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Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs Cisco FabricPath comparison

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise and Cisco are both solutions in the LAN Switching category. Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise is ranked #11 with an average rating of 8.0, while Cisco is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.3. Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise holds a 4.1% mindshare in LS, compared to Cisco’s 3.9% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Cisco users who would recommend it.
Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch L...
Read 7 Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches reviews
  • 484 Views
  • 484 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
Cisco FabricPath
Read 31 Cisco FabricPath reviews
  • 760 Views
  • 745 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 6, 2025

Cisco FabricPath and Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches present distinct network management solutions, competing in areas like scalability, security, and reliability. Cisco FabricPath holds an edge due to its integration-friendly setup and competitive pricing, while Alcatel-Lucent excels in security features, which are seen as worthwhile investments.

Features: Cisco FabricPath's scalability allows efficient load balancing across networks. It integrates seamlessly with existing Cisco environments and offers reliable network management tools. Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches feature high reliability and robust security, providing centralized management and seamless integration in various environments.

Room for Improvement: Cisco FabricPath could improve its adaptability to non-Cisco environments, offer enhanced security measures, and provide more detailed documentation. Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches could streamline the setup process, enhance user interface complexity, and provide more cost-effective solutions.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco FabricPath integrates smoothly into existing Cisco infrastructures, simplifying deployment, and is backed by responsive customer service. Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches, while requiring detailed configurations, provide comprehensive support to assist through deployment stages, which can be more involved.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco FabricPath is priced competitively with a focus on long-term ROI through scalable solutions. Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches have a higher initial cost but justify it with superior security features, offering a significant ROI, especially in environments focused on security.

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To learn more, read our detailed Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs. Cisco FabricPath Report (Updated: March 2026).
Buyer's Guide
Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs. Cisco FabricPath
March 2026
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch L...
Ranking in LAN Switching
11th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
4.5
Number of Reviews
7
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Cisco FabricPath
Ranking in LAN Switching
4th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
31
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2026, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches is 4.1%, up from 3.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco FabricPath is 3.9%, up from 1.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
LAN Switching Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Cisco FabricPath3.9%
Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches4.1%
Other92.0%
LAN Switching
 

Featured Reviews

reviewer2048676 - PeerSpot reviewer
reviewer2048676
App. Manager at a political organization with 501-1,000 employees
Reliable network access has improved daily connectivity and simplified graphical management
The specific network design is done by another company, and we just manage the access switches, in fact, the local access switches on the LAN. I don't think there is much prioritization in our network for the moment. I don't think that the users see much about it; it's transparent for users. Whether there is a Cisco switch or an Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switch, the user doesn't care. We are not expert users, but we are users for maintaining and keeping the situation alive, not experts of network switch programming. I'm not an expert of the switches to say what's missing. For smaller sites with 10 persons or so, it's sometimes not so easy to choose Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches.
Read full review
AF
AmrFouad
Technical Project Manager at Cairo International Airport Co.
Offers seamless integration and boosts operational efficiency with minimum downtimes
I find stability to be the most effective feature of Cisco FabricPath; it is stable. Cisco FabricPath has good scalability; I don't have any problems with scalability as I can add any switches or distributors without any problem. I utilize the multipath routing architecture feature in Cisco FabricPath, and it's good in load balancing. Cisco FabricPath's compatibility to support Dynamic Layer 2 multipath routing in complex virtualized environments is good; I don't have any problems with it. Nothing comes to mind regarding metrics for using the Layer 2 multipath routing feature; it was good, and there were no problems at all with Cisco FabricPath. Cisco FabricPath's integration with Cisco Nexus works with virtual port channel (VPC) and is good for dual home servers and edge switches. We are using VPC in every layer of the Nexus center. Implementing Cisco FabricPath positively impacted my organization by providing minimum downtimes as the service is always up; everything is working properly with the VPC and Cisco FabricPath. I have experienced operational efficiencies with Cisco FabricPath that are 200% better than the old legacy equipment and protocols.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The most valuable feature is the ease of configuration."
"OmniSwitch LAN Switches' performance is very good."
"Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches provide stable work with no issues, with less downtime and fewer maintenance windows."
"These OmniSwitches are very manageable and easy to configure."
"I rate the technical support an eight or a nine out of ten. So far, they've been very professional and helpful, especially when we need to raise a case for any issue."
"With Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches everything comes from one vendor. It operates very smoothly."
"OmniSwitch LAN Switches' performance is very good."
"Overall, this is a good product and there are many benefits to using Alcatel-Lucent."
More Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches pros
"It's very stable."
"The setup is straightforward."
"Most of our customers are satisfied with the solutions from Cisco."
"I have experienced operational efficiencies with Cisco FabricPath that are 200% better than the old legacy equipment and protocols."
"The most beneficial feature of Cisco FabricPath for network performance is its reliability."
"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."
"The solution is very, very cheap compared with all other brands - including Huawei or HPE Switches, and we buy Cisco for the performance, really the performance, scalability, backup, and a lot of technology like VPC, OTV, or VDC, Virtual Device Context."
"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."
More Cisco FabricPath pros
 

Cons

"There are some issues with the network firmware being deleted from the switches."
"A customer expressed dissatisfaction with the color of the switches, preferring black over the current color, which is close to white. While the color is not a personal concern, my earlier preference was for all products to be extendable in one large stack since some equipment limits stacking to four elements instead of eight."
"There are some issues with the network firmware being deleted from the switches."
"I would like to see better third-party integration with third-party systems."
"There is no OEM support in India so RMAs need to be sent to France, which takes a long time if the hardware is faulty."
"There is no OEM support in India so RMAs need to be sent to France, which takes a long time if the hardware is faulty."
"For smaller sites with 10 persons or so, it's sometimes not so easy to choose Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches."
"n general, the way the product is put together is not well done."
"The solution is costly."
"The product lacks AI...The initial setup of Cisco FabricPath was a bit complex."
"It's important to note that the graphical interface often relies on Java, and compatibility with different versions of Java can be a factor."
"While Cisco products are excellent, the problem is the cost. Cisco products are product, Cisco products are very expensive. I rate Cisco FabricPath three out of 10 for affordability."
"The initial setup is a little complex."
"I would like one management console to control the network."
"Lack of security features for which we need to use another solution."
"The prices for FabricPath are very high, and Cisco also takes a long time to deliver products (in Mexico, the delivery time is eight months)."
More Cisco FabricPath cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The license is purchased one time only, it is a perpetual license with no renewal."
"The solution’s price is at a moderate level."
"The price is okay. It's comparable to similar switches."
"OmniSwitch LAN Switches are cheaper than Cisco's switches."
"The solution falls under the pricier category, but it provides value for the price charged."
"I rate it seven out of ten on pricing as it's a bit expensive. It would be better if the price were lower, but we prioritize quality over cost."
"FabricPath is very reasonably priced."
"It is very expensive."
"I rate the product's pricing a ten out of ten. Cisco switches cost around 15,000 dollars, and DNS licenses cost around 25,000 dollars. The total amount is 45,000 dollars, which is too expensive."
"The price of Cisco FabricPath could be reduced, it is expensive in the market here in Sri Lanka. The solution is subscriptions based, if the customer wants any future integrations, or if there are any future enhancements they will have to pay. There are different license options available, such as one or three years purchases."
"The pricing for this product is good."
"Cisco is expensive but offers good-quality features, so I would rate it high on the pricing scale."
More Cisco FabricPath pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
No data available
Manufacturing Company
11%
University
11%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
8%
Performing Arts
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business3
Midsize Enterprise3
Large Enterprise2
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business11
Midsize Enterprise6
Large Enterprise14
 

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches?
The specific network design is done by another company, and we just manage the access switches, in fact, the local access switches on the LAN. I don't think there is much prioritization in our netw...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches?
I still work with Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches. We work with internet switches, but we also use LAN switches from Alcatel-Lucent. All the switches on the sites or across sites are Alcatel...
See all answers
What advice do you have for others considering Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches?
Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches work well for us. I would rate this solution a 9 out of 10.
See all answers
What do you like most about Cisco FabricPath?
The tool makes it easy to manage multi-layer networking and increases network efficiency. I haven't faced any challenges in integrating it into our existing infrastructure.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco FabricPath?
Cisco is somewhat expensive, but it provides good quality products and operations, so I can't complain about licensing cost and setup costs. There is room for improvement in terms of pricing for th...
See all answers
What needs improvement with Cisco FabricPath?
In future updates, I would prefer to see features such as more AI functionality or better integration added to Cisco FabricPath; more AI would be useful.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches Logo
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches
Compared 25% of the time
Cisco Nexus vs Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches Logo
Cisco Nexus vs Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches
Compared 24% of the time
Aruba Instant On Switches vs Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches Logo
Aruba Instant On Switches vs Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches
Compared 20% of the time
HPE ProCurve vs Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches Logo
HPE ProCurve vs Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches
Compared 15% of the time
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Juniper QFabric vs Cisco FabricPath Logo
Juniper QFabric vs Cisco FabricPath
Compared 24% of the time
ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco FabricPath Logo
ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco FabricPath
Compared 17% of the time
Arista Campus LAN Switches vs Cisco FabricPath Logo
Arista Campus LAN Switches vs Cisco FabricPath
Compared 15% of the time
HPE ProCurve vs Cisco FabricPath Logo
HPE ProCurve vs Cisco FabricPath
Compared 12% of the time
IBM BNT vs Cisco FabricPath Logo
IBM BNT vs Cisco FabricPath
Compared 9% of the time
More Cisco FabricPath Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches
March 2026
Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches reportDownload Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches product report
Buyer's Guide
Cisco FabricPath
March 2026
Cisco FabricPath reportDownload Cisco FabricPath product report
 

Also Known As

Alcatel Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches, OmniSwitch, OmniSwitch LAN Switches
FabricPath
 

Overview

Information not available
Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise
Cisco FabricPath is a Cisco NX-OS software innovation combining the plug-and-play simplicity of Ethernet with the reliability and scalability of Layer 3 routing. Using FabricPath, you can build highly scalable Layer 2 multipath networks without the Spanning Tree Protocol. Such networks are particularly suitable for large virtualization deployments, private clouds, and high-performance computing (HPC) environments. The benefits of Cisco FabricPath include: Minimal commands per switch ease configuration and operation, Autodiscovery simplifies addition of new links and switches, Provision additional network bandwidth without impacting network, Supports one-, two-, or three-tier architectures, VLAN extensibility across the data center.
Cisco
 

Sample Customers

Advocate Health Care, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Azienda Ospedaliera della Provincia di Lodi, Centre Hospitalier Carcassonne, Certis Cisco Security, China Tianchen Engineering Corporation Co. LTD, City of Frankfurt, Dongseo University
Bellevue, Calligaris, Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Management Science Associates, Multi-Customer, Oediv, Roper St. Francis, SNAM
Buyer's Guide
Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs. Cisco FabricPath
March 2026
Free Report: Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs. Cisco FabricPath
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