high-end features. Cisco can consider providing entry-level hardware to suit SMBs.
What other advice do I have?
I have complete confidence in this solution. It is my go-to solution when I'm organizing any network for a client. Of course, for many people, its cost could be an issue, but when you consider running a stable implementation and the risk of downtime in case of any issue vis-a-vis the initial purchase cost of the equipment, it is a no-brainer. I would suggest people take this route. If someone has the budget, they shouldn't skimp on it.
I would rate it an eight out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2022-01-09T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
reviewer1767258 from
Helpful support, reliable, and good feature set
What is our primary use case?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are used for directing network traffic.
What is most valuable?
One of the most valuable aspects of Cisco Ethernet Switches is many engineers can work on the equipment. You can find qualified engineers that can configure Cisco equipment more than any other networking equipment.
The ease of use and features sets are very good in Cisco Ethernet Switches.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for approximately 20 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of Cisco Ethernet Switches is very good.
How are customer service and support?
The support from Cisco is great. We have trained engineers working and when we need to speak to the technical support of Cisco, it is only because we see there are some errors in the software that we cannot solve ourselves.
I would rate the support from Cisco Ethernet Switches a four out of five.
How was the initial setup?
The implementation of Cisco Ethernet Switches is a straightforward process. We're a partner for Cisco via the machine-building program, we integrate ourselves together with those solutions.
I would rate the implementation process of Cisco Ethernet Switches a four out of five.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
They have changed over the years and now you need to purchase a three-year obligatory license and then after three years, you are free to use it or not. The model is a bit difficult for customers. This is why we have been shifting away from Cisco equipment.
The price of hardware replacements can be expensive.
I would rate the price of Cisco Ethernet Switches a two out of five.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
When we compare Cisco Ethernet Switches to other solutions it comes down to what you need to purchase besides the hardware. Cisco Ethernet Switches' main issue is not with the hardware, but with the software and support that might not be needed.
What other advice do I have?
My advice to others looking to purchases Cisco Ethernet Switches is you pay perhaps a little bit more on the equipment, but there are available engineers to help with the programming, set up, and implementation of the switches. This makes it worthwhile to choose Cisco. If you perhaps have cheap equipment, but if you don't have the people that know how to configure it, do troubleshooting, or analysis, you cannot move forward.
The equipment might be more expensive, but when you take total ownership of the configuration, maintenance, and analysis, then it's a large benefit. Sometimes customers see only the first cost of the switches and don't look any further. This is a weak point of Cisco.
I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches an eight out of ten.
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2022-02-06T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
BACHI REDA from
Customizable interface with good good throughput and the ability to expand
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution in the access layer for connecting EP-phone, PC, and access points. We use Cisco, like 3850, for the aggregation layer, and we use 6500 catalyst switches for the core layer.
What is most valuable?
They have very good throughput and backup for their energy. We find, stock-wise and energy-wise, it's easy to use with the CLA command.
I can create a lot of interfaces, or SDI interfaces for VLAN and SNMP. I can show it with my SNMP platform. I can gain much access to them. They are really, really, good switches.
The solution is stable.
The scalability has been great.
We find the setup process to be simple.
Technical support has always been helpful.
What needs improvement?
Stock-wise, the solution can improve.
The patching and updating could be better.
We'd like the pricing to be lowered.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is quite good. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of the product is great, If a company needs to expand, it can. There is a lot of stacking and cascading that can happen.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support from Cisco has been great. They are helpful and responsive.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We primarily use Cisco in our company.
How was the initial setup?
It's a very easy to deploy product. It's just a question of buying the cable for stacking and getting it done.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing of the solution is pretty high.
Compared with other switches, such as Huawei or HPE, it's very, very expensive. ON top of that, the campus network, it's not an area that has a high budget. We have to have work towards minimizing this price.
What other advice do I have?
I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten.
I would recommend the solution to other users and companies. It's great for small to large enterprises. Just the number of ports that we can create makes a difference. We can use a lot of switches with 48 ports. In the smaller cases, we can still use 12 ports.
Disclaimer: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:partner
Date published: 2022-02-25T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Davy MANTE from
They're useful for routing and scalable
What is most valuable?
We are routing with the Cisco switches, so there are a lot of features, but no single one stands out.
What needs improvement?
There's are other products that are better for network programmability. Cisco isn't as programmable as some others vendors. For example, on devices running iOS XE, you dont have candidate configuration datastore when you use netconf like you would have on arista, juniper or others. Changes are directly applied on running configuration so there is no room for error once you commit changes to devices.
So it will be good for them to implement other config datastores because when it go to programming, review it's important so we need to be abe to have at least a candidate configuration datastore.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for 15 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are scalable.
How are customer service and support?
Cisco support is good once you reach a technician, but the website is a mess. I don't like the website.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I didn't use previous solution and then swith, but evaluate others vendors sometimes because their was in use in a company we bought, sometimes because their were shipped as a bundle with some hardware vendors solution for private cloud or storage solutions etc. Thought ome of them have some good features, Cisco got a better average rate when you take the whole thing.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is really easy.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of Cisco switches could be lower. The cost is growing compared to other products, and it's more segmented. A Cisco switch is more expensive than before. For example, stackable models used to be provided with stacking ports and stacking cable. Now it's split you have to buy stacking kit separately. I don't know if they are the only ones like this or if this is standard now.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Yes other options have been evaluated but Cisco appeared to be the more easy to operate through the years regarding the stability of the product series, the CLI, support and documentation.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches eight out of 10.
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2022-02-19T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
reviewer1245285 from
Highly stable, beneficial central management system, but support could improve
What is our primary use case?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are used in a network as a relay.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is the simplicity of the central management system(CMS).
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for approximately 20 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is the main reason why I used the solution. It is highly stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches can be scaled up.
We are not using this solution extensively, it is not our main solution.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support could improve, they are about average quality.
How was the initial setup?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are easy to deploy and set up. It takes approximately 30 minutes to do the process.
What about the implementation team?
We have our own team for the implementation.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The cost of the solution is by unit.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2022-02-15T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Andrew Kan from
Easy to install, reliable, and the technical support is good
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of Cisco Ethernet Switches is their capacity.
What needs improvement?
The quality of Cisco Ethernet Switches could be better.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Cisco Ethernet Switches for approximately 10 years.
We use many different versions.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are stable.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is good. I would rate them a five out of five.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward. It is easy.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are more expensive than Huawei Ethernet Switches.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I compared Cisco Ethernet Switches to those of other vendors, such as Huawei Ethernet Switches. I would say they are equal.
What other advice do I have?
We are partners.
I would rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:Partner
Date published: 2022-04-03T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Syed Basheer from
A high-end solution that can handle a huge network with tons of traffic
What is our primary use case?
My former employer used the solution to build a campus network that included one distribution switch for each of its 200 buildings.
Every building had its own Catalyst 3750 Series switch that provided access layers connecting back to 7600 Series distribution switches and routers. We used the MPLS network to build OSPF and PGP and provide multiple services with their own VRFs such as data NPT television and building management systems.
The solution provided a high-end throughput that was easy to handle, implement, and route.
What is most valuable?
The solution can handle a huge network with tons of traffic.
What needs improvement?
The solution should offer a method for user-based load balancing. Load sharing exists but the only balancing available is for the server load and not the Internet.
Most engineers now prefer a GUI that is not part of this solution. In my experience, GUI is not required because the solution's commands are very familiar, easy to understand, and available via Google or the solution's portal.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for eleven years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable because of its good performance and long life.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable and depends on the desired model. You can create multiple contexts and extend your network by adding Nexus 5000 or 2000 for connections.
I am currently working on a big project with thousands of routers and 70% of them are Cisco switches. Scalability is not dependent on the number of users but is instead about providing access to the network.
How are customer service and support?
I contacted technical support many times in the past and received helpful, straightforward, and responsive assistance.
Recently, I worked with them on an encryption issue and didn't receive a solution for three weeks. This experience was disappointing but others have been resolved satisfactorily.
How was the initial setup?
The setup was straightforward.
It takes about four hours to build both chases and install the supervisor engine, line cards, and fiber connectivity before uploading and confirming configurations.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing for individual use is expensive but partners receive discounts of 70-80 percent for high-end use.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I used to face many physical hardware issues with FortiGate that I don't experience with the solution because it is straightforward to install, upgrade, and configure.
The solution's logistical perspective is easy to understand and troubleshoot when configuring protocols and manipulating routes.
What other advice do I have?
When choosing a router, it is important to match solutions to requirements. This is a high-end router so important things to consider are use, budget, and desired performance.
I am not familiar with all of the solution's features. Based on my use cases, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:Partner
Date published: 2022-09-19T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Kalyan Chowdhury from
Is stable, scalable, and easy to set up
What is our primary use case?
We use Cisco Ethernet Switches in government offices that are in multiple locations.
What needs improvement?
We have experienced some issues with Cisco SG350 switches. We have not been able to use this switch at normal temperatures as it automatically reboots.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been working with Cisco Ethernet Switches for 10 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate the stability at ten out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is a scalable solution, and we have more than 35 customers who use it.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support staff usually get back to us in 30 minutes to four hours. It took them 24 hours to respond only once. Therefore, I would rate technical support at ten out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward. For the deployment and maintenance, we have seven technical and non-technical staff members.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price is very high though it is priced right for the level of quality.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches and rate it at ten on a scale from one to ten. However, it may not be as available in certain countries such as India.
Disclaimer: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:Partner
Date published: 2023-04-02T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Julien Wattebled from
Reliable with good performance and a robust online community
What is our primary use case?
We use the solution for everything. We primarily use the solution in our office and for our data center. We're using older versions.
How has it helped my organization?
The main issue is that the company did grow way too fast. We have issues with merging companies and installing a network device, and it's hard to manage them. Everything is still manual around here. Nothing is centralized.
What is most valuable?
Small business devices most of the controls have been very good.
The community is very helpful.
Catalyst switches are the same quality as Dell switches. The quality is identical.
The solution is extremely stable. The performance is excellent.
What needs improvement?
The more expensive versions can be more expensive, and the switches cannot take the heat. Some of the rooms they are in are too hot for the switch.
We need more management tools for the solution.
I don't have any notes for new features.
There should be fiber switches that could be capable of doing more things.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used the solution for a very long time. I've used them for probably 25 years - since Cisco first offered them.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's very stable. I'd rate it ten out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I do not like the way the stack feature is done on Cisco. I mostly prefer Fortinet or ESL from Brocade. It's way more flexible and straightforward, and you just need to understand the logic. With Cisco, it's a black box. It's hard to understand.
It is possible to scale. However, you do reach a limitation with eight switches placed together. We have four switches in the data center, so we've never hit a scalability threshold.
We have five admins on the solution, and across the company, we have 30 people that have access to the solution.
How are customer service and support?
I've never had to use technical support. I've only had a small issue on the firewall, and I reached out to the community to troubleshoot.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I've also used Palo Alto and Fortinet. I used Brocade switches six to ten years ago. It is now Extreme Networks, and I am interested in trying Extreme. I have two Extreme switches right now.
Fortinet is really user-friendly and easy for even non-technical people to understand. However, the information from Fortinet is really specific. With Cisco, you just have to press the questions mark, and you have a description of every menu. Extreme is like Juniper. You have to create the VLAN, which can be difficult to read if you have a lot of VLAN, although the scalability is great.
How was the initial setup?
If you are familiar with the technology, it is straightforward. You do need knowledge. It's not extremely simple. For me, since I am knowledgeable, I'd rate the ease of implementation eight out of ten.
We have an ongoing deployment. Deployments of us are never-ending. We are always working on new sites.
Even level-one support can do a copy-paste and deploy the switches, so our process at this point is very fast.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing depends on the model. The C-1000's are okay. They are not cheap yet not expensive. I'd rate the pricing seven out of ten.
What other advice do I have?
All the devices we order from Cisco come from Germany. We simply buy devices. We don't have a relationship with Cisco.
The big thing with Cisco is the great community. It's really easy to find whatever you need online.
I'd rate the solution eight out of ten. It's not quite user-friendly. They do get it right with Meraki, however, that isn't for the type of company we have. If you have an internet issue and can't reach the switch from the cloud, Meraki will give you issues.
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2023-04-05T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
ERICK KAGWEZA from
Easy to deploy, stable, and scalable
What is our primary use case?
We use the Cisco 9200 and 2960 Ethernet Switches to connect our devices to the network.
What is most valuable?
Remote access is a valuable feature.
What needs improvement?
Cisco can improve its supply chain. Currently, we have to wait up to eight months for a switch.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for four years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable. We have 1,000 people using the solution.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support is quick to respond.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward and easy to deploy.
What other advice do I have?
I give the solution a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2023-02-27T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Ankar Aung from
Stable and scalable
What is our primary use case?
We use Cisco Ethernet Switches in our data center.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is that we create a network as a villain. For some time, we use a port channel and sometimes, the Spanning Tree Protocol for requests. We search for the user's Cisco Internet switches for small packets.
What needs improvement?
The technical support has room for improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for six years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The Cisco Ethernet Switches are very stable and a leader in the market.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable and we have the ability to upgrade our appliances without impacting our services.
How are customer service and support?
The Cisco technical support is good but when compared to other products such as McAfee and Palo Alto they have room for improvement.
How was the initial setup?
For Cisco Catalyst switches, the initial setup was usually automated for large-scale deployments such as Azure, which worked well. However, for newer technologies such as Cisco ACI, the initial setup can be challenging. Once the primary phase is completed, however, the efficiency of the operation requires less support.
What other advice do I have?
I give the solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2023-02-27T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
reviewer2078835 from
Reliable and easy to set up with great support
What is most valuable?
The solution is basically issue-free. They are constantly upgrading their technology.
It's an easy solution to set up.
Technical support is helpful and responsive.
It's a stable product.
What needs improvement?
The user interface could be improved.
The licensing is too expensive. It's one of the main reasons customers leave Cisco.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been working with Cisco products for more than ten years. I've used the product for a very long time.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability has been very good. It's quite reliable. There are no bugs or glitches and it doesn't crash or freeze.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's a scalable product. If a company needs to expand it, it can do so. It's no problem.
We've used it in a large company and had no issues.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is the best. Compared to other solutions, like Aruba, Cisco is top-notch.
Typically, the agents are good and helpful. Sometimes we may run into issues, however, 90% of the time, they are great.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The solution is easy to implement. The process is not overly complex. Technically speaking, it's pretty simple.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is not cheap. Cisco is quite pricey.
What other advice do I have?
We're customers and end-users.
I'd advise users to try out the product. I've been happy with its capabilities.
I would rate the solution nine out of ten.
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2023-01-26T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
JEGAN N from
Stable and scalable solution with responsive tech support
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Cisco Switches for seven to eight years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are scalable, much more than Jupiter.
How are customer service and support?
Cisco's technical support is very responsive.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup for on-prem versions is complex and requires a trained, certified engineer. However, the cloud versions are straightforward. Catalyst switches take around fifteen to thirty minutes to deploy, while the Meraki switches take about twenty minutes.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are expensive, and you have to pay for a warranty and technical support.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches, as long as you have the budget. I'd rate this solution nine out of ten.
Disclaimer: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:Partner
Date published: 2023-01-31T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jose-Rivera from
Effectively provides a stable connection for users and includes good technical support
What is our primary use case?
Our company uses the solution to set up local access networks for users and route applications. We work with several models including 9300 and 9500. We plan to increase usage in the future.
What is most valuable?
The solution effectively provides a stable connection for users.
There is a lot of knowledge in terms of Cisco networking, so you can very quickly find technical support.
What needs improvement?
To keep up with the market, the solution should have better evolution and innovation.
More security features should be added.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable so I rate stability a nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable so I rate scalability an eight out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is good so I rate it a nine out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The setup is very simple.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing is reasonable so I rate it a six out of ten.
What other advice do I have?
Be sure you have an understanding of how many appliances you need and how many users you have to cover, so that you have a good and proper design for the solution.
I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2023-02-05T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Vladmir Fortes from
High level support, reliable, but central management and security could improve
What is our primary use case?
There are no additional features in the switch from Cisco. They are conventional switches that only provide basic Layer Two switching capabilities and do not have the advanced security features that newer switches, such as Fortinet offer. They simply forward data and do not have any other capabilities.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of Cisco Ethernet Switches is its hardware.
What needs improvement?
The current state of Cisco Ethernet Switches leaves room for improvement, particularly in regard to central management and security. While they possess the capability to function as owners of Layer Two, they fall short in regard to security awareness. While there are some supplementary products available that can provide additional security measures, such as the deployment of virtual machines, these solutions are external and not integrated within the switch itself. For this reason, Cisco Ethernet switches could benefit from incorporating the same centralized management and security features as other companies, such as Fortinet, offer in their FortiSwitches. By being aware of potential threats such as MAC spoofing and ARP poisoning, the switch can provide a more comprehensive level of security.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for a very long time.
How are customer service and support?
I've communicated with the technical support team of Cisco previously in regard to their switches. I have always been pleased with the support I have received from them. No matter what challenges I have encountered with their products, I have always been satisfied with their assistance. The support team has consistently demonstrated their readiness to assist and I have never encountered any issues with their support services. Thus, I can confirm that I have indeed had previous interactions with the Cisco support team.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Cisco Ethernet Switches is never easy.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is highly expensive compared to other solutions. The prices get tripled when they arrived in my country of Angola.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend others use Arista, Fortinet, or Juniper switches.
The adoption of Cisco Ethernet switches in Angola was a result of various factors, including the popularity and widespread usage of the brand. Additionally, the impact of the research and advisory firm, Gartner, has played a significant role in the purchasing decisions of decision-makers. Despite the speaker's advice to not solely rely on Gartner's recommendations, the company's influence is perceived as prominent as they often feature the most expensive solutions at the top of their rankings.
I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2023-02-01T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Toni Choroski from
Extremely stable, scalable, and easy to deploy
What is our primary use case?
We use Cisco Ethernet Switches to connect our infrastructure and application communication.
What is most valuable?
Cisco Ethernet Switches have good performance.
What needs improvement?
The price of the solution has room for improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for a couple of years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I give the stability a ten out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I give the scalability a nine out of ten.
We currently have around 5,000 people using the solution. The amount of people is determined by the license we have. To scale up we need to increase our license.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support is helpful.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is not complex. The deployment time depends on the level of setup but on average between two to four days.
What was our ROI?
When the solution is stable and we don't receive any complaints we see a return on investment using the solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Cisco offers annual and three-year license options.
What other advice do I have?
I give the solution a ten out of ten.
Having a Cisco Ethernet Switch is beneficial when selecting a network environment. It is advantageous to compare all the necessary components from different manufacturers, but ultimately, Cisco covers all the areas that will be necessary for the future.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2023-02-25T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Parimal Sardar from
It can be scaled as required and has good support
What is our primary use case?
If I have to make some connections, I use Cisco products and protocols, but if I have to multitask or have other requirements, that's where I use Cisco Ethernet Switches. I also use Cisco Ethernet Switches for my storage use case, particularly for FCIP.
What is most valuable?
I like that Cisco has a wide range of solutions, and you get good support for Cisco Ethernet Switches versus other products in the market.
What needs improvement?
An area for improvement in Cisco Ethernet Switches is its command-line interface, for example, for Juniper, because it's not working if you want to do some implementation. Still, for any system integrator or simple integration, it works.
Generally, an issue arises if you miss a semicolon or a space, for example, or if you add one word. It can be tricky because people usually forget minor details in a configuration. What could make Cisco Ethernet Switches better is a rollback feature. If you can quickly roll back the changes you made and revert to your old configuration, that would be helpful.
Another area for improvement is the response time of the technical support team. It could be faster.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've worked with most Cisco switches for over twenty years, including Cisco Ethernet Switches. I still deal with Cisco Ethernet Switches.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are fine most of the time in terms of stability. However, for any significant number of machines, in some cases, systems fail, and that's normal.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I can scale Cisco Ethernet Switches when required. For example, when I'm running out of port, I need a new switch, but that only happens sometimes.
How are customer service and support?
I'm not directly involved in contacting the Cisco Ethernet Switches technical support team. My company is a large service provider, and when you go out of scale, there'll be some limitations in the product, and that's when technical support comes in. Support takes a bit of time, though.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup for Cisco Ethernet Switches could have been more straightforward and user-friendly. If the setup were easier, then more people would love the product.
Deploying Cisco Ethernet Switches requires checking with the project coordinator on requirements, such as the network type, the bandwidth, etc., to determine the type of switch to use. I'll then figure out whether to input single-tier, dual-tier, or multi-tier on the Cisco Ethernet Switches.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I cannot comment on pricing for Cisco Ethernet Switches because customers use the product continuously, which also depends on the requirement. If I need to multitask or use up 40 GB, I need to change the switches or use a new solution. It depends on the customer's requirements.
What other advice do I have?
I'm currently working with Cisco Ethernet Switches.
I'm not an end-user of Cisco Ethernet Switches, but I help the network team implement the product.
My company is huge because it's a telecom service provider, so it has a significant number of users of Cisco Ethernet Switches, but the number would not reach millions.
I recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches as long as your solution is correctly designed and your requirement is okay. You can implement the product or any other Cisco technology based on the two points I mentioned.
I'm rating Cisco Ethernet Switches as eight on a scale of one to ten.
Disclaimer: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:Implementer
Date published: 2023-02-04T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
John Bayangos from
We seldom need to reboot them unless there's a bug or it was deployed in an improper environment
What is our primary use case?
We use Cisco Ethernet switches for building on-site LAN projects and topologies. It depends on the switches I use. Usually, it's supposed to be a PoE, especially if we're supporting VoIP and wireless technologies. We deploy everything on-premises because I work with government entities in Singapore.
How has it helped my organization?
Cisco Ethernet switches help build an office-based LAN. We seldom use Cisco Ethernet switches in data centers. We typically use Nexus switches for data centers. Compared to other vendors, Cisco switches are more like rugged switches. We seldom need to reboot those switches unless there's a bug or it was deployed on a different environment—like the racks aren't adequately ventilated.
What is most valuable?
Cisco switches have several valuable features like VLAN mapping. We seldom use that, but we find the security configurations helpful, like high availability with trading port channels and MAC filtering.
What needs improvement?
Their firmware could be better secured against vulnerabilities or other exploits. Also, only selected catalyst switches are allowed to onboard to Cisco SD Access technology.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used Cisco switches for 10 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the hardware stability 10 out of 10.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate Cisco Ethernet switches seven out of 10 for scalability. Unless the switch is submodular, you can remove those modules and plug in better ones. Scalability is harder if it's fixed hardware, but it's easier to scale a virtualized network appliance.
How are customer service and support?
I rate Cisco support 10 out of 10. We usually purchase their highest level of support.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
Our setups are simple, but it depends on the complexity of the client's infrastructure and requirements. I'm more on the operations side, so everything is already deployed, but when we build a new network, I am involved in configuring the new switches. When we do an RMA for a faulty device, I configure it. It's usually a copy-paste of the configuration, but I can build the design from scratch.
The number of people required for deployment and maintenance depends on the size of the environment. A data center usually needs about five or six people to maintain it. You have two people on 12-hour shifts; the rest are senior staff.
What was our ROI?
I'm not usually involved on the financial side, but the ROI is excellent based on the performance of Cisco products overall.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I rate Cisco Ethernet switches three out of 10 for affordability. They are expensive, but they're worth it. I believe in quality over quantity.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Cisco Ethernet switches nine out of 10. I highly recommend Cisco switches, but the bottom line is that it depends on your budget.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2023-01-13T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Dhruba Roy from
They're reliable and high-performing
What is our primary use case?
We recently replaced the BGP router and L3 switches. We're planning to replace some other switches also. We are having 22 switches distributed through my location with 24 ports. All the users are connected to those. We will increase our usage as we expand all over India.
What is most valuable?
Cisco switches are trouble-free. They are reliable, and their performance is excellent.
What needs improvement?
We have supply issues when ordering switches. It used to be a minimum of six to eight weeks. Now it has become around six months. That's the only issue we have.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used Cisco Ethernet switches for more than 10 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I give Cisco Ethernet switches 10 out of 10 for stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I give Cisco Ethernet switches 10 out of 10 for scalability.
How are customer service and support?
Cisco support is excellent.
How was the initial setup?
Setting up Cisco switches isn't too complex, but it isn't easy. It could be more straightforward. One engineer can complete the setup in two to four hours.
What about the implementation team?
We engaged the vendor who supplied us and helped deploy the switches.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Cisco Ethernet switches 10 out of 10.
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2023-01-25T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Richard Hermogeno from
Powerful security features, high availability, and helpful support
What is our primary use case?
I am using Cisco Ethernet Switches for internet usage.
What needs improvement?
The price of the solution could be reduced.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for approximately four years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is highly reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I am the only one using this solution.
How are customer service and support?
The support from Cisco Ethernet Switches is great.
I rate the support from Cisco Ethernet Switches a ten out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Cisco Ethernet Switches is straightforward. The deployment took approximately 30 minutes.
What about the implementation team?
The deployment was done by myself.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of Cisco Ethernet Switches is expensive.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others. This is the most reliable brand on the market.
I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2023-02-07T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Yusuf Kucuk from
It's a solidly stable product from a leader in the field
What is our primary use case?
We are a university with around 1,000 instructors and more than 15,000 students. We use Cisco for access points and endpoint cable networks. We used the 9000 series for years, and now we are working with the Catalyst 9300. Before that, we were using a 2960 switch and a 6500 for the Cisco side.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Cisco Ethernet switches more than 20 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate Cisco switches 10 out of 10 for stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate Cisco switches 10 out of 10 for scalability. We design our networks to be scalable. Scaling is only a matter of procuring new devices.
How are customer service and support?
I rate Cisco support 10 out of 10. We have a good technical support provider in Turkey that offers support, and we work closely with Cisco. Everything is sorted.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
We have enough experience with Cisco, so it's easy for us to deploy and configure their switches.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price depends on the license type and the number of devices. Each device is licensed. It could be cheaper, especially the DNA license. One DNA license is around $3,000 for a three-year contract.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Cisco Ethernet switches nine out of 10. Cisco is the leader in networking hardware.
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2023-02-03T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Atea Alinani from
Simple to implement, stable, and quick support
What is our primary use case?
We have been utilizing Cisco Ethernet Switches to establish networks tailored to the customer's needs. For instance, if they want to set up a network for their office or personal use, but not for large corporations. I am not as proficient or experienced with implementing it for large enterprises.
What is most valuable?
Cisco Ethernet Switches have a lot of valuable features. One that stands out to me is its ease of implementation.
What needs improvement?
The ease of use of Cisco Ethernet Switches could improve. It is different to use them if you do not have prior knowledge.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for approximately six months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of Cisco Ethernet Switches is great. Once we did have a problem Cisco was quick and fast to solve it.
How are customer service and support?
The support was quick to solve one of the issues we were having with stability.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Cisco Ethernet Switches can be simple, but it does require some level of experience and certification. Once you have that, it's easy to apply all your knowledge and scripts to real-world scenarios.
The deployment took some time because we had to configure each one individually and troubleshoot any issues that arose. Once we were able to successfully ping the last router and access the internet, we were finished. However, some of our trouble may have been due to our lack of experience and professionalism as some of my colleagues who work with Cisco and other solutions did not have as much difficulty. It ultimately depends on how much hands-on experience you have with the products.
I rate the initial setup of Cisco Ethernet Switches a seven out of ten.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution has different prices depending on the features that you want to have.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches for those who have prior knowledge because they can be difficult to use.
I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclaimer: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:Implementer
Date published: 2023-01-21T00:00:00-05:00