Cisco vs Huawei: Why to Choose Cisco

Cisco has spent decades at the top of the list when it comes to all things networking. They're not just resting on their laurels, either. Cisco continues to innovate in cloud, networking, and software technologies, and has an extensive certification program that complements all of these. Recently, another company, Huawei, has given them a run for their money. Huawei is a Chinese networking company known for its cutting-edge technology at bargain prices.

So, as a network admin, it's clear that two roads diverge in a path...but it is not clear which path will make all the difference. One path is Cisco. A time-tested organization with decades of support, a transparent certification program, and reliable technology. The other path leads to Huawei, an agile disruptor looking to redefine the industry. 

To make an informed decision, let's review some key metrics. There are six domains to cover, each of which should be considered before reaching a decision. So, let's start with the first: market share and industry presence.

Market Share and Industry Presence

Market share and industry presence play a key role in deciding which technology to use. Both of these metrics signify the level of support, longevity, and creativity of the brand. Cisco is the clear leader in this metric, controlling 41% of the enterprise network infrastructure market. On the other hand, Huawei controls 10% of the market share. Ten percent is nothing to scoff at and reflects a sizable and growing share. However, it pales in comparison to Cisco's share. 

Cisco has made great strides in both developing and emerging markets. The same cannot be said for Huawei, which faces persistent political barriers in the U.S. and EU—these political considerations will likely hamper Huawei's market share for the foreseeable future.

Technology and Product Portfolio

Huawei and Cisco both specialize in networking, but they take different routes to accommodate their customers. Cisco offers a comprehensive ecosystem for customers to draw from. Their suite of products consists of routers, SD-WANs, cloud integration, VoIP solutions, and more. One of the great things about Cisco is that they're a unified software and hardware solution. Purchasing hardware means you'll receive quality software as well. 

Huawei is great for niche markets, specializing in emerging technologies. For example, it is trailblazing AI-driven network management and 5G. For greenfield deployments, Huawei can offer seamless integration at an effective price. This segues into our next metric: cost and scalability.

Cost and Scalability

Cost, both upfront and maintenance, should be carefully considered before investing in a solution. Huawei’s upfront costs are considerably lower than Cisco's. However, a growing business requires scalability and hardware to handle higher data throughput. Cisco shines here and may cost less in the long run. While Huawei is cost-effective, it may take supplementary investments to match Cisco's ecosystem.

Cisco has been in the game for a long time, so there will be no infrastructure bottlenecks or vendor-related constraints. Whatever you throw at a Cisco device, it'll handle.

Huawei offers competitive pricing and should be considered for projects with budget constraints. Cisco has higher upfront costs, but saves capital in the long run through its extensive ecosystem and quality.

Community and Support

Price isn't everything. When things inevitably go awry, it's important to have a community to turn to. Luckily, Cisco has that in spades. Extensive online forums, documentation, and third-party resources ensure easy troubleshooting. Huawei's support is growing, but it lacks Cisco's product ubiquity. 

With a larger user base, it's easier to find Cisco pros, especially ones with verified certifications. Ultimately, this ensures faster deployment and maintenance.

Learn more about Cisco vs Juniper technologies to see how they stack up in various domains.

Innovation and Future-Readiness

When managing an IT company, it is important to know which way the wind is blowing. Both Huawei and Cisco are leaders in the industry. Cisco's R&D has made great strides with SD-WANs, IoT, and AI. Huawei leads the way in 5G and also holds a competitive edge in AI. 

Cisco's focus on scalable, cloud-integrated solutions makes it a leader in adapting to changing enterprise needs. Cisco Meraki, Webex, and the Cloud Networking platform all enable businesses to integrate cloud-based solutions. These products facilitate superior management, scalability, and flexibility.

Additionally, Cisco has been transforming into a software-driven solution. Its strides in software and both IaaS and SaaS have made it a reliable partner for cloud providers.

Security and Reliability

Security and reliability should be at the forefront of all decision-making. After all, if something isn't secure, it may as well not exist. Cisco has you covered with Cisco Umbrella, SecureX, and enterprise-grade firewalls. Cisco has a consistent track record of securing hybrid and multi-cloud solutions. The U.S. military uses Cisco products, which it considers essential for secure communication.

Huawei is known for its strong hardware support and high-quality products. However, some people worry about its data privacy and security, particularly due to its ties with the Chinese government. With geopolitical tensions rising, some second-guess Huawei's commitment to non-partisan privacy and security.

Final Thoughts

When choosing between Cisco and Huawei, Cisco stands out as the more reliable and future-proof option for most enterprises. Cisco has decades of experience and a global presence. Its products are comprehensive, giving it unmatched support, scalability, and security. Cisco's focus on cloud integration, SD-WANs, IoT, and AI ensures that organizations can adapt to evolving tech needs. Its extensive certification programs also ensure reliability and security.

Huawei offers competitive pricing and strong hardware, especially in 5G and AI. However, concerns about security, data privacy, and politics can make it less attractive. On the other hand, Cisco has a track record of secure, enterprise-grade solutions. Its commitment to innovation makes it the safer, long-term choice for network infrastructure.

Cisco is the industry leader for organizations seeking stability, trusted support, and scalable solutions. It has repeatedly proven that it can grow with your needs.

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