What users are saying about
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
18 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 7.3 out of 100
Based on 18 reviews and ratings
Attribute Ratings
- Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500) is rated higher in 2 areas: Likelihood to Recommend, Support Rating
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500)
80%
5 Ratings
6.9
Cisco Small Business RV Series
69%
9 Ratings
Support Rating
8.0
Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500)
80%
2 Ratings
7.7
Cisco Small Business RV Series
77%
2 Ratings
Likelihood to Recommend
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+ employeesCisco Small Business RV Series
It's best suited for small offices 10-25 users. Any more and its best to move away to a more higher tier. It will be less appropriate for a mid level company with a large staff. It's best for a small business with a limited budget and less strenuous security functionality.

Verified User
Engineer in Information Technology
Information Technology & Services Company, 11-50 employeesPros
Cisco 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+ employeesCisco Small Business RV Series
- Cisco Small Business RV Series is aimed for SMB use cases
- Simple setting and easy deployment
- Can be integrated with Cisco security on cloud such as Umbrella
- Provides advanced security features with license
Senior Technical Specialist
Synnex Metrodata IndonesiaInformation Technology & Services, 201-500 employees
Cons
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
Cisco Small Business RV Series
- Wireless is slower than a dedicated wireless module.
- Some of the lower-end Cisco RV models can't handle high traffic load.
- GUI interface is really slow sometimes.

Verified User
Professional in Information Technology
Consumer Goods Company, 51-200 employeesPricing Details
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
—Cisco Small Business RV Series
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)
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+ employeesCisco Small Business RV Series
Cisco Small Business RV Series 7.7
Based on 2 answers
The features are good. The support is good. The resources to deploy, manage, and operate it are good. Customer's feedback and testimonials are good. The updates in terms of zero day vulnerabilities are good and timely. But, I still give an 8 out of 10 because I think the pricing, licensing, and GUI can be improved more.
Security Analyst II
AsurionInsurance, 1001-5000 employees
Alternatives Considered
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
Cisco Small Business RV Series
Cisco's power really stems from its brand reputation and honestly not much else. No one ever got fired for deploying Cisco, and that's why it stands out. The Cisco Small Business RV Series is no exception there; the unit is built well and does the job. However, much more powerful alternatives for routers are out there—the biggest competitor being Ubiquiti. The UniFi routers are significantly more powerful in all regards, including routing speed, IPS/IDS speeds, and VPN functionality. Support for those is admittedly rather lackluster though, so if your network is critical, you are effectively self-insuring your equipment. For some that may be fine, but for others, that risk of extended downtime is just not worth it.

Verified User
Team Lead in Engineering
Media Production Company, 51-200 employeesReturn on Investment
Cisco 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 employeesCisco Small Business RV Series
- Remote sales staff easily make use of the included VPN
- Wireless access is built in and convenient
- The form factor contributes no noise and negligible heat to our data closet

Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology
Chemicals Company, 1-10 employees