Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms vs. HPE Aruba Networking Switches

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms
Score 9.6 out of 10
N/A
Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms deliver secure, high-performance SD-WAN built for hybrid work, multicloud access, and 5G-ready networks. Powered by Cisco IOS XE, these devices combine flexible routing, SASE integration, and cloud-native agility to support AI-driven networking and edge computing needs.N/A
HPE Aruba Networking Switches
Score 8.5 out of 10
N/A
For campus, branch, and data centers, HPE's Aruba CX switches are presented as a flexible, programmable, and cloud-native ASIC design solution, boasting the power, precision, and versatility of a microservices-based wired architecture.
$503.63
one-time fee
Pricing
Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge PlatformsHPE Aruba Networking Switches
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 Switch Series
Starting at $503.63
one-time fee
HPE Aruba Networking CX 6100 Switch Series
Starting at $935.20
one-time fee
HPE Aruba Networking CX 6200 Switch Series
Starting at $1,054.12
one-time fee
HPE Aruba Networking CX 6300 Switch Series
Starting at $4,483.55
one-time fee
HPE Aruba Networking CX 5420 Switch Series
Starting at $3,158.76
one-time fee
HPE Aruba Networking 2930F Switch Series
Starting at $574.72
one-time fee
HPE Aruba Networking CX 6400 Switch Series
Starting at $7,394.82
one-time fee
HPE Aruba Networking CX 8100 Switch Series
Starting at $19,102.26
one-time fee
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge PlatformsHPE Aruba Networking Switches
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsHPE Aruba Ethernet Switch prices vary significantly based on features, model, and quantity purchased.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge PlatformsHPE Aruba Networking Switches
Best Alternatives
Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge PlatformsHPE Aruba Networking Switches
Small Businesses

No answers on this topic

No answers on this topic

Medium-sized Companies
Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches
Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches
Score 9.0 out of 10
Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches
Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches
Score 9.0 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Catalyst Switches
Cisco Catalyst Switches
Score 9.1 out of 10
Cisco Ethernet Switches
Cisco Ethernet Switches
Score 9.1 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge PlatformsHPE Aruba Networking Switches
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(34 ratings)
8.7
(15 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.8
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.6
(13 ratings)
8.8
(4 ratings)
Support Rating
4.6
(3 ratings)
10.0
(6 ratings)
Implementation Rating
8.2
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge PlatformsHPE Aruba Networking Switches
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
With the flexibility of sizing options, the Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms has worked to deliver solutions for our various needs. Smaller systems offer strong connectivity for office developments. Mid-range options have served our larger campuses well. Our data center deployments of the larger systems have provided up to 100G connectivity and advanced routing solutions. The Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms continues to meet our needs and exceed our expectations.
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise
These devices are rock solid, you will se them up once and not have to mess with them for years. They are work horses that don't die. We use them in an office environment and have only ever had 1 fail due to a PSU issue, we got a replacement next day and it's been working great.
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Pros
Cisco
  • More resources for tunneling
  • Ability to use sdwan softwre
  • More memory for tcam tables
  • Ability to utilize T1 lines for PRI
  • Ability to act as a SBC for VoIP communication
  • Rfid usage
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise
  • REST API capability
  • Wired & Wireless 802.1x configuration easiness
  • Wireless Access Points (APs) zero touch provisioning
  • Its high-end family (running the AOS-CX firmware) supports a virtualization technology called VSX (Virtual Switching Extension) which allows 2 switches to present itself as one virtualized switch under Layer 2, and as 2 separate routers under Layer 3; thereby providing high availability.
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Cons
Cisco
  • Adding more NIM slots on motherboard
  • Adding PVDM slot for use cases where the router is used only for trans coding
  • Adding more granular tiers for DNA licensing. For example it is a big gap between 2000Mbps (400 Mbps agg) and 1Gbps (2 Gbps Agg)
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise
  • I have had issues finding monitoring software that natively supports Provision/Aruba OS. Most are designed primarily with Cisco in mind.
  • HPE/Aruba switches have historically had issues with corrupt flash. This seems to be less common in more recent models.
  • HPE/Aruba's switching portfolio can be confusing. Some models run on the Aruba OS while some others run on Comware. There is some overlap in these model lines so at times is can be tough to tell which switch is right.
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Likelihood to Renew
Cisco
Because I have had no issues with this product line and have grown go really trust in it. One of the besr thing is that this has had less vulnerabilities that the past cisco router that I have dealt with. In my line of work needing to upgrade code is always something that needs to be done after hours and most likely on weekends.
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise
No answers on this topic
Usability
Cisco
Either you deploy those routers as a standalone, or as part of the SD-WAN fabric, the amount of features and settings you can configure on them, is well beyond any other vendor or product on the market. While this may bring some configuration complexity, availability of support for variaty of different protocols and features allows you to solve almost any network challenge you may face
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise
I have not had that many issues with these products. Aruba Central has been really helpful. The Integration Capabilities allows us to use Clearpass . For individuals new to enterprise-grade networking, there can still be a learning curve associated with understanding the concepts and the specifics of the Aruba configuration.
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Support Rating
Cisco
I have always had great response time and have never been let down by cisco support. I have had issues where the person who was assisting me was not able to provide a resolution but by utilizing his team members they where able to come together to provide a answer and resplve the situation.
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise
HPE Support is very easy to reach. A knowledgable rep can be reached in a few minutes. After some basic troubleshooting if the failure is due to hardware I can receive a replacement within a day or even in a few hours.
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Implementation Rating
Cisco
the licensing is messy
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Cisco
Compared to the Cisco 2000 Series Connected GRID Routers, CGR2010, the Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms is more powerful in processing, and it has the capability to do the segment routing. It is easier to install physically and occupies less space in the rack, consumes less power, and saves more for the company.
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise
We used to have a lot of Cisco switches which are great, but
the support contracts and other expenses mount up quickly; one of the main
reasons for switching to HP for networking was the cost, but the hardware and
software have gotten so much better over the years.

I can’t see us changing network hardware unless the price increases dramatically.
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Return on Investment
Cisco
  • Improving the performance and the availability, it has increased the SLA we can ensure to the customers and so the sales has increased
  • The initial expense is really high so the breakeven point is not so near
  • The opex for licensing is high too
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise
  • I really like the idea of paying for the switches one time and just pay for support going forward. The prices are on the high end but I think it is worth it. I wish they would include all the features in one go so we would not have to pay for every new feature.
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