Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs H3C Ethernet Switches comparison

Fortinet and H3C are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Fortinet is ranked #15 with an average rating of 8.8, while H3C is ranked #21 with an average rating of 7.3. Fortinet holds a 2.3% mindshare in ES, compared to H3C’s 2.8% mindshare. Additionally, 95% of Fortinet users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of H3C users who would recommend it.

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...

Read 26 Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center reviews

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1,668 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

H3C Ethernet Switches

Read 9 H3C Ethernet Switches reviews

2,345 Views
2,322 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...

H3C Ethernet Switches

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

H3C Ethernet Switches and Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center compete in high-performance networking solutions. H3C has a financial advantage with competitive pricing, whereas Fortinet offers enhanced security features.

Features: H3C Ethernet Switches are noted for their internet-configurable switch stacking, a five-year warranty, and comprehensive routing protocols providing high throughput and redundancy. Fortinet FortiSwitch integrates with FortiGate for improved network security and visibility, offers port analytics, and simplified configuration through its security fabric.

Room for Improvement: H3C could enhance its cloud management features, broaden its product range, and improve its web-based configuration and public support tools. Fortinet could benefit from improved threat response automation, clearer certification guidelines, and enhancements in QSFP+ support, routing security, and UI.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: H3C is versatile for on-premises and private clouds, supported by a global network of offices. While language barriers may be an issue, Fortinet's FortiSwitch is adaptable across environments, benefiting from easy integration with FortiGate but needing more localized support.

Pricing and ROI: H3C offers competitive pricing, saving SMBs 30-40% compared to alternatives and promising quick ROI in 3-4 months. Fortinet is higher-priced but remains cost-effective against premium competitors, with licensing fees offset by reduced management time and integration benefits.

To learn more, read our detailed Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. H3C Ethernet Switches Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. H3C Ethernet Switches

December 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

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

15th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

H3C Ethernet Switches

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

21st

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 2.3%, up from 1.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of H3C Ethernet Switches is 2.8%, up from 2.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center	2.3%
H3C Ethernet Switches	2.8%
Other	94.9%

Ethernet Switches

Featured Reviews

Rutul SHah

CXO at Aariha Enterprise Private Limited

Provides seamless traffic control and secure connectivity while minimizing downtime and optimizing resource allocation

There is always room for improvement in Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center because with this switch, they can reduce downtime due to broadcasting issues by denying specific traffic on particular ports. Currently, I am not identifying any weak points of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center because it meets the customer's use case. However, 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.

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KanwarArsalan

Technical Pre Sales at Business It Solutions

Offers all routing protocols, functionality, and capabilities

H3C switches have strong port aggregation features including dynamic, static, and device aggregation. They also offer broadcast, multicast, or unique system suppression for PPS and BPS. These features are versatile and adaptable to various organizational scenarios, complemented by VLAN support. H3C switches offer VPN support along with various VLAN options like port-based, MAC-based, and protocol-based VLANs, including VLAN mapping and voice VLAN features. They support VLAN interfaces for both IPv4 and IPv6, ensuring compatibility and configuration flexibility. H3C switches are up to date with current market trends, offering features, routing protocols, capabilities, and functionalities that correspond to new trends in networking solutions. I strongly recommend that future users consider H3C switches for their designs, given their performance, specific features, and strong capabilities compared to competitors like Cisco. Overall, I would rate H3C Ethernet Switches as a nine out of ten.

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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

"It allows us to manage all necessary services, such as data centers, networking, and cybersecurity."

"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."

"FortiSwitch Data Center allows for centralized management of both Fortinet switches and firewalls from a single interface."

"The product is stable."

"When configuring FortiSwitch with a FortiGate firewall, I can consider all FortiSwitch's ports as a part of the FortiGate firewall."

"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center offers flexibility and control over the entire network from a single pane of management."

"Using Fortinet's whole range, including FortiSwitches, is cost-effective compared to Cisco and beneficial for network security."

"FortiSwitch Data Center allows for centralized management of both Fortinet switches and firewalls from a single interface."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center pros

"To date, it has proven to be highly reliable. We have encountered no issues or challenges with it thus far."

"Offering a five-year warranty, compared to competitors' one-year warranties, is a unique advantage of H3C switches."

"The IMC feature is valuable."

"A good high-performance solution."

"The best feature of H3C Ethernet Switches is their reliability."

"H3C Ethernet Switches have a fast delivery time."

"We can configure the switch stack on the internet. Other vendors do not offer this facility. It is fast and easy to manage."

"H3C Ethernet Switches is a cheap solution."

More H3C Ethernet Switches pros

Cons

"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center needs to improve its UI and stability."

"Before using FortiSwitch, you need several certifications."

"There could be more porting software options for easy deployment in the product."

"FortiSwitch should improve the FortiGate map. The diagram cannot move automatically to show the switch. The map does not map the physical location. It cannot move or touch the diagram."

"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."

"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."

"The FortiSwitch product was initially quite complex."

"The performance is basic only, and we cannot compare Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center with Aruba or Cisco switches."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center cons

"To enhance H3C switches for the next release, improving the user interface is crucial."

"GUI needs to merge with CLI."

"There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized."

"There should be more public tools for configuration and comparing products."

"The only improvement needed is the significantly better lead time for delivery compared to other American products. In terms of technology, there isn't much difference, especially since X3 is a subsidiary of XP, and they use the same technology. However, the delivery time is notably better."

"The solution’s stability could be improved."

"Lacks decent cloud management."

"There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized."

More H3C Ethernet Switches cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product is less expensive than one of its competitors."

"The solution is not expensive."

"The solution's pricing is a little high. The solution deserves the current price it receives from its users."

"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."

"The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's."

"This solution is expensive but it does not require a license."

"It is reasonably priced."

"Cost-wise, Fortinet solutions are cheaper than those offered by Cisco."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center pricing and cost advice

"The pricing is very affordable, making it a not-so-expensive choice. On a scale from one to ten, where one is expensive and ten is cheap, I would rate it a seven."

"H3C Ethernet Switches are reasonably priced."

"H3C Ethernet Switches are priced at around $500 per unit, which is very cheap and one of the most competitive prices out there."

"H3C Ethernet Switches is targeted for SMBs because it's cheaper compared to Huawei switches."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Government

14%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

10%

Computer Software Company

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	17
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	4

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	7
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?

The initial setup was simple.

See all answers

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.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?

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What do you like most about H3C Ethernet Switches?

H3C Ethernet Switches is a cheap solution.

See all answers

What needs improvement with H3C Ethernet Switches?

There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for H3C Ethernet Switches?

The primary use case is about managing network infrastructure. The H3C Ethernet Switches are used internally as switches in the system.

See all answers

Comparisons

Aruba Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 19% of the time

HPE Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 14% of the time

Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 10% of the time

Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 7% of the time

Meraki MS Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 7% of the time

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center Competitors

Huawei Ethernet Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches

Compared 33% of the time

Cisco Ethernet Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches

Compared 24% of the time

Aruba Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches

Compared 11% of the time

HPE Ethernet Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches

Compared 8% of the time

Cisco Catalyst Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches

Compared 5% of the time

More H3C Ethernet Switches Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Ethernet Switches

January 2026

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center report

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Buyer's Guide

Ethernet Switches

January 2026

Download H3C Ethernet Switches product report

Overview

With 10 or 40 GE access ports and a high-throughput backbone, FortiSwitch Data Center Switches are ideal for the top-of-rack (ToR) server or firewall-aggregation applications. The high-speed switching fabric is also well suited for enterprise network core or backbone network installations.

Fortinet

H3C S5560 High Performance Ethernet Switch is the latest development of Gigabit speed Layer 3 Ethernet switch. This powerful and highly secure series switch is built based on industry-leading high performance hardware architecture and H3C Comware V7 platform. It supports diversified services, high capacity GE access port as well as high density 10GE uplink, which meet the requirements for high density campus access and high performance aggregation.

H3C

Sample Customers

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

Ying Wa College, Centro Digital Pictures

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. H3C Ethernet Switches

December 2025

Free Report: Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. H3C Ethernet Switches

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