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

16th

Average Rating

9.2

Reviews Sentiment

4.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Data Center Networking (8th)

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secu...

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

9th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

Fakhar Mahmood

Sr. Network Administrator at i2c

Has consistently supported high availability with reliable performance and minimal disruption

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series and the routers are good, but the FMC or FTDs still need some improvement. We have Palo Alto firewalls and Next-Generation Firewalls in our environment. In comparison to the main firewall, we moved from Cisco FTDs to Palo Alto. We still have FTDs in our environment, but the majority of the firewalls have been moved to Palo Alto. They are more user-friendly, give more visibility, and are more efficient. The performance is better than Cisco. With the new features, Cisco is having some improvement for the FTD. I am currently evaluating the FTDs. The new version has better features like the encrypted visibility engine and user-based changes in FMCs, and other things are quite useful for us. FTDs do have limitations and other issues. We communicated that limitation and feature support to the Cisco account manager. We do have support for the devices. We currently have a weekly call with Cisco and they are making progress regarding new versions of the FMCs and introducing new features. The performance of deployment has improved quite a bit compared to four or five years ago.

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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

"Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is quite a complex machine, but we are using a very simple configuration with basic Nexus switching, and we don't have many issues with Cisco Nexus 9000 Series at the moment in our present infrastructure."

"Performance has been great with no abnormal behaviors detected, and the network remains stable even in failover scenarios, supporting vast environments with high availability."

"We are using the core capabilities of Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Ethernet switches, and it is performing well."

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

"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."

"RealPresence works effectively."

"The main benefit of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is its integration with FortiCloud, which allows me to manage all appliances in a single interface."

"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has a positive impact and return on investment that revolves around security, as it allows me to apply Zero Trust technology, which is currently the trend in the world and is needed for security layers."

"Integration is good, as well as price and technical support."

"It can integrate well with other Fortinet products."

"Ability to manage FortiAP, FortiClient, and FortiGate all from a single console"

"It is very user-friendly. There is no need to use command lines to configure it or to do anything in it. You hardly use command lines, which makes it different from Cisco. In Cisco, the CLI is your best friend. Fortinet has the lowest TCO, so you can use its integrated components without having to buy additional licenses. They provide centralized management without needing to buy or acquire additional licenses. You have an integral or complete vision through a single pane of glass, and you can see everything from one single console without having to buy additional licenses, which is a plus. It works the same way when you add wireless. You can see everything from FortiGate. It has a security processor, which is another plus. It does not have a standard desktop processor. It has a multi-threat security processor, and it is built by Fortinet. So, all the components that you include in a Fortinet solution are proprietary and work in an integral way. It has one single solution, whereas other brands, such as Palo Alto and Check Point, have been acquiring certain solutions, and they're not fully integrated. With Fortinet, everything is integrated. If you start building on Fortinet, everything that you expand to the local LAN or WAN is integrated. You don't have to pay for professional services and other things to do that. Their technical information is also very good. Most of their information is based on how-to, and it can be found online, which is something my clients like."

"The product is very secure."

"I would rate the the ease of management and scalability within our network architecture an eight out of ten, with ten being best."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access pros

Cons

"For Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches, I think we need to work on the HSRP. Whenever it flaps or something happens, it creates an issue."

"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."

"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."

"Cost-wise, Cisco Nexus 9000 Series is very expensive."

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

"They could provide integration with Fortinet Authenticator."

"FortiSwitch offers eight and 24-port models. They don't have a 16-port model, which can be an issue for some clients."

"The product must improve its prices."

"It could be simpler but compared to the competition, it's not so bad."

"The product's end-user protection feature needs improvement."

"The security of the solution could be a bit better."

"The product could use more security related features."

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

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"We have to renew and pay for the licenses."

"We signed up for a three-year license for support and replacement."

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

"The solution is expensive but overall the cost makes sense."

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

"Price-wise, I find Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access to be an okay product. It is not an expensive product."

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

"The price is good."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

26%

Construction Company

16%

Outsourcing Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Outsourcing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

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?

At this point, not much could be improved about Cisco Nexus 9000 Series. Automation GUI based is not the core of the 9000, so this is a different device or a different solution. I do not find anyth...

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

My usual use cases for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series involve various companies, particularly when they are in need of a new automation solution or just an upgrade of the data center.

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

I am very satisfied with this solution. However, it is more about whether it is actually possible to do the solutions, and normally people already know what they want. They only need to have the ri...

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 20% of the time

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Compared 6% 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 is a high-performing network switch line designed for modern data centers, offering scalability, flexibility, and efficiency for complex network infrastructures.

This series enhances data center performance with its ability to provide extensive support for open Ethernet standards and programmable networking environments. It is specifically tailored to meet the demands of evolving infrastructure by delivering advanced automation and simplified operations tailored for application-driven environments. Designed to tackle the challenges of today's data centers, Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ensures robust networking for enterprises seeking growth through technological advancement.

What are the key features of Cisco Nexus 9000 Series?

High Density: Features high-density 40G Ethernet, enhancing throughput in data centers.
Programmability: Offers full programmable access via Cisco’s NX-OS software, enabling customized operations.
Scalability: Supports scalability to enable growth and expansion without compromising performance.
Energy Efficiency: Equipped with energy-saving technology, reducing operational costs significantly.

What benefits and ROI can users expect?

Cost Efficiency: Reduces costs through energy-efficient operations and maintenance.
Performance: Increases network performance forwarding vital data swiftly and securely.
Adaptability: Easily integrates into existing systems, aiding in smooth transitions and upgrades.
Reliability: Ensures continuous uptime and stability, crucial for business-critical operations.

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series finds extensive use in industries like finance, healthcare, and telecommunications, where robust, scalable network infrastructure is essential. In finance, it supports fast and reliable data transactions. In healthcare, it's critical for handling patient data securely. Telecommunications rely on it for managing extensive data traffic efficiently, demonstrating its adaptability and strength in managing sector-specific demands.

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