3Com H3C Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access comparison

Cancel
You must select at least 2 products to compare!
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Logo
2,037 views|1,598 comparisons
88% willing to recommend
Fortinet Logo
12,109 views|9,090 comparisons
86% willing to recommend
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between 3Com H3C Switches and Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access 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 3Com H3C Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Report (Updated: March 2024).
767,847 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"They are easy to use, they are cheaper, and it's a trusted brand.""The reliability of the solution has been the best feature.""The installation is quite straightforward.""The hardware side is a very big advantage. We use it 24/7 and we haven't had any problems so far with the switches.""They're straightforward and stable."

More 3Com H3C Switches Pros →

"The software is very stable.""The most valuable feature is the security switch.""I rate Fortinet support 10 out of 10. Their support is excellent and inexpensive. They respond immediately.""It works really well, I think the equipment is solid, and the help is great.""This device is easy to use.""What I actually use in this deployment are Forti APs (Fortinet Access Points). So, I can see all my office infrastructure from a single console, which is handy. One FortiGate, one FortiSwitch, and five access points, everything under good control. It's really nice to see it all together like this.""The most valuable feature would be network management, separating the network management component from security. It can do both but we promote it on its own. It's a good solution to do network management.""The product is very secure."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Pros →

Cons
"When we try to do configuration changes sometimes it malfunctions.""The cost and the integration with other solutions could be better.""I think there's nothing that needs to be improved because the company is no longer in existence.""The technical support services need improvement in terms of communication.""The configuration of 3Com H3C Switches could be better."

More 3Com H3C Switches Cons →

"An area for improvement would be the segmentation and network in logic networks.""If you contact Fortinet, it's a bit difficult. Most of the time, they send you just links and documents to read for troubleshooting. When you contact support, you don't need documents. You want someone that can understand your problem, give a hand, and help you. I'm not impressed by the support really.""The initial setup is pretty easy; we have built a knowledge base. But there's a learning curve for beginners.""I'd like to see more integration with different platforms.""It would be easier if Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access could be managed via cloud, and this is something that could be improved in this product. Bandwidth display could also be better.""They could provide integration with Fortinet Authenticator.""Its cloud features could be better.""In the next release, I would like to see more outdoor products."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "The cost could be improved, but it is cheaper than the others."
  • "3Com H3C Switches have a competitive cost. I rate the pricing a nine out of ten."
  • More 3Com H3C Switches Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "The cost appears to be high in comparison to other competing products although with this product you are paying for what you get."
  • "It's affordable and there are no additional costs, just regular support, and license fees."
  • "It's affordable compared to other switching products, like Cisco switches."
  • "You can buy this equipment in a multitude of ways. You can buy just the hardware, or you can buy the hardware and the licenses."
  • "Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access requires a license and the price is expensive."
  • "The price is good."
  • "The price of the solution could improve, it is expensive."
  • "Licensing is billed annually and contracts are either one or three years in length."
  • More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Pricing and Cost Advice →

    report
    Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Ethernet Switches solutions are best for your needs.
    767,847 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:The installation is quite straightforward.
    Top Answer:3Com H3C Switches have a competitive cost. I rate the pricing a nine out of ten.
    Top Answer:The technical support services need improvement in terms of communication.
    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: With FortiSwitch, you can easily identify who is connected to each port, disable ports as needed, and retrieve configurations from FortiGate when required.
    Ranking
    23rd
    out of 34 in Ethernet Switches
    Views
    2,037
    Comparisons
    1,598
    Reviews
    2
    Average Words per Review
    365
    Rating
    7.0
    7th
    out of 34 in Ethernet Switches
    Views
    12,109
    Comparisons
    9,090
    Reviews
    24
    Average Words per Review
    404
    Rating
    8.0
    Comparisons
    Learn More
    Overview
    3Com Baseline switches provide cost-effective layer 2 10/100 and 10/100/1000 Ethernet switching for LANs that do not need management capabilities. Simple to install and economical to own, they feature wirespeed performance on fixed-configuration, rack-mountable platforms.

    Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access is a secure, high-performance, and easy-to-manage switch. Fortinet FortiSwitch is the best solution for threat-conscious enterprises of all sizes because it is secure, simple, and scalable. Secure Access, which is tightly integrated into the Fortinet Security Fabric via FortiLink, may be handled directly from the FortiGate interface.

    Regardless of how people and devices connect to the network, this single-pane-of-glass administration provides total visibility and control. This makes the Fortinet FortiSwitch perfect for SD-Branch and campus deployments, allowing enterprises to combine their security and network access with applications ranging from desktop to data center aggregation. Fortinet FortiSwitch's Secure Access is the most adaptable security platform with end-to-end protection in the industry.

    Switches for Secure Access: Small to medium-sized businesses, scattered organizations, branch offices, and industrial control systems can all benefit.

    Switches for Data Centers: Ideal for users requiring high-performance 10 GE or 40 GE.

    Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access Features

    Fortinet FortiSwitch has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

    • Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access is designed for various installations, including desktops and wiring closets.
    • Deploy and manage switches using the FortiGate interface, with FortiGate Cloud as a cloud administration option, or manage as a standalone switch using CLI, API, GUI, or the cloud with FortiSwitch Cloud.
    • Switch configuration, management, and troubleshooting are all simplified with a single-pane-of-glass dashboard.
    • Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access is ideal for SD-Branch deployments.
    • Secure Access uses FortiGate interfaces to connect with FortiLink. This provides centralized security and access control.
    • Integration of the Security Fabric: Fortinet FortiSwitch's FortiGate management brings Security Fabric features to the Ethernet access layer.
    • Voice, data, and wireless traffic can all be carried over a single network, making it ideal for converged network environments.
    • Non-FortiLink deployments can be supported via the onboard GUI, API, or command line settings.
    • Up to 48 ports in a compact and 1 RU form factor.
    • Depending on the model, up to 300 switches can be stacked per FortiGate.
    • Supports wire-speed switching, as well as store and forward mode.

    Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access Benefits

    There are many benefits to implementing Fortinet FortiSwitch. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

    • You can easily manage all deployments in one interface if your company scales and opens a new office or location.
    • You can ensure that users are authenticated before giving network access.
    • Power over Ethernet makes it simple to set up wireless access points and IP phones.
    • With network segmentation, you can help satisfy data separation compliance.

    Reviews from Real Users

    Fortinet FortiSwitch stands out among its competitors for a number of reasons. Two major ones are its stability and its VLAN setup. PeerSpot users take note of the advantages of these features in their reviews:

    Rutul S., CXO at Aariha Enterprise Private Limited, writes of the product, “The most valuable feature is the SD-WAN support. This device is easy to use.” He adds, “Stability-wise, this product is better than others that are on the market.”

    Emil V., System Consultant at I team, notes, “I like the VLAN setup of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has very good scalability.” He adds, “Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is easy to set up. It only takes minutes to deploy this product, because it is mostly boxes.”

    Sample Customers
    British Columbia Assessment Authority, DreamWorks, DRV
    Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
    Top Industries
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company12%
    Manufacturing Company10%
    Comms Service Provider9%
    University9%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company29%
    Marketing Services Firm10%
    Manufacturing Company10%
    Comms Service Provider10%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company16%
    Government8%
    Comms Service Provider8%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business50%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise38%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business24%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise59%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business71%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise14%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business33%
    Midsize Enterprise21%
    Large Enterprise46%
    Buyer's Guide
    3Com H3C Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about 3Com H3C Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    767,847 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    3Com H3C Switches is ranked 23rd in Ethernet Switches with 6 reviews while Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is ranked 7th in Ethernet Switches with 40 reviews. 3Com H3C Switches is rated 8.0, while Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of 3Com H3C Switches writes "Reliable platform with a straightforward installation process ". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access writes "It's a strong product that's easy to manage and costs significantly less than competing solutions ". 3Com H3C Switches is most compared with Cisco Ethernet Switches, Aruba Switches, HPE Ethernet Switches, D-Link Ethernet Switches and Ubiquiti UniFi Switches, whereas Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is most compared with Cisco Ethernet Switches, Aruba Switches, Meraki MS Switches, Ubiquiti UniFi Switches and NETGEAR Switches. See our 3Com H3C Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access 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.