Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500) vs Cisco vEdge Routers

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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This router device works well in our organization environment. Cisco vEdge Routers are the best and quick at solving networking issues, so it [was our] cost-effective solution. They are easy to deploy and low-cost maintenance. The Cisco certification, the massive variety of products extensible, the manageability, and the reliability [are] all class features. For all these issues and points, our organization does not hesitate to select Cisco. Businesses nowadays have network platforms that accept technological improvisation and business-critical services across the whole network.

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Verified User

Analyst in Information Technology

Computer Software Company, 51-200 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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3G/4G connectivity that can be used as a backup link.
Simple deployment and configuration.
Easy to manage using Web GUI.

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Outman Ardy Yudha

Presales Solutions Architect

PT Sisindokom LintasbuanaInformation Technology & Services, 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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A more robust high availability link would be nice.
More competitive pricing structure.
Faster ethernet ports on the lower end vEdge lineup.

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Verified User

Analyst in Information Technology

Government Administration Company, 501-1000 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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A huge positive side of using Cisco is that it is easy to understand. Apart from expanding our software application industry, this device made a huge impact through acquisition. Using Cisco, another point that stacks up against all other routers is that it is keeping up with current business trends. Traffic filtration is very simple with an access-list, which works very efficiently. Cisco comes out with the best routing engine among all the other router services. Cisco overcomes all of the issues that we are dealing with [when it comes to] other routing services.

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Verified User

Analyst in Information Technology

Computer Software Company, 51-200 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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It reduces the cost of MPLS.
Although it has advanced technology, it is cheaper than the traditional router.
Easy to manage with only 1 person.

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Outman Ardy Yudha

Presales Solutions Architect

PT Sisindokom LintasbuanaInformation Technology & Services, 501-1000 employees

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Cisco 5500 Series Network Convergence System (NCS 5500) vs Cisco vEdge Routers