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reviewer929688 - PeerSpot reviewer
Owner with self employed
Consultant
Easy and straightforward setup but the dashboard needs improvement
Pros and Cons
  • "For me, the initial setup was easy and straightforward, but for some of our customers who are not as familiar with networking, it can be complicated."
  • "The dashboard needs some minor improvements."

What is our primary use case?

Our clients use this solution for monitoring and configuration purposes.

The deployment model varies from client to client.

What needs improvement?

The dashboard needs some minor improvements. Sometimes it is difficult to find items, other times it is quick, it just depends. Most of the feedback we receive are not complaints but suggestions or ideas about the dashboard.

The stability could be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for more than twenty years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We have some glitches once in a while. There are times where it's a little bit slow or a bit delayed.

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches
May 2025
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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have not had to scale yet, we are normally working with a fixed size. We haven't had to worry about upsizing or downsizing.

For our purposes, we are not using this, but on the client-side, we have anywhere from two to eight users, they are made up of technicians, support staff, and engineers.

How was the initial setup?

For me, the initial setup was easy and straightforward, but for some of our customers who are not as familiar with networking, it can be complicated.

For a technical person, it is straightforward. Of course, now and then you have to look in the manual and read it, as nothing is completely self intuitive.

Deployment can take anywhere from one to five days, depending on the requirements.

We require two employees for deployments.

What about the implementation team?

We implement this solution ourselves.

What other advice do I have?

There is no favorite function or feature, it depends on what you have to do and how you do it.

My advice regarding this solution is to understand your network, definitely have a look in the manual, understand the structure and don't just rely on trial and error. It's not target-aiming, so trial and error will not work.

I would rate this solution a seven out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
ERICK KAGWEZA - PeerSpot reviewer
Network and Collaboration Engineer at SoftNet Technologies Limited
Real User
Easy to deploy, stable, and scalable
Pros and Cons
  • "Remote access is a valuable feature."
  • "Currently, we have to wait up to eight months for a switch."

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
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches
May 2025
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Ethernet Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2025.
851,823 professionals have used our research since 2012.
IT Specialist at Xpert Systems Shpk
Real User
Simple to implement, stable, and quick support
Pros and Cons
  • "Cisco Ethernet Switches have a lot of valuable features. One that stands out to me is its ease of implementation."
  • "The ease of use of Cisco Ethernet Switches could improve. It is different to use them if you do not have prior knowledge."

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
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Implementer
PeerSpot user
reviewer1693239 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT support network at a government with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Good features, performance, and reliability
Pros and Cons
  • "Its performance and reliability are valuable."
  • "Its management should be improved."

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.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Student at a educational organization with 201-500 employees
Real User
Top 5
Stable and scalable
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is that we create a network as a villain."
  • "The technical support has room for improvement."

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
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1305090 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Manager at a renewables & environment company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Good performance and simplifies operations through minimal maintenance
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is the performance."
  • "Cisco needs to include new features to attract new customers."

What is our primary use case?

Cisco Ethernet Switches are being used as part of our new data centers.

How has it helped my organization?

This solution helps us simplify operations through minimal maintenance and ease of patching.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the performance.

The Cisco Feature Navigator is a web-based application that enables you to quickly match Cisco IOS, IOS XE, IOS XR, NX-OS, and CatOS software releases to features. This is available to all Cisco.com users, both registered and non-registered guests.

What needs improvement?

Cisco needs to include new features to attract new customers.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Cisco Ethernet solutions for the last 20 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This solution is stable enough that it will not create problems in everyday usage.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

This system can accommodate expansion without hampering the existing workflow and ensure an increase in output or efficiency.

How are customer service and technical support?

Customer service is good. They are responsive within the time frame and resolve our issues.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I haven't used a different solution. We did the upgrade as part of the lifecycle when the previous equipment became end-of-life. It was time for the investment. At the same time, we were building out new data centers.

How was the initial setup?

The setup was straightforward and it is easy to deploy.

What about the implementation team?

We have implemented with the help of a vendor and we have an in-house team that is taking care of maintenance.

What was our ROI?

ROI is doubled with the solution.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I did not evaluate other options before choosing Cisco.

What other advice do I have?

I will advise others to buy without any hesitation, as the product quality and deliverables are far more than others without comparing cost. This solution is the best.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Kalyan  Chowdhury - PeerSpot reviewer
Founder at Computech infosysetm
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Is stable, scalable, and easy to set up
Pros and Cons
  • "It is a scalable solution, and we have more than 35 customers who use it."
  • "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."

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.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Solution Architect at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Good availability and load balancing and relatively easy to scale
Pros and Cons
  • "The security of the switches is pretty impressive. There are many security features available on the product."
  • "The enterprise-level switches should have a simpler deployment. They should make it possible for lower-skilled workers to be able to deploy the product."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution for data centers and also for local area networks for enterprises.

What is most valuable?

I've worked with many features on Cisco's switches. However, the newest features I've used were on Nexus switches. The VPC on Nexus switches, supported on Nexus switches, provides high availability and load balancing for virtual port channels. It is a link aggregation we used in data centers. It's been fantastic.

The security of the switches is pretty impressive. There are many security features available on the product.

What needs improvement?

The solution could always benefit from some more security features. For example, they need something which is mainly used for enterprise networks that allow for identity-based security or authentication. 

The pricing of the switches could be lowered. Right now, they are quite expensive.

The enterprise-level switches should have a simpler deployment. They should make it possible for lower-skilled workers to be able to deploy the product. It should be just as easy as turning them on, powering them up, and connecting the PCs, which would be the same as or similar to a generic simple switch. Many users can't use Cisco's advanced features and won't be able to deploy Cisco's advanced CLI or other management tools otherwise.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been dealing with Cisco's switches for more than 20 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is very stable and Cisco is very reliable. It doesn't crash. There aren't bugs or glitches. I have experience on switches, which we've not reloaded for more than five years, even. They have been up and running for five years and don't cause us any trouble, which is impressive.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is quite scalable. They support our stacking feature, which means we can stack up to eight switches together to have scalable port numbers in terms of port numbers and also throughput. 

How are customer service and technical support?

I've contacted technical support in the past, and, in my experience, they are very good. They are helpful and responsive. However, I do find that they don't answer all your questions or resolve your issues. Most of the time it depends on the customer's agreement. 

I'm not the owner of the equipment. I work for customers in a deployment project's implementation and support. Most of the time the level of support provided depends on how much money the company we are assisting has paid to Cisco.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I've used Foundry switches in the past, which is a brand that does not exist any longer. Those switches were also very good in terms of stability. We used them in industrial ethernet environments. However, they are not products that are produced anymore.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup's level of difficulty varies quite a bit. For ethernet switches with default configurations, it's easy enough for normal operations. However, if you want to make use of more advanced features via Cisco, it requires a lot of advanced knowledge. It's not straightforward. It requires experience and in-depth knowledge of Cisco CLR or other management tools. You need to be an expert, or to hire one.

Simple operations or simple deployments don't take more than one day. For both switches, it takes even less than an hour. However, if you want to deploy more advanced features like .money for the set or more features like routing, etc., it can take one or two days. It shouldn't take longer than that. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Cisco's pricing is quite high. It's on the higher end of the spectrum in comparison to other options on the market.

What other advice do I have?

I've worked with Cisco switches, but not industrial switches. I've worked with the 2900 series switches, as well as the 2800, 3700 series, and 3800 series of switches. Those are Cisco's enterprise and LAN switches.

I would recommend using Cisco ethernet switches.

I'd rate the solution nine out of ten overall.

There are some issues with the product, which is normal. nothing is ever perfect. However, compared to other options, Cisco is your best bet.

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: Integrator
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Cisco Ethernet Switches Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: May 2025
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Ethernet Switches
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Cisco Ethernet Switches Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.