Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

D-Link 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:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
1.0
D-Link Ethernet Switches offer a cost-effective, comparable alternative to Cisco, achieving ROI in four years with 90% resource savings.
Sentiment score
1.0
Fortinet FortiSwitch offers cost-effectiveness and seamless integration, yet Cisco is preferred long-term for quicker replacements.
The integration of Fortinet infrastructure, including FortiSwitches, is cost-effective compared to Cisco, especially when paired with Fortinet wireless solutions.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
4.7
Users generally manage issues independently due to reliable switches, though technical support could improve, especially regarding response speed.
Sentiment score
7.9
Customer service for Fortinet FortiSwitch is reliable and helpful but has variable response times and diverse engineer expertise.
We have implemented these switches in 25 to 30 sites without significant problems.
Whenever there is an issue, the local technical team supports us, whether through physical presence or remotely.
Technical partners provide responses within a day for any technical queries.
Customer support needs improvement in terms of speed and reliability.
On a scale from one to 10, I would rate the technical support of Fortinet an eight.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
5.9
D-Link Ethernet Switches offer reliability, scalability, and affordability, appealing to medium and large enterprises for flexible network expansion.
Sentiment score
8.5
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is scalable, integrates seamlessly, reduces costs, and competes effectively with top networking solutions.
The pricing is competitive in the market, making D-Link Ethernet switches a good option for both middle-end and high-end brands.
There is not much scalability.
When used in a dedicated Fortinet infrastructure, FortiSwitch scalability is better than some other switches, like Cisco, Meraki, or Arista.
Scalability is generally good, with transitions from gigabit to ten giga, twenty-five giga, and forty giga.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.8
D-Link Ethernet Switches are reliable and stable, though some experience minor issues like heating and limited compatibility options.
Sentiment score
7.4
Fortinet FortiSwitch is praised for stability, scoring high despite occasional integration and configuration issues within a year.
The integration has been successful with no security breaches or network disturbances.
There are no stability issues with D-Link Ethernet switches.
The stability of D-Link Ethernet Switches is good.
There is room for improvement as it sometimes takes over an hour to push configurations onto the devices from the management tool.
 

Room For Improvement

D-Link Ethernet Switches need improved management, security features, broader product range, software integration, scalability, and industrial support.
Fortinet FortiSwitch needs improvement in automation, interface, management, integration, compatibility, security, AI, support, and performance.
Improvements in the voltage facility, like increasing from 360 watts to 400 or 450 watts, would make them more competitive with other vendors.
Currently, D-Link Ethernet Switches are often not used in large data centers due to issues with performance and scalability.
Sometimes, customer support does not provide prompt assistance, leaving projects hanging.
The commercial aspect presents challenges, particularly with pricing, as customers often ask for Juniper or Cisco, brands they are more aware of, which makes awareness about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center another weak point.
There is room to improve the integration between FortiSwitch and other third-party solutions, as challenges arise when integrating with different vendors.
 

Setup Cost

D-Link Ethernet Switches offer cost-effective, license-free solutions ranging $65-$1000, appealing to budget-conscious enterprises over pricier Cisco options.
Fortinet FortiSwitch offers competitive pricing with some variability, often seen as affordable compared to Cisco, appealing to price-sensitive enterprises.
The pricing of D-Link Ethernet Switches is cost-effective.
D-Link Ethernet Switches are 30% cheaper than Cisco switches.
High-end switches should be slightly cheaper.
The Fortinet switches come with no additional cost as they are open source, with only hardware warranties applicable.
Pricing is competitive, although it's not the cheapest option.
 

Valuable Features

D-Link Ethernet Switches are valued for affordability, stability, and features like VLAN, easy management, energy efficiency, and security.
Fortinet FortiSwitch enhances data center management with integration, intuitive analytics, centralized control, and cost-effective security features.
The features of D-Link Ethernet Switches that have proven most beneficial in managing network traffic include their cost-effectiveness, which is suitable for small data centers.
It's especially valuable because Cisco and other products function similarly, but for smaller networks where high transfer rates aren't necessary.
With D-Link Ethernet Switches, I do not face any network load issues.
The main actual benefit that Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center brought to my customer's environment is secure connectivity while minimizing downtime from unexpected traffic or broadcasting.
This feature allows the switch's ports to be used as firewall ports, enhancing network security by enabling IPS and network profiling directly on the ports.
It allows me to create VLANs, implement security measures, and push configurations using a single tool.
 

Categories and Ranking

D-Link Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
12th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
6.4
Number of Reviews
30
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
15th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.6
Number of Reviews
25
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of D-Link Ethernet Switches is 5.3%, down from 5.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 1.9%, up from 1.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Daniel Kivuthi - PeerSpot reviewer
Fits well in networks, integrate well but initial setup needs trained people
I did not face any major challenges, but the only thing is that D-Link has to invest in training technicians or engineers who install their products. They have to keep training them. D-Link can offer free training, or maybe even if they are charged, it's some fair charge. That way, D-Link encourages many technicians to take that training. And when the team has trained technicians or trained engineers, then it becomes very easy to install the devices and put them in the network. The solution integrates very well with our existing network infrastructure. The initial setup is straightforward. But, again, I will insist: If it is handled by trained personnel, then you find that the integration and installation are easy. But when people try to install the switches or the solutions and they do not have the technical know-how, then it becomes a challenge. People start saying that it's not a good solution, that they are not working. Yet, it is the technician who does not know how to handle them.
Vishwajeet Pandey - PeerSpot reviewer
Management and monitoring efficiencies from a single platform increase network control and flexibility
I use Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center as it is a more flexible switch compared to normal switches. It allows me to manage and monitor all switches through a single pane of management Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center offers flexibility and control over the entire network from a single pane of…
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Ethernet Switches solutions are best for your needs.
865,384 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
12%
Comms Service Provider
10%
Healthcare Company
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Computer Software Company
17%
Government
10%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Financial Services Firm
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

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 ...
What do you like most about D-Link Ethernet Switches?
D-Link has a good VPN feature and quality of service.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for D-Link Ethernet Switches?
D-Link Ethernet Switches are 30% cheaper than Cisco switches. Pricing has not been a concern since it is already included in the capex.
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...
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

George Mason University, Somerville House, Hiperwall, New Brunswick School District 16, The Fulcrum Group, Bremond Independent School District, University of Texas Health Science Center, Grand Canyon Skywalk, SUN Area Career & Technology Center, Abington Senior High School
Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Find out what your peers are saying about D-Link Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.
865,384 professionals have used our research since 2012.