

Fortinet FortiSwitch and Aruba Switches are competitors in the network management and security solutions sector. Fortinet seems to have the upper hand in providing an integrated security solution, which significantly enhances network management through its seamless FortiGate integration.
Features: FortiSwitch distinguishes itself with centralized security management, device isolation, and extensive analytics collection. The SD-WAN support and user-friendly interface are key strengths. Its single-pane-of-glass view facilitates security management. Aruba Switches offer flexible, open architecture and powerful automation capabilities. They integrate well with Aruba Central, and their Smart Rate Port combined with zero licensing fees for Layer 3 features boost its appeal. Dynamic segmentation, robust operation, and easy cloud management are notable.
Room for Improvement: FortiSwitch has a higher price point and is overly reliant on FortiGate for management, making non-Fortinet setups less flexible. The lack of some SDN features is a drawback. Customers highlight the need for improved technical support and a less steep learning curve for new users. Aruba Switches struggle with firmware stability and have a complex licensing model that often demands multiple licenses for full functionality. Network visibility could be more comprehensive for large deployments. Concerns over initial costs and hardware stability are noted.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: FortiSwitch often provides a streamlined deployment process when integrated with FortiGate, though technical support experiences vary, with some language barrier issues. Aruba Switches are easier to deploy on-premises with robust cloud capabilities and receive favorable customer service feedback, despite suggested improvements in support response times. Centralized management simplifies deployment but scaling technical support remains a challenge.
Pricing and ROI: FortiSwitch, with its higher initial expense, provides a comprehensive package that may lead to reduced ongoing costs, offering better cost-effectiveness against competitors like Cisco and HPE but may lack technological competitiveness for enterprises. Aruba Switches, generally cheaper than Cisco, present a higher initial cost than Fortinet, but flexible licensing aids affordability for small businesses. However, variable costs for advanced features can accumulate. Both systems provide excellent ROI in terms of network stability and operational savings, catering to different market segments.
When issues are escalated to TAC for switching cases specifically, the support tends to be a little poor, whereas support for other products remains acceptable.
Their tech support is good.
I find that technical support is available, especially during the warranty period.
They are knowledgeable, professional, and assist with any issues.
My local support is working fine, and I have my connection with my account manager in the public company of Fortinet.
It's a potential area for improvement, possibly in terms of response time or quality.
The scalability offered by Aruba Switches is similar to Cisco, demonstrating options for enterprise networking.
I would rate the scalability of the product an eight out of ten.
The scalability, in my opinion, is around seven to eight out of ten.
For enterprise solutions, it's extendable easily with options for edge connectivity or stackable devices.
You just need to connect another switch or replace the current one, and it integrates well with the existing setup.
With uniform Fortinet FortiGate switches, adding or removing switches without reconfiguring individually is straightforward.
I have sites that have been running for many years with no issues.
The stability of Aruba Switches is very good, and I would rate it between eight and nine out of ten.
Once we install Aruba Switches, we can forget about them for years and years.
The tool is robust and lasts for three to four years without needing replacement.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access demonstrates great stability and reliability aspects.
The stability has been good overall.
Improving the distribution network across regions would be beneficial.
Aruba Central also has certain security features including segmentation capabilities and endpoint information that can be used to define policies.
There are more centers of knowledge for Cisco than for Aruba here.
The introduction of AI integration could be valuable for detecting abnormal traffic directly on the switch.
The machine is robust and lasts for years with rare technical issues.
I would appreciate the ability to create an independent switch.
The pricing of some products, such as the 6300M switch, is considered a significant cost.
From my experience, the pricing of Aruba Switches is competitive.
A high-end model with Aruba is about five thousand.
It has increased by about two hundred percent over the past three years.
The initial cost of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is high compared to other options.
One of the most valuable features of Aruba Switches is the security and cybersecurity features they have.
Scalability is significant since you can start from an economical product to a very high-end option, accommodating growth.
In the hotel sector, IGMP 3 is particularly valuable for IPTV.
This centralized management saves time and ensures seamless scalability.
The powerful integration capabilities allow us to manage all devices from a single interface through the firewall.
One of the main features is the integration with FortiGate.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Aruba Switches | 8.2% |
| Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access | 4.1% |
| Other | 87.7% |


| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 49 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 18 |
| Large Enterprise | 22 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 38 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 6 |
| Large Enterprise | 7 |
Aruba Switches is a network creation solution that enables users to easily manage every aspect of their networks.
Benefits of Aruba Switches
Some of the benefits of using Aruba switches include:
Reviews from Real Users
Aruba Switches are cutting-edge network creation tools that stand out among their competitors for a number of reasons. Two major ones are the warranty that guarantees them and the intuitive way in which they are designed. Aruba Switches are protected by lifetime warranties. If a switch malfunctions or is rendered inoperable, it can be quickly replaced. If the line of switches are still available, HPE will send the user the necessary replacement. Aruba Switches are built to be intuitive for users to customize and manipulate. This allows users to make full use of the solution without requiring them to devote a significant level of resources to training.
The head of technical support at a real estate law firm writes, “One valuable feature about HP is the warranty. All switches are very similar when it comes to most functionalities. Most switches provide a one-year warranty, but with HPE switches, if there's a unit that malfunctions, we call them and they replace it the next business day if that line is still available. We had a switch we reported the other day, it was a 25-10, which we procured way back, around 2014, and they replaced it. In general, HP provides a lot of support for its products. We will be doing some tinkering on the VLAN soon, first the layer two, and then connecting the layer three functionalities for some other departments. The advantage of Aruba compared to other switches is their reliability. If the product is trustworthy, I'll continue to use it.”
A network systems engineer at a financial services firm writes, “Their technical support is great. I have used Cisco products, and as compared to Cisco, Aruba's command-line syntax is not as complex. The command-line interface of Aruba switches is quite intuitive. It also has a graphical user interface. With Cisco, using the graphical user interface for configuration can be complex, whereas Aruba simplifies it, and you can easily use the graphical user interface. The configuration is secured. Their graphical user interface is quite robust.”
Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access is a secure, high-performance, and easy-to-manage switch. Fortinet FortiSwitch is the best solution for threat-conscious enterprises of all sizes because it is secure, simple, and scalable. Secure Access, which is tightly integrated into the Fortinet Security Fabric via FortiLink, may be handled directly from the FortiGate interface.
Regardless of how people and devices connect to the network, this single-pane-of-glass administration provides total visibility and control. This makes the Fortinet FortiSwitch perfect for SD-Branch and campus deployments, allowing enterprises to combine their security and network access with applications ranging from desktop to data center aggregation. Fortinet FortiSwitch's Secure Access is the most adaptable security platform with end-to-end protection in the industry.
Switches for Secure Access: Small to medium-sized businesses, scattered organizations, branch offices, and industrial control systems can all benefit.
Switches for Data Centers: Ideal for users requiring high-performance 10 GE or 40 GE.
Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access Features
Fortinet FortiSwitch has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:
Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access Benefits
There are many benefits to implementing Fortinet FortiSwitch. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:
Reviews from Real Users
Fortinet FortiSwitch stands out among its competitors for a number of reasons. Two major ones are its stability and its VLAN setup. PeerSpot users take note of the advantages of these features in their reviews:
Rutul S., CXO at Aariha Enterprise Private Limited, writes of the product, “The most valuable feature is the SD-WAN support. This device is easy to use.” He adds, “Stability-wise, this product is better than others that are on the market.”
Emil V., System Consultant at I team, notes, “I like the VLAN setup of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has very good scalability.” He adds, “Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is easy to set up. It only takes minutes to deploy this product, because it is mostly boxes.”
We monitor all Ethernet Switches reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.