Like Microsoft in the OS market, Cisco has become the standard for switches and routers in most of the medium to large companies in the United States.
Although some vendors such as Enterasys, Foundry and Riverbed are making in roads into niche Cisco markets, over coming the Cisco mind set can be tough.
This can be especially true when a CCIE is involved who wants to protect his turf. For some CCIEs, the fear is that bringing in another vendor will weaken the “CCIE clout” one carries within the company.
 "I could care less what vendor my employer decides to purchase from. My training and certifications are largely about standards based technologies, be they implemented by Cisco or one of their competitors," said Richard Pickard - Dual CCIE No. 12388 Security / Routing and Switching. |
"I want my employer to purchase the best product. Naturally, I enjoy the perks of being Cisco certified but, my training goes far beyond just Cisco boxes."
Sales people working for Cisco competitors often point out to potential customers how their CLI is just like Cisco’s and their gear has to work with Cisco’s if they want to have any customers at all.
For example, when you go to Activate NetFlow, the commands are almost identical across vendors.
Why shouldn’t it be? Cisco invented the technology.
 "I talk with new companies everyday and Cisco is very dominant in the routed and switched market. Maybe one out of 20 companies is calling us to get Scrutinizer NetFlow Analyzer working with a switch or router that isn’t made by Cisco," said Michael Patterson - chief executive officer of Plixer International. |
"I think many companies are afraid to purchase outside of Cisco for fear of interoperability. It’s really crazy, there is some great network gear out there that isn’t made by Cisco."
"Cisco centric bigotry is certainly something to be on guard for but, then again perhaps being completely committed to Cisco isn’t such a bad idea. I remember an old phrase: No body ever got fired for going with IBM."
Related stories:
| Network World | Cisco products are overpriced, readers say |
Is it possible that CCIE's are "locking" their employers into using Cisco equipment?
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As Stated in a Previous Blog
Some people push additional Cisco gear so they can work on their next certification. i.e. Cisco security is still not up to par with many of the other competitor products on the market but you still see it being placed into many accounts; you find Cisco ASA's being placed into accounts along with many other components as well, like: IDS, CSA, MARS, and firewall blades. If you ever have to audit the work of some of these implementations you would know the person who installed them was not a well versed security expert. Not saying all Cisco people are this way... just that there are people out there with very little ethics - so buyer beware.
By the way, take a look at other competitive products like Juniper and Fortinet. Their performance and level of security might be one of those better fits.
This comment doesn't make sense
You are saying that cisco security equipment is not up to par, but in your example, the person who implemented it is the problem.
The person who implemented a security solution incorrectly in a Cisco environment, due to lack of knowledge, would also not implement a security solution from another vendor correctly.
Bill
Comfort level works in all areas of life
People go with what they are most comfortable with. I don't think it has anything to do with "locking" anyone in. On the flip side, if a company feels they're being locked in, would it not make sense to have their staff educated/trained on other products?
Which is worse? Having only Cisco as your vendor and able to be supported? Or deciding to play the field to fill any one-off best-of-breed filling, but not have experienced staff to configure, troubleshoot or maintain the equipment?
Cisco has simply done an excellent job with the marketing of the certification tracks. They realized long ago the value not only of certification to the individual, but the value of certified people to them in their sales effort.
Juniper has started getting into this game as well, but it's a long catchup. They are, however, doing nicely at giving certification training for free to Cisco certified folks!
As for companies, if there's worry find a good consultant. If you find a consultant only certified in Cisco, well, you may find that same comfort-level there. but if you are looking for independent answers, find someone with a varied background.
If you aren't willing to pay for the support or training though, don't complain about working with one vendor. It's not like the vendor is a bad choice to go with! Some just think it's expensive. :)
Anyway, my long, but informed, two cents worth...
Scott