If you have read my blogs recently you might say I've been a little tough on Cisco. A couple weeks ago I beat up Cisco over their poor "Validated Architecture for Long Distance VMotion". I praised their biggest competitor to Nexus 1000V, Arista. And probably toughest of all, I told people to keep competition in their network to drive down costs.
So, to be honest and fair, I have to give Cisco their due this week. I cannot go into details, but essentially Cisco's BUs made some mistakes that left a real gap between hardware and software availability. Essentially, some new hardware wouldn't work on mainline IOS; we'd have to run T-code. This wouldn't have just affected my company, but many other customers.
After making this problem clear to Cisco and insisting on a fix, Cisco's first reaction was it was too hard to fix. This led to a few more phone calls and finally Cisco's management understanding this was customer impacting. As a company that respects customer's needs, Cisco committed to finding a resolution within two weeks.
The other day, just within two weeks, Cisco provided a very acceptable solution to the problem which doesn't just fix the problem for us, but all customers. Cisco took the time to accept the problem, identify the cause (Cisco itself), and find a resolution that helps customers.
Hats off to Cisco! Despite Cisco's size, they were able to respond to a customer's problem and quickly organize to find a solution. More businesses, had they done this over the years, might still be around.
More >From the Field blog entries:
I Have Not Been Consistent on Dual Vendors
Cisco's New "Validated Architecture for Long Distance VMotion" is Cheap Marketing
Arista's New vEOS Providing Competition for the Cisco Nexus 1000V
It's One of Those Opinionated Days Again
A Private Extranet for Cloud Computing
It's Really Only Partly Cloudy Out There
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Michael Morris is a communications engineering manager at a $3-billion high-tech company. His background is in enterprise WANs working with telcos and developing large-scale routing designs. He has worked on networks at government and corporate organizations, including networks at two Fortune 10 companies. In his current role, he leads a team of 10 engineers responsible for large-scale IT networking projects and architectural standards for data networks, storage area networks, IP telephony, contact centers, and security. Michael is CCIE #11733 and recently became one of the first three Cisco Certified Design Experts (CCDE) ever (#20080002). He has 11 years experience in networking and communications, including four years as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army. He has a bachelor's degree in MIS from the University at Buffalo and is working on his MBA from NC State University. In 2008, he was awarded the Network Professional Association (NPA) Professional Excellence and Innovation Award for his work on network architecture, templates and enterprise MPLS design.
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In Line with our Expectations of Cisco
I see lots of Cisco bashing these days. When you dominate so many markets like they do, you're bound to find people with a bad experience that wants to highlight it as the 'rule.' I find that dealing with Cisco is generally very positive and they are generally very willing to fix any problems that arise. Whatever minor issues we have are more than offset by the value they bring to the enterprise as a whole.
Where would this world we call IP be without Cisco?
-Fortune 2000 Company CIO
Bashing Cisco?
How can ANY customer bash Cisco, especially when Cisco clearly warns in its warranty statement?
Heck, even the tobacco industry makes money hand-over-fist, even though you would think that the "Limited Warranty/Warning" on tobacco products would indicate to customers that their future "health problems" from consuming tobacco products should be taken into consideration before purchase.
Oh well,
Brad Reese on Cisco
Network World Cisco Subnet
BradReese.Com Cisco Refurbished
At least they say it...
I challenge you to show me ANY piece of software (save for a "Hello world!" or similar app) that is fully defect free and without corruption. Hard right? Now apply that to enterprise software sets such as IOS, Linux or JunOS. See where I'm going? It just isn't going to happen.
Jeez Brad, it's like you're trying to become the Rush Limbaugh of networking. 50 metric tons of hot air to every picogram of truth... If you're lucky.
Gee, I thought I was defending Cisco
Gee, here I thought I was defending Cisco by pointing out that Cisco actually warns its customers they will experience problems and interruptions using Cisco software.
It looks like the maternity ward nurse was correct 54 years ago:
"I'm bad to the bone!"
Sincerely,
Brad Reese on Cisco
Network World Cisco Subnet
BradReese.Com Cisco Refurbished
Its nothing to do with being
Its nothing to do with being bad Brad, you're just an idiot!
Tetched In The Head
Is being an idiot the same as being tetched in the head?
Because most of my Network World readers consider me to be tetched in the head:
Sincerely,
Brad Reese on Cisco
Network World Cisco Subnet
BradReese.Com Cisco Refurbished
Not everyone thinks you're an idiot, Brad
Personally I happen to like your posts and articles.
Speak up and be heard
Cisco will do what they can for the betterment of all forms of Networking. They also advise of product vulnerabilities via PSIRT's and others. I prefer to be noticed by my vendor rather than read about it online. I'm very happy with my Cisco infrastructure.
Brad, comparing Cisco to tobacco companies? Testing your lows huh?
Actually I'm an amateur
Actually, I'm an amateur, for example:
Sincerely,
Brad Reese on Cisco
Network World Cisco Subnet
BradReese.Com Cisco Refurbished
Brad, When you post
Brad,
When you post articles here and reply to people's quotes. Do you ever read over your post and wonder if you are sane? Do you think to yourself that your ideas and thoughts on a topic are correct. If so, woah!
Anyways, I never said John should be "pampered", I said the man meets with the most influential people in the world, and signs deals weekly that more than pay for the service required on "his" paid for Jet. That's all. Don't read into it any more.
Regarding the Soda's, I've worked for EDS/DOW and other large corporations that *NEVER* had a stocked fridge. That is just the way of the silicon valley startup. Those days are long gone. Think about your past work history.. Wait... Check that... I'm sure you've lived in a bubble of companies that gave tons of stock options, free soda's, free days at a SPA and even luxury box tickets to your favorite sports games, right?
So, John got stock options. He also turned the company from 1.2B to 40B and has dominated the world with his vision and execution (by way of his staff, sure!). He's one of the world's top CEO's and Cisco is one of the top companies in the world to work for.
Get your head out of the group my boy!
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