Meraki MS Switches and Fortinet FortiSwitch compete in the network switch category. Meraki has an advantage in ease of setup and cloud management, while Fortinet stands out in integration with FortiGate for security.
Features: Meraki MS Switches offer cloud-based management, zero-touch deployment, and strong security features integrated into a user-friendly dashboard. Fortinet FortiSwitch provides enhanced visibility and security when integrated with FortiGate, offering a seamless experience within the security fabric.
Room for Improvement: Meraki MS Switches need more configuration options and lower pricing to improve competitiveness. They also have a dependency on cloud connectivity. Fortinet FortiSwitch requires better integration and ease of VLAN management, with improvements needed in pricing and stability.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both Meraki and Fortinet offer options for on-premises and hybrid cloud deployment. Meraki's cloud management is noted for simplicity, while customer service is generally well-regarded. Meraki's technical support can be fragmented, whereas Fortinet provides prompt and clear support.
Pricing and ROI: Meraki MS Switches are more expensive due to their subscription licensing model but are feature-rich, offering good long-term value. Fortinet FortiSwitch is typically lower in cost, appealing to budget-conscious buyers while still presenting a strong ROI potential.
The integration of Fortinet infrastructure, including FortiSwitches, is cost-effective compared to Cisco, especially when paired with Fortinet wireless solutions.
Technical partners provide responses within a day for any technical queries.
Customer support needs improvement in terms of speed and reliability.
I gave it eight points because local support is absent.
This is because their engineers have experience with and strong knowledge of Cisco products.
If the devices are licensed, the support team will assist you depending on the severity level of the case.
The support is excellent and rated ten out of ten.
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.
If a customer scales from one region to another, they can easily add locations into the same dashboard while classifying multiple regions, sites, and countries.
They're quite scalable for my environment.
We can extend MS switches and have multiple plants using the same solution.
There is room for improvement as it sometimes takes over an hour to push configurations onto the devices from the management tool.
If something happens to the device or hardware, Cisco will automatically change the device by the next business day.
There is zero downtime; Meraki MS Switches are reliable and stable.
For infrastructure such as factories, small factories, or warehouses that have temperatures higher than normal in-house office temperatures, I have some doubt about how well the switches would sustain those conditions.
There is room to improve the integration between FortiSwitch and other third-party solutions, as challenges arise when integrating with different vendors.
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.
Meraki should also consider improvements in stacking features, particularly in the lower-end models like NS130, where stacking isn't supported, unlike with Cisco traditional switching.
There are compatibility issues with certain Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices, which we would like to see resolved.
Most people are familiar with the Cisco commands, and it would be beneficial if the switch could be accessed by GUI configuration and by normally accessing the console.
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.
Meraki MS Switches, including their licensing, are somewhat expensive, particularly when compared with competitor solutions like HP.
The cost of the support and maintenance bundle is quite costly for Cisco.
Meraki MS Switches are somewhat expensive.
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.
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.
The control plane is in the cloud, and the data plane is local, allowing manageability from anywhere.
One of the most valuable features of Meraki MS Switches is its precise traffic analytics capabilities, allowing us to query the system for any place at any time.
The most valuable feature is the ability to access devices from anywhere in the world through the cloud.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Meraki MS Switches | 2.4% |
| Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center | 2.7% |
| Other | 94.9% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 17 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 5 |
| Large Enterprise | 4 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 57 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 20 |
| Large Enterprise | 25 |
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center offers cost-effective, centralized network management through seamless integration with FortiGate. It supports enhanced security, flexibility in VLAN management, and intuitive control through an efficient interface.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is valued for its cost-effectiveness and ease of use. It provides seamless integration with FortiGate, enabling centralized network management. Users appreciate its port analytics, graphical interface, and enhanced security features, allowing VLAN creation and configuration across infrastructure. The system offers efficient alerting, automatic adjustments, and functions like QoS and traffic management to maintain consistent security. Its intuitive design and high visibility make it an efficient all-in-one tool for network management. Despite needing improvements in AI integration, security, and pricing, users find it a reliable choice for managing traffic between VMs and physical hosts. It supports network connectivity, VLAN management, and internal traffic control while integrating with security fabric and SD-WAN features.
What are the key features of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?Organizations across industries implement Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center to effectively manage both virtual and physical network environments within data centers. It helps in controlling internal traffic and ensures robust security measures are in place. Its integration with extensive security fabric and SD-WAN features allows for comprehensive network management through a single dashboard, streamlining operations and providing enhanced control over infrastructure.
Meraki MS Switches offer scalable cloud-managed networking with intuitive dashboards, security, and easy deployment. They provide reliable remote management and comprehensive analysis, ideal for enterprises seeking centralized control.
Meraki MS Switches deliver cloud-managed networking solutions, simplifying configuration and management with a user-friendly GUI. They are known for their scalability, security features, and zero-touch deployment capabilities. With remote switch management and deployment, the creative cloud interface simplifies setup and maintenance while offering comprehensive network traffic analysis and device tracking. However, there are areas for improvement, such as quoting processes and price reductions. Users often note the need for more configuration options, better third-party system integration, and concerns around cloud dependency. Stack features and security enhancements are also desirable, as well as improved performance and support.
What are the key features of Meraki MS Switches?Meraki MS Switches are widely implemented across educational institutions, government agencies, and small to mid-sized businesses. They provide a unified platform for access points and switches, facilitating remote configuration and monitoring. Users appreciate their ability to handle VLANs and LAN access points while connecting end-users with features like PoE and integration with Meraki's cloud infrastructure.
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