Cisco Nexus 9000 Series vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access comparison

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access

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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 Nexus 9000 Series

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

9th

Average Rating

9.0

Reviews Sentiment

5.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Data Center Networking (5th)

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secu...

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

12th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is 1.2%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is 3.1%, down from 4.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Cisco Nexus 9000 Series	1.2%
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access	3.1%
Other	95.7%

Ethernet Switches

Featured Reviews

AbhinavSingh

Technical Marketing Engineer Hybrid Cloud Infrastructures at NetApp

Policy-driven data centers have delivered low-latency connectivity for critical applications

The most critical and important feature in Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is VPC. Apart from VPC, there are many other features in Cisco Nexus 9000 Series that stand out as advantages. You can apply access control lists on that. You can do Layer 3 capabilities. You can configure HSRP. You can implement VRFs. You can isolate the L3 network within your data center. It has a lot of features including network segmentation capabilities. You can apply a lot of security hardening and manage the access on the switches through auditing to see who is doing what and restrict access based on the network admin role. These are great features. The overlay technology support in Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is good for large-scale deployment where you are going to build something like a hyperscaler. You need more network segments, and with VXLAN, you can definitely build a large fabric with those Nexus switches.

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Hassan Mohamed

Cyber Security Manager at Greater Cairo Water Company (GCWC)

Zero Trust access has improved branch security and provides granular visibility for all devices

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has substantial automation because the configuration is managed from FortiGate dashboard. Automation increases performance and decreases installation time. I mentioned the unique specifications of the switch and the solution at the start. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access granular visibility features have helped me manage IoT devices. I can see every device in the network and the details about each device because FortiGate has an inventory of every device, making the integration between Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access and FortiGate unique. The deep integration with Fortinet's Security Fabric is very important for threat intelligence in my organization. Reliability is key, and automation contributes significantly to network performance optimization in my organization. I have to use FortiLink for automatic UTM extension, as it is a unique proprietary protocol to manage Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access through FortiGate. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is a switch that is related to its Secure Access feature. I gave this review a rating of 9.

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The features for manageability and visibility are impressive."

"Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is very durable and very reliable, and there has never been any issue with it."

"For one of the biggest European customers, they deployed Cisco Nexus for their core networking and it has been running for a few years without having a single downtime."

"There has been improvement in our connectivity with Cisco Nexus 9000 Series, and there is less drag."

"RealPresence works effectively."

"The stability and reliability of Cisco Nexus 9000 Series are robust, and once you put it on, it does not just fail; that takes a long time, maybe even years."

"Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is easy to use, and the performance is exceptional."

"The performance in data center operations with Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is excellent; we have never faced any performance issues."

More Cisco Nexus 9000 Series pros

"I like that everything flows back to FortiGate, which is the controller, management console, and firewall. There's one central point for the entire network, so the security, switching, wireless, etc., flows back to the FortiGate. The ease of management is what customers like. They don't need separate solutions like Cisco."

"Deploying the solution is a breeze, even a novice can do it."

"One of the most feature-packed switching solutions you can implement."

"The solution is very simple, and it's very easily available."

"The tool's setup was very easy."

"The tool's VLAN feature is easy to understand. It was very good."

"It works really well, I think the equipment is solid, and the help is great."

"It is a cheap and secure solution. The job switching and security features are better than other solutions."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access pros

Cons

"We find that Cisco has been left behind by the other vendors. The other vendors have adopted new technology, and we find Cisco lagging behind."

"The SFP modules we are using have had issues. We have Cisco modules, but they frequently heat up or there are packet error issues."

"Even though it is expensive, I am not sure about the return on investment. It is expensive, and you will need to pay for subscription fees that also are not cheap."

"In terms of automation with Cisco Nexus 9000 Series, it could be better."

"When trying to contact support, we had issues trying to get someone to help us."

"The potential for improvement lies in the licensing aspect, which is somewhat confusing. The perpetual and subscription licensing is a concern."

"I would rate the technical support for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series an eight out of ten. This rating is not because of their lack of expertise, but just the assignment period."

"If I have a Juniper and want to uplink with Cisco, there could be some configuration challenges."

More Cisco Nexus 9000 Series cons

"I don't like the way it's managed."

"While Fortinet is good for school boards and mid-sized businesses, enterprise-class networks require a zero-trust solution. If you're building a zero-trust network with end-to-end security, that's where Fortinet falls behind Cisco, HPE, and Aruba."

"The pricing could be improved, and it could be easier to configure."

"It would also help if they lowered the cost of their service."

"In Fortinet, the packet reconstruction in the SD-WAN solution needs a little bit of improvement. When it comes to the Secure Access to the switches or the mix of Fortinet solution, the very small ones do not have the capability to use fiber cables. So, the small FortiGates have to work with the copper cables and cannot use fiber cables. Even though they have the capacity and throughput on all technical connectors, they don't have the interfaces, which is one of the good things with Cisco. They just add models to it. You buy the independent models, and you add them."

"It is always nice when something is cheaper."

"The technical support team is slow to respond and the responses are not always complete."

"One of the main challenges was integrating FortiSwitch with FortiGate, as the switches are managed through FortiGate rather than independently."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"The price of the solution could improve, it is expensive."

"Licensing is easy: FortiCare and that's it."

"The solution has reasonable pricing. The firewall costs around 500$ annually."

"The cost appears to be high in comparison to other competing products although with this product you are paying for what you get."

"The pricing for Fortinet FortiSwitch is not expensive."

"The product pricing seems to be mid-range."

"The product's pricing is less compared to other enterprise solutions."

"The product is costly for SMB customers compared to other brands available in the market."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

22%

Outsourcing Company

17%

Manufacturing Company

12%

Construction Company

10%

Comms Service Provider

Outsourcing Company

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	8
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	8

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	39
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	7

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Cisco Nexus 9000 Series?

I would appreciate improvements in Cisco Nexus 9000 Series as data center equipment. I would like to see features that control traffic and maintain service continuity during the transfer of signals...

What is your primary use case for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series?

I am working with multiple clients, approximately ten clients who use Cisco Nexus 9000 Series in their data centers. I am currently supporting clients with Cisco Nexus 9000 Series and Cisco technol...

What advice do you have for others considering Cisco Nexus 9000 Series?

In networking, I recommend Cisco for switching and data center equipment including switching, Wi-Fi, and Cisco ISE to clients every time. It is still a perfect solution due to its high pricing, but...

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...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?

The price is very affordable. The price is comfortable for me.

What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?

I believe enhancement in security is essential for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access. Fortinet needs to perform extensive testing to improve its reliability. If they achieve that, I think it wil...

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Compared 7% of the time

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Compared 6% of the time

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Compared 6% of the time

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Compared 20% of the time

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Compared 17% of the time

Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access

Compared 5% of the time

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access

Compared 5% of the time

Dell PowerSwitch Managed Campus vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access

Compared 4% of the time

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Product Reports

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series

Download Cisco Nexus 9000 Series product report

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access

Download Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access product report

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access report

Overview

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series offers ease of use, high performance, and flexibility with support for VPCs, VXLAN, SDN, and Layer 3 capabilities, optimizing policy management and network segmentation.

This series is recognized for its stability and high-density interfaces. Integrating seamlessly with Cisco DNA and ACI, it enhances data center operations through efficient port channeling and trunking for VLAN management. The ability to support multiple connection speeds allows expanded network connectivity. Despite its strengths, Cisco Nexus 9000 can benefit from improved third-party integration, simplifying licensing, and reducing costs, while addressing traffic control and Spanning Tree protocol challenges. Regular OS patches could better support networking engineers in bug management.

What are the key features of Cisco Nexus 9000 Series?

VPCs and VXLAN support: Enhances virtualization for efficient resource use.
Software-Defined Networking: Facilitates agile network management.
Layer 3 capabilities: Offers robust routing and switching options.
Integration with Cisco DNA and ACI: Supports advanced policy-driven approaches.
Port channeling and trunking: Simplifies VLAN management.
High-density interfaces: Supports expanding network needs.

What benefits and ROI should users consider in evaluations?

Performance and flexibility: Adaptability to various networking environments.
Stability and reliability: Strong data center performance.
Connectivity options: Wide range of connection speed support.
Data center optimization: Enhanced operations through efficient management features.

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series finds its place in data centers, serving as top-of-rack, core, or federator switches. It caters to critical enterprise applications, databases, and on-premises data centers requiring low latency and high bandwidth. While integration with advanced Cisco DNA features is minimal, users predominantly implement it in non-cloud environments.

Cisco

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access offers centralized control and seamless FortiGate integration, enhancing network management and security with single-console operations. Known for user-friendly configurations, it supports VLAN, PoE, and cloud-based management.

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access provides a powerful network management solution, emphasizing integration with FortiGate for streamlined operations and enhanced security protocols. Its interface and straightforward configuration support effective device management. While recognized for robust performance and affordability, users seek improvements in pricing, support, and firmware reliability. FortiSwitch fits into industries such as education, healthcare, and retail, providing secure remote access and connectivity for campus environments and remote sites. Clients value its comprehensive management features but suggest enhancements in standalone management, terminology clarity, and initial setup.

What are the key features?

Centralized Control: Seamlessly integrates with FortiGate for streamlined management.
User-Friendly Interface: Simplified device management through easy configurations.
VLAN and PoE Support: Enhance connectivity with advanced network management capabilities.
Cloud-Based Management: Provides flexible and scalable network administration.
Robust Performance: Ensures high reliability and scalability for diverse network needs.

What benefits and ROI should users consider?

Affordability: Offers cost-effective network management solutions.
Scalability: Adapts to growing network demands with ease.
Efficient Deployment: Reduces need for extensive technical expertise.
Enhanced Security: Strengthens network protection across various environments.
Comprehensive Management: Centralizes operations for improved network oversight.

In industries like education, healthcare, and retail, Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is implemented to manage network security and infrastructure efficiently. Organizations use it to integrate with FortiGate, ensuring centralized management and improved security. It is deployed for secure remote access and connectivity for campuses and remote sites, enhancing security requirements in these sectors. Fortinet partners and customers benefit from its advanced management features, supporting VLANs and access-level connectivity for phones and computers, aligning with industry-specific demands.

Fortinet

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access