Cisco Ethernet Switches Reviews

We are a fiber-optic provider. We have a lot of switches from Cisco and some from Microchip. We have C3750E, which is one of the main Cisco Ethernet switches. All ports of this switch are fiber.

We have a local Cisco partner here who is quite reliable, so we patronize that partner. They do everything on our behalf, especially the licenses.

What we love about the Cisco switches is that they are very reliable. You can deploy them and go to sleep, and you can be sure that nothing is going to go wrong. Our initial equipment was installed by a Chinese manufacturer named Fiberhome a couple of years ago. Their switches were called S engines. They worked, but some days, you just wake up, and the switch has popped up. It was a lot of crisis. Therefore, we are in the process of trying to take out all their switches and replace them with Cisco switches. We are getting good results in terms of reliability and even technical support.

Cisco switches are good as they are, but it would be a major feature if they have built-in routers. Some of the Microchip switches have routers built in the same device. They have a router switch. For some of the sites, we deploy such switches because the client does not want a separate router and a separate switch. So, we go for a router switch with maybe 24 ports. Some of them are fiber, and some of them are ethernet. It would be a major improvement to what Cisco is already doing.

Behind the scenes, a lot of scripting and stuff like this is happening. A lot of workload can be lifted if Cisco had a good GUI. If you look at Microchip switches, they have a good GUI in addition to the CLI.

I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for four years.

We've been using them for a couple of years now. They have been running from day one after we installed them. Besides general maintenance issues, we never really have to turn them off.

They're very reliable and stable. These are the most stable switches that we have. In a country like ours, Cisco switches are the only devices that have second-hand value. You could go to a second-hand shop and buy a second-hand industrial version, not the small business or domestic version, of the Cisco switch or router. It will still serve you well.

We've not really used much of the technical support even though for the new switches, we pay for it. The main benefit is the updates on iOS. We've never really had a situation where something went wrong with it, and we had to get in touch with technical support.

The initial setup is straightforward. I wonder why some of the new Cisco switches still come with anterior port RS232 and why do they still maintain that. 

Price is a pain point for us. We've lost a lot of bids, and the reason has been that we majorly quoted Cisco devices. Some of our competitors quoted other devices like Ubiquity or Microchip. Some even quoted this Chinese product TP-Link, and they won the bid over us because we quoted Cisco. Meanwhile, the major reason why we quoted Cisco is reliability and stability from day one. They also last longer. The prices could be worked on so that they become more affordable.

We had to deploy a city-wide WiFi network, and we were working in conjunction with Google. Because of the price, even Google recommended a product called Ruckus, so we used Ruckus over Cisco. Its price and license were the main reasons. You have to pay to renew the license every year. Even though you also renew the licenses for Ruckus, but they are much cheaper than Cisco. So, while I would recommend Cisco any time, the trouble remains with the pricing.

I would highly recommend it, especially for people who are doing wide-scale deployments like campus networks or a city-wide network square. 

I would rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a ten out of ten. I don't see any product that performs better. We had a Chinese company coming in to do a bunch of presentations and stuff like that, but at the end of the day, those of us who are at the back doing the configurations understand that it is nothing closer to what Cisco offers.

The use case for Cisco Ethernet switches is foundational networking, which includes packet switching and routing within the organization's network. It facilitates communication between devices and networks, ensuring data packets are appropriately directed to their destinations.

Cisco Ethernet Switches are rugged, secure, and scalable. It provides smart devices and reliable switches.

There are instances where the commands you are familiar with might change or be replaced with newer syntax. They could provide details to know about the changed processes. Additionally, its pricing needs improvement.

It is a stable platform.

We can find references in the product's knowledge base to resolve the technical issues.

The initial setup process is straightforward. It involves understanding the user's configuration requirements. Setting up IP addresses or configuring security features like authentication can be accomplished within three to four minutes. Further, we configure security features like passwords, consoles, and connectivity to help prevent unauthorized access. It requires one technical executive for deployment and maintenance.

The product is worth the investment.

The product is expensive. However, it is cost-effective, considering its durability. There is only a need for licensing in case of specific security requirements or advanced configurations where we need to activate certain modules. We need to buy licenses for wireless controllers or VPNs. 

I recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches to others and rate it a ten out of ten.

Cisco Ethernet Switches are the product line I have the most experience with and have been my go-to solution for many years with mid to large organizations over the years. They are still top contenders for environments that need layer 3 functionality in a switch. They have a product line that covers the entire spectrum of switching technology from the high-end Nexus products through the traditional enterprise catalyst models and all the way down to the small business solutions. They seem to have the market covered with a solution to meet any IT shop's needs.

Cisco switches provide layer 3 functionality on the network taking that load off the security appliance and not requiring a router on the network. This prevents single points of failure for internal data routing and keeps internal routes off the security appliance workload. The CLI is the industry standard and most network professionals learn it and can use it.

The reliability of Cisco Ethernet Switches is amazingly impressive. Maybe I’m lucky but I have not experienced a Cisco Ethernet Switch fail unless caused by a power event such as lightning. I highly recommend connecting switches via fiber-optic connections due to the lack of electrical conductivity. I learned this the hard way when a building with the electrical systems not properly grounded caused a cascade of switch failures during a lightning storm.

The CLI is very valuable as it allows network professionals to work fast and customize the configuration however they need.

Cisco Ethernet Switches have great enterprise features like Cisco DNA Assurance. Cisco DNA Assurance features advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning. Cisco AI Network Analytics, a capability within Cisco DNA Assurance, allows easy management of all devices and services, prioritizes and resolves network issues, and ensures a better user experience across the network.

Also, appreciate the industrial line of switches for SCADA or other environments where switches are placed in unconditioned space and the temperatures fluctuate a lot during the seasons.                        

The typical areas of concern for Cisco Ethernet Switches are not technical but cost including support costs. I’ve never liked the fact that end users cannot download security patches without a support contract. I’ve had trouble getting approval to renew Cisco support contracts due to the cost.

The additional charges for the DNA capabilities of the switches further prices the switches are out of contention for a lot of IT shops. I understand the development of this technology is expensive but costs are sometimes borderline ridiculous.

I have 28 years of experience with Cisco switches.

Cisco Ethernet Switches are some of the most rock-solid hardware I’ve had the pleasure of using.

Cisco Ethernet Switches are extremely scalable and have the broadest line of solutions in the market.

Cisco's technical support has deteriorated over the years. They have call centers all over the world and sometimes the techs experience levels seem to vary. This seems to be the industry standard though in my experience.

I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches my entire career. I really like them but they are not always cost-effective.

If you know the CLI interface the setup is straightforward. If not you are in for a bumpy ride.

We deploy with in-house talent.

ROI is longer than other solutions in the enterprise space but comparable in the small business area of Cisco’s product lines.

Find a Cisco partner that has a lot of volume and pressure them for a better price. There is a lot of markup on the higher end devices. Plan for support contract expenses for the life of the device. Also check the EOL details prior to purchase so you don’t purchase an older device that will not get the years of software updates and security patches you need. EOL dates are starting to decrease in length.

We compared it to Meraki if cloud management would be helpful. Cisco has more recently started to offer Meraki dashboard management for traditional Cisco switches.

You will not be disappointed with a Cisco solution from a technical perspective. Learn the OS via CLI and you will always have job security too.

We use Cisco Ethernet Switches in government offices that are in multiple locations.

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.

I've been working with Cisco Ethernet Switches for 10 years.

I would rate the stability at ten out of ten.

It is a scalable solution, and we have more than 35 customers who use it.

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.

Positive

The initial setup is straightforward. For the deployment and maintenance, we have seven technical and non-technical staff members.

The price is very high though it is priced right for the level of quality.

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.

We use Cisco Ethernet Switches in our data center.

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.

The technical support has room for improvement.

I have been using the solution for six years.

The Cisco Ethernet Switches are very stable and a leader in the market.

The solution is scalable and we have the ability to upgrade our appliances without impacting our services.

The Cisco technical support is good but when compared to other products such as McAfee and Palo Alto they have room for improvement.

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.

I give the solution an eight out of ten.

We use the Cisco 9200 and 2960 Ethernet Switches to connect our devices to the network.

Remote access is a valuable feature.

Cisco can improve its supply chain. Currently, we have to wait up to eight months for a switch.

I have been using the solution for four years.

The solution is stable.

The solution is scalable. We have 1,000 people using the solution.

The technical support is quick to respond.

The initial setup is straightforward and easy to deploy.

I give the solution a nine out of ten.

We use Cisco Ethernet Switches to connect our infrastructure and application communication.

Cisco Ethernet Switches have good performance.

The price of the solution has room for improvement.

I have been using the solution for a couple of years.

I give the stability a ten out of ten.

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.

The technical support is helpful.

The initial setup is not complex. The deployment time depends on the level of setup but on average between two to four days.

When the solution is stable and we don't receive any complaints we see a return on investment using the solution.

Cisco offers annual and three-year license options.

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.

I've been using Cisco Switches for seven to eight years.

Cisco Ethernet Switches are stable.

Cisco Ethernet Switches are scalable, much more than Jupiter. 

Cisco's technical support is very responsive.

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.

Cisco Ethernet Switches are expensive, and you have to pay for a warranty and technical support.

I would recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches, as long as you have the budget. I'd rate this solution nine out of ten.

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. 

The user interface could be improved. 

The licensing is too expensive. It's one of the main reasons customers leave Cisco. 

I've been working with Cisco products for more than ten years. I've used the product for a very long time. 

The stability has been very good. It's quite reliable. There are no bugs or glitches and it doesn't crash or freeze. 

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. 

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. 

Positive

The solution is easy to implement. The process is not overly complex. Technically speaking, it's pretty simple. 

The solution is not cheap. Cisco is quite pricey.

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. 

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.

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.

I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for approximately six months.

The stability of Cisco Ethernet Switches is great. Once we did have a problem Cisco was quick and fast to solve it.

The support was quick to solve one of the issues we were having with stability.

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.

The solution has different prices depending on the features that you want to 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.