What users are saying about
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
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48 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 8.8 out of 100
Based on 48 reviews and ratings
9 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 8.3 out of 100
Based on 9 reviews and ratings
Attribute Ratings
- Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller is rated higher in 1 area: Likelihood to Recommend
- FortiAP is rated higher in 1 area: Support Rating
Likelihood to Recommend
8.7
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
87%
27 Ratings
7.0
FortiAP
70%
2 Ratings
Likelihood to Renew
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
N/A
0 Ratings
10.0
FortiAP
100%
1 Rating
Usability
8.2
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
82%
1 Rating
FortiAP
N/A
0 Ratings
Support Rating
9.0
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
90%
2 Ratings
10.0
FortiAP
100%
4 Ratings
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
[Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller's] software quality has been shed in recent years. The only problem I have with it is its inability to work with older Cisco Access Points. However, that's to be expected for any deployment. While the controller's UI works well, some areas could be improved. API integrations lack flexibility. [I feel] it's time for policy redesign. It can be a little difficult to determine coding quality.
IT Specialist
Lamda I-TECHInformation Technology & Services, 11-50 employees
FortiAP
Any rollout is well suited for a FortiAP - from small office networks, to large warehouse deployments. Adding additional APs to your network is simple and easy. Monitoring is simple with Forticloud monitoring. Configuring the devices can be as complex or as simple as you need. Adding additional Fortinet devices (I have switches and firewalls) makes the network even more secure and easy to manage - all devices working in tandem make monitoring much easier
IT Manager
VistaFood Exchange IncWholesale, 51-200 employees
Pros
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
- The GUI on the Cisco 8540 WLC is much better designed than other Cisco products. Its easy to navigate between the different settings to find what is needed.
- The AP groups allows touching multiple APs at one time.
- It also allows us to create standard SSIDs that can be used at all sites that connect back to it, this saves a lot of time instead of hitting each site with a local controller.
Senior Network Engineer
EatonMachinery, 10,001+ employees
FortiAP
- Built sturdy for harsh environments.
- They perform and/or surpass performance levels shown on their data sheets.

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Information Technology and Services Company, 51-200 employeesCons
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
- Code quality is a bit hit and miss. This will be great for a while, then things will be bad for a while, then we'll do it again. The UI of the controller works, but could do with a refresh, and I would like to see some improvement on layout and organization.
- The constant code/firmware upgrades and the QA of new code could be better.
- Maybe the compatibility with old Cisco Access Points could be improved, but it's normal in all kinds of deployments.

Verified User
Analyst in Information Technology
Information Technology & Services Company, 51-200 employeesFortiAP
- Deploying your first AP is a little confusing - you need to register it with Fortinet, and then deploy it. I am a master now, but this took me call to support to understand how to roll these out.
- Adding them in to the correct folders on Forticloud took a little bit of figuring out, but again, once I had it it was simple.
IT Manager
VistaFood Exchange IncWholesale, 51-200 employees
Pricing Details
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—FortiAP
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—Likelihood to Renew
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
FortiAP
FortiAP 10.0
Based on 1 answer
This is an excellent product for an SMB - cost isn't outrageous and deploy is simple. I can monitor my network without breaking the bank.
IT Manager
VistaFood Exchange IncWholesale, 51-200 employees
Usability
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller 8.2
Based on 1 answer
Very well made product. Very stable. We have had no issues administering the 8540.
Senior Network Engineer
EatonMachinery, 10,001+ employees
FortiAP
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller 9.0
Based on 2 answers
It is a better product. The evolution is positive.
Gerente de Noc and support
EVCON GROUPComputer & Network Security, 51-200 employees
FortiAP
FortiAP 10.0
Based on 4 answers
Fortinet support is outstanding! They are second to none. They pay attention to details and the needs of the customer.

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Information Technology and Services Company, 51-200 employeesAlternatives Considered
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
We have [done] some work before with the Cisco 3504 product, but the more recent Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller provides a wider range of capabilities for managing the wireless network and each individual device [and] also being able to handle more users. Unfortunately, we didn't test and deploy equivalent products from other concurrent companies.
Researcher
Instituto de TelecomunicaçõesTelecommunications, 501-1000 employees
FortiAP
FortiAP does not fall short compared to other vendors. They have all the features other vendors offer at a much more competitive price-point, which makes purchasing FortiAP a lot more attractive.

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Information Technology and Services Company, 51-200 employeesReturn on Investment
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
- Network engineers find it easier to [manage] high-stress levels since they're more reliable and robust.
- Their initial cost is very high compared to other router providers, such as Juniper.
- Their hardware dependability can be a big drawback if you run on a budget.

Verified User
Engineer in Information Technology
Information Technology & Services Company, 1-10 employeesFortiAP
- Increased overall coverage of wireless for my users - no more calls about dropped wireless (our cell service is very spotty).
- Easy to roll out - no issues here.
- Expensive - you are paying for a business, not a home use devices - sticker shock might happen initially.
IT Manager
VistaFood Exchange IncWholesale, 51-200 employees