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3Com H3C Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

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
26th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
5.4
Number of Reviews
8
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Cisco Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
2nd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
138
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of 3Com H3C Switches is 1.4%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Ethernet Switches is 9.1%, down from 12.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Cisco Ethernet Switches9.1%
3Com H3C Switches1.4%
Other89.5%
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

AA
Manager at Necsol
Has improved operational response times and reduced downtime across departments
There is no negative impact, but to some extent their software side needs improvement because most people are familiar with iDRAC for the Dell product. Their software product is quite different and is new software. You have to take some time to learn their programming and other things such as installation of the media, Windows or office applications, or anything else. It is not complex. It is because it is a new thing and we had to face a little more problem for the installation at first. But now after some time, it has become easy for us because we have been working with Dell and listening about Dell for a long time, about decades. 3Com H3C Switches has occupied our market and has been working now for the last two to three years. 3Com H3C Switches has gained this much reputation and the brand is at its peak. It will be a matter of time and with the passage of time the learning stage will improve.
Sachin-Yadav - PeerSpot reviewer
Network & Security Engineer at Arrow PC Network Pvt Ltd
Network segmentation has improved security and performance across all departments
Cisco Ethernet Switches offer various features such as L3 capable models which help me with my routing requirements, OSPF, EIGRP, and VRF for segmentation, as well as policy-based routing. Additionally, it provides a high layer of enterprise security via 802.1X port-based authentication, DHCP snooping, ARP inspection, IP Guard, ACLs, and integration with Cisco ISE. I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for more than four years, and they have provided me stability, better connectivity, and higher speed. My organization values these switches greatly.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"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."
"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."
"They are easy to use, they are cheaper, and it's a trusted brand."
"Total cost of ownership and consolidation of the switches is very good."
"The installation is quite straightforward."
"3Com H3C Switches products are available at a low price, and the second most important factor is their services, availability of parts, and warranty claims, with main service centers in all major cities of Pakistan."
"They're straightforward and stable."
"The most valuable feature of this solution is the durability."
"Cisco Ethernet Switches is a very stable product."
"Cisco as a whole is flexible."
"Cisco Ethernet Switches have good performance."
"Cisco switches has helped provide efficient and stable switching in the organization."
"I'm satisfied with Cisco switches. It's stable and beautiful."
"Cisco's technical support is perfect."
"This solution is overall a high-grade solution compared to others."
"We only deal with Cisco products, they are very good."
 

Cons

"When we try to do configuration changes sometimes it malfunctions."
"The configuration of 3Com H3C Switches could be better."
"To some extent their software side needs improvement because most people are familiar with iDRAC for the Dell product."
"If I had to go back in time, I might go with HP."
"The cost and the integration with other solutions could be better."
"The technical support services need improvement in terms of communication."
"I think there's nothing that needs to be improved because the company is no longer in existence."
"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."
"Ease of configuration for none Cisco experts would be an 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."
"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."
"The solution should offer a method for user-based load balancing."
"There's are other products that are better for network programmability. Cisco isn't as programmable as some preferred vendors. For example, on iOS 6 products, you have to commit the change directly on the running configuration. If you have a generic product you can do this, so it can improve in programmability."
"Technical support for integrations with other network products is insufficient and should be improved."
"It would be nice if they had higher wattage for PoE+."
"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."
 

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."
"The solution has different prices depending on the features that you want to have."
"The solution can be comparatively cheaper."
"There are different licensing based on the model of the solution."
"The price of this solution is fair."
"Users have to pay an annual licensing fee for Cisco Ethernet Switches, which is expensive."
"The cost of Cisco Ethernet Switches is expensive."
"The solution’s pricing is reasonable."
"The product is very expensive"
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
10%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Construction Company
9%
Outsourcing Company
7%
Construction Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Comms Service Provider
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business7
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise4
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business60
Midsize Enterprise35
Large Enterprise55
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for 3Com H3C Switches?
Price is the major factor. You cannot say it is much better because all servers and all products have a few things in common, which are the processor, storage, and RAM and other things. Mostly the ...
What needs improvement with 3Com H3C Switches?
There is no negative impact, but to some extent their software side needs improvement because most people are familiar with iDRAC for the Dell product. Their software product is quite different and...
What advice do you have for others considering 3Com H3C Switches?
I personally did not work over the management, but I supplied to some of my other clients. I would rate this review a 9 overall.
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 ...
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...
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...
 

Also Known As

No data available
Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

British Columbia Assessment Authority, DreamWorks, DRV
Linz AG
Find out what your peers are saying about 3Com H3C Switches vs. Cisco Ethernet Switches and other solutions. Updated: August 2026.
908,858 professionals have used our research since 2012.