Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Nokia Ethernet Service Switch comparison

Cisco and Nokia are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Cisco is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.8, while Nokia is ranked #23 with an average rating of 8.3. Cisco holds a 12.4% mindshare in ES, compared to Nokia’s 0.9% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Nokia users who would recommend it.

Cisco Ethernet Switches

Read 136 Cisco Ethernet Switches reviews

12,875 Views
12,875 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Nokia Ethernet Service Switch

Read 7 Nokia Ethernet Service Switch reviews

809 Views
809 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Cisco Ethernet Switches

Nokia Ethernet Service Switch

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

Cisco Ethernet Switches and Nokia Ethernet Service Switch compete in the field of network switching technologies. Data indicates that while Cisco leads in pricing and support, Nokia offers advanced features and customization.

Features: Cisco Ethernet Switches provide robust performance, reliability, and extensive security options, making them suitable for large and small businesses. They ensure seamless compatibility with numerous network protocols. Nokia Ethernet Service Switch excels in high-capacity throughput and advanced traffic management, making it ideal for environments needing customization and scalability.

Room for Improvement: Cisco could benefit from enhancing its feature set to match the advanced functionalities offered by competitors. Improving customization tools and further reducing downtime during deployments might help. Nokia may look into expanding support networks to ensure prompt issue resolution and could work on making initial deployment costs more appealing to budget-conscious buyers.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco's deployment is straightforward, supported by a comprehensive network of certified professionals that ensures quick and efficient setup with minimal downtime. Nokia offers simplified deployment with flexible services beneficial for unique environments, though its support network is less extensive compared to Cisco's.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco offers competitive pricing with excellent ROI, credited to its reliable longevity. Although Nokia's initial setup is more costly, its robust customization and advanced functionalities provide significant long-term benefits. Cisco's pricing and long-term cost-effectiveness make it a compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Nokia Ethernet Service Switch Report (Updated: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Nokia Ethernet Service Switch

September 2025

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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

Cisco Ethernet Switches

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

1st

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

136

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Nokia Ethernet Service Switch

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

23rd

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

3.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Cisco Ethernet Switches is 12.4%, down from 18.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Nokia Ethernet Service Switch is 0.9%, up from 0.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Cisco Ethernet Switches	12.4%
Nokia Ethernet Service Switch	0.9%
Other	86.7%

Ethernet Switches

Featured Reviews

Myint Aung

Head of the Solutions Department at BIM Group of Companies

Exceptional network support and AI integration drive performance while suggesting enhancements for future use cases

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.

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Montassar Turki

Tech Lead - R&D at Numeryx

Empowering networks with enhanced scalability and reliability

It provides excellent scalability capabilities, as well as the flexibility to work with different cost structures. It supports a large number of switches very well and meets the specific requirements. In our enterprise, we currently have two hundred servers, and this technology accommodates our growing user base, which may reach millions of users.

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

"Being able to deal with multiple VLANs to segment the network logically is the biggest feature for us. The management of these switches is okay for us. These switches work very well, and they meet our needs."

"One main feature of this solution is the POE switches."

"We only use the basic features and we find that it works well."

"Cisco Ethernet Switches have a lot of valuable features. One that stands out to me is its ease of implementation."

"I am not sure exactly which feature is most valuable because overall, the device helps us to manage our environment."

"When it comes to switching routing, we have no doubts about Cisco."

"The quality, like all Cisco solutions, is very high. The fact that it's Cisco is one of the reasons we chose to use it."

"These switches are both stable and scalable."

More Cisco Ethernet Switches pros

"The highest value lies in aggregating the data to improve both traffic management and device utilization, emphasizing the importance of engagement and liability."

"The most valuable feature is the product's availability."

"The most valuable features are user functionality and interoperability."

"The performance and reliability are the solution's most valuable features."

"Despite initial hindrances, once understood, these differences help in forming a good career foundation."

"On several occasions we encountered major issues with the solution and have found the Nokia technical support to be quite supportive."

Cons

"The price could be lower. It's quite expensive."

"There are instances where the commands you are familiar with might change or be replaced with newer syntax."

"In the case of an already existing network, we encounter technical issues related to following protocols."

"We'd like the pricing to be lowered."

"An improvement would be to change their market intention. Almost all the Cisco switches are now coming with a license called DNA. D for Delta, N for number and A for apple. That feature is required, he must purchase it and it is a mandatory thing that has been introduced. This is not matching with the Asian market."

"There are some GUI configuration improvements that they can implement in the future for the product models."

"The solution's pricing could be improved."

"This may be something that they are already working on, but it would be an improvement if they could add a layer of security to layer two and layer three to protect the server and to protect the data."

More Cisco Ethernet Switches cons

"I would like to see more collaboration with advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) vendors, such as Itron."

"The solution needs more monitoring tools."

"I would suggest improvements regarding enhancing support response times and implementing user interface modifications for quicker and more user-friendly interactions."

"The documentation needs improvement for better accessibility, as there isn't proper documentation currently available."

"I would prefer that all the licenses be open for our use."

"The segment routing could be improved, and they could also transfer a lot of legacy to the cloud domain."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is an expensive product."

"The product is expensive."

"When you compare with other products, they are more or less the same price."

"While Cisco's pricing can be a concern, particularly with support fees, its overall features and support community make it a solid choice."

"The price of this solution is high."

"Cisco Ethernet Switches are expensive, and you have to pay for a warranty and technical support."

"The pricing is reasonable so I rate it a six out of ten."

"The solution can be comparatively cheaper."

More Cisco Ethernet Switches pricing and cost advice

"The price of the solution is very competitive in comparison with that of the competition."

"It is quite expensive compared to alternative technologies."

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Comparison Review

it_user82779

Engineer at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees

Jan 29, 2014

Benefits of Juniper vs Cisco

Both are decent products. I prefer Juniper for the following reasons: 1) Cleaner separation of data plane from control plane. Higher end Cisco devices are better at this but most of the lower end products still seem to be more integrated than I like. 2) The Hierarchical config design means I can…

Read full review

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Government

Comms Service Provider

11%

Performing Arts

10%

Computer Software Company

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	58
Midsize Enterprise	36
Large Enterprise	53

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	4
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

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 ...

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Which would you choose - Fortinet Fortiswitch secure access or Cisco Ethernet Switches?

We researched Cisco but ultimately chose Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access, mostly because of the price. Fortinet FortiSwitch is an ethernet switch solution that provides security and performance...

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In terms of ethernet switches, would you go with Cisco or Juniper?

Our organization ran comparison tests to determine whether Cisco or Juniper Ethernet switches were the better fit for us. We decided to go with Juniper. Juniper ethernet switches are a lesser-known...

See all answers

What do you like most about Nokia Ethernet Service Switch?

The highest value lies in aggregating the data to improve both traffic management and device utilization, emphasizing the importance of engagement and liability.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Nokia Ethernet Service Switch?

We can understand the customer network better and propose products accordingly as areas for improvement. Engaging with customers directly would improve how that could be done easily. Many times the...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Nokia Ethernet Service Switch?

I am a system integrator working for different customers. My clients use this product for their network, either for network upgrade or new rollout.

See all answers

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Ethernet Switches

September 2025

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Ethernet Switches

August 2025

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Also Known As

Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches

Nokia ESS, Nokia 7450 Ethernet Service Switch, Nokia 7450 ESS

Overview

Cisco Ethernet Switches scale to meet the needs of networks of all sizes. They are Secure, Reliable and Seamless.

Cisco

The Nokia 7450 Ethernet Service Switch (ESS) family of Carrier Ethernet switch routers is designed to deliver advanced Carrier Ethernet services. It also provides the ideal platform for the metro Ethernet aggregation of fixed and mobile networks.

Nokia

Sample Customers

Linz AG

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Nokia Ethernet Service Switch

September 2025

Free Report: Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Nokia Ethernet Service Switch

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