Cisco Ethernet Switches provide reliable, high-performance networking with advanced features suitable for demanding environments, offering flexibility and easy management. These switches integrate well with different technologies, making them a go-to option for enterprises needing robust network solutions.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Cisco Ethernet Switches | 9.0% |
| Aruba Switches | 8.9% |
| NETGEAR Switches | 6.9% |
| Other | 75.2% |
| Type | Title | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Ethernet Switches | Jun 22, 2026 | Download |
| Product | Reviews, tips, and advice from real users | Jun 22, 2026 | Download |
| Comparison | Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Aruba Switches | Jun 22, 2026 | Download |
| Comparison | Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches | Jun 22, 2026 | Download |
| Comparison | Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Ubiquiti UniFi Switches | Jun 22, 2026 | Download |
| Title | Rating | Mindshare | Recommending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aruba Switches | 4.2 | 8.9% | 98% | 88 interviewsAdd to research |
| NETGEAR Switches | 4.1 | 6.9% | 88% | 57 interviewsAdd to research |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 52 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 29 |
| Large Enterprise | 45 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 526 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 222 |
| Large Enterprise | 584 |
Renowned for superior performance and reliability, Cisco Ethernet Switches offer advanced networking features like network virtualization, VLAN, and quality of service. Robust design ensures durability in harsh conditions, while enhanced security features and remote management capabilities provide exceptional flexibility and troubleshooting ease. Users appreciate the support and comprehensive documentation provided, alongside the switches' ability to integrate seamlessly with technologies, supporting scalability and making them a preferred choice for businesses looking for efficient, secure networking solutions.
What are the key features of Cisco Ethernet Switches?Cisco Ethernet Switches are widely used in industries focusing on local area networking, data center infrastructure, and core to edge connectivity. Supporting LAN, data centers, security networks, and others, these switches facilitate robust communication and reliable connections. With advanced routing and stacking features, they optimize latency and handle high-throughput traffic, making them ideal for industries requiring stable and efficient networking.
Cisco Ethernet Switches was previously known as Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches.
| Author info | Rating | Review Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Network & Security Engineer at Arrow PC Network Private Limited | 5.0 | I use Cisco Ethernet Switches for L3 routing and robust security. They are stable, scalable, and provide great performance, saving time and money. I am highly satisfied, rating them the best switches I have used. |
| IT Manager at Decorgel | 4.5 | I've used Cisco Ethernet Switches for 5-6 years in our 50-user manufacturing company and value their reliability, easy setup, and cost-effectiveness, with no major issues except wishing for a unified multi-brand equipment management platform. |
| Head of the Solutions Department at BIM Group of Companies | 5.0 | In my industry, Cisco Ethernet Switches effectively fulfill our network needs, offering security, durability, and scalability. While the SG series needs improvement for floor switch usage, installation was straightforward and aligned with expectations, enhancing our operational efficiency. |
| Senior System Engineer & Project Manager at TechnoPeak | 4.5 | At our company, Cisco Ethernet Switches and Cisco Duo enhance security and performance, offering reliability and ease of configuration. While cost and user-friendliness of terminal commands on switches could improve, their durability is commendable, fitting our needs efficiently. |
| Asst IT Manager at Ultra Engineers | 4.0 | We primarily use Cisco Ethernet switches for networking needs including core, distribution, and access levels. They're durable and low-maintenance but are costly, impacting ROI. Alternatives like Arista or HP provide similar features at a lower price. |
| Hardware Networking Engineer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees | 3.5 | I've found Cisco Ethernet Switches reliable with strong QoS and easy remote management, though I wish they offered better cloud access. They've supported my network well, and overall, I’d rate them a solid 7 out of 10. |
| Commercial Experience Supervisor at Jazz (previously known as Mobilink) | 3.5 | As a network engineer working with Cisco Ethernet switches, I find them effective for managing our environment. While FortiGate offers built-in firewall capabilities, Cisco's significant market value persuaded us to choose them without exploring other solutions initially. |
| Business Owner at Vareza | 4.0 | Our customers use Cisco Ethernet Switches for network layers and call switches, appreciating their power stacking feature. However, mandatory add-on purchases for advanced features like Digital Network Architecture can be cumbersome, with competitors offering simpler and more affordable alternatives. |
| Technical Director at Edge Cloud | 3.5 | We primarily use Cisco Ethernet Switches for access and core switching, valuing their stability and easy integration. While they excel in reliability, the lack of GUI is a drawback. We considered alternatives like Juniper, Aruba, and Huawei for their competitive pricing and features. |
| Professor at FESB - Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture | 4.0 | In our university's flexible and open network, Cisco Ethernet Switches handle intruders well, despite occasional end-user demands being challenging for our network administrator. However, the high cost is a concern, and there's room for improvement in pricing. |
I am using Cisco Ethernet Switches on the L3 layer where I divide my networks via VLANs, as well as for broadcasting domain and related functions.
I have divided my network according to departments with Cisco Ethernet Switches, and all departments are assigned a unique VLAN. Via L3, I have given uplinks to all my L2 switches.
I have implemented static routing, policy-based routing, and VRF with Cisco Ethernet Switches, and I am currently using my switches in stacking.
Cisco Ethernet Switches offer various features such as L3 capable models which help me with my routing requirements, OSPF, EIGRP, and VRF for segmentation, as well as policy-based routing. Additionally, it provides a high layer of enterprise security via 802.1X port-based authentication, DHCP snooping, ARP inspection, IP Guard, ACLs, and integration with Cisco ISE.
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for more than four years, and they have provided me stability, better connectivity, and higher speed. My organization values these switches greatly.
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for more than four years.
Cisco Ethernet Switches are stable.
Cisco Ethernet Switches offer strong scalability and provide a robust network.
Customer support for Cisco Ethernet Switches is really good. I always receive support on time.
Previously, I have used unmanaged devices from various other OEMs such as D-Link before using Cisco Ethernet Switches.
The setup helps me considerably in my day-to-day work with Cisco Ethernet Switches, and I do not have to worry about my internal network. It manages all of it. Basically, it is a one-time investment and one-time configuration.
Cisco Ethernet Switches provide money savings. Beyond money saving, it also saves on employee time. It has saved considerable time for engineers to troubleshoot and perform related tasks.
Cisco licensing is a little bit confusing and the cost is also high, but I am satisfied with the cost.
I did not evaluate other options before choosing Cisco Ethernet Switches.
Cisco Ethernet Switches are the best switches I have used to date. They help me accomplish all necessary tasks. They have reduced my downtime by providing stability. I have improved my performance by receiving good speed and a good CPU. Cost saving is also significant on Cisco.
I would rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a 10 out of 10.
I would recommend other users choose Cisco Ethernet Switches compared to other vendors. They are really good.
The main use case for Cisco Ethernet Switches is that our company is supported by them, as we have users, traditional users, and servers; the switches are PoE.
We are a small company with about 50 users, more or less, and we don't have IoT machines in the company.
We use the switches on-premises.
We are using the switches in the manufacturing industry.
We appreciate Cisco Ethernet Switches because we can install them and forget them, which is the most important thing for us.
Their stability and durability are essential features we've been looking for many years, and they are still working fine.
An improvement for all players in the market would be to have a website or service to manage all equipment from all brands, not just Cisco.
There should be a platform to manage all the equipment.
I really appreciate Cisco Ethernet Switches and currently don't have any improvements to recommend.
The switches have technology that has worked fine over the years.
An improvement for all players in the market would be to have a website or service to manage all equipment from all brands, not just Cisco.
There should be a platform to manage all the equipment.
I have been working with Cisco Ethernet Switches for approximately five to six years.
The Cisco Ethernet Switches we have are easy to scale.
Before working with Cisco Ethernet Switches, I used HP, and we only evaluated one HP switch before deciding to buy Cisco as our company grew.
The setup experience for Cisco Ethernet Switches is easy.
The most challenging part is connecting them through fiber for higher speed in the network.
The speed connection requires attention, as we have a fiber connection between them for high speed in the cluster, and configuring each one to work properly together is the most challenging aspect.
Regarding the cost, Cisco Ethernet Switches have a competitive price.
The exact cost per user for Cisco equipment is not known at present, but it's certainly a small cost.
We don't work with vendor tools such as Juniper or Aruba, but we are aware of their existence.
We only work with Cisco Ethernet Switches.
To those planning to use Cisco Ethernet Switches, I recommend focusing on the simplicity of the initial configuration, which is very important for quick implementation.
I recommend Cisco because of the excellent relation between cost and functionality.
On a scale of 1-10, I rate Cisco Ethernet Switches a 9.
Cisco Ethernet Switches meet the network needs in my specific industry. We are not investment companies but rather service provider companies. We propose solutions, design, implement, and sell Cisco Ethernet Switches which have impacted our operational costs in the financial aspect.
A lot of networking devices and networking device vendors and products are available. Cisco is mainly known for its security, patch management, hardware reliability, durability, scalability, and security features which support my organization's expansion.
It includes the Catalyst series or ST series, but it might be better if we propose the Nexus 3K series. I would recommend Cisco Ethernet Switches to other companies.
The SG thousand series has some downsides or weak points which require improvement regarding floor switch usage. In the data center portion, we need to provide the fiber channel and Nexus switch to use a more reliable solution.
I have been working with Cisco Ethernet Switches for about 8 years across 18 companies.
We purchase Cisco Ethernet Switches from our distributor directly, not through Amazon Marketplace.
Cisco Ethernet Switches are workable, and we don't have any issues or difficulties because most devices are purchased together with Cisco smart net. There are no difficulties or challenges I have faced with Cisco Ethernet Switches, and I overcome any challenges easily.
It costs significantly. For more detail, it would be difficult to explain here. Cisco Ethernet Switches are mainly what we use. While many networking devices and vendors are available, Cisco mainly provides security, patch management, hardware reliability, durability, scalability, and security features supporting my organization's expansion.
My final rating for Cisco Ethernet Switches would be 10 out of 10 overall.
Positive
Installing Cisco Ethernet Switches was very easy and not difficult for me. The installation takes approximately one hour. We need to check the business requirement and design planning.
I have subject matter experts including Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE) and many other team members. Currently, I am working as a technical account director role, serving as the single point of contact for Cisco Ethernet Switches installation.
The implementation depends on the device quantity and situation. Our company is BIM. We have over 300 employees, with 200 in our technical team involved in the installation of Cisco Ethernet Switches.
Installing Cisco Ethernet Switches was very easy and not particularly different from expectations.
We need to pay for the Cisco MDS services. We need to pay extra to open another port. We need to pay for the module. We need to pay for the subscription, as there are extra expenses after purchasing the product.
It is not the Cisco ACI. Cisco is driving the hyper fabric, so we are focusing on hyper fabric rather than the Ethernet switch.
I work with both HyperFlex and other Cisco products. I prefer to make online support available because I can utilize my CCIE architect, solution consultant, and engineer team along with our account manager and product sales team. We can clarify requirements and decide how to support you.
We should arrange a conference call about Cisco Ethernet Switches where I can invite my architect and consultant to clarify more about the features that are most beneficial for improving network efficiency.
Today is AI day, and all the new firmware includes AI to optimize the performance, traffic, and security of Cisco Ethernet Switches. It's performing very well.
With many solutions and vendors available, you have to decide on one.
I am extremely satisfied with the licensing cost for Cisco Ethernet Switches. For the price of Cisco Ethernet Switches, I would rate it a 7.
My overall rating for Cisco Ethernet Switches is 10 out of 10.
Neutral
The Cisco Ethernet switches are primarily used as regular core switches for networking, distribution, and access levels. We also utilize Cisco Wi-Fi, VPN, and Wi-Fi controllers.
The Cisco Ethernet switches have improved our network's security, ensuring it is 100% secure by not allowing any external network connections.
The Cisco Ethernet switches are sturdy products that do not require any kind of maintenance. They are easy to use and have low maintenance requirements.
There is room for improvement in terms of cost. The pricing and hardware warranty renewal costs are more expensive than other products.
We have been using Cisco Ethernet switches for around seven years.
The solution is very stable and I would rate it as ten out of ten.
Cisco Ethernet switches are scalable. However, every four to five years, the entire setup needs to be replaced with the latest products, which does not allow integration with the earlier environment. I would rate scalability at seven.
It takes two to three days for Cisco support to address issues, which I rate as eight out of ten.
Positive
While Cisco is a leading brand, other products with similar features and sturdiness are available at a lower cost.
The initial setup is a bit complex, but if we possess the necessary knowledge, it becomes manageable.
The renewal costs and scalability challenges impact our return on investment on a higher side.
Cisco Ethernet switches are priced at a rating of nine, indicating they are expensive.
Other solutions such as Arista or HP offer similar features at potentially lower costs.
The solution's durability and sturdiness are significant positives, especially in terms of reliability and long-term use. However, due to high renewal and setup costs, I would recommend considering alternative products with comparable features.
I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
My use of the product depends on the project.
The most valuable features I find in Cisco Ethernet Switches are that taking control remotely and managing is very easy. If anything, that could be better.
The Quality of Service, QoS, features of Cisco Ethernet Switches in managing network traffic are actually really good for this. It is really nice to do this kind of thing.
Cisco's intuitive management interfaces have helped reduce downtime.
In my opinion, Cisco Ethernet Switches can be improved by needing some cloud access. Most of the other devices, like Sophos and Fortinet, they have cloud access, but we should have the same thing for Cisco. If we have that, it could be value-added for that part.
I have been working in this field for seventeen years.
In terms of how Cisco Ethernet Switches have supported my converged network needs for performance and low latency, we did not face anything related to that.
I find the price of Cisco Ethernet Switches reasonable when compared with other things.
I have experience with Cisco Ethernet Switches.
Regarding Cisco advanced security protocols, I think they are effective.
For the security protocol concerning Cisco, it could be there. I have to use the Cisco firewall, NGFW, Next-Generation Firewall, and endpoint security like Cisco Secure Endpoint. We are using the cloud too, so we are using Cisco Secure Cloud.
We are using automated network provisioning.
The metrics indicating its effectiveness in my network management include BGP, and before we had MPLS, then after that, we just migrated to this kind. Now it is fine and better.
I would rate this review a 7.
Currently, I'm working on a network side and working with Cisco equipment, including switches and routers. I'm functioning as a network engineer and I'm comfortable in this role.
Cisco Ethernet switches help me run my operations smoothly. However, there are some glitches on the network that we need to clearly understand and diagnose. Cisco assists us in managing our infrastructure overall.
I am not sure exactly which feature is most valuable because overall, the device helps us to manage our environment. However, Cisco has a great market value and share.
Firewall features should be pre-enabled in Cisco Ethernet switches. FortiGate switches are considered more valuable because they have firewall capabilities.
I've been using this solution for some time, transitioning recently from another technology. Deployment of Cisco Ethernet switches began on-premises and took about two to three months, depending on available resources.
Cisco is typically stable, and outages are usually due to factors outside of Cisco, such as policies and firewall issues involving other departments.
The scalability depends on the model. We currently have a business model, and obviously, if we use a more advanced model, the scalability would be different.
Currently, we don't have any technical support because our license doesn't allow for direct support. We manage it on our own.
Neutral
From the beginning, we have been using Cisco and have not used a different product for these use cases.
The initial setup was very easy. On a scale from one to ten, I would rate it a ten, indicating minimal issues during setup.
I cannot explain the deployment process further since our tech team performed the operation.
We evaluated other options before choosing Cisco. However, Cisco was preferable due to its great market value and market share.
I'd rate the solution seven out of ten.
Our company's customers use the switches in their initial layer, layer 2, and layer 3 networks. Some of our organization's customers also use the product as call switches. Our company works with all types of switches. Lastly, we purchased SG500 or SMB switches from Cisco, which are straightforward to use.
The power stacking feature in Cisco Ethernet Switches can be considered the most valuable. This feature eliminates the need to provide a power supply for every switch individually, so a single source can be utilized across the whole stack of switches.
The vendor is presently working with large digital network architectures and additional software, as it is now willing to become a software-focused company instead of a hardware one.
Cisco Ethernet Switches presently provide two options, either the user can utilize the basic features or the advanced software. Previously, advanced features were included in the basic package, but now they are provided as add-ons that need to be purchased separately for an extensive period of three or five years.
As part of the advanced features in the solution, there is Digital Network Architecture (DNA) that provides insights, multiple dashboards and monitoring capabilities over Nexus and Catalyst switches from Cisco. Sometimes, customers need to buy features for Cisco Ethernet Switches that they do not require or use.
The basic switches like the C1000 from the vendor don't have the DNA feature, but advanced version switches like Cisco Ethernet Switches have made the add-on purchases mandatory to avail certain features, which makes it difficult for several users.
I have been working with Cisco Ethernet Switches for about ten years.
Cisco Ethernet Switches is a highly stable product and for which the vendor has a huge market for its products. I would rate the stability an eight out of ten.
A long time ago, when I contacted customer support, there was an extensive wait time. I would rate the customer support as six out of ten.
Neutral
Eventually, multiple bugs might be expected to arise in the product that needs to be fixed through maintenance. For issues where software patching is required, the vendor might demand a high cost for direct software or hardware support.
Without Cisco SMARTnet, a customer of Cisco Ethernet Switches won't get support services for fixing bugs or patches. After a couple of years of using the solution, I would suggest that a customer shift to just hardware maintenance, which can also be availed from a third-party company instead of Cisco.
The product is very expensive. I would rate the pricing a nine out of ten. Switches from the vendor can cost from 9000 to 15000. For Cisco Ethernet Switches, the price is worth it.
Every type of switch in the market has layer 2 and 3 capabilities, CPN or PPM possibilities, PoE and PoE+ features. Ubiquiti switches are more affordable and popular in comparison to Cisco Ethernet Switches. HPE switches are simple to use and the software packages are not so complicated with mandatory add-on purchases. Cisco is losing in the market due to the simplicity of HPE and Juniper switches.
The product is capable of improving the port speed in 10G uplinks and PoE+. There are features of virtual stacking or restarting power supplies. The Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series switches were incentive at the time of launch.
The Cisco Meraki MX series is one of the security appliances from the vendor. In terms of network security, Cisco is lagging behind other vendors such as Palo Alto and Fortinet. I would overall rate the product an eight out of ten. I would advise others to be mindful of the price before adopting the solution.
I would also suggest to others that they purchase refurbished switches, which are available at a lower price with almost the same quality and support. The vendor has to frequently introduce new products to be compliant with the industry rules and regulations, but often, the features are the same in the latest version as the older version of Cisco switches. Refurbished switches from Ubiquiti and HPE are also a good option.
Our primary use case for Cisco is for access and core switching as most of our clients use it for these purposes. We also work with Fortinet for network solutions, mainly FortiGate, FortiAuthenticator, and FortiManager. Additionally, we use Cisco for campus switches, mainly the Catalyst series.
It helps our organization because Cisco switches are stable and rock solid, making them reliable for our clients.
The most valuable feature of Cisco Ethernet Switches is their stability. They are rock solid, and that's the advantage of Cisco. It is also easy to integrate.
Cisco should consider adding a GUI as most vendors now offer the ability to manage switches via a graphical user interface, while Cisco switches are managed using pure CLI.
Cisco Ethernet Switches are stable. I would rate their stability at eight or nine out of ten.
In terms of scalability, it's pretty straightforward to expand the number of users and the network. I would rate it an eight out of ten.
Their technical support is very professional, and I don't have any negative comments.
Positive
The setup and configuration process is very simple.
The pricing of Cisco is high, which makes it more suitable for enterprise-level companies. I would rate the pricing model at four out of ten.
Apart from Cisco, other solutions considered include Juniper, Aruba, and Huawei. Huawei is considered a strong competitor due to its pricing and features.
Cisco Ethernet Switches are mostly recommended for enterprise-level companies due to the cost.
I'd rate the solution seven out of ten.
I use the solution in our typical university network, which is not very sophisticated. In our university, we have some virtual networks within the labs, but normally, we have a very simple configuration without too many rules because it's supposed to be very flexible for us to use. The end users always ask something like how they would like to test one server over the other, making it really hard for our university's network administrator to manage it all day. Our university's network is pretty much open, and there is always a danger of intruders, but currently, we don't have such problems.
The high price of the tool is an area of concern where improvements are required.
I have been using Cisco Ethernet Switches for over twenty years.
I haven't experienced any stability problems with the product, making it a perfect solution for me. I don't care about the other factors involving network administrators who use the tool since, for me, the service provided by the solution is okay.
It is a stable solution since I have not seen any network failures when using the product. Normally, there are no problems with the networks in our university. If there are some general problems in our university's network, it's mainly due to the provider facing some issues due to a cut-off in some fiber switches, which may be the result of some construction work somewhere. Under normal circumstances, everything functions perfectly.
It is a scalable solution.
There are around 3,000 to 4,000 users of the solution, considering that all the students in our university use it.
The product's initial setup phase is not easy, considering that there is a need to plan the virtual networks and see how you are connected. I think that network administrators can manage the setup phase since they have been through Cisco-centric courses, making them capable of handling the setup phase if they are able to define what you want.
During the setup phase, challenges arise when we have to define what we want and the services we expect from our network.
The solution is deployed on an on-premises model.
It is an expensive product since it is used in a large network where you cannot rely on some cheaply priced solution. The solution primarily stays stable, so we don't face any problems with the product.
If you are looking at something really stable, then you will buy Cisco. If you want to buy a product for some offices or small buildings, then you can go for a cheaper tool that you can maintain and replace easily.
Though I wanted to use the product, there were no opportunities at the university that would allow me to use the solution.
The product does have some security features, but I don't get involved with the security area since I don't need it.
There are two to three people to maintain the solution, but we outsource the maintenance services when we face some major issues.
I recommend the product to those who plan to use it.
I rate the tool an eight to nine out of ten.
