Senior Manager of Data Center at a integrator with 51-200 employees
Cisco Ethernet Switches have a reputation for delivering high performance, scalability and security features for TCP/IP networks
What is most valuable?
Few pros on the Cisco ethernet switches are:
1 )Power saving design architecture
2) CDP, Cisco network discovery protocol, Smartports which make management and port configuration extremely easy and efficient
3) Increased confidentiality with MACSec layer-2 encryption
4) StackPower which helps in increasing power availability
5) Efficient QoS with priority for critical cooling
6) Added on support with hot swap, redundant power supplies and cooling
What needs improvement?
Few cons on the cisco switches are
1) Pricing strategies
2) Gigabit EtherChannel
3) Port based ACL
4) Ingress and Egress filtering not present in all
5) IGMP snooping and ISL trunking feature not present in few good series switches
What other advice do I have?
Cisco has built upon its reputation in delivering high quality ethernet switches for small scale to enterprise level needs. Whether it be the Cisco 100/200 series, a few things which standout are the energy efficient technology for Gigabit ethernet, network performance through QoS, silent operation through fan less design, IPv6 support, and the green technology approach.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Stable and scalable solution with responsive tech support
Pros and Cons
- "Cisco Ethernet Switches are scalable, much more than Jupiter."
- "The initial setup for on-prem versions is complex and requires a trained, certified engineer."
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Cisco Switches for seven to eight years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are scalable, much more than Jupiter.
How are customer service and support?
Cisco's technical support is very responsive.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup for on-prem versions is complex and requires a trained, certified engineer. However, the cloud versions are straightforward. Catalyst switches take around fifteen to thirty minutes to deploy, while the Meraki switches take about twenty minutes.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Cisco Ethernet Switches are expensive, and you have to pay for a warranty and technical support.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches, as long as you have the budget. I'd rate this solution nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches
June 2025

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Science Technician at a government with 201-500 employees
Secure, high performance, and good technical support
Pros and Cons
- "The solution's valuable features are the speed of network transfer, it can transfer four to six gigabits per second."
- "The installation is difficult and requires further training documentations."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution as a networking switch.
What is most valuable?
The solution's valuable features are the speed of network transfer, it can transfer four to six gigabits per second. Additionally, we found it to be secure.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for approximately eight years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I find the solution to be stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of the solution is good.
I am the only one in my organization using the solution.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have little experience with the solutions technical support and I am satisfied with it.
How was the initial setup?
The installation is difficult and requires further training documentations. I can configure it alone with some supervision.
What about the implementation team?
For the deployment of the solution, we were aided by consultants, and no other technical team is needed for the maintenance.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution does not require a license. However, it is expensive and the price could improve.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend the solution to others.
I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Junior Network Engineer at Easy Systems
Is stable, scalable, and easy to install
Pros and Cons
- "The performance of Cisco Ethernet Switches is better."
- "Cisco Ethernet Switches is a very expensive solution."
What is our primary use case?
I use it for plug-ins, wireless, and WiFi, and to use the Cisco controller.
What is most valuable?
The performance of Cisco Ethernet Switches is better.
It is stable and scalable as well.
It is easy to install.
What needs improvement?
The price could be improved. Cisco Ethernet Switches is a very expensive solution.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been working with this solution for 20 years.
We have 20 customers who use it.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is scalable.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support has been good.
How was the initial setup?
It's very easy to install; it took about half an hour.
What about the implementation team?
I implemented it myself.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It is a very expensive solution.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches and rate it at eight on a scale from one to ten.
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: Partner
Chairman Infrastructure & Application Development Services at atnis
Good material available on their website enables an easy setup
Pros and Cons
- "Cisco is the world leader in these systems. The expertise they have is very good compared to others. We can trust Cisco from a technical perspective."
- "Cisco could also open the API up to work closely with other systems."
What needs improvement?
Cisco is now competing with companies that are putting out cheaper switches so the price could be something that could be improved upon. However, if you want the best in the industry then you need to pay for it. Cisco could also open the API up to work closely with other systems.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for eighteen years. We only deal with Cisco switches.
How are customer service and technical support?
It is much easier and faster to get to the Cisco support, which is good. Secondly, Cisco is the world leader in these systems. The expertise they have is very good compared to others. We can trust Cisco from a technical perspective. For example, if you are buying a car you would not buy from a company that will not give you support. Also, you wouldn't buy a car from a company that is not proven in the industry. These are two things that should be taken into consideration while you are looking at any product. Then you should get into technical features.
How was the initial setup?
Cisco has very good material available on their website to read and to do yourself. This makes the initial setup of these switches very easy.
What about the implementation team?
We handle all of the setup ourselves.
What other advice do I have?
I highly recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches if you have the budget for it. I would rate Cisco switches at a ten on a scale of ten.
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: Reseller
CTO at a tech vendor with 11-50 employees
It's for industry products, so it's easy to use
Pros and Cons
- "It's for industry products, so it's easy to use."
- "I haven't heard from my engineers that they said it's excellent."
What is our primary use case?
We use it for the local area network.
What is most valuable?
It's for industry products, so it's easy to use.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for over ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is quite good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We don't have much of a demand to significantly increase the workload on network switch so we don't experience any scalability issues.
How are customer service and technical support?
Their technical support is good.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was not complex. It took a few days.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate it an eight out of ten. I haven't heard from my engineers that they said it's excellent but of course, I didn't hear them say that there are too many problems. That's why I rated it an eight.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Pre-Sales Engineer (Network & Security) at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Easy-to-deploy product with the availability of good technical documentation
Pros and Cons
- "We can easily integrate the product with any OEM solutions."
- "In the case of an already existing network, we encounter technical issues related to following protocols."
What is our primary use case?
At present, I am evaluating Cisco Ethernet Switches.
What needs improvement?
We can easily integrate the product with any OEM solutions. But in the case of an already existing network, we encounter technical issues related to following protocols.
How are customer service and support?
They provide good technical documentation and webinars.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Cisco Catalyst Switches are more scalable than the product.
How was the initial setup?
Deploying the product is very straightforward. With the help of the OEM's datasheet, product guide, and installation guide, we can easily set up the switches.
What about the implementation team?
I help my customers implement the product.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Cisco and Aruba have similar functionality. We provide these solutions to the customers as per their requirements.
What other advice do I have?
I advise others to understand their business requirements and goals before purchasing the product. I rate it a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

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Updated: June 2025
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I have found the Cisco hardware (routers, switches, appliances) to be very reliable. We recently implement 7 Cisco UCS Chassis. We have migrated our entire Virtual Machine inventory, done several PtoV's, but still have another 100 or so servers/appliances to move into this new environment.