Arista 7000 series vs. Cisco Ethernet Switches

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Arista 7000 series
Score 7.9 out of 10
N/A
The Arista 7000 series is a line of networking switches, from Arista in Santa Clara, California.N/A
Cisco Ethernet Switches
Score 9.1 out of 10
N/A
Cisco offers Ethernet switches.N/A
Pricing
Arista 7000 seriesCisco Ethernet Switches
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Arista 7000 seriesCisco Ethernet Switches
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details——
More Pricing Information
Best Alternatives
Arista 7000 seriesCisco Ethernet Switches
Small Businesses

No answers on this topic

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Medium-sized Companies
Dell PowerConnect Switches
Dell PowerConnect Switches
Score 8.9 out of 10
Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches
Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches
Score 9.1 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Nexus Series Switches
Cisco Nexus Series Switches
Score 9.0 out of 10
Cisco Meraki MS
Cisco Meraki MS
Score 9.0 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Arista 7000 seriesCisco Ethernet Switches
Likelihood to Recommend
10.0
(1 ratings)
9.2
(12 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Arista 7000 seriesCisco Ethernet Switches
Likelihood to Recommend
Arista Networks
Core and data center applications are the strengths of Arista products. The distribution layer is also a good fit. For the access layer, it would be more of a niche product.
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Cisco
Cisco is a name well known in the IT field. The technology is tried and true and they have built a reputation on a solid platform. Though many people do not like the cost of the devices and the continued fees associated with long term ownership, you get what you pay for. I dont hesitate to recommend Cisco because I know people will get a solid product that will last a long time.
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Pros
Arista Networks
  • The 7304's along side our core network design has provided 100% uptime during the 5 years of deployment.
  • The multi-chassis LAG has provided near 100% connectivity to the distribution and access switches.
  • Very low maintenance attention is needed.
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Cisco
  • Easy setup and configuration. While the web UI has its quirks, setting up VLANs and other tasks which can be exceedingly complicated on other switches, are much easier on Cisco SG switches. You also have the ability to upload an existing configuration to switches, which can speed up the task of deploying many identical switches.
  • Features for the price. Getting a 48 port L3 switch with PoE+ for less than $2,000 is a great value.
  • Reliability. We have hundreds of the SG switches in dozens of client sites, many in harsh conditions, and they just keep going.
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Cons
Arista Networks
  • The 7304's lack a graceful non-intrusive upgrade method even though they are dual supervisor.
  • I would like to see more integration with Aruba's ClearPass and Airwave products.
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Cisco
  • 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.
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Likelihood to Renew
Arista Networks
No answers on this topic
Cisco
for their relialiabilty
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Alternatives Considered
Arista Networks
I have used the Catalyst 6500 series in the past. From my point of view, the Arista surpasses the Catalyst on just about every front. Originally we were planning on implementing the Nexus 7000/7700 series switches for our core. Though a little more feature rich, it did not provide features we needed that the Arista did. The Nexus also was a confusing and complex platform to work with. Also, the Nexus was a significantly more expensive solution. Although very happy with the Arista switches we may evaluate the Aruba HPE 8400 chassis-based switches along with Arista switches in the future.
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Cisco
Cisco is more enterprise level, more reliable, and generally more feature rich but also very expensive. That being said old or refurbished Cisco switches are much more affordable and in comparison to even new switches from the competitor they are still a great value even though they are used. I like Ubiquiti switches as well but Cisco is usually better overall.
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Return on Investment
Arista Networks
  • The Arista 7000 series met or exceed our data center switching and routing needs.
  • It provided a more cost effective alternative to other products we were considering.
  • Implementation was quick and easy due to the simple standards-based configuration.
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Cisco
  • 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.
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