Cisco 1000 Series Connected Grid Routers (CGR 1000) vs. Cisco 1000 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR 1000)

Cisco Routers do well at everything from small home office networks that require basic security to large scale service provider implementations that include SD_WAN security. Their routers scale well and they have everything from small 4 port access routers to large enterprise Core routers that function as the backbone of very large networks.

Incentivized

This is effective for businesses who need a network solution that works more or less out of the box, without having to coordinate multiple additional devices in the configuration process. Correspondingly, users with needs for more advanced functionality or configurability, or modification may benefit from a different model or different product line.

Incentivized

• Segments the network.
• Provides security through the use of Access Control Lists.
• Makes routing decisions using routing protocols such as OSPF, RIP, BGP etc ...
• Provides fault tolerance.

Incentivized

• Seem to be well made and quality hardware and software
• Setup is simple and has a great wizard for initial config
• Well priced for a product in its category

Incentivized

• Cisco Routers are more expensive than other competitors.
• Cisco Routers require leaning of the command line interface, complicated stuff for non-technical people.
• Interchangeability is limited with some other manufacturers because Cisco sometimes uses proprietary protocols.

Incentivized

• Possibly higher port count on built in switch.
• External WiFi antenna connection to allow bigger WiFi coverage.
• More robust wall mount setup using screw slots, currently only 2.

Incentivized

They have proven themselves to be flexible, reliable and are a leader and standard in the industry.

Incentivized

I would rate these routers useability as 9/10 - I've designed and deployed Cisco solutions for the last 20 or so years, so, therefore, know what I am buying and try to get an understanding of the capabilities before deploying. The Cisco 1000 series Integrated Service Router is a rock-solid investment with great throughput "out of the box".

Incentivized

With any Cisco product, you are very well supported by the Technical Assistance Centre (TAC). This is one of the major plus points when selecting Cisco networking products - working in IT for the last 20years you soon appreciate that it is impossible to know everything and that there are people within Cisco you can lean-on when you need assistance.

Incentivized

Train and practice!

Incentivized

Cisco and HPE Routers are comparable products. Both do the job well without many differences. I would say HP Routers are easier to configure but come with a small performance hit compared to Cisco routers of the same size/scope. Cisco has the brand recognition and many more certified professionals using them though.

Incentivized

We have used DLink and Fortinet Routers. I find Cisco superior in management, reliability and overall network performance over the two. I will say Fortinet has not experienced any failures and does provide very similar functionality, I simply find Cisco to be my preferred Router hardware. I further base this on support. When things go wrong and they often can in networking, they Support team is excellent in helping identify and resolve the issue quickly

Incentivized

• Cisco products have 99.9999% up time availability and it allows a quick ROI in terms of our production network being available when its needed.
• Cisco routers perform network security tasks well and keeps our network secure without slowing down our business transactions.
• Cisco productrs last longer than our previous vendors, this ROI has been significant in lower replacement costs.

Incentivized

• Once they are installed they just work. Even when a device enters EOL/EOS they keep chugging along.
• Good lifetime - they don't retire models so often that you can't keep up.
• Good extended support, this allows us to keep them in place as long as possible (or practical) and increases our ROI.

Incentivized