Cisco 900 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR) vs. HPE Enterprise Routers

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.

Incentivized

HPE routers are best suited for the mid-sized enterprises, they have proven ability to cope up the LAN traffic, as well as traffic runs between two different sites, by using the MPLS or VPLS circuits. In our environment, we are keeping the HPE routers at the edge of the network connected with the firewall on the backend which segregates the inside and outside traffic. We are running the BGP protocol to load balance the inbound and outbound traffic coming from different admin routers.

Incentivized

• [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.

Incentivized

• Routing
• Establishing the MPLS connectivity
• VPN
• BGP

Incentivized

• [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].

Incentivized

• HPE routers can start building the Service Provider Grade routers.
• HPE routers can have better support experience.
• HPE routers can lower the prices.

Incentivized

I have similar feelings about the NCS 5500 Series Router. IOS-XR is great, but the need to upgrade components to support newer features seems like a planning oversight. 400G Linecards are great and needed.... but they need all new power supplies? Really? Also, the ability to use lags across multiple linecards would be nice. I'm pretty sure that's not available, but that is more understandable.

Incentivized

HPE routers performs upto the mark, it basically provides the connectivity to external and internal networks, however sometime the crashes happen in the routers make them look bad. Overall, I am satisfied with the product they use most open-source stuff which makes them easily interoperable with other router vendors as well.

Incentivized

• 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

Incentivized

• HPE routers help route the traffic from our enterprise to external routers.
• HPE routers help with making sure the availability of network to enterprise.
• HPE routers has been supporting enterprise network traffic routing from years.

Incentivized