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Cisco FabricPath pros and cons

Vendor: Cisco

4.2 out of 5

31 reviews
96% willing to recommend

842 followers

Pros & Cons summary

Cisco FabricPath offers seamless VM migration and improved network performance, scalability, and management. Stability, reliability, and protocol freedom enhance adaptability with VLANs. Cisco technical support excels in the industry, though challenges include high pricing, complex initial setup, limited security features, and interoperability issues with other IT solutions. Enhanced documentation is needed for clarity. Despite these drawbacks, Cisco FabricPath remains a strong choice for network optimization in data center environments.

Buyer's Guide

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

Cisco FabricPath enables seamless VM migration between data centers and provides excellent network management in cloud environments.

Cisco offers unparalleled technical support and stable, reliable services, making it a leader in the industry.

Key features of Cisco FabricPath include routing, OSPS, ethernet, performance, enhanced VXLANs, and protocol freedom, increasing network efficiency and reliability.

The architecture of Cisco FabricPath, including its use of spine and leaf configurations, improves data center architecture and supports advanced network configurations with minimal errors.

The durability, flexibility, and security of Cisco FabricPath are highlighted by its ability to implement multiple VLANs while offering outstanding performance and scalability.

CONS

Interoperability with other IT solutions needs improvement.

Pricing is high, making it challenging to sell to clients, with delivery times being lengthy in some regions.

More management features should be centralized under one console for easier network control.

Documentation requires enhancement as it often lacks detailed information, especially in deployment sections.

Initial setup is complex, and improvements are needed in Layer 3 management and security features.

Cisco FabricPath Pros review quotes

AF

Technical Project Manager at Cairo International Airport Co.

May 30, 2025

I have experienced operational efficiencies with Cisco FabricPath that are 200% better than the old legacy equipment and protocols.

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NA

Deputy Director of IT at GIFT University Gujranwala

Feb 20, 2025

One of the most valuable features of Cisco FabricPath is its protocol freedom, which allows me to use multiple protocols at a time, such as Spanning Tree to prevent loops in the network.

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Technical Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

Jan 26, 2020

The technical support we get from Cisco is excellent. It's the best in the industry. We're more than satisfied with the level of service they provide.

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Cisco FabricPath

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Security Network Architect at Inmac

Jun 17, 2024

Cisco FabricPath is very fast, stable, extendable, and scalable. It doesn't have issues with patches or problems because it's built on the stable NXOS operating system. In a scenario using FabricPath, the spin and leaf architecture is beneficial. For example, we can use two separate spine switches like 9980s and multiple leaf switches as access switches. These leaf switches are connected using VPC between them, with each switch separated and not directly connected to the spine. This setup improves data center architecture by allowing two ways to arrange destinations, connecting the first connection to the first spine and the second to the second spine. The spines are configured as a virtual chassis. In FabricPath, we can enhance VXLANs, VPNs, and integrate with Cisco ISE for user authentication. It can also be configured with WLC to manage wireless technology, depending on the client's architecture.

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Program Manager at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees

Apr 25, 2025

Cisco is the best choice in terms of cost, quality, and post-procurement services.

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BR

Responsable Infrastructures, Réseaux & Télécoms at a university with 201-500 employees

Feb 23, 2022

We have found the solution to be stable.

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reviewer1751868

Head of Information Technology at a energy/utilities company with 51-200 employees

Jan 11, 2024

As I mentioned earlier, the durability, flexibility, and security of Cisco devices are notable. Particularly with switches, the capability to implement multiple VLANs and easily aggregate the network has been advantageous. The ability to have different VLANs and aggregate the network without complications is a key feature of Cisco FabricPath.

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BP

Bratislav Petkovic

System Engineer for Core Infrastructure at Raiffeisen bank Serbia

May 15, 2024

The most beneficial feature of Cisco FabricPath for network performance is its reliability.

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Senior Network Engineer at UPS

Mar 5, 2020

The fact that the solution is on the cloud is its most valuable aspect. If you are on the cloud, you can manage your network from anywhere, any place. It's very good.

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Senior Network Specialist & Project Manager at Elmec Informatica Spa

Dec 5, 2019

The most valuable feature is the ability to migrate VMs between data centers.

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Cisco FabricPath Cons review quotes

AF

Technical Project Manager at Cairo International Airport Co.

May 30, 2025

There is room for improvement in terms of pricing for the Cisco solution. They are somewhat good at the starting point, but when you get the license and such, it becomes very expensive.

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NA

Deputy Director of IT at GIFT University Gujranwala

Feb 20, 2025

The main issue I face is the cost.

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Technical Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

Jan 26, 2020

The pricing could be adjusted to make it easier to sell to clients.

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Cisco FabricPath

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Learn what your peers think about Cisco FabricPath. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2025.

856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Security Network Architect at Inmac

Jun 17, 2024

Cisco FabricPath can be integrated into data centers and remote sites. For example, in a bank, we can extend the architecture to remote branches by implementing switches connected to the first and second spine for redundancy. This setup allows for VXLAN, VLAN, and SGT for user authentication. We can also use wireless technology through the data plane and route it on L3. This setup provides scalability and visibility. This technology is deployed in the USA, France, and Europe. For instance, BNP Paribas in France uses this technology.

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Program Manager at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees

Apr 25, 2025

In Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, and in the Latin America region, delivery times can be quite lengthy. This is challenging in terms of logistics and customs.

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BR

Responsable Infrastructures, Réseaux & Télécoms at a university with 201-500 employees

Feb 23, 2022

If Cisco can include management for this protocol in Layer 3, that would be ideal.

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reviewer1751868

Head of Information Technology at a energy/utilities company with 51-200 employees

Jan 11, 2024

In terms of the series, I find that the integration with other teleconferencing applications needs to be more seamless. I have suggested to Cisco that the endpoint device should allow joining calls from Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other teleconferencing applications. Additionally, I appreciate the recent inclusion of breakout sessions in the Cisco Webex application, which enhances its relevance in the networking field.

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BP

Bratislav Petkovic

System Engineer for Core Infrastructure at Raiffeisen bank Serbia

May 15, 2024

Cisco FabricPath has room for improvement in areas like technical support and design.

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Senior Network Engineer at UPS

Mar 5, 2020

The solution should offer better reporting.

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Senior Network Specialist & Project Manager at Elmec Informatica Spa

Dec 5, 2019

I would like to see better interoperability with other IT solutions.

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Show 10 more reviews (out of 29)

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