Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. RUCKUS 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

I'm not sure of a situation where Ruckus ICX switches wouldn't be appropriate unless you work in a very small company where you only have one or two switches and don't need managed (smart) switches. For every other situation, I think the switches are robust enough and certainly cost-effective enough to serve most any situation or need.

Incentivized

• 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

• Port Density/cost per port
• Some models auto-stack, which makes connectivity much easier
• The E-rate discounts for education are AMAZING

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

• Documentation
• Built in Help for commands
• Consistency between models

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

Ruckus outperformed other vendors, especially those priced higher than ruckus. The performance for the cost allows for a longer reliable use over other vendors evaluated.

• 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

• These switches are very good in the virtual environment. We have a highly reliable network in part because of these switches
• The high uptime allows the business to offer reliable always-on connectivity to our clients
• Speeds are fantastic, especially in a big data environment where speed is crucial to our remote client base

Incentivized