Aruba Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access comparison

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HPE Aruba Networking Logo
22,483 views|19,109 comparisons
98% willing to recommend
Fortinet Logo
11,797 views|8,904 comparisons
87% willing to recommend
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary
Updated on Sep 5, 2022

We performed a comparison between Aruba Switches and Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access based on our users’ reviews in four categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.

  • Ease of Deployment: Users of both solutions agree that their initial setup is a straightforward process.

  • Features: Users of both products are happy with their stability and scalability.

    Aruba Switches users like its high-quality switches and say Aruba is powerful and flexible. A couple of users mention that they would like better visibility capabilities.

    FortiSwitch users say the product is reliable and user friendly and that it integrates well with other Fortinet products but that it needs more security-related features.

  • Pricing: Most Aruba Switches users feel that it is fairly priced. In contrast, most Fortinet FortiSwitch reviewers say that it is an expensive solution.
  • Service and Support: Reviewers of both solutions are satisfied with the level of support they receive.

Comparison Results: Aruba Switches comes out on top in this comparison. According to reviews, it is a more comprehensive solution than FortiSwitch. In addition, its users say that it is cost-effective.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Report (Updated: May 2024).
771,157 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"Aruba offers better options when it comes to the area of scalability compared to what Cisco offers. Aruba has a better graphical user interface that helps users with the configuration part.""We didn't experience any stability or scalability issues until now with Aruba Switches""They provide great service in terms of replacing malfunctioning switches.""The initial setup is quite easy.""The solution is very stable.""Aruba Central is very valuable to us.""It's an excellent product. They're high-quality switches, and nothing has failed in the time that we've had them.""With Aruba, I like its stability and lifetime warranty."

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"It is easy to set up.""It is a stable solution from the security front.""The solution is very simple, and it's very easily available.""Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has good scalability.""It is a cheap and secure solution. The job switching and security features are better than other solutions.""It works really well, I think the equipment is solid, and the help is great.""What I really love in FortiSwitch: its usability, the graphical user interface, and the ability to be managed by FortiGate.""One of the most feature-packed switching solutions you can implement."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Pros →

Cons
"It takes a long time to import Aruba switches to Ecuador.""I would like to see the data center area improving by some added features in the future.""I am forced to consider changing products because other solutions have a better dashboard and a user-friendly interface.""From an improvement perspective, I want Aruba Switches to have a longer life since it doesn't work properly after five years of use.""This product could be improved with additional security features.""My experience with Aruba's account manager hasn't been the greatest.""We have needed to upgrade software to fix some challenges we experienced. After downloading the latest version of Aruba, these were fixed.""In the next release, I would like to see network access control on the switches themselves. I would like to see security functionalities when it comes to monitoring the bit of the wireless section of the switches."

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"The scalability and technical support can be improved.""An area for improvement would be the segmentation and network in logic networks.""We had experienced downtime. I would like to see it to be improved.""The range of products could improve from Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access.""Currently issues with some of the switches and problems with the firmware.""When we started using the solution, it was quite complex but then it became easier to use. It takes a while to get used to the interface.""I believe that stacking, a feature that is available in Huawei and Cisco, is not available in Fortinet products.""More integration would be helpful, especially since we sometimes have devices from other companies. Improved interoperability would be very beneficial."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "The license is annual. If you purchase a switch, you get a one-year free subscription."
  • "The price of these switches is high."
  • "Comparing with Cisco, and some other solutions, it's a cheap product."
  • "The price for Aruba is quite a bit cheaper than it is for similar products by Cisco."
  • "It is expensive compared to the competition."
  • "There are no licensing costs for the Aruba Switches."
  • "The price point was a big consideration for us and it is reasonable enough that we're able to standardize on Aruba for the networking pieces in our organization."
  • "This is an expensive product, costing about double what most competitors do."
  • More Aruba Switches Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "The cost appears to be high in comparison to other competing products although with this product you are paying for what you get."
  • "It's affordable and there are no additional costs, just regular support, and license fees."
  • "It's affordable compared to other switching products, like Cisco switches."
  • "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."
  • "Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access requires a license and the price is expensive."
  • "The price is good."
  • "The price of the solution could improve, it is expensive."
  • "Licensing is billed annually and contracts are either one or three years in length."
  • More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:Aruba lives up to the expectations of the tech giant hewlett packard enterprise providing excellent networking capabilities at a very affordable price compared to the equivalent from another tech… more »
    Top Answer:Aruba Switches are very expensive. The product has many features printed on it, but the problem my company faces with the product is related to the fact that there is a need to reconfigure the… more »
    Top Answer:There were some issues in Aruba Switches, specifically Aruba PoE Switches since working with it in our company damaged our network. The timer and the internal battery in Aruba Switches don't work… more »
    Top Answer: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… more »
    Top Answer: With FortiSwitch, you can easily identify who is connected to each port, disable ports as needed, and retrieve configurations from FortiGate when required.
    Ranking
    2nd
    out of 34 in Ethernet Switches
    Views
    22,483
    Comparisons
    19,109
    Reviews
    31
    Average Words per Review
    406
    Rating
    8.4
    7th
    out of 34 in Ethernet Switches
    Views
    11,797
    Comparisons
    8,904
    Reviews
    22
    Average Words per Review
    424
    Rating
    8.0
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    8400 Series, 8320 Series, 5400R Series, 3810 Series, 2930M Series, 2930F Series, 2920 Series, 2540 Series, 2530 Series
    Learn More
    Overview

    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:

    • Easily access and manage every aspect of your networks. Aruba Switches give users a way to control their networks from a centralized location. The simplified control center can be accessed through both the cloud and on-premises devices. Intuitively view and manage every portion of your networks. You will be able to both analyze and control every device and client in the network while at the same time conserving resources for the areas of greatest concern.
    • Troubleshoot and upgrade your networks quickly and efficiently. Aruba Switches give users network visibility in real-time. It combines this with powerful analytics software that allow for the prediction, prevention, and resolution of issues. This allows administrators to act before their systems suffer serious harm. Additionally, Aruba Switches allow systems to maintain a high level of performance even during upgrading.
    • Automatically enact uniform system-wide changes. Aruba Switches gives users the ability to set their systems to automatically reconfigure when changes are necessary. Users are empowered to ensure that their systems run smoothly without worrying that there are parts of their network that are out of sync, reserving manpower and time for more pressing needs.

    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 is designed for various installations, including desktops and wiring closets.
    • Deploy and manage switches using the FortiGate interface, with FortiGate Cloud as a cloud administration option, or manage as a standalone switch using CLI, API, GUI, or the cloud with FortiSwitch Cloud.
    • Switch configuration, management, and troubleshooting are all simplified with a single-pane-of-glass dashboard.
    • Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access is ideal for SD-Branch deployments.
    • Secure Access uses FortiGate interfaces to connect with FortiLink. This provides centralized security and access control.
    • Integration of the Security Fabric: Fortinet FortiSwitch's FortiGate management brings Security Fabric features to the Ethernet access layer.
    • Voice, data, and wireless traffic can all be carried over a single network, making it ideal for converged network environments.
    • Non-FortiLink deployments can be supported via the onboard GUI, API, or command line settings.
    • Up to 48 ports in a compact and 1 RU form factor.
    • Depending on the model, up to 300 switches can be stacked per FortiGate.
    • Supports wire-speed switching, as well as store and forward mode.

    Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access Benefits

    There are many benefits to implementing Fortinet FortiSwitch. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

    • You can easily manage all deployments in one interface if your company scales and opens a new office or location.
    • You can ensure that users are authenticated before giving network access.
    • Power over Ethernet makes it simple to set up wireless access points and IP phones.
    • With network segmentation, you can help satisfy data separation compliance.

    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.”

    Sample Customers
    Purdue University
    Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Educational Organization18%
    Comms Service Provider18%
    Manufacturing Company11%
    Computer Software Company7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company14%
    Government8%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    Educational Organization7%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company27%
    Marketing Services Firm9%
    Comms Service Provider9%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company16%
    Government8%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    Comms Service Provider7%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business50%
    Midsize Enterprise23%
    Large Enterprise27%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business30%
    Midsize Enterprise20%
    Large Enterprise50%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business72%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise14%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business33%
    Midsize Enterprise21%
    Large Enterprise46%
    Buyer's Guide
    Aruba Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access
    May 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Aruba Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access and other solutions. Updated: May 2024.
    771,157 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Aruba Switches is ranked 2nd in Ethernet Switches with 70 reviews while Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is ranked 7th in Ethernet Switches with 41 reviews. Aruba Switches is rated 8.4, while Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of Aruba Switches writes "As a managed service provider, it's important to have a solution that can manage everything from one console". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access writes "It's a strong product that's easy to manage and costs significantly less than competing solutions ". Aruba Switches is most compared with Cisco Ethernet Switches, Meraki MS Switches, Ubiquiti UniFi Switches, Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches and MikroTik Routers and Switches, whereas Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is most compared with Cisco Ethernet Switches, Meraki MS Switches, Ubiquiti UniFi Switches, NETGEAR Switches and Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches. See our Aruba Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access report.

    See our list of best Ethernet Switches vendors.

    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.