What users are saying about
14 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 7.9 out of 100
Based on 14 reviews and ratings
12 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 8.5 out of 100
Based on 12 reviews and ratings
Attribute Ratings
- Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500) is rated higher in 1 area: Likelihood to Recommend
Likelihood to Recommend
6.0
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
60%
2 Ratings
8.0
Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500)
80%
5 Ratings
Support Rating
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
N/A
0 Ratings
8.0
Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500)
80%
2 Ratings
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
Well suited for10G aggregation at network edge. Small managed networks such as school districts or distributed enterprise campus. Not well suited to RPHY aggregation at network core — queuing in NCS540 results in jitter and poor RPHY performance. Allow port license purchases in smaller units. Better support for SLA performance monitoring capabilities would allow use as a box for 10G aggregation for Carrier Ethernet NNI handoff.
Director of Network Strategy and Engineering
ArvigTelecommunications, 501-1000 employees
Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500)
The Cisco 5500 Series NCS appears to be well suited as a fairly simple core network device that doesn't require a lot of one-off configuration setup. It may have some restrictions if used as a peering and/or edge device due to control-plane protection design and QoS/TCAM memory and Forwarding capacity. The 5501 is well suited as a switch due to mature code and hardware capability.

Verified User
Contributor in Information Technology
Information Technology and Services Company, 10,001+ employeesPros
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
- Switching.
- Routing.
- Access.

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Telecommunications Company, 11-50 employeesCisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500)
- Large bandwidth per blade at 36x100Gb.
- IOS-XR for full functionality of automation and service provider experience.
- Great price per port when looking at the scaling opportunity.

Verified User
Engineer in Information Technology
Computer Software Company, 10,001+ employeesCons
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
- MPLS feature set on NCS520
- Full support for RFC2544, Y.1564 across the product line
- Greater clarity of the impact of smaller buffers on NCS540 when compared to other Qumran chipsets — some use cases like RPHY aggregation at network core are not a good fit.
Director of Network Strategy and Engineering
ArvigTelecommunications, 501-1000 employees
Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500)
- When upgrading components of the NCS 5500 it can take a particularly long time and many steps to confirm additional components. Have all updates on the need basis instead of a one-step process.
Technical Operations Engineer I
Cox CommunicationsBroadcast Media, 10,001+ employees
Pricing Details
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Yes
Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500)
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Yes
Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—Support Rating
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500)
Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500) 8.0
Based on 2 answers
Cisco support is always informative and reliable. Depending on the level of support you subscribe to, the techs and Cisco TAC are well versed in hardware and operating system of the NCS series routers. You can receive 24x7 support and either Next Business Day or 4-hour part replacement from Cisco if required.

Verified User
Contributor in Information Technology
Information Technology and Services Company, 10,001+ employeesAlternatives Considered
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
Higher 10G port density on NCS540Availability of 25G/40G/100G provides greater flexibilityGood choice when full line rate is not neededGood choice when full capabilities of ASR9000 are not required
Director of Network Strategy and Engineering
ArvigTelecommunications, 501-1000 employees
Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500)
We've always used Cisco, but from time to time we've interfaced with Juniper and Aerohive. Cisco has always performed better than Juniper, and seems on-par with Aerohive's most innovative features.
Telecommunications Engineer
Carrilho EngineeringTelecommunications, 11-50 employees
Return on Investment
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
- Relatively low cost access layer device.
- Very cost effective means of getting 10G interfaces.
- Some features available on other devices out of the box are more complex or absent on the NCS without licensing or assistance.

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Telecommunications Company, 11-50 employeesCisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500)
- Allows us to offer free WiFi for our visitors, patients, families, and staff on an equal performance plane.
- Allows us to scale access and traffic based on usage, helping our staff maintain efficiency
- This acts a major component to our mobile expansion strategy allowing development anytime anywhere

Verified User
Professional in Information Technology
Hospital & Health Care Company, 1001-5000 employees