3Com H3C Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Cisco are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #21 with an average rating of 10.0, while Cisco is ranked #1 with an average rating of 9.0. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 0.9% mindshare in ES, compared to Cisco’s 13.3% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Cisco users who would recommend it.

3Com H3C Switches

Read 7 3Com H3C Switches reviews

1,092 Views
786 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

Cisco Ethernet Switches

Read 135 Cisco Ethernet Switches reviews

14,957 Views
12,256 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

3Com H3C Switches

Cisco Ethernet Switches

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

Cisco Ethernet Switches and 3Com H3C Switches are products in the network infrastructure market. Cisco seems to have the upper hand due to higher customer satisfaction in support and pricing.

Features: Cisco Ethernet Switches offer robust security features, enhanced scalability, and extensive protocol support, ensuring a reliable network environment. 3Com H3C Switches focus on network automation, intelligent management tools, and advanced features that streamline operations.

Room for Improvement: Cisco could improve affordability and simplify complex configurations, while enhancing automation features. 3Com H3C might benefit from expanding support resources, refining documentation, and enhancing their security features to align with market leaders.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Ethernet Switches provide comprehensive documentation and strong customer service support, facilitating seamless deployment. 3Com H3C Switches excel in straightforward deployment with intuitive management interfaces and responsive support channels.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Ethernet Switches require higher upfront costs but offer competitive ROI through performance and support. 3Com H3C Switches are more cost-efficient, providing substantial ROI with lower maintenance expenses and effective network automation.

To learn more, read our detailed 3Com H3C Switches vs. Cisco Ethernet Switches Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

3Com H3C Switches vs. Cisco Ethernet Switches

June 2025

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Helped 860,592 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

3Com H3C Switches

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

21st

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

5.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Cisco Ethernet Switches

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

1st

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

135

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of 3Com H3C Switches is 0.9%, down from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Ethernet Switches is 13.3%, down from 18.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches

Featured Reviews

MURALI NIDAMANURI

Managing Director at VIPUN COGNITIVE SOLUTIONS PVT LTD.

Upgraded interface supports efficient configuration and extensive network layer integration

The user interface is upgraded to the latest GUI technology, allowing configurations like VLAN to be done through the interface rather than the command line, making it more efficient. The solutions provided support many network layers extensively, including VLANs, L3 APIs, and L4, L5, L7 application layers, which improve customization, security, and data management.

Read full review

Myint Aung

Head of the Solutions Department at BIM Group of Companies

Exceptional network support and AI integration drive performance while suggesting enhancements for future use cases

I work with both HyperFlex and other Cisco products. I prefer to make online support available because I can utilize my CCIE architect, solution consultant, and engineer team along with our account manager and product sales team. We can clarify requirements and decide how to support you. We should arrange a conference call about Cisco Ethernet Switches where I can invite my architect and consultant to clarify more about the features that are most beneficial for improving network efficiency. Today is AI day, and all the new firmware includes AI to optimize the performance, traffic, and security of Cisco Ethernet Switches. It's performing very well. With many solutions and vendors available, you have to decide on one. I am extremely satisfied with the licensing cost for Cisco Ethernet Switches. For the price of Cisco Ethernet Switches, I would rate it a 7. My overall rating for Cisco Ethernet Switches is 10 out of 10.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"They are easy to use, they are cheaper, and it's a trusted brand."

"The hardware side is a very big advantage. We use it 24/7 and we haven't had any problems so far with the switches."

"They're straightforward and stable."

"The user interface is upgraded to the latest GUI technology, allowing configurations like VLAN to be done through the interface rather than the command line, making it more efficient."

"The reliability of the solution has been the best feature."

"Their customer service is instant with a tracking system and follow-ups for human access."

"The installation is quite straightforward."

"The solution's valuable features are the speed of network transfer, it can transfer four to six gigabits per second."

"Cisco is the world leader in these systems. The expertise they have is very good compared to others. We can trust Cisco from a technical perspective."

"The Cisco Ethernet switches are sturdy products that do not require any kind of maintenance."

"The hardware is rugged. We use it for the basic configuration."

"Multicast is an advanced feature that helps alleviate some of our work challenges."

"The layer-2 switching is very fast."

"The most valuable feature of Cisco Ethernet Switches is their stability. They are rock solid, and that's the advantage of Cisco."

"One main feature of this solution is the POE switches."

More Cisco Ethernet Switches pros

Cons

"When we try to do configuration changes sometimes it malfunctions."

"The cost and the integration with other solutions could be better."

"The technical support services need improvement in terms of communication."

"The company should come up with new security features and new management and log recording systems, helping customers to analyze issues and prevent future incidents."

"I think there's nothing that needs to be improved because the company is no longer in existence."

"The configuration of 3Com H3C Switches could be better."

"Technical support for integrations with other network products is insufficient and should be improved."

"From a system integrator's perspective, Cisco must train system integrators, partners, and customers about their services."

"Cisco products are expensive compared to any other solution. Now, there are many competitors that give the same level of services - such as Juniper or Aruba."

"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."

"We've had hardware problems like SSDs, ports, networking, things like that."

"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 management of the solution could improve."

"If Cisco Ethernet Switches can work both on-prem and in the cloud, it would be an advantage."

More Cisco Ethernet Switches cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"3Com H3C Switches have a competitive cost. I rate the pricing a nine out of ten."

"The cost could be improved, but it is cheaper than the others."

"Cisco Ethernet Switches are more expensive than Huawei Ethernet Switches."

"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."

"The cost of this solution is expensive."

"The price of Cisco Ethernet Switches here in India is too high. There are other cheaper solutions available."

"While Cisco's pricing can be a concern, particularly with support fees, its overall features and support community make it a solid choice."

"The solution’s pricing is reasonable."

"The product is very expensive"

"The price is on the higher side."

More Cisco Ethernet Switches pricing and cost advice

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Comparison Review

it_user82779

Engineer at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees

Jan 29, 2014

Benefits of Juniper vs Cisco

Both are decent products. I prefer Juniper for the following reasons: 1) Cleaner separation of data plane from control plane. Higher end Cisco devices are better at this but most of the lower end products still seem to be more integrated than I like. 2) The Hierarchical config design means I can…

Read full review

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

12%

University

11%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Computer Software Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about 3Com H3C Switches?

The installation is quite straightforward.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for 3Com H3C Switches?

The price depends on the segments the switches serve. For some segments, they can be costly.

See all answers

What needs improvement with 3Com H3C Switches?

The company should come up with new security features and new management and log recording systems, helping customers to analyze issues and prevent future incidents. Remediation recommendations sho...

See all answers

Would you recommend replacing a Cisco Catalyst Switch by a D-link one?

Hello Mesfin It depends on the real scenario, the cisco 2960 is a very good device and they usually have routing functions but there are many different models within the same 2960 line, and on the ...

See all answers

Which would you choose - Fortinet Fortiswitch secure access or Cisco Ethernet Switches?

We researched Cisco but ultimately chose Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access, mostly because of the price. Fortinet FortiSwitch is an ethernet switch solution that provides security and performance...

See all answers

In terms of ethernet switches, would you go with Cisco or Juniper?

Our organization ran comparison tests to determine whether Cisco or Juniper Ethernet switches were the better fit for us. We decided to go with Juniper. Juniper ethernet switches are a lesser-known...

See all answers

Comparisons

Aruba Switches vs 3Com H3C Switches

Compared 18% of the time

MikroTik Routers and Switches vs 3Com H3C Switches

Compared 10% of the time

D-Link Ethernet Switches vs 3Com H3C Switches

Compared 9% of the time

TP-Link Omada Switches vs 3Com H3C Switches

Compared 9% of the time

Huawei Ethernet Switches vs 3Com H3C Switches

Compared 7% of the time

More 3Com H3C Switches Competitors

Aruba Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches

Compared 19% of the time

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs Cisco Ethernet Switches

Compared 15% of the time

D-Link Ethernet Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches

Compared 10% of the time

NETGEAR Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches

Compared 7% of the time

More Cisco Ethernet Switches Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Ethernet Switches

June 2025

Download 3Com H3C Switches product report

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Ethernet Switches

June 2025

Download Cisco Ethernet Switches product report

Also Known As

No data available

Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches

Overview

3Com Baseline switches provide cost-effective layer 2 10/100 and 10/100/1000 Ethernet switching for LANs that do not need management capabilities. Simple to install and economical to own, they feature wirespeed performance on fixed-configuration, rack-mountable platforms.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Cisco Ethernet Switches scale to meet the needs of networks of all sizes. They are Secure, Reliable and Seamless.

Cisco

Sample Customers

British Columbia Assessment Authority, DreamWorks, DRV

Linz AG

Buyer's Guide

3Com H3C Switches vs. Cisco Ethernet Switches

June 2025

Free Report: 3Com H3C Switches vs. Cisco Ethernet Switches

Find out what your peers are saying about 3Com H3C Switches vs. Cisco Ethernet Switches and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.

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