Cisco Nexus 9000 Series vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access comparison

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access

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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

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

12th

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

5.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Data Center Networking (6th)

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secu...

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

11th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is 1.0%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is 3.5%, down from 4.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access	3.5%
Cisco Nexus 9000 Series	1.0%
Other	95.5%

Ethernet Switches

Featured Reviews

AbhinavSingh

Technical Marketing Engineer Hybrid Cloud Infrastructures at NetApp

Policy-driven data centers have delivered low-latency connectivity for critical applications

The most critical and important feature in Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is VPC. Apart from VPC, there are many other features in Cisco Nexus 9000 Series that stand out as advantages. You can apply access control lists on that. You can do Layer 3 capabilities. You can configure HSRP. You can implement VRFs. You can isolate the L3 network within your data center. It has a lot of features including network segmentation capabilities. You can apply a lot of security hardening and manage the access on the switches through auditing to see who is doing what and restrict access based on the network admin role. These are great features. The overlay technology support in Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is good for large-scale deployment where you are going to build something like a hyperscaler. You need more network segments, and with VXLAN, you can definitely build a large fabric with those Nexus switches.

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Hassan Mohamed

Cyber Security Manager at Greater Cairo Water Company (GCWC)

Zero Trust access has improved branch security and provides granular visibility for all devices

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has substantial automation because the configuration is managed from FortiGate dashboard. Automation increases performance and decreases installation time. I mentioned the unique specifications of the switch and the solution at the start. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access granular visibility features have helped me manage IoT devices. I can see every device in the network and the details about each device because FortiGate has an inventory of every device, making the integration between Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access and FortiGate unique. The deep integration with Fortinet's Security Fabric is very important for threat intelligence in my organization. Reliability is key, and automation contributes significantly to network performance optimization in my organization. I have to use FortiLink for automatic UTM extension, as it is a unique proprietary protocol to manage Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access through FortiGate. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is a switch that is related to its Secure Access feature. I gave this review a rating of 9.

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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

"Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is very durable and very reliable, and there has never been any issue with it."

"RealPresence works effectively."

"According to the customers, they are not utilizing even 40% of the switches because the capacity is very large."

"The features for manageability and visibility are impressive."

"The stability and reliability of Cisco Nexus 9000 Series are robust, and once you put it on, it does not just fail; that takes a long time, maybe even years."

"We are using the core capabilities of Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Ethernet switches, and it is performing well."

"The performance in data center operations with Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is excellent; we have never faced any performance issues."

"For one of the biggest European customers, they deployed Cisco Nexus for their core networking and it has been running for a few years without having a single downtime."

More Cisco Nexus 9000 Series pros

"It can integrate well with other Fortinet products."

"Deploying the solution is a breeze, even a novice can do it."

"What I actually use in this deployment are Forti APs (Fortinet Access Points). So, I can see all my office infrastructure from a single console, which is handy. One FortiGate, one FortiSwitch, and five access points, everything under good control. It's really nice to see it all together like this."

"The powerful integration capabilities allow us to manage all devices from a single interface through the firewall."

"My advice for anybody who is considering this product is that it's a secure and stable device."

"It is a cheap and secure solution. The job switching and security features are better than other solutions."

"I would rate the the ease of management and scalability within our network architecture an eight out of ten, with ten being best."

"I would say I get extraordinary service from FortiGate."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access pros

Cons

"For Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches, I think we need to work on the HSRP. Whenever it flaps or something happens, it creates an issue."

"I would rate the technical support for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series an eight out of ten. This rating is not because of their lack of expertise, but just the assignment period."

"The potential for improvement lies in the licensing aspect, which is somewhat confusing. The perpetual and subscription licensing is a concern."

"The SFP modules we are using have had issues. We have Cisco modules, but they frequently heat up or there are packet error issues."

"We find that Cisco has been left behind by the other vendors. The other vendors have adopted new technology, and we find Cisco lagging behind."

"Even though it is expensive, I am not sure about the return on investment. It is expensive, and you will need to pay for subscription fees that also are not cheap."

"If I have a Juniper and want to uplink with Cisco, there could be some configuration challenges."

"In terms of automation with Cisco Nexus 9000 Series, it could be better."

More Cisco Nexus 9000 Series cons

"One of the main challenges was integrating FortiSwitch with FortiGate, as the switches are managed through FortiGate rather than independently."

"The scalability and technical support can be improved."

"The central management needs improvement. The initial setup could be easier."

"FortiSwitch requires periodic firmware updates. It can be a little difficult because the switches aren't connected to the internet, so you cannot upgrade the firmware remotely. You need to go to the site and do it manually because it's a closed network."

"I believe enhancement in security is essential for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access."

"It would also help if they lowered the cost of their service."

"Technical support needs to take a different approach and pricing should appear more competitive."

"FortiSwitch offers eight and 24-port models. They don't have a 16-port model, which can be an issue for some clients."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"It's affordable and there are no additional costs, just regular support, and license fees."

"The tool's pricing is fine."

"The product pricing seems to be mid-range."

"The solution is expensive but overall the cost makes sense."

"It's affordable compared to other switching products, like Cisco switches."

"Price-wise, I find Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access to be an okay product. It is not an expensive product."

"The solution has reasonable pricing. The firewall costs around 500$ annually."

"You can buy this equipment in a multitude of ways. You can buy just the hardware, or you can buy the hardware and the licenses."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

23%

Outsourcing Company

17%

Construction Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Outsourcing Company

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Large Enterprise	4

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	39
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	7

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Cisco Nexus 9000 Series?

If we speak about the negative side, the prices are something that could be improved. It is expensive compared with other competitors, about 40% higher than any other vendor. This is the main point...

What is your primary use case for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series?

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series focuses on serving the data center primarily, not the endpoints. The focus is on how to serve your data center, perform the segmentation that you need inside your data cente...

What advice do you have for others considering Cisco Nexus 9000 Series?

The policy-driven approach in Cisco Nexus 9000 Series can be understood through the integration with Cisco DNA. One of the main features or strength points that Cisco Nexus 9000 Series has is the f...

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...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?

The price is very affordable. The price is comfortable for me.

What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?

I believe enhancement in security is essential for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access. Fortinet needs to perform extensive testing to improve its reliability. If they achieve that, I think it wil...

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Compared 20% of the time

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Compared 18% of the time

Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access

Compared 6% of the time

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access

Compared 5% of the time

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Product Reports

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series

Download Cisco Nexus 9000 Series product report

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access

Download Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access product report

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access report

Overview

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is a high-performing network switch line designed for modern data centers, offering scalability, flexibility, and efficiency for complex network infrastructures.

This series enhances data center performance with its ability to provide extensive support for open Ethernet standards and programmable networking environments. It is specifically tailored to meet the demands of evolving infrastructure by delivering advanced automation and simplified operations tailored for application-driven environments. Designed to tackle the challenges of today's data centers, Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ensures robust networking for enterprises seeking growth through technological advancement.

What are the key features of Cisco Nexus 9000 Series?

High Density: Features high-density 40G Ethernet, enhancing throughput in data centers.
Programmability: Offers full programmable access via Cisco’s NX-OS software, enabling customized operations.
Scalability: Supports scalability to enable growth and expansion without compromising performance.
Energy Efficiency: Equipped with energy-saving technology, reducing operational costs significantly.

What benefits and ROI can users expect?

Cost Efficiency: Reduces costs through energy-efficient operations and maintenance.
Performance: Increases network performance forwarding vital data swiftly and securely.
Adaptability: Easily integrates into existing systems, aiding in smooth transitions and upgrades.
Reliability: Ensures continuous uptime and stability, crucial for business-critical operations.

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series finds extensive use in industries like finance, healthcare, and telecommunications, where robust, scalable network infrastructure is essential. In finance, it supports fast and reliable data transactions. In healthcare, it's critical for handling patient data securely. Telecommunications rely on it for managing extensive data traffic efficiently, demonstrating its adaptability and strength in managing sector-specific demands.

Cisco

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access offers centralized control and seamless FortiGate integration, enhancing network management and security with single-console operations. Known for user-friendly configurations, it supports VLAN, PoE, and cloud-based management.

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access provides a powerful network management solution, emphasizing integration with FortiGate for streamlined operations and enhanced security protocols. Its interface and straightforward configuration support effective device management. While recognized for robust performance and affordability, users seek improvements in pricing, support, and firmware reliability. FortiSwitch fits into industries such as education, healthcare, and retail, providing secure remote access and connectivity for campus environments and remote sites. Clients value its comprehensive management features but suggest enhancements in standalone management, terminology clarity, and initial setup.

What are the key features?

Centralized Control: Seamlessly integrates with FortiGate for streamlined management.
User-Friendly Interface: Simplified device management through easy configurations.
VLAN and PoE Support: Enhance connectivity with advanced network management capabilities.
Cloud-Based Management: Provides flexible and scalable network administration.
Robust Performance: Ensures high reliability and scalability for diverse network needs.

What benefits and ROI should users consider?

Affordability: Offers cost-effective network management solutions.
Scalability: Adapts to growing network demands with ease.
Efficient Deployment: Reduces need for extensive technical expertise.
Enhanced Security: Strengthens network protection across various environments.
Comprehensive Management: Centralizes operations for improved network oversight.

In industries like education, healthcare, and retail, Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is implemented to manage network security and infrastructure efficiently. Organizations use it to integrate with FortiGate, ensuring centralized management and improved security. It is deployed for secure remote access and connectivity for campuses and remote sites, enhancing security requirements in these sectors. Fortinet partners and customers benefit from its advanced management features, supporting VLANs and access-level connectivity for phones and computers, aligning with industry-specific demands.

Fortinet

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access