What is our primary use case?
I work as a project manager for three companies who implement the solution for customers in Libya. Cisco is very popular because it is a household name that provides reliable switches for network infrastructures.
More than 3,000 customers utilize the solution.
What is most valuable?
Integration is much easier than with competitor products such as Ubiquiti because it allows for segmentation inside the network.
The solution's life cycle is long at around ten years.
What needs improvement?
It is very difficult to obtain certified switches with licenses in Libya because there is a four-month wait list for shipping from Dubai.
The solution used to be available within two weeks by contacting one partner in Libya.
In 2014, Cisco left Libya so it is hard to get the solution because it requires contacting a middleman and a shipping company.
Green market options are available instantly but most top companies require the solution be licensed to them.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is 100% stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is 100% scalable.
How are customer service and support?
Support is advanced and reliable because they act quickly and are always available through email, phone, and LiveChat.
Sometimes support works on your computer via AnyDesk or TeamViewer to resolve issues.
I rate support an eight out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Our client was using Ubiquiti before converting to the solution.
Ubiquiti connects all switches to one controller on the UniFi axis so the entire network goes down if something happens to that main controller. With the solution, multiple controls are used so an issue on 40% of the network will still allow the other 60% to work.
In addition, support for Ubiquiti is horrible and only available via email which wastes time trying to get help.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward, advanced, and only takes minutes with a certified engineer.
A setup with issues or an inexperienced engineer might take an hour.
What about the implementation team?
Our company employs eight Cisco-certified engineers who implement the solution for customers.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is more expensive than competitors such as Ubiquiti, Huawei, and MikroTik but is reliable and worth the money. Heavy networks for big projects should use the solution.
An Ubiquiti switch will cost $300 but they charge less for hardware because there are hidden fees for licensing, configurations, and opening ports.
A Huawei switch is more expensive at $1,900-$2,100.
Cisco is the Cadillac of switches and is the most expensive at $2,500-$5,000 but some of that cost is due to requiring a middleman and shipping to Libya.
What other advice do I have?
The solution provides a big network that can handle advanced, sophisticated projects and daily work routines.
I rate the solution a nine out of ten. The solution did not receive a perfect score because of the local hassles in obtaining equipment.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
*Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: