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Brocade Ethernet Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

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

Brocade Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
26th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.8
Number of Reviews
11
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Cisco Catalyst Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
2nd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.5
Number of Reviews
213
Ranking in other categories
LAN Switching (1st), Data Center Networking (1st), AV Over IP Switching (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Brocade Ethernet Switches is 1.8%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches is 4.5%, up from 3.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Cisco Catalyst Switches4.5%
Brocade Ethernet Switches1.8%
Other93.7%
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

PB
Data Center Admin at Sysnet Global Technologies
Experience seamless configuration with secure and adaptable network solutions
I use Brocade Ethernet Switches because they are scalable. I recommend them since they are easy to configure. They are connected and used every day in our operations It is good and scalable. It is easy to configure and provides good technical support. Brocade Ethernet Switches are good to…
Md Rafique - PeerSpot reviewer
Desktop support Engineer at a outsourcing company with 51-200 employees
Reliable switching has improved segmentation and reduces downtime with faster troubleshooting
One area I would like to see improvement is making configuration and troubleshooting more straightforward, especially for engineers managing a large number of switches. Some tasks can require multiple CLI commands and checking different outputs to identify an issue. Better centralized visibility, more intuitive automation tools, and clearer troubleshooting information would make day-to-day operations more efficient. That said, the CLI gives experienced network engineers a lot of control, so I would see these improvements as making the existing capabilities easier and faster to use rather than replacing them. For on-premises deployment, I would like to see easier centralized management and more automation for larger switch environments. Firmware upgrades, configuration changes, and troubleshooting can take significant time when they have to be handled across many physical devices. Better zero-touch provisioning, simplifying firmware management solutions, stronger integration with monitoring and IT management platforms, and more proactive hardware health alerts would make operations easier. I would also like better visibility into hardware capabilities and lifecycle status from a single dashboard so we can identify potential issues before they affect users.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The switches last for a very long time."
"The reliability of Brocade is the most valuable feature. The solution has been up and running for over ten years without any fail, fixes required, or breakdowns. It is a very strong piece of equipment."
"I have not had any issues with our Brocade switches."
"There's a zone for each server and services in the storage."
"The technical support is good."
"CLI and supported technologies are very close to Cisco."
"One of the valuable features of this solution is that it works with the concept of zoning, where there's a zone for each server and services in the storage, and when the link of a full port is failing, it automatically switches to another port so you don't lose the connection, which is pretty important for the high level of availability of the applications and the access to the storage data."
"The most important feature of this solution is the performance because we have many switches and we have a performance for Brocade Ethernet Switches that needs about 16 gigabyte per second."
"Once it's up and running, configuration is okay, and once it's on the live network, it's fine, no issues."
"It is easier to design and manage a network by enabling reuse and the ability to migrate to multiple sites."
"As there are many who are knowledgeable of this technology, this translates into extensive support for it."
"We haven't needed to contact technical support because we haven't had any issues so far."
"The product is very strong, much stronger than other options on the market, for example, Dell and HPE, and the software is excellent."
"The solution is durable."
"The most valuable feature is the interface, it's easy to configure. The command line uses a switch that gives us security."
"If anyone is searching for a reliable, scalable, and easy-to-maintain device, Catalyst Center is the best option for the access layer."
 

Cons

"Brocade Ethernet Switches could improve by having better compatibility with web management of older versions."
"Technically the product is always improving the software part, but the hardware needs to be more reliable."
"Brocade Ethernet Switches need a better interface and centralized management."
"This solution doesn't have a graphical interface and that's an issue."
"No graphical interface."
"It could be made easier to configure with a graphical interface."
"It should be simpler. There are still some things that can be simpler in the Brocade switches."
"You need skills and knowledge to configure brocade switches."
"This product could be improved with cheaper pricing."
"I previously used D-Link Switches (which was a pain) due to the budget constraints."
"The solution’s pricing and stability could be improved."
"The solution is quite expensive for our clients. It's a pain point for some companies. They should work to reduce the price."
"We would like the solution to be more stable."
"The main use case of Cisco Catalyst Switches is still unclear to me."
"Their centralized management could be better. There should be some kind of software for centralized management so that I don't need somebody else to manage it."
"The initial setup can be easier in cases where the policy and ruleset are complex."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of Brocade Ethernet Switches is expensive."
"Compared to the price of other solutions such as Huawei and HP, Cisco Catalyst Switches is a cheaper solution."
"Try to buy everything you need in bulk purchases and ask Cisco for volume discounts."
"The product is quite expensive."
"The cost of Cisco switches is a little more expensive than the competition. However, as the saying goes, "you get what you pay for." If you want a reliable solution and other benefits, Cisco Catalyst Switches are worth the money."
"Pricing is an issue I have been facing, in comparison with HPE or Juniper. The Nexus series is out of the question right now. Scalability is more an issue on the pricing side and less on the technology side."
"Cisco products are not that cheap."
"It's very pricey. Compared to competitors, it's a lot more expensive."
"I would say that the pricing of the solution falls within the moderate to higher range."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
12%
Healthcare Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
6%
Government
6%
Outsourcing Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Construction Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business3
Midsize Enterprise3
Large Enterprise7
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business87
Midsize Enterprise34
Large Enterprise104
 

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Brocade Ethernet Switches?
To improve, it could be made easier to configure with a graphical interface.
What is your primary use case for Brocade Ethernet Switches?
I use Brocade Ethernet Switches because they are scalable. I recommend them since they are easy to configure. They are connected and used every day in our operations.
What advice do you have for others considering Brocade Ethernet Switches?
I would recommend Brocade Ethernet Switches because they are easy to configure and have good technical support. I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
Would you recommend replacing a Cisco Catalyst Switch by a D-link one?
Hello Mesfin It depends on the real scenario, the cisco 2960 is a very good device and they usually have routing functions but there are many different models within the same 2960 line, and on the ...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Catalyst Switches?
My experience is that Cisco Catalyst Switches can involve a relatively significant upfront investment, especially when you consider the hardware, support, and licensing requirements. The total cost...
What needs improvement with Cisco Catalyst Switches?
One area I would like to see improvement is making configuration and troubleshooting more straightforward, especially for engineers managing a large number of switches. Some tasks can require multi...
 

Also Known As

No data available
Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Ajubeo, Akquinet AG, Big Data Analytics Provider Boligkontoret Danmark Bristol is Open, CDE Lightband, Cicero School District 99, City and County of San Francisco, Department of Emergency, City of Chattanooga, Cloudscale.sh
Afni, Anilana Hotels and Resorts, Baylor Scott & White Health, Beachbody, Bellevue, Del Papa Distributing, Explorer Pipeline, Mindtree, Omaha World Herald, Radio 538, Sony Corporation, Telecom Italia, Telenor Arena
Find out what your peers are saying about Brocade Ethernet Switches vs. Cisco Catalyst Switches and other solutions. Updated: November 2026.
921,148 professionals have used our research since 2012.