Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500) vs Cisco 900 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR)

Likelihood to Recommend

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.

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Verified User

Contributor in Information Technology

Information Technology and Services Company, 10,001+ employees

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No problems with any of the Cisco 900 Series [Integrated Services Routers] (ISR) platform features within the enterprise environment. Because these devices are running a version of IOS-XE as opposed to traditional IOS, some of the more 'basic' configurations can become more complex. In the end, the 900 Series is still able to provide the required functionality, but there is a learning curve.

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Verified User

Engineer in Engineering

Telecommunications Company, 11-50 employees

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Pros

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.

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Verified User

Engineer in Information Technology

Computer Software Company, 10,001+ employees

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[It] works great full-featured, but [I recommend a] small router for remote sites.
[It] can handle more traffic than it even advertises!
[It has a] well-priced option for smaller or less critical sites.

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Verified User

Manager in Information Technology

Information Technology & Services Company, 501-1000 employees

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Cons

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.

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Carlos Bedia

Technical Operations Engineer I

Cox CommunicationsBroadcast Media, 10,001+ employees

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[It has a] pay as you grow model of licensing, but, [in my opinion, is] a pain to implement.
[The] service impacting license application [could be improved].
Configuration complexity [could be improved].

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Verified User

Engineer in Engineering

Telecommunications Company, 11-50 employees

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Pricing Details

General

Free Trial

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Free/Freemium Version

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Premium Consulting/Integration Services

Yes

Entry-level set up fee?

No

Starting Price

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General

Free Trial

—

Free/Freemium Version

—

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

No

Starting Price

—

Support Rating

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.

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Verified User

Contributor in Information Technology

Information Technology and Services Company, 10,001+ employees

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No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

Alternatives Considered

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.

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Jorge Melo

Telecommunications Engineer

Carrilho EngineeringTelecommunications, 11-50 employees

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Cisco Catalyst Switches are technically faster and easier to deploy but don't provide the same flexibility when it comes to 10Gbps services or advanced routing. There are corner cases where having IOS-XE on the 900 series ISRs provides the functionality required for complex applications whereas the Catalyst cannot. Having the option to scale the number of active ports on the 900 series ISR helps in keeping costs at an appropriate level.

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Verified User

Engineer in Engineering

Telecommunications Company, 11-50 employees

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Return on Investment

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

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Verified User

Professional in Information Technology

Hospital & Health Care Company, 1001-5000 employees

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Lots of money saved in downgrading from less useful and older full-sized routers at small sites
Time saved having to learn new commands (web GUI works great)
Saves time training staff to manage them

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Verified User

Manager in Information Technology

Information Technology & Services Company, 501-1000 employees

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Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500) vs Cisco 900 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR)