Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. NETGEAR Ethernet Switches

In my field, I honestly can't think of a scenario I wouldn't want to use an SG switch. Even if someone needed a simple desktop switch, I would advise they purchase a $150 8 port SG350 over spending $50 on a SOHO Netgear or similar switch. The flexibility of functionality offered by these switches in unmatched.

Incentivized

We have had a multitude of different back-end network switch equipment and the Netgear switches always are compatible in the traffic pattern and packet transmission with the back-end gear.

• Quality of software is very high. Ability to configure is very high. Scaleability is very high.
• Ability to tap into a vast network of knowledge outside of your organization is excellent.
• Availability of training courses for this equipment is also very good.

Incentivized

• Reliable in nonoptimal environments such as those that are not climate controlled.
• Easy to set up and use.
• Solid mounting options.

Incentivized

• The web UI has taken a turn for the worse with the latest firmware on the SGx50 models -- the bifurcation between basic and advanced modes and the changes to the way VLANs are modified is a step backward in my opinion.
• The power bricks on smaller models are enormous. I'm sure, however, keeping this circuitry external to the switch is what keeps my switches running year after year in hot environments.
• Fans can be a bit loud on larger switches -- this is true of pretty much any 1U device though.

Incentivized

• Better advertisement about advanced enterprise features. My experience is with smaller switches and not with the fully managed switches.
• Additional management tools to monitor multiple switches in the environment. Similar to Cisco Network Assistant.

Incentivized

for their relialiabilty

Cisco Ethernet Switches are top tier in the networking space. It makes it hard at times to compare them to other brands. When I have, however, used other brands I have found them to a mixed bag. I have used HP switches in the past and I feel like the interface is less polished and I have had high failure rates among those devices. It was hard to learn the interface and I felt as thought it was missing some higher level functions that were present out of the box with the Cisco switches.

Incentivized

Many different brands have their pros and cons; it depends on the use case and the budget constraints of the project, and also the location. Determining the scope of the project and all the variables is crucial when evaluating which product to use and where. There is so much competition in this sector, and you make the best decision based on crunching all the data.

Incentivized

• Failure on Cisco Switches, from my experience, is rare in the first 5 years the device is up.
• I have see the Cisco 6500 switches go 5 years without a reboot, which is nothing short of amazing.
• The service that you get is top notch and available 24/7, and you really cannot put a price on that.

Incentivized

• Rarely need to reboot or troubleshoot the SOHO switches.
• Low cost for the functionality. For example, 8 port GB switches for $20 is a no brainer for a home environment that doesn't need vlans or more enterprise type features.
• No negative impact on any environment I am aware of, however have not tested in a larger environment with multiple switches.

Incentivized