Senior Technical Consultant at BT - British Telecom
Reseller
Great stability and scalability; lacks sufficient security features
Pros and Cons
  • "Stable and scalable with good technical support."
  • "Requires a firewall body to improve security."

What is our primary use case?

I'm a senior technical consultant and we are service providers. 

What is most valuable?

Cisco Wireless is scalable and very stable. They offer good technical support. 

What needs improvement?

I'd like to have better voice security. What they offer now is not good enough to protect us from an attack or a hacker. The solution requires a firewall body inside a wireless controller so that we can define a few more things and prevent attacks. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this product for 12 years. 

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April 2024
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of this product is good. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability is good with Cisco Wireless - we have close to 500 users at just one of our sites and no problems. 

How are customer service and support?

Technical support could be improved but it's fair and they do a reasonably good job supporting us when we have issues. 

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

All solutions in this market are more or less the same, it's just that Cisco is less cost-effective which is why we're currently testing HP. I've also worked on Aruba Access Points and HP switching systems and find them easier to configure and manage, while still providing good performance. 

What other advice do I have?

People need to be aware that everything is going wireless in the next couple of years and it's a good idea to move to wireless now so that there's a familiarity with how it all works. 

I rate this solution a seven out of 10. 

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: reseller
PeerSpot user
Network Engineer at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Reliable, beneficial FlexConnect, and, good overall functionality
Pros and Cons
  • "Some of the features I find valuable are the FlexConnect and overall it is a good global solution."
  • "Before deploying a wireless solution, you have to read and plan every role, every windows system, put in your access point, and then make the audit. This solution is not the best one to do this. We use another solution that is called Eko. In the future, if this solution could have better auditing capabilities it would be better."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution for laptops, smartphones, and for both intranet and internet communication.

What is most valuable?

Some of the features I find valuable are the FlexConnect and overall it is a good global solution.

What needs improvement?

Before deploying a wireless solution, you have to read and plan every role, every windows system, put in your access point, and then make the audit. This solution is not the best one to do this. We use another solution that is called Eko. In the future, if this solution could have better auditing capabilities it would be better.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for eight years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have added some access points for conductivity which have integrated well and have been fine scalability-wise, we have not done other types of scaling. Our whole company is using this solution.

How was the initial setup?

You can have a setup that is simple but my company is big, with a lot of regulations to adhere to. I would say out we had a difficult installation but this is not directly related to the solution but more related to the policy of our company.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend others to use this solution.

I rate Cisco Wireless an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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C.T.O at Sastra Network Solution Inc. Pvt. Ltd.
Real User
Stable and secure with good throughput and performance, managed from a single pane of glass

What is our primary use case?

We are implementing Cisco Wireless in various environments including hospitality (controller-based deployment along with room AP in 90+ room property), and corporate (both standalone and controller-based).

The wireless system has been integrated into the hotspot for guest access and enterprise authentication has been used for the employees. For authentication, both the inbuilt database and integration to FreeRADIUS has been used. We have also used AD in the corporate environment for authentication. The controller has been deployed in HA.

How has it helped my organization?

It has helped to provide mobility with committed throughput and performance.

Additionally, Cisco wireless solutions are very stable. This, with its rugged nature, has helped for overall efficiencies in information processing and daily operations.

It has enhanced the security of the enterprise and has given single-pane visibility for network monitoring.

It has provided excellent mobility and load balancing of the wireless endpoints to various APs, based on the built-in algorithms, both in 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features are the controller, single pane for the configuration, as well as the operation and monitoring of the wireless system.

Other important features are the detection of the rough AP, programmable API, network analytics, and the RF planning tool.

The product is very stable. The infrastructure is scalable and very durable.

With excellent support from the Cisco support team, this solution can be deployed in no time.

It is easy to troubleshoot and zone-based profiling is another excellent feature. Auto power calibration between AP sensing the environment is also a valuable feature. 

What needs improvement?

The regulatory domain seems to be hardcoded into the system and we need a simple way to change it in wireless APs.

Power level improvements and increased antenna dBi are needed when compared to other competitor vendors like Ruckus and HP Aruba.

The product pricing should be competitive compared to other vendors, as many products are coming up with good features like Cambium, Edge, and Core.

The controller pricing is high compared to other vendors like Ruckus. Pricing should be lowered to target the SMB market, where many other vendors have dominance. 

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Cisco Wireless for 10 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is excellent.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Cisco Wireless is very much Scalable, based on the forecast you have and the controller you choose. It's just about adding the license.

How are customer service and technical support?

The technical support is excellent.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We have been using other products like Cambium, Ruckus, and HP. Before we implement Cisco, we had read a lot of reviews of its stability and durability, and indeed, it was true.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward.

What about the implementation team?

The installation team was highly skilled and certified.

What was our ROI?

The ROI is excellent.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The pricing depends on the requirement, so proper planning and an RF analysis help to properly size the solution and get the best pricing.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We previously evaluated Cambium and Rukus.

What other advice do I have?

My advice is that this product should be the first choice to adopt when deploying a wireless solution. If cost is a factor then proper sizing will help to reduce it.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Other
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: we are system integrator and cisco partner.
PeerSpot user
Cisco Network Engineer at a pharma/biotech company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Top 5
It works, but it is complex and expensive
Pros and Cons
  • "It is good, and it works."
  • "It requires a few tweaks in order to stabilize it. Its portal is complex. Cisco solutions are complex in general."

What is our primary use case?

We use it for users within the company. We have a separate network for them. We have another network for outside people. 

What is most valuable?

It is good, and it works.

What needs improvement?

It requires a few tweaks in order to stabilize it. Its portal is complex. Cisco solutions are complex in general.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Cisco Wireless for about ten years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We have to do a few tweaks in order to stabilize it. We have tweaked its configuration through their support center, and we even got a third-party vendor out here to kind of take a look at it, which improved it a little but not a hundred percent. We have several users who get dropped from the Wi-Fi every once in a while. APs also don't typically work. They just stop working. We have to reboot them, and they magically work. 

With all the testing that we have done with Aruba for the last six to seven months, we have not had this problem. This is one of the key points why we are switching over.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is scalable. Pre pandemic, we probably had about 1,100 people. Post pandemic, we probably have a quarter of that because most people work from home now.

How are customer service and technical support?

They have been supportive. We have opened tickets, and we got decent support. They are still not perfect in their support. 

It does take time to get through to them unless it is a down situation, which we really never had. Wireless is not a major asset when it comes to the network because most people are tethered into the local area network. It sometimes takes an hour or two for the tickets to get assigned. We have also opened support tickets with Aruba, and the ticket gets assigned and resolved within ten minutes. Aruba's technical support is definitely more responsive.

How was the initial setup?

I wasn't here when they installed it, but I'm sure it was complex.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Cost is one of the reasons why we are switching to Aruba. Aruba is significantly lower than Cisco in price. 

We do the licensing on a three-year basis. Cisco makes licensing very difficult.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend Cisco Wireless based on the needs. You probably need a certification in order to run it effectively. If you are going to do it, do it, but just be aware of the complexity of their solutions. It is good, and it works. It is not a bad product, but they make licensing very difficult. It also takes a little while to get hold of somebody in technical support as compared to other vendors.

We are going to swap Cisco Wireless with the Aruba platform because of better stability, price, and technical support.

I would rate Cisco Wireless a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
IT Infrastructure Architect at Plexus Corp.
Real User
Works reliably but the licensing is expensive
Pros and Cons
  • "Wireless access has enabled users to be mobile and as a result, more productive."
  • "The new licensing has no added value and seems to be Cisco's effort to take advantage of customers."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case for this solution is the provision of standard wireless access.

How has it helped my organization?

Service delivery is critical in our organization. Wireless access has enabled users to be mobile and as a result, more productive.

What is most valuable?

The most important feature for us is the standard service delivery. Once configured correctly, it is 95% reliable.

What needs improvement?

The cost model is expensive. The new licensing has no added value and seems to be Cisco's effort to take advantage of customers.

For how long have I used the solution?

More than ten years.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Senior Operation Manager at ATG Systems
Real User
Has easy digital effects, it's easy to use, and has good stability but their technical support can take too long to resolve issues
Pros and Cons
  • "Cisco Wireless is mostly stable with a low downrate and the signal rate is good. It is also easy to use."
  • "One of our customers complained about the ripple, that some of the data was incorrect. We opened a ticket and brought it to their attention that maybe some of the data was not correct. As of now, it has been two months since we opened the ticket and the issue still hasn't been resolved."

What is our primary use case?

Most of our clients are in the office or on campus and they don't like to use cables so they use Wireless. We are partners with Cisco and our customers ask us which kind of product to use, we also have access to Cisco Advisor so we advise our clients to use Cisco Wireless. 

How has it helped my organization?

We also use a Cisco AP in our office and it is more secure than other devices so the accretion system is stronger than others.

What is most valuable?

Cisco Wireless is mostly stable with a low downrate and the signal rate is good. It is also easy to use. 

What needs improvement?

One of our customers complained about the ripple, that some of the data was incorrect. We opened a ticket and brought it to their attention that maybe some of the data was not correct. As of now, it has been two months since we opened the ticket and the issue still hasn't been resolved. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is stable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is scalable. We can easily upgrade. We have around fifty users and we require two engineers for maintenance. It's used on a daily basis.

Our clients on the university campus have a plan to increase their users.

How are customer service and technical support?

Their technical support is okay. It depends on the issue that you're experiencing. Sometimes they take too long. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is not complex. 

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We also looked at Rocket Software. 

What other advice do I have?

I would advise someone considering this product to use it. 

I would rate this solution an eight out of ten because it has easy digital effects, it's easy to use and, has good stability. 

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner.
PeerSpot user
AshokKumar15 - PeerSpot reviewer
Presales Consultant - Enterprise Networks at Cubit technologies LLC
Real User
Top 10
Robust software, highly reliable, and excellent support
Pros and Cons
  • "Cisco is one of the leading vendors and is at the top of many lists. The access software is robust, and the performance of the devices is excellent."
  • "Cisco Wireless could improve if they had some kind of social media integration. There is some limitation with social media integration and wireless interaction. They need to add some additional components to their wireless devices to complete the solution or requirements."

What is our primary use case?

We use Cisco Wireless for mobile WiFi connectivity to the end-users. It provides mobile device connectivity. They don't need any LAN connectivity to access the network. They can connect any mobile device or wireless device to access the network.

What is most valuable?

Cisco is one of the leading vendors and is at the top of many lists. The access software is robust, and the performance of the devices is excellent.

What needs improvement?

Cisco Wireless could improve if they had some kind of social media integration. There is some limitation with social media integration and wireless interaction. They need to add some additional components to their wireless devices to complete the solution or requirements.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Cisco Wireless for approximately 17 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Cisco Wireless solutions are highly reliable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable.

How are customer service and support?

Cisco technical support is excellent. Cisco is well known for its superior support.

How was the initial setup?

I'm taking care of the Cisco Wireless designs. I'm not into the implementation right now. I work designing suitable solutions for our customers. I provide consultancy to our customers and design the solution based on the customer's requirements. I used to work on the implementation, but for the last six years, I'm not into this field of implementation.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Pricing is a little higher for Cisco Wireless than all other vendors. Cisco should work on improving the pricing because there are some other vendors out there in the market which may have the same features or equivalent features that Cisco has at a lesser price.

What other advice do I have?

Cisco Wireless has a large portfolio and is used in many places, such as school campuses. They have many types of deployments, such as on the cloud. Most of the features are available and they're supporting the latest technology.

I rate Cisco Wireless a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
PeerSpot user
Board Member and Co-Owner at a comms service provider with 51-200 employees
Real User
Helpful support, easy to set up , and offers good stability
Pros and Cons
  • "The support is very good. Technical support is very helpful."
  • "For all products on the market, the availability of the products may not be ideal. We're waiting on a lot of products simply due to the fact that there's a material shortage. We've ordered products and have had to wait three or four months for anything to get delivered. This is not just Cisco. It's a problem on the market for all components which include semiconductors."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution for our company as well as for our clients. 

What is most valuable?

What's the most important for us is the reliability of this product, and that's it. We are sure that they work fine and they are fully developed and add great new functions.

The support is very good.  Technical support is very helpful.

The initial setup is easy - especially in the Mobility Express solution.

The stability is very good. 

What needs improvement?

Cisco proposed a new version of their product, however, I don't have any requirements which are not already met.

For all products on the market, the availability of the products may not be ideal. We're waiting on a lot of products simply due to the fact that there's a material shortage. We've ordered products and have had to wait three or four months for anything to get delivered. This is not just Cisco. It's a problem on the market for all components which include semiconductors.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for 20 years. I've used the solution for a long time. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We've never faced any stability issues. It doesn't crash or freeze. It's reliable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We use this solution for medium enterprises. 

How are customer service and technical support?

I'm very satisfied with technical support. The technical support of Cisco is the best on the market. They are very helpful and responsive. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I also work with Fortinet. I have much more experience with Cisco. I don't have so much experience with Fortinet.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very straightforward. It's not overly difficult or complex. A company shouldn't have any issues with the process. 

What about the implementation team?

As integrators, we can install the solution for our clients. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

They have different products which can be used by some customers, from small and medium to large enterprises. The portfolio is very wide. It's difficult to say if they are expensive or not as they have expensive products, however, they are very scalable and great for very large objects.

Maybe they are a little bit above the average on the market, however, for what you get, mostly it's worth it.

What other advice do I have?

I'm a system integrator. I'm a Cisco partner. The company is a Cisco Gold Partner.

Cisco is great due to the fact that there is so much documentation online. It's very easy to research it and learn it and to troubleshoot if you need, simply due to the fact that there's so much shared knowledge out there. I'm not sure if that;'s the case for any other solution. 

I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
PeerSpot user
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