Cisco Routers - they just work.
June 27, 2018
Cisco Routers - they just work.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Routers
They are the standard. We use Cisco routers in all locations, from our Data Centers to the smallest location with just a handful of users. They are used on the edge and in the core; they have a solution for all our needs.
- Basic/Standard Routing functions
- QOS
- Handle all standard routing protocols
- Price. Even the smaller units aren't cheap.
- Software stability. Once you get a stable version stick with it. Bugs can be more common than they should be.
- Once they are installed they just work. Even when a device enters EOL/EOS they keep chugging along.
- Good lifetime - they don't retire models so often that you can't keep up.
- Good extended support, this allows us to keep them in place as long as possible (or practical) and increases our ROI.
In a very real sense, Cisco routers are compatible with any other network equipment, but there is a benefit to be gained by having a common set of commands used across all devices. Generally speaking, a command on a router will be the same as on a switch or other piece of network gear. This reduces configuration time and training requirements.
Routers are not security devices, plain and simple. That said, they are putting more security in them and some of Cisco's additional software enhances this capability. One issue has been needing to update the firmware once an exploit is found. This is happening more and more lately, but that is due to the state of things as opposed to specific issues with Cisco. That said, they release patches quickly and make upgrading easy.
They work, plain and simple. Hardware failures are almost non-existent, but I haven't used other brands in order to compare.
I haven't looked at other brands in a very long time so I have nothing of value to add here.