Cisco versus Ubiquiti
Cisco versus Ubiquiti
Good evening everyone! The current setup is a Cisco switch, and Ubiquiti AP's. I'm looking to upgrade the hardware over time. This is in a business with about 150-200 users. Do you think I should go all Cisco or all Ubiquiti? What's better in the long run? Has Ubiquiti caught up to Cisco? My experience with Cisco goes as far as Cisco Meraki and deploying those. If I were to go Cisco - I would go for my CCNA/P to learn more about the Cisco products and how to configure them properly. Thank you in advance!
For a home setup, you should be okay with either option. However, if you're using Cisco enterprise gear, you'll likely pay significantly more compared to Ubiquiti alternatives. If your goal is the learning path toward CCNA or CCNP, it can be worthwhile—especially if you excel at remembering acronyms—but if you're only setting up your network there, there are more budget-friendly approaches.
I seldom rely on Cisco for home or small business needs—it’s costly and lacks innovative benefits compared to other players in the market. For someone like me who works in IT, Ubiquiti would be a better fit.
Meraki is the best choice without hesitation. Modern business environments often struggle with Ubiquiti due to firmware update problems that create numerous complications. Checking Reddit or their support forums reveals many users reporting connectivity problems with various wireless devices, DHCP timeouts, and failures. If simplicity and ease of management matter, Meraki is the way to go. Although it comes at a higher cost, Cisco isn't significantly cheaper, particularly when you consider matching support contracts. Aruba is another option, but it requires expertise in configuration and setup. If you're familiar with Meraki, continue using it.
Cisco versus Ubiquiti is similar to comparing Tesla with Kawasaki—it lacks clarity without knowing the specific devices or purposes you have in mind.