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Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller vs. FortiAP

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller

    Score9 out of 10
    N/AThe Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points (EWC-AP) is a next-generation Wi-Fi solution, combining an advanced controller – the Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers – with a Wi-Fi 6 access point – the Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points – to create a wireless experience for evolving and growing organization.N/A

    FortiAP

    Score7.3 out of 10
    N/AFortinet’s wireless LAN equipment, including FortiAP access points, leverage Secure Networking to provide secure wireless access for the enterprise LAN edge.

    $220

    one-time fee approx

    Pricing
    Cisco Embedded Wireless ControllerFortiAP
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    Fortinet FortiAP 221E
    $220.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP 223E
    $240.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP 231F
    $390.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP 23JF
    $410.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP 233G
    $490.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP 231K
    $490.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP U431F
    $630.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP 431F
    $660.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP 433F
    $730.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP 241K
    $800.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP 234F
    $980.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP 831F
    $1,030.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP 431G
    $1,050.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP 433G
    $1,180.00
    one-time fee approx
    Fortinet FortiAP 234G
    $1,200.00
    one-time fee approx
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Cisco Embedded Wireless ControllerFortiAP
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoYes
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Best Alternatives
    Cisco Embedded Wireless ControllerFortiAP
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    Medium-sized Companies
    Cisco Aironet 1800 Series Access Points (discontinued)
    Score8.5 out of 10
    Cisco Aironet 1800 Series Access Points (discontinued)
    Score8.5 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points
    Score9.2 out of 10
    Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points
    Score9.2 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Cisco Embedded Wireless ControllerFortiAP
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.0
    (4 ratings)
    10.0
    (5 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    Usability
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (2 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Cisco Embedded Wireless ControllerFortiAP
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Cisco
    Overall I could see myself recommending these to others if they have the right set of circumstances at their place of business. Those would be like ours, if they had a location that couldnt be served by a WLC. Once setup they are easy to manage and self healing as in they wont go down when one is offline.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Fortinet
    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
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Cisco
    • Offers enterprise-class security that keeps the network protected
    • Cost-effective connectivity
    • Deploying WiFi 6 network without complexity or added expense
    • Controlling access points and clients
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Fortinet
    • Provide secure wifi
    • deploys easily
    • facilitates users connectivity when moving between offices
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Cisco
    • Some bugs in the interface.
    • Issues with licensing and Cisco DNA integration.
    • Frequent software patches needed,
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Fortinet
    • Better to work with a Fortinet partner, their support is inadequate.
    • Maybe a lack of security features when using it without Fortigate
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Cisco
    No answers on this topic
    Fortinet
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Cisco
    Giving this rating as i have recommended and configured EWC for many customer where they don't needed much AP and on-prem controller was also not needed. most of features available on 9800 WLC is also available on EWC
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Fortinet
    I love FortiAP and how easy they are to use. It's very quick to train people to use them at a basic to intermediate level.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Cisco
    No answers on this topic
    Fortinet
    Fortinet offers excellent support. They will work with you until the solution is doing what it is designed to do, within its capabilities. They also do an excellent to follow-up with the end-user prior to closing the ticket.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Cisco
    Cisco EWC is better to all its competitor as it provide same robust solution which is available to its hardware based controller, Customer experiences are similar to what other 9800 hardware based devices provides.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Fortinet
    as a stand-alone product, the Fortinet wireless LAN solution isn't the most powerful, nor compelling out there. Others, like Cisco Meraki, offer great products, with added wifi features at a similar price point, but where Forti shines, is when integrated into a network with firewall enablement such as FortiGate. Overall, it stacks up well with others and is a solution that needs to be evaluated in a purchasing project.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Cisco
    • Makes having remote sites less problematic when it comes to managing AP's
    • Saved money on managed AP's as they're found cheaper
    • Takes more time to manage additional controllers versus a WLC
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Fortinet
    • Less management cost
    • Less expensive to buy
    Incentivized
    Read full review
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