Cost is a measure that IT management typically scrutinizes closely when selecting technology solutions. The enterprise LAN and WAN infrastructure are no exception, and cost should be a primary consideration when selecting an equipment vendor. In an effort to help enterprise IT management understand the cost of leading LAN and WAN infrastructure products, Info-Tech has compared the cost of Nortel Networks and Cisco Systems LAN and WAN infrastructure.
This research note compares the cost of several scenarios, including:
- Small, medium, and large high-availability campus LAN configurations.
- Small branch, mid-sized regional office, and large regional/head office WAN configurations.
- Network performance, energy efficiency, and price discounting considerations.
In every case – six scenarios in all – the cost of Nortel infrastructure is lower than Cisco, with the Cisco price premium ranging from 36% to 117%. Enterprises of all sizes should the evaluate equipment and support costs along with their own controllable costs prior to making a purchasing decision.
