🔀 FortiSwitch FS-124F vs Cisco 1000-24T vs Juniper EX2300
AI-powered analysis across 25 matched specifications
Performance Overview
Scores based on quantifiable specification values (1-10 scale)
Detailed Specifications
| Specification | FortiSwitch FS-124F Fortinet | Cisco Catalyst 1000-24T Cisco | Juniper EX2300 Juniper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key Metrics | |||
| Model / Part Number | FS-124F | C1000-24T-4G-L | EX2300 (24 or 48 port variants) |
| Total Port Count | 28 (24 GE RJ-45 + 4 SFP+) | 28 (24 GE RJ-45 + 4 SFP) | 28 or 52 (24/48 GE RJ-45 + 4 SFP/SFP+) |
| Switching Capacity | 128 Gbps | 56 Gbps | 128 Gbps (24-port) / 176 Gbps (48-port) |
| Forwarding Rate | 190 Mpps | 41.7 Mpps | 95 Mpps (24-port) / 130 Mpps (48-port) |
| Networking | |||
| Access Ports | 24 × Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 | 24 × 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45 | 24 or 48 × 10/100/1000BASE-T; multigigabit models up to 2.5GbE on 8–16 ports |
| Uplink Ports | 4 × 10GE SFP+ | 4 × 1G SFP | 4 × 1GbE SFP / 10GbE SFP+ (24T/P); 4 × 10GbE SFP+ (48T/P) |
| MAC Address Table Size | -- | 16,000 | 16,000 |
| VLAN Support | VLANs | 255 active (4,094 extended range) | 4,093 |
| Jumbo Frame Support | -- | 9,198 bytes | 9,216 bytes |
| Layer 2 Features | VLANs, STP/RSTP/MSTP, LACP, IGMP Snooping, QoS | VLAN, QoS, security features | Full L2 |
| Layer 3 Features | Static routing, RIP | -- | Basic L3 (RIP, OSPF, BGP with licence); IPv6 |
| Stacking / Virtual Chassis | -- | -- | Virtual Chassis — up to 4 units; dedicated VCP ports |
| Power | |||
| Power over Ethernet (PoE) | -- | None (see C1000-24P-4G-L for PoE variant) | IEEE 802.3af (15.4W) and 802.3at PoE+ (30W per port) |
| PoE Budget | -- | -- | Up to 750W total system PoE budget (PoE models) |
| Power Consumption | ≤ 22W max | Max Power Draw: 18W (non-PoE) | -- |
| Power Input | -- | Internal AC, 100–240V | -- |
| Management | |||
| Management Options | Standalone · FortiLink (FortiGate) · FortiCloud | Cisco IOS software — familiar CLI management | Juniper Mist AI cloud, Junos CLI, SNMP, NETCONF |
| Operating System / Software | -- | Cisco IOS | Junos OS |
| Licensing / Support | -- | Cisco Smart Net and Smart Licensing compatible | -- |
| Physical / Environmental | |||
| Form Factor | 1U Rack-mount (19") | 1U rack-mount / desktop | 1U, 10-inch deep, 9.5-inch wide (half-rack width available) |
| Dimensions | 440 × 210 × 44 mm (17.32 × 8.27 × 1.73 in) | -- | -- |
| Weight | 2.7 kg (5.95 lbs) | 3.6 kg | -- |
| Cooling | Fanless (passive) | Fanless (silent) | -- |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F) | -- | -- |
| Software & OS Compatibility | |||
| Certifications | FCC, CE, RoHS | -- | -- |
Expert Analysis
The FortiSwitch FS-124F offers a compelling proposition for environments already invested in the Fortinet ecosystem, particularly those using FortiGate firewalls. Its 128 Gbps switching capacity and 190 Mpps forwarding rate provide strong performance for a 24-port switch, while the 10GE SFP+ uplinks offer excellent aggregation capabilities. The fanless design makes it suitable for quiet office deployments. However, its lack of PoE and more limited VLAN scale compared to the Juniper may restrict its use in certain scenarios.
The Cisco Catalyst 1000-24T represents a solid, no-frills managed Layer 2 switch with familiar Cisco IOS management. Its 56 Gbps capacity and 41.7 Mpps forwarding rate are adequate for basic office networking, but significantly lower than the other two options. The 1G SFP uplinks rather than 10GE may limit future scalability. This switch is best suited for organisations seeking straightforward Cisco management without requiring advanced features or high throughput.
The Juniper EX2300 emerges as the most feature-rich and flexible option, particularly in its 48-port configuration with 176 Gbps capacity and 130 Mpps forwarding. The support for multigigabit ports (up to 2.5GbE), substantial PoE+ budget (750W), Virtual Chassis stacking for up to four units, and Juniper Mist AI cloud management create a comprehensive solution. While requiring licensing for full Layer 3 capabilities, its combination of port density, modern management, and expansion options makes it suitable for growing organisations needing future-proof infrastructure.
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