Cisco Ethernet Switches vs HPE Ethernet Switches comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Cisco Ethernet Switches and HPE Ethernet Switches based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Ethernet Switches solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. HPE Ethernet Switches Report (Updated: March 2024).
763,955 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Q&A Highlights
Question: Why does Cisco dominate the ethernet switching market?
Answer: We have used Zyxel and Netgear, Frankly the stability of Cisco, the scalability and ease of integration with other Vendors e.g VMware along with the training available make them far superior.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"I like that it's easy to use.""Cisco is the world leader in these systems. The expertise they have is very good compared to others. We can trust Cisco from a technical perspective.""We can expect Cisco Ethernet Switches to last for years without issue.""Cisco Ethernet Switches have good performance.""The most valuable feature is the simplicity of the central management system(CMS).""The hardware is rugged. We use it for the basic configuration.""The most valuable feature is that we create a network as a villain.""The most valuable features of this solution are the auto-complete functionality and the end-to-end functionalities such as routing with the channel."

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"It's stable. We never have any issues.""I like that these switches are reliable, and the support is good.""The scalability is very good.""Stable and scalable.""HPE Ethernet Switches have a lifetime warranty. I am using an old version of the solution, but I have heard the new models have incorporated a lot of new features, such as remote setup.""I like that HPE's management functions are GUI-based, so it doesn't rely on command lines.""The main features of the solution I have found to be the interface and unique features other solutions do not have. Additionally, they have a lifetime warranty on the hardware.""The most valuable features of this solution are the interface and configuration. It's very easy to use."

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Cons
"The solution's reliability should be improved.""The price could be lower. It's quite expensive.""An area for improvement in Cisco Ethernet Switches is its command-line interface. It works differently than expected if you want to do some implementation. However, it works if it's a simple integration.""Up to a certain network size, it is easy to scale, but after that, it becomes difficult.""The initial setup can be simplified.""Cisco has a lot of propriety protocols compared to other products, such as Arista Networks.""The ease of use of Cisco Ethernet Switches could improve. It is different to use them if you do not have prior knowledge.""Cisco needs to include new features to attract new customers."

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"They should release more updates for the solution.""Installation could be made more secure.""We would always be happier if the price were reduced.""Technical support needs improvement, as the response time could be better.""We have had some rare occasions with glitches, so the stability can be improved.""It would be better if they improve the implementation of SD-WAN.""Some users might look for high-speed switching like Cisco or Nexus switches, which can handle larger volumes. HPE's current offerings aren't as robust in that area, but they could improve.""The product could always use better technical support."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "Not inexpensive. Price will vary widely depending on the chosen product and size of the deployment."
  • "Pricing for this product is high but the cost is worth it if you can afford it."
  • "The pricing is reasonable, and for small business it is acceptable."
  • "The price of this solution is good."
  • "This is an expensive solution, but you are paying for stability."
  • "The last time I bought a 24-port switch, which was a while ago, I paid about five or six thousand Euros. In this part of the world, that's quite expensive for us."
  • "These switches are expensive, but they are an excellent buy and definitely have value for the investment."
  • "We are happy with the pricing from Cisco."
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  • "There are free software updates and there is a lifetime warranty for a few of the switch series."
  • "Licensing fees are on a yearly basis."
  • "This is not an expensive solution."
  • "This is an expensive product."
  • "There are no licensing costs for this solution."
  • "The pricing is very good."
  • "The price is fair."
  • "They are affordable and less expensive than Cisco. Their price was the decider at the time."
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    Answers from the Community
    Avigail Sugarman
    it_user8178 - PeerSpot reviewerit_user8178 (Product Manager at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees)
    Consultant

    Have to agree with Durrell on the Cisco offerings and certifications. I would say Avaya is more on VoIP capability and have not heard about their switch portfolio. For HP networking, they are on par with Cisco. In terms of capability and support, I would say Cisco is there.

    Have you used any other vendors in the Ethernet Switch market?
    Answer: Yes, I have used Arista Networks as well.

    it_user117876 - PeerSpot reviewerit_user117876 (Network Engineer at a tech company with 51-200 employees)
    Consultant

    Have to agree with Durrell, while the equipment and support performs better than the competitors in my opinion, the shear volume of training that has been put out by Cisco has made it the leader. Other providers offer training of course, but none are as comprehensive and well known as the Cisco offerings..they have become THE standard for networking.

    it_user92235 - PeerSpot reviewerit_user92235 (Security System Engineer at a wholesaler/distributor)
    Vendor

    Hi,

    Cisco simply has very well working equipment and it's a huge company which has gold reserves bigger than fort knox :)

    I've used enterasys, juniper, noname and 3com switches, everyone has its advantages but cisco was what I liked most. Simply does its work and there is no place for failure. Only thing you need is vacuum machine from time to time.

    it_user139653 - PeerSpot reviewerit_user139653 (IT Engineer at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees)
    Consultant

    The emphasis that has been put on certifications is the biggest reason these vendors are not taking up a bigger share of the market. The industry standards for networking certs are the Cisco ones. Since the certs are catered to their equipment, it just makes sense that they have such a huge market share.

    it_user3039 - PeerSpot reviewerit_user3039 (Senior Systems Engineer at a cloud provider with 51-200 employees)
    Vendor

    For price/performance, I think HP and Juniper offer more than Cisco. HP typically comes in at a much lower cost for comparable features and throughput, and their switches have been very reliable for me. Juniper switches are similarly priced to Cisco gear, but they usually offer a much wider range of functions, along with equal or better performance.

    All of the reasons Nuno listed, above, are valid. In addition:

    4. High Performance - On balance, for most classes of switch, Cisco gear performs better. I've had great experience with HP Procurve switches, and their price/performance has been very good. But once in a while, they couldn't keep up with demanding traffic, like iSCSI, and we had to go back to Cisco gear.

    5. OEM Testing and Validation - If you're introducing new network gear - firewalls, storage, servers, etc. - you will make sure it works with Cisco switches because the installed base is huge. This is a vicious cycle - more Cisco interoperability and validation means fewer issues with Cisco gear.

    it_user114549 - PeerSpot reviewerit_user114549 (Onsite IT Support/Engineer)
    MSP

    I have used Netgear and 3com switches.

    it_user98859 - PeerSpot reviewerit_user98859 (Consulting Engineer EMEA at a computer software company with 201-500 employees)
    Consultant

    I have tried a few other vendors on the Ethernet switch market, especially HP, Huawei and SMC switches. Haven’t used Alcatel personally, but have had interesting feedback for them from colleagues.

    Regarding Cisco however, I believe there are three main reasons for it:

    1) Integration on the “cisco environment”, with a structured offer from basic switches, up to multi-layer equipment, allowing a consistent platform all through the enterprise.

    2) Management interface – ranging from graphic management (through local web interface, CiscoWorks modules, etc.), to CLI, with the Cisco IOS, provides great flexibility for remote management, configuration backup, and monitoring.

    3) Expertise of in-house personnel – Both the training provided by Cisco itself, and the fact that Cisco has a strong base for the remaining network infrastructure (routers, and other network devices).

    There is also the issue that, sometimes, some mixed vendor environment can bring issues with 802.1q trunking (I’ve seen issues with HP Switches while having problems with a VLAN 1 on the HP mixing with a native VLAN on Cisco for instance…), and other proprietary protocols (CDP for instance) that can have implications with the way management or configuration is done…

    Also, in some cases, the use of other technologies that cisco has brought along over the years – Network access control, that interfaces with Cisco switches for instance, and the buildup of different interactions with other technologies, ends up creating a technical barrier on top of the barrier for change on things like:

    “our other 30 switches are Cisco, and now I’ll place another vendor one?”.

    And on that question, price is not likely to be the most important factor, but TCO, existing expertise, and applications running on the network (that need QoS for instance), and integration with existing monitoring, configuration management, and infrastructure, may be the most important factor on the decision…

    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer: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… more »
    Top Answer: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… more »
    Top Answer:Our organization ran comparison tests to determine whether Cisco or Juniper Ethernet switches were the better fit for us. We decided to go with Juniper. Juniper ethernet switches are a lesser-known… more »
    Top Answer:The solution performs well for its price.
    Top Answer:The list price is high. We do not buy at the list price. HPE costs almost the same as Cisco.
    Top Answer:The management of the tool must be improved. The add-on tools and management of Cisco are better than those of HPE.
    Ranking
    1st
    out of 34 in Ethernet Switches
    Views
    34,588
    Comparisons
    31,074
    Reviews
    28
    Average Words per Review
    363
    Rating
    9.1
    10th
    out of 34 in Ethernet Switches
    Views
    4,653
    Comparisons
    4,342
    Reviews
    24
    Average Words per Review
    378
    Rating
    8.3
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches
    HP Ethernet Switches
    Learn More
    Overview
    Cisco Ethernet Switches scale to meet the needs of networks of all sizes. They are Secure, Reliable and Seamless.

    HP has created the most open, integrated and software-defined networking portfolio and ecosystem of its kind – driving simplification with networks that understand, adapt to and protect your business applications in real-time. Only HP extends the momentum of software-defined networking everywhere–from the mobile edge to the heart of data centers.

    Sample Customers
    Linz AG
    Emirates Palace Hotel
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider12%
    Computer Software Company10%
    Educational Organization9%
    Financial Services Firm7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company15%
    Government9%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    Comms Service Provider7%
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider7%
    Government7%
    Computer Software Company7%
    Financial Services Firm7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company20%
    Government9%
    Comms Service Provider6%
    Manufacturing Company6%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business41%
    Midsize Enterprise24%
    Large Enterprise35%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business27%
    Midsize Enterprise18%
    Large Enterprise55%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business52%
    Midsize Enterprise19%
    Large Enterprise30%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business36%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise48%
    Buyer's Guide
    Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. HPE Ethernet Switches
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. HPE Ethernet Switches and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    763,955 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Cisco Ethernet Switches is ranked 1st in Ethernet Switches with 29 reviews while HPE Ethernet Switches is ranked 10th in Ethernet Switches with 26 reviews. Cisco Ethernet Switches is rated 8.6, while HPE Ethernet Switches is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of Cisco Ethernet Switches writes "Has impressive reliability, I have not experienced a failure ". On the other hand, the top reviewer of HPE Ethernet Switches writes "They're solid and can last for up to 15 years". Cisco Ethernet Switches is most compared with Aruba Switches, Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access, D-Link Ethernet Switches and Ubiquiti UniFi Switches, whereas HPE Ethernet Switches is most compared with Ubiquiti UniFi Switches, H3C Ethernet Switches, Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches, Meraki MS Switches and D-Link Ethernet Switches. See our Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. HPE Ethernet Switches report.

    See our list of best Ethernet Switches vendors.

    We monitor all Ethernet Switches reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.