Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500) vs. Cisco Routers

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)
Score 6.5 out of 10
N/A
The Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500) is a highly secure and highly available access-routing platform for service providers.N/A
Cisco Routers
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
Cisco routers support secure, reliable enterprise connections. These enterprise routers help users implement an intent-based, future-ready WAN that is constantly learning, adapting, and protecting. Deploy routers for the branch, cloud, co-location, or the data center with any type of connectivity, including MPLS, Internet, and 4G LTE. With over 30 years of experience and an end-to-end portfolio, Cisco routing solutions can deliver for today’s networking needs. The vendor promises to help…N/A
Pricing
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)Cisco Routers
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)Cisco Routers
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)Cisco Routers
Top Pros
Top Cons
Best Alternatives
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)Cisco Routers
Small Businesses

No answers on this topic

No answers on this topic

Medium-sized Companies
Cisco Routers
Cisco Routers
Score 8.9 out of 10

No answers on this topic

Enterprises
Cisco Routers
Cisco Routers
Score 8.9 out of 10

No answers on this topic

All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)Cisco Routers
Likelihood to Recommend
8.2
(3 ratings)
8.8
(29 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(2 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
9.6
(2 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco 500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 500)Cisco Routers
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
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.
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Cisco
We will recommend theCisco Routers if there is requirement of high availability and more reliability. Also it is best for implementing and achieving state of the art technologies in both enterprise and service provider environment. The integrated management and monitoring solutions it comes with makes the routers attractive for all network operations. We don't recommend the Cisco Routers if cost is a concern since all these next generation features are very expensive.
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Pros
Cisco
  • Switching.
  • Routing.
  • Access.
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Cisco
  • Helps to separate routing information for different networks for different customers.
  • Helps peers with service providers and Customer Networks and starts the exchange of information between them.
  • Helps facilitate internet connectivity for enterprise networks.
  • Helps transferring Internet or Private Data from one place to another.
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Cons
Cisco
  • 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.
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Cisco
  • Software-defined radios could be used so that both the radios could be converted into 5 GHz model to provide enhanced connectivity in network congestion scenarios.
  • Support for low power IoT devices.
  • Should provide more details about devices connected to the access points such as the risk score of the devices.
  • Enhanced encryption algorithms and quick firmware upgrades.
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Likelihood to Renew
Cisco
No answers on this topic
Cisco
We are extremely likely to renew, as we have been very happy with our Cisco Routers for over 10 years. Their uptime as well as stable nature makes them ideal for us, as we are an industry that cannot afford downtime. We trust our partner to recommend our next model Cisco, when the time comes.
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Usability
Cisco
No answers on this topic
Cisco
The best thing about Cisco products is their presence in community. When you have a problem you can do quick search and find whoever else had the same question and expert answer for that question. Other thing is there are Cisco certified people we can find very easily if want some help with comissioning these products
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Support Rating
Cisco
No answers on this topic
Cisco
TAC has always been great for us. Once we enter a ticket, we escalate it to get someone on the phone. The issues is normally resolved within that first call.
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Alternatives Considered
Cisco
Cisco NCS is smaller and for us newer. Better cost with similar capabilities.
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Cisco
Other vendors definitely bring some great features. We've gone from Fortinet to HPE, to Ruckus. Each product has benefits to consider. For us, Cisco is a trusted brand that's used about thousands of customers and many fortune companies. While some of the newer or smaller players have great features, Cisco has most of the same plus time in the trenches.
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Return on Investment
Cisco
  • 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.
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Cisco
  • Experience tells us that using Cisco products is always positive since the quality/price is very well distributed.
  • They reduce energy costs and the consumption of resources, optimizing efficiency to the maximum
  • The equipment is prepared so that all kinds of people can use them.
  • They have higher levels of access and service. Its functionality is one of the best on the market, its unmatched response. Cisco routers provide fast access and hassle-free connectivity and are renowned for their performance.
  • TAC's service is by far the best
  • accessible configuration manuals
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ScreenShots