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Brocade Ethernet Switches vs Meraki MS Switches comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Brocade Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
22nd
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.8
Number of Reviews
11
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Meraki MS Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
6th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.5
Number of Reviews
104
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Brocade Ethernet Switches is 1.7%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Meraki MS Switches is 2.4%, down from 3.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Meraki MS Switches2.4%
Brocade Ethernet Switches1.7%
Other95.9%
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

PB
Data Center Admin at Sysnet Global Technologies
Experience seamless configuration with secure and adaptable network solutions
I use Brocade Ethernet Switches because they are scalable. I recommend them since they are easy to configure. They are connected and used every day in our operations It is good and scalable. It is easy to configure and provides good technical support. Brocade Ethernet Switches are good to…
Jayaraman C - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Cloud management has simplified branch deployments but pricing and support still need improvement
In terms of improvements for Meraki MS Switches, pricing is one area that could be enhanced. On the support front, the limited lifetime warranty is a concern. Aruba offers limited lifetime warranty, whereas Cisco requires a minimum license to function for hardware support or technical support. I think Cisco could improve by bundling technical support and hardware support together with the license. This approach is currently only applicable for EA customers. Standard license customers have to take additional hardware support as a separate SKU. I believe that bundling technical and hardware support with the cloud subscription itself would help customers choose a Meraki option. To make Meraki MS Switches closer to a rating of ten, Cisco could take additional features on the AI front. I am uncertain whether they will offer AI features at no cost. Self-healing networks is a new term that enterprises are looking forward to. All OEM management platforms now feature auto-remediation and auto-fixing capabilities. The issue is that even if AI is offered without cost, customers cannot get the benefits if they cannot afford the pricing. Enterprise customers are looking to optimize operational effort and operational capabilities. They use multiple tools apart from the OEM native dashboard, including the Cisco Meraki dashboard and Catalyst dashboard. However, they still want to have end-to-end visibility. For end-to-end visibility, they can go for Digital Twin capabilities through platforms such as IP Fabric, ManageEngine, SolarWinds, and Forward Networks. There are many NMS platforms that can be integrated, allowing them to manage complete operations. Cisco could add some additional capabilities into the same OEM dashboard so that customers can benefit from improved operational management.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The switches last for a very long time; it's stable for doing its functions as a black and gray switch, and it's a very good switch, at least the older ones, which I have been using for ten years and are still in use."
"The initial setup was really straightforward and easy."
"I have been using this solution for a long time and kept with it, because everything I need is covered by it."
"One of the valuable features of this solution is that it works with the concept of zoning, where there's a zone for each server and services in the storage, and when the link of a full port is failing, it automatically switches to another port so you don't lose the connection, which is pretty important for the high level of availability of the applications and the access to the storage data."
"The most important feature of this solution is the performance because we have many switches and we have a performance for Brocade Ethernet Switches that needs about 16 gigabyte per second."
"The most valuable feature of Brocade Ethernet Switches is the good range of access it provides."
"I have not had any issues with our Brocade switches."
"CLI and supported technologies are very close to Cisco."
"We have about 20 switches across five offices in USA, Europe and India, and we can all manage all of them from one dashboard."
"It offers a compelling solution due to its cloud management capabilities and strong security features."
"The initial setup is simple."
"The most valuable feature is the dashboard because it makes it easy to manage all of the switches. It's easy to turn them up and get it configured."
"I use it at work and at home and I don't have any issues."
"Overall, the switches are really good."
"As a cloud-based solution, you need to download all the configurations from the headquarters."
"Accessibility is what I find most valuable in Meraki MS Switches, because I'm able to check things and see if they're working, without being on-site at all times."
 

Cons

"No graphical interface."
"It could be made easier to configure with a graphical interface."
"The solution could be more secure."
"It should be simpler. There are still some things that can be simpler in the Brocade switches."
"You need skills and knowledge to configure brocade switches."
"This solution doesn't have a graphical interface and that's an issue."
"Brocade Ethernet Switches could improve by having better compatibility with web management of older versions."
"Technically the product is always improving the software part, but the hardware needs to be more reliable."
"The scalability and integrative abilities with on-premises systems could stand improvement. I am talking about the monitoring features and those directly concerning the internal management systems."
"It could be easier to use and easier to implement."
"The improvement needed for Meraki MS Switches is the ability to connect in the worst case when I encounter internet issues."
"The MS Switches are incapable of doing trunking."
"The price of the solution has room for improvement."
"The pricing can be made cheaper."
"I don't think that the cost is a problem, but sometimes the price requires convincing the customer of the value."
"Meraki requires more models, especially with respect to PoE Switches, to support Wi-Fi 6 capabilities."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of Brocade Ethernet Switches is expensive."
"They can get the price down for small businesses. The way I bought it, I paid hardly anything, and I got all my licensing with it. The firewall appliance is around $900, and the switches are around $150. This is for the device itself. For licensing, I signed at $70 or something like that for the switch. Technical Support is included in this."
"Extreme switches are more cost-effective than Cisco Meraki Switches."
"The DNA subscription is a three-year minimum term."
"We have an annual subscription for licensing and it is expensive."
"One key challenge often encountered is the perception that strategic products like Cisco and Meraki tend to be more expensive than alternatives like Aruba."
"The price of Meraki MS Switches is less expensive than other similar solutions."
"It is very expensive so I want it to be cheaper."
"The pricing is high and it is where we get the most pushback from customers."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
12%
Healthcare Company
7%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Government
7%
Financial Services Firm
15%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Outsourcing Company
9%
Construction Company
9%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business3
Midsize Enterprise3
Large Enterprise7
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business57
Midsize Enterprise20
Large Enterprise25
 

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Brocade Ethernet Switches?
To improve, it could be made easier to configure with a graphical interface.
What is your primary use case for Brocade Ethernet Switches?
I use Brocade Ethernet Switches because they are scalable. I recommend them since they are easy to configure. They are connected and used every day in our operations.
What advice do you have for others considering Brocade Ethernet Switches?
I would recommend Brocade Ethernet Switches because they are easy to configure and have good technical support. I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
What needs improvement with Meraki MS Switches?
Currently, there is no need for many more features or functions on Meraki MS Switches. Customers purchase the infrastructure and Meraki MS Switches are combined with wireless solutions that come to...
What is your primary use case for Meraki MS Switches?
All the products we deliver are mostly Cisco products, primarily infrastructure including routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless equipment. Some customers purchase ACI solutions from us. SD-WAN...
 

Also Known As

No data available
MS220, MS320, MS420
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Ajubeo, Akquinet AG, Big Data Analytics Provider Boligkontoret Danmark Bristol is Open, CDE Lightband, Cicero School District 99, City and County of San Francisco, Department of Emergency, City of Chattanooga, Cloudscale.sh
Cisco Live Milan, Hyatt
Find out what your peers are saying about Brocade Ethernet Switches vs. Meraki MS Switches and other solutions. Updated: September 2026.
917,433 professionals have used our research since 2012.