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Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs HPE Ethernet Switches 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

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
HPE Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
9th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
103
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 1.8%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE Ethernet Switches is 2.6%, up from 2.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Vishwajeet Pandey - PeerSpot reviewer
Management and monitoring efficiencies from a single platform increase network control and flexibility
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center ( /products/fortinet-fortiswitch-data-center-reviews ) offers flexibility and control over the entire network from a single pane of management. It allows me to create VLANs, implement security measures, and push configurations using a single tool. These features make the solution accurate, flexible, and valuable for network management.
Ashley Magee - PeerSpot reviewer
Reliable and long-lasting network equipment with good customer support
Our primary use case for the switches is for a small business we run. It's mostly in the office, but we also have a plant where we run a lot of monitoring equipment There have been no significant improvements to our network performance as the switches we are using are quite old and we have not…

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Configurations between FortiGate and FortiSwitch have to link to each other. We need configuration. The configuration is not like a Cisco switch. It has a unique configuration."
"I have found the solution to be scalable."
"The product is stable."
"What I like about the solution is that it can be accessed anywhere."
"An affordable and stable solution for small-medium companies."
"The solution has made configuration and setup very, very easy."
"The product's most valuable feature is its ability to manage switches from one central point."
"FortiSwitch Data Center allows for centralized management of both Fortinet switches and firewalls from a single interface."
"The solution is highly stable."
"We found the installation process to be simple."
"The product has streamlined our smart hospitality services, allowing us to control room amenities like TVs and lights more efficiently."
"It's stable and performing well."
"The most valuable feature is that they all have PoE. It's one of the most important things that we need in the EdgeSwitch."
"The most valuable features of HPE Ethernet switches include configuring VLAN trunking and the overall ease of configuration."
"The graphical userface is very good and quite easy to run with."
"It's stable. We never have any issues."
 

Cons

"The solution could always benefit from more security. It's of critical importance to organizations right now."
"We need to understand a bit more about certifications and knowledge for understanding capabilities. The solution should make that more clear to its users."
"There is room for improvement in customer support and device speed. Sometimes, customer support does not provide prompt assistance, leaving projects hanging."
"Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved."
"There could be more porting software options for easy deployment in the product."
"The stability of the solution is impacted when integrating parts from different vendors such as Cisco, which can lead to performance problems and disconnections."
"Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved."
"Fortinet could have the ability to authenticate users like Aruba offers because managing ten or twelve SSIDs for different clients is complicated."
"The solution is very comparable to Huawei, however, it could be more scalable. Huawei is easier to scale."
"We haven't had any issues with this switch in the past 10 years. That's the reason we're still keeping them alive."
"I would like to see more updates for the solution."
"They should have more control tools for controlling the bandwidth."
"I would like to see the initial setup become easier."
"Configuration can be complex."
"We have had some rare occasions with glitches, so the stability can be improved."
"The scalability is limited."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"This solution is expensive but it does not require a license."
"The product is less expensive than one of its competitors."
"Cost-wise, Fortinet solutions are cheaper than those offered by Cisco."
"The solution's pricing is a little high. The solution deserves the current price it receives from its users."
"The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's."
"The solution is not expensive."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."
"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution, which is expensive."
"The price could be more competitive."
"We need to pay when we buy the switch. We pay for a license to use the software, but it is not required."
"This is an expensive product."
"The licensing cost is yearly, and there aren't any additional costs on top of the standard fee."
"Licensing fees are on a yearly basis."
"I like HPE switches because you get a perpetual license with the hardware. The initial cost is about the same as other switches, but it starts beating the competitors after three or four years because you don't have to pay for additional annual licensing costs."
"The tool's pricing is very cheap."
"They are affordable and less expensive than Cisco. Their price was the decider at the time."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
19%
Government
10%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Computer Software Company
14%
Educational Organization
9%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

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...
What do you like most about HPE Ethernet Switches?
The solution is very stable and easy to use.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for HPE Ethernet Switches?
When compared to Cisco, Aruba is about 40% cheaper. However, Huawei would be even cheaper than Aruba. We can't compare HPE Ethernet Switches with Huawei directly because of different price ranges.
What needs improvement with HPE Ethernet Switches?
HPE Ethernet Switches have room for improvement in the initial setup and integration process, especially when incorporating them into an existing infrastructure with competitor products. It's a cha...
 

Also Known As

No data available
HP Ethernet Switches
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Emirates Palace Hotel
Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. HPE Ethernet Switches and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.