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Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center comparison

 

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

Cisco Linksys Ethernet Swit...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
12th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
75
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
15th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
24
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches is 2.5%, down from 3.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 1.8%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Hakan Pehlivan - PeerSpot reviewer
Enhanced broadcast management with trusted support and intuitive interfaces
Cisco is the best on the Metro Solution side and also strong in the broadcast sector. Cisco and Arista support the IP standard, which is more in demand nowadays for TV broadcasting. Cisco is trusted by most broadcast customers for data centers due to their experience and knowledge. Cisco Linksys switches offer ease of management and experience, especially for engineers holding CCNA certificates. The functionalities and measurements are similar across switches, but Cisco offers a useful web interface.
Rias Majeed - PeerSpot reviewer
Enables easy management of traffic and enhances security
FortiSwitch Data Center allows for centralized management of both Fortinet switches and firewalls from a single interface. This integration makes network management streamlined and secure. Additionally, the controllers are built into the firewall, which enables easy management of traffic and enhances security. Unlike some solutions, a Fortinet firewall is not just a firewall; it also acts as a full-fledged router.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Integration is much easier than with competitor products because it allows for segmentation inside the network."
"The most valuable feature of this solution is the support."
"Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches have a good interface, and the documentation is detailed."
"I would recommend Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches to other organizations."
"Their speed and their ability to handle the network well are the most significant aspects of the product."
"I like the firewall. It integrates with AWS. I can use the Cisco product on an AWS server."
"Cisco products are always stable."
"My work is able to continue because the switches are reliable."
"It integrates well."
"The initial setup was simple."
"What I like about the solution is that it can be accessed anywhere."
"The product is stable."
"FortiSwitch Data Center allows for centralized management of both Fortinet switches and firewalls from a single interface."
"We are able to monitor everything that is happening on our network."
"Based on my use cases, Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center was a great product that was easy to manage and work with while being a powerful tool."
"The most valuable feature is the port analytics."
 

Cons

"Some experts say that the price may be lower or that the ethernet switches are complex to set up and manage, maybe because of limited port density, supports, and quality of service, like capabilities."
"Make them tougher and more ruggedized for warmer and Industrial types of environments, and HumiSeal the main boards and internal components."
"We'd prefer if the product, in general, was easier to use. It can be a bit difficult."
"Their performance should be improved."
"The pricing for this solution needs to be improved."
"The installation could be simplified."
"Pricing is an area with a shortcoming since the solution is expensive."
"They need to develop better UI. Other products have a nice GUI."
"Managing the VLANs is an area where the solution lacks and needs to improve."
"The UI of the firewall and reporting could be improved."
"The tool is not easy to use."
"The solution’s pricing could be improved."
"There is room to improve the integration between FortiSwitch and other third-party solutions, as challenges arise when integrating with different vendors."
"Routing is an area in Fortinet FortiSwitch with certain shortcomings where improvements are needed."
"The solution can improve by upgrading QSFP+, it is very limited and must be supported more than it is now. If we need FortiSwitches to support all the QSFP ports our budgets would have to be very large."
"With IT products, there is always room for improvement."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product is reasonably priced."
"The solution is more expensive than competitors but is reliable and worth the money."
"The tool's price is reasonable."
"Cisco can be quite costly, especially if you're looking to implement more advanced or unique configurations. When keeping things relatively straightforward, they are positioned at the higher end of the pricing spectrum. However, it's worth noting that Cisco offers excellent support, a strong global presence, a robust operating system, and highly skilled professionals in the field of networking infrastructure. These advantages come at a premium, and there's a price associated with all these benefits."
"Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches prices are high. However, it was acceptable. The price is higher than competitors."
"There can be limited features for the solution based on the pricing of the package you choose. You will need to pay more to get more performance. However, the router can perform even better with certain extra costs. Sometimes the budgets do not fit all these types of upgrades that become expensive."
"It is cheap."
"The price of this solution is high, but it depends on the number of units that you want to order."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."
"The product is less expensive than one of its competitors."
"The solution is not expensive."
"It is reasonably priced."
"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution, which is expensive."
"This solution is expensive but it does not require a license."
"The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's."
"The product has a mid-range price."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
13%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Healthcare Company
7%
Computer Software Company
19%
Government
10%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Comms Service Provider
5%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches?
Regarding pricing, I take the cost of Cisco Linksys Ethernet switches into consideration.
What needs improvement with Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches?
I would like Cisco to improve their technical support, and I have encountered challenges with Cisco Linksys switches. Additionally, I would like to see improvements in overall solution features in ...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?
The Fortinet switches come with no additional cost as they are open source, with only hardware warranties applicable.
What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?
There is room for improvement in customer support and device speed. Sometimes, customer support does not provide prompt assistance, leaving projects hanging. Additionally, improving the speed of th...
 

Also Known As

Linksys Ethernet Switches
No data available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Linz AG
Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
850,028 professionals have used our research since 2012.