FortiGate - FortiSwitch vs. Third Party Switches

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
July 21, 2020
2 replies
14383 views

Beyond the ability to manage the FortiSwitch via the FortiGate console, what other advantages or disadvantages are there to using the FortiSwitch vs. other third party switches such as Cisco, HP, Dell, Meraki, Aruba, etc.?

Best answer by James_G

6.4 has really made big improvements on iot detection and zero trust models when combined with fortiswitch, have a look through new features. All about the solution working as a single entity through fabric, is the fortidream.

James_G

New Member

It's all about the fabric

SecurityPlusAuthor

Explorer III

Thanks! I see the switch in the Security Fabric section of the firewall. I'm likely not making full use of the fabric capability. What other features does the fabric provide other than Mac address, device type, etc.? What best practices are recommended in a FortiGate / FortiSwitch installation to best protect the network?

James_GAnswer

New Member

6.4 has really made big improvements on iot detection and zero trust models when combined with fortiswitch, have a look through new features. All about the solution working as a single entity through fabric, is the fortidream.

johnevans

New Member

I believe virus scan at the port level. Better topology mapping and security layer. You can manage your whole stack, firewall, switch, and wireless from one spot for easier config, and then you are also dealing with one support group if something happens. For instance, you won't have Cisco pointing at FortiNet and vise versa.

SecurityPlusAuthor

Explorer III

James_G, when you said 6.4 has really made big improvements, were you referring to FortiOS 6.4 or FortiSwitchOS 6.4?

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