Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Score 7.0 out of 10
N/A
The Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller is a highly scalable, service-rich, resilient, and flexible platform. It provides centralized control, management, and troubleshooting for high-scale deployments in service provide, enterprise, and large campus deployments.N/A
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Score 9.5 out of 10
N/A
The vendor says WatchGuard Wi-Fi Cloud is where you take your access points to unlock their full potential. With a Secure Wi-Fi license, you get patented WIPS security, compliance reporting including PCI, Wi-Fi vulnerability assessment reporting, and every enterprise-grade WLAN feature you’ll need to take your access points into the toughest environments – with features like live floorplan views, hotspot 2.0, application firewall, and role-based access with 802.1x. WatchGuard Wi-Fi Cloud has…N/A
Pricing
Cisco 8540 Wireless ControllerWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco 8540 Wireless ControllerWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco 8540 Wireless ControllerWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Considered Both Products
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
N/A -- Product was already selected for taking over current position with company.
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Juniper Mist is similar to the Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller in functionality, but the Mist solution is cloud based, while the Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller is typically deployed in your data center environment.
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Fortinet Wireless LAN controllers offer similar features and functionality. They for the same reason as Cisco, offer a feature-rich management console, especially when parred with Fortinet networking and firewall equipment. I believe the Cisco environments are more …
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Since the beginning, [I have been] using the Cisco Routers, and I will go with the most durable network router. Thank you, Cisco!
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
If we compare them on technical specifications, Cisco routers range up to full rack heights. If you take an enterprise model, they support faster 100G Ethernet
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Cisco products offer an unrivaled experience that outperforms the majority of other alternatives. This is a long-term investment that will provide a great return on investment. The Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller, on the other hand, is more powerful and has more features for …
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Cisco vEdge Routers and Cisco DNA Software
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Cisco vEdge Routers
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
The expertise that comes with every Cisco product is undeniable. When it comes to the documentation, the expertise of the customer service tech agents, and the quality of the products, it all fits nicely into this awesome package that can outshine most of the alternatives out …
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
The Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller was a more recent product than that and my organization grew out of the Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller, which did a superb job. When the company progresses, a need for something powerful is always required with time. We progressed to the Cisco …
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
[It has] great quality support, like the fact that this product is headed in the right direction. [It is] very easy to do business as their support team is always available and comes up with satisfactory responses to all our queries and issues. The ease of admin is also …
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
We tested a few other products out before going with the Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller. We have Cisco products primarily and we know Cisco is king! However, it's all about cost. We decided it's best to get what you pay for. We know Cisco products are reliable and are …
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
The Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller is an upgrade from the 5520. It has only one RU appliance when compared to the Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller, which has two. The Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller connects to more access points and is a higher speed network than the 5520.
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
We have [done] some work before with the Cisco 3504 product, but the more recent Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller provides a wider range of capabilities for managing the wireless network and each individual device [and] also being able to handle more users. Unfortunately, we …
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
The Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller is more than worth its cost. It helps us to monitor every device to which an AP is connected and which MAC address is configured with it. In terms of D-link configuration, you will observe a slight difference--there is lag of few seconds in …
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
We upgraded to the latest model of Cisco recently and both the Cisco 8540 and Cisco 9800 are great in their jobs (although a few additional improvements along with the latest technology and AP controls are observed in the later model). The buyers can choose either of these two …
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
We tried out the Cisco Catalyst 9800-40 in the past and haven't noticed too much difference with the Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller. We generally trust Cisco products and found no issues within any product we have purchased in the past. We have looked at other organization's …
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
We found that the Cisco routers are better equipped to handle security and integration with other manufacturer hardware. This was a big deal to us as we have accumulated numerous other pieces of hardware over the years that are critical to the organization. We needed a …
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
My appreciation for Cisco products comes from how solid and reliable the equipment is, and how much support and training there is for IT professionals. The clients that have these in place are very large organizations that had the need for the enterprise-size device.
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Cisco 8540 is just a newer and more modern product. Our company grew out of the 3504, which did a fine job at what it does. We just needed something more powerful and that can handle way more users. Software is more recent on the 8540, probably because it is a newer product.
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Cisco. The name alone carries a badge that can't be overlooked or shopped. Its a hard to beat brand and has been consistently reliable through my IT career, in all positions I've held. Its a gold standard, and the 8540 stands up to that test.
Chose Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
None. With the res of our networking equipment being already Cisco we didn't really have much choice if we wanted a good integration.
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Chose WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud offers the cloud management solution unlike Ubiquiti which needs a controller that you need to setup, configure, update, and maintain. Also Security is offered with Secure Wi-Fi cloud.
Chose WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
WatchGuard Secure versus the Mojo Networks is the same being that they both use the same platform.
Versus the Fortinet solution- it has a stronger security suite, but as far as functionality, they are about equal.
Versus the Meraki solution- it has a stronger security suite, …
Best Alternatives
Cisco 8540 Wireless ControllerWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Small Businesses
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Score 9.5 out of 10

No answers on this topic

Medium-sized Companies
Cisco Aironet 1800 Series Access Points (discontinued)
Cisco Aironet 1800 Series Access Points (discontinued)
Score 9.8 out of 10
Cisco Aironet 1800 Series Access Points (discontinued)
Cisco Aironet 1800 Series Access Points (discontinued)
Score 9.8 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Meraki MR Wireless Access Points
Cisco Meraki MR Wireless Access Points
Score 9.2 out of 10
Cisco Meraki MR Wireless Access Points
Cisco Meraki MR Wireless Access Points
Score 9.2 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco 8540 Wireless ControllerWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Likelihood to Recommend
7.0
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
7.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
9.0
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco 8540 Wireless ControllerWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Likelihood to Recommend
I recommend using Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller as an economical solution for assurance of best wireless connectivity across departments and cloud resources. It can resolve most of the networking and cloud connectivity-related issues. It can also eliminate the issues related to bandwidth. It can provide uninterrupted connectivity to cloud resources and databases at high speed with security.
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In private complex building where no other wireless network are present or interferencing. In this case is it easy to define policy and to monitor environment. In consumer home or flat office is it hard to have high security on wireless access due the massive presence of adiacent wireless network. It's very easy to create access block on other network.
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Pros
  • The GUI on the Cisco 8540 WLC is much better designed than other Cisco products. Its easy to navigate between the different settings to find what is needed.
  • The AP groups allows touching multiple APs at one time.
  • It also allows us to create standard SSIDs that can be used at all sites that connect back to it, this saves a lot of time instead of hitting each site with a local controller.
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  • enable wireless access on watchguard-based networks
  • ensure reliable performances
  • allow fast wireless data transfer operations
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Cons
  • Code quality is a bit hit and miss. This will be great for a while, then things will be bad for a while, then we'll do it again. The UI of the controller works, but could do with a refresh, and I would like to see some improvement on layout and organization.
  • The constant code/firmware upgrades and the QA of new code could be better.
  • Maybe the compatibility with old Cisco Access Points could be improved, but it's normal in all kinds of deployments.
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  • Better Access Points from WG
  • Map Feature
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Usability
Very feature rich, easy enough for beginners to understand layout and initial setup. Need a good training (online, Cisco Leaning Network, etc.) to fully understand all features and product capabilities. Strict power requirements for APs are only major drawback for our specific implementation.
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No answers on this topic
Support Rating
It is a better product. The evolution is positive.
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The support team is great! I have never had an issue getting the support I needed. They make it a point to stick with the issue until it's resolved to the customer's satisfaction. They do not make you feel like you need to hurry up and close the ticket. They make sure the solution is working as designed.
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Alternatives Considered
Cisco products offer an unrivaled experience that outperforms the majority of other alternatives. This is a long-term investment that will provide a great return on investment. The Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller, on the other hand, is more powerful and has more features for managing each device and the wireless network.
Read full review
WatchGuard Secure versus the Mojo Networks is the same being that they both use the same platform. Versus the Fortinet solution- it has a stronger security suite, but as far as functionality, they are about equal. Versus the Meraki solution- it has a stronger security suite, and costs less, but about the same when it comes to cloud-based management.
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Return on Investment
  • Network engineers find it easier to [manage] high-stress levels since they're more reliable and robust.
  • Their initial cost is very high compared to other router providers, such as Juniper.
  • Their hardware dependability can be a big drawback if you run on a budget.
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  • It is not the cheapest one by price but with all the features it is it worth
  • They follow costs after buying are not so high because of the centralized and easy deployment and managemet
  • To see where we have a bottleneck is so easy in the WatchGuard Cloud
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ScreenShots

WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud Screenshots

Screenshot of WatchGuard Wi-Fi DiscoverScreenshot of WatchGuard Wi-Fi AnalyzeScreenshot of WatchGuard Wi-Fi EngageScreenshot of WatchGuard Wi-Fi Manage