Cisco Meraki MS vs NETGEAR Ethernet Switches

• Meraki MS switches are wonderful at allowing a network admin to configure a VPN mesh network without having to have highly specialized knowledge. Unlike Cisco switches, there is no CLI, there is only a GUI, and Meraki support helps you set it up as you add nodes to your network.
• Meraki MS switches are easy to deploy. Full stop.
• They can work with any firewall or ASA but I would strongly recommend using the Meraki MX security appliance if you are going to use Meraki MS switches because they were made to work together.
• They easily stack. It's all done for you in the Meraki cloud control panel.
• They will get an address from your admin VLAN's DHCP scope and keep it. Even if you unplug it and move it, you will not have to worry about addressing it.
• The GUI is online and you can reach it from anywhere, so as long as you have the credentials, you can manage the network from any device that has a browser.

Read full review

• Gigabit speed is consistent and reliable
• Cost is low
• Easy to install

Read full review

• I would like to see more ease of use with third-parties when using localhost integration to schedule download or push of logs, events, reports, etc. We do not always want to store stuff within Cisco Meraki's cloud.
• Some information gets cloudy when drilling down - but they have a new tool coming out called Insights that is supposed to deal with that (and more).
• Traffic shaping rules should be in the switches and not just the security appliances.
• The smaller end MS Switches have virtual stacking capabilities and not physical like some of the higher models. We personally would like to see all switches have the option to be physically stacked.

Read full review

• Better advertisement about advanced enterprise features. My experience is with smaller switches and not with the fully managed switches.
• Additional management tools to monitor multiple switches in the environment. Similar to Cisco Network Assistant.

Read full review

• Biggest reason - remote management. In places that have no IT personnel, it's extremely easy to get a new switch out of the box and have someone plug it in, then do all the configuring remotely. Without this, we could have a switch down for hours, days or even weeks impacting business and have to pay to get someone on-site.

Read full review

• Rarely need to reboot or troubleshoot the SOHO switches.
• Low cost for the functionality. For example, 8 port GB switches for $20 is a no brainer for a home environment that doesn't need vlans or more enterprise type features.
• No negative impact on any environment I am aware of, however have not tested in a larger environment with multiple switches.

Read full review