Report:

Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure

Top Vendor Products for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure in 2024

• Cisco
• Extreme Networks
• Fortinet
• HPE (Aruba)
• Huawei
• Juniper

Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure Vendor Product Comparisons 2024

• Arista Networks - Visionary
  

  Pros:

  • Network management tools that simplify operations: Arista's CloudVision platform is unified for both campus and data center management; it also supports digital twin capabilities for testing and validation of configuration/connectivity changes to the campus network.
  • Differentiated network security strategy: Arista is one of the few vendors in this research with a NDR offering for advanced threat detection and incident response use cases. The launch of CloudVision Arista Guardian for Network Identity (AGNI) in 2Q23, a NAC product, adds risk and behavior assessment of endpoints.
  • Advanced AI and ML capabilities: Arista's CloudVision AIOps includes the Autonomous Virtual Assist (AVA) platform for natural language processing, in addition to automated trouble ticketing, incident severity classification and issue remediation, and predictive analytics.

  Cons:

  • Limited exposure outside its data center customer base: Arista's strategy targets its data center customer base to grow its campus networking business, limiting market visibility, especially in the midmarket.
  • Price premiums: Arista's campus switching portfolio, predominantly targeted at large enterprises, has a price premium. Measured in the average revenue per port, it is among the highest in the industry.
  • Limited exposure outside North America: This region accounted for more than 60% of Arista's wired and wireless LAN revenue in 2023. Organizations considering Arista should verify product and service availability in their geography.


• ALE - Niche Player
  

  Pros:

  • Campus networking fabric: Clients in ALE's key target verticals (government, healthcare, transportation and education) looking for simplified management and streamlined automation will benefit from ALE's fabric architecture and industry-specific expertise.
  • Universal network policy — UPAM/NAC: ALE's Intelligent Fabric and OmniVista management solutions include onboarding, segmentation and secure policy provisioning across the wired and wireless network edge for customers with IT, IoT and OT requirements.
  • Technology partnerships and solutions: ALE has strong partnerships for SASE solutions, SSE cloud security solutions, and video management systems to provide customers with extensible systems.

  Cons:

  • Lack of parity between cloud and on-premises offerings: OmniVista 2500 Network Manager System and OmniVista Cirrus do not ship with feature parity. ALE plans continued investment in development, however, customers must ensure that the required functionality is available in their preferred deployment model today.
  • Limited AIOps functionality: ALE is trailing leaders in this research for advanced visibility and assurance functions. The OmniVista Network Advisor, and separate Rainbow collaboration platform, have limited use-case outputs and autoremediation. Customers are advised to test functionality as part of a proof of concept before buying.
  • NaaS product offering: ALE offers a buying model for customers that includes some capex in the initial purchase. This product offering doesn't not meet Gartner's definition for NaaS; however, it may appeal to buyers that seek some reduction in initial capital outlay.


• Allied Telesis - Niche Player
  

  Pros:

  • Enterprise-grade network management features: AMF Plus and the AMF Security Controller are optional add-ons to Vista Manager EX, resulting in a breadth of features that include quality of service (QoS) traffic prioritization, endpoint policy enforcement and malware protection.
  • Multivendor management: AMF Plus provides support for third-party network devices, simplifying the administration of wired and wireless infrastructure.
  • Unified operating system: Allied Telesis has a single OS, AlliedWare Plus, which eases management and configuration capabilities across all products, including routers and firewalls.

  Cons:

  • Lack of network fabric: Allied Telesis lacks a native network fabric, which limits segmentation and policy enforcement and may require a partner product.
  • Lack of AIOps features: Allied Telesis does not yet have AI/ML-based analytics for network assurance services, such as root cause analysis of issues arising from baselined application performance, guided troubleshooting and a natural language interface.
  • Limited market visibility: Allied Telesis has limited wired and wireless LAN market visibility among customers and prospects outside of Japan, based on end-user Gartner interactions, gartner.com searches and social media conversations.


• Cambium Networks - Niche Player
  

  Pros:

  • Broadened network management capabilities: Cambium's recently introduced Network Service Edge (NSE) solution extends cnMaestro's network management to include SD-WAN, network security and outdoor fixed wireless.
  • Cambium's "assists" feature: This application provides a security auditing capability that continually scans the network, and reports and provides resolution of misconfigured products, as well as identification of the potential risk.
  • Flexible software-defined radios: The software-defined radios in Cambium's access points allow for enterprises to change the radio frequencies (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 6 GHz). Up to five radios can be configured for high-density requirements or for the need to simultaneously support different WLAN installations.

  Cons:

  • Fragmented IoT segmentation capabilities: NSE supports segmentation of wired IoT endpoints, while cnMaestro X leverages Cambium's ePSK technology for wireless IoT onboarding. Additionally, Cambium does not have a campus fabric, limiting its ability to segment devices as a unified construct to the access layer, with no support of VXLAN.
  • Limited enterprise vertical exposure: Cambium has limited visibility in the enterprise space outside the hospitality, education and healthcare verticals. Cambium's exposure at deployment scales above MSE is also very limited.
  • Lack of modular chassis switch: This portfolio gap prevents Cambium from adequately addressing high-density access or high-speed core/distribution use cases, in which a common high-speed backplane and redundant management and power supplies in a single chassis are highly desirable.


• Cisco - Leader
  

  Pros:

  • Portfolio breadth: The scope of Cisco's wired and wireless hardware and software product portfolio addresses use cases across market verticals, business organizations of all sizes and network deployment scenarios of any type.
  • Advanced network assurance: Cisco's integration of ThousandEyes throughout the portfolio, along with its deep relationship with device vendors (Apple, Intel, Samsung), is delivering real-world insights for IT and security operational use cases.
  • Geographic reach: Cisco's extensive global reach within direct and indirect sales channels positions it as a campus networking vendor capable of delivering and supporting effective solutions to clients worldwide.

  Cons:

  • Rising prices: Cisco customers cite high prices to obtain, refresh and maintain Cisco wired and wireless infrastructure.
  • On-premises and cloud lack parity: Cisco buyers must make a decision on the management solution they intend to deploy — Meraki in the cloud, or Catalyst Center on-premises. Differences in solutions create a buying gap for key generative AI, AIOps and security analytics features.
  • Security portfolio decision: Cisco's vast security portfolio creates buyer confusion, with an increase in the total cost of ownership (TCO), as customers choose from optional software components such as XDR, ISE, Umbrella and Secure Network Analytics.


• CommScope (RUCKUS) - Visionary
  

  Pros:

  • Network management with AIOps features: The RUCKUS One platform has several strong capabilities, including network assurance services, profiling and policy enforcement of endpoints (including IoT), and digital twin features for testing and validation of Wi-Fi upgrades.
  • Detailed root cause analysis tools: RUCKUS AI, the AI engine of RUCKUS One, offers detailed analysis across the wired and wireless network. Users can see the root cause assessment data and apply resolution suggestions.
  • Security strategy: RUCKUS One comes with integrated NAC functionality at no extra cost, and the RUCKUS WAN Gateway provides network services such as microsegmentation, DNS and firewalling to switches and WLAN access points.

  Cons:

  • Limited experience in large complex network requirements: RUCKUS has limited experience in large enterprise network environments, especially in complex core layer network deployments.
  • Digital twin functionality gaps: RUCKUS One does not support the verification of switching network configurations in a virtual testing environment, since its digital twin capabilities are limited to wireless.
  • Lack of modular chassis switch: This portfolio gap prevents RUCKUS from adequately addressing high-density access or high-speed core/distribution use cases, in which a common high-speed backplane and redundant management and power supplies in a single chassis are highly desirable.


• Extreme Networks - Leader
  

  Pros:

  • Zero touch network fabric: Extreme Networks has continued investment in Extreme Fabric, its single secure end-to-end fabric technology. Zero touch provisioning and automation reduces the deployment burden for customers.
  • Universal licensing: Extreme's universal licensing gives the customer a flexible licensing approach. Licenses are not tied to specific hardware and can be moved from one device to another, irrespective of device type. The licenses are tied to the network.
  • Third-party network management: Multivendor integration streamlines deployment into brownfield environments. Configuration, firmware updates, backups, alarms and events can all be handled by ExtremeCloud IQ.

  Cons:

  • Global reach challenges: Extreme Networks has gaps in its presence in regions such as Asia and Latin America.
  • Pricing: Extreme Networks' pricing for switches is higher compared to most vendors in this research, based on our market statistics that measure the average revenue per port (after discount).
  • No NaaS offering: Extreme does not directly offer a consumption-based NaaS offering, with pricing delivered on a pay-for-use basis or as a subscription based on usage metrics.


• Fortinet - Leader
  

  Pros:

  • Differentiated LAN offering with a strong security focus: Fortinet delivers an architecture in which wired, wireless and security are integrated under a single unified operating system (FortiOS) and cloud management platform.
  • Dedicated AI operations module: The FortiAIOps AI engine provides network assurance (event correlation and issue remediation) across security, wired and wireless by leveraging data feeds from the FortiGate portfolio.
  • Effective microbranch solution: Fortinet has a well-thought-out solution for microbranch sites. The solution allows FortiAP to act as an endpoint for Unified SASE. Unified SASE, together with digital experience monitoring (DEM), provides converged access for a hybrid workforce.

  Cons:

  • Lagging influence with security buyers: Most of Fortinet's firewall customer base deploys switches and WLAN products from a competitor, since security and networking are commonly separate buyer centers. Fortinet's revenue market share in campus networking is almost 10 times smaller than that in the firewall market.
  • Multiple management interfaces: Fortinet has several management options: FortiGate manager, FortiManager (on-premises and cloud), FortiLAN and FortiMonitor, which are used to manage the different deployment architectures. This can result in a confusing mix of management options.
  • Lack of modular chassis switch: This portfolio gap prevents Fortinet from adequately addressing high-density access or high-speed core/distribution use cases, in which a common high-speed backplane and redundant management and power supplies in a single chassis are highly desirable.


• HPE (Aruba) - Leader
  

  Pros:

  • Campus fabric and security management: Aruba ESP delivers an automated and secure wired and wireless fabric incorporating device onboarding, policy assignment and UEBA client monitoring that offers key capabilities to deploy a zero trust architecture.
  • Switching advancements: Aruba has delivered two key features that separates its switching hardware from competitors: in-service software upgrades (ISSUs) for switch stacks, and Layer 7 application control on access ports.
  • Inclusive AI features: Aruba Central's standard license includes key management functionality, such as AIOps, that provides significant value out of the box. Customers will benefit without increasing costs for advanced licenses, as required with the competition.

  Cons:

  • Cloud NAC: Aruba's Cloud Auth solution is new and lacks parity with Aruba's ClearPass. Buyers need to consider their requirements carefully, and calculate TCO if buying additional software components.
  • Lack of third-party network management: Aruba has focused investment in their Central cloud and on-prem management solution instead of AirWave, their legacy on-premises network infrastructure management system. Although HPE does offer OpsRamp for third-party management, this has left a portfolio gap without complete parity.
  • Confusing NaaS offering: Aruba has multiple NaaS offerings for both end customers and its channel, which have been cited as confusing when prospective buyers consider licensing options and service packs.


• Huawei - Leader
  

  Pros:

  • Strong product portfolio: Huawei has a robust wired and wireless product portfolio that continuously monitors connectivity to increase performance and stability.
  • Experience-centric network configuration and management: The iMaster NCE-Campus network management platform provides experience-centric wired and wireless LAN service quality and network assurance services.
  • Simplified architecture for OT to IT migration: Huawei has introduced a converged campus network architecture that integrates OT capabilities into traditional enterprise products and simplifies the migration of OT to IT.

  Cons:

  • Global sales reach challenges: Huawei continues to have ongoing geopolitical issues that limit Huawei's exposure in some geographies and vertical markets. Its presence in North America, the U.K. and Australia is limited.
  • Limited market messaging: Compared to other vendors in the market, Huawei marketing focuses on its technical capabilities and less on client business values and issues.
  • No NaaS offering: Huawei does not have a NaaS offering, with pricing delivered on a pay-for-use basis or as a subscription based on usage metrics.


• Juniper - Leader
  

  Pros:

  • AI-driven automation: Juniper leads with AI/ML-driven capabilities, including performance monitoring based on customizable SLEs, to deliver improved end-user experience. Guided troubleshooting and the ability to automatically fix routine issues simplify network operations.
  • Strong security: Juniper's WxLAN framework provides networkwide policy enforcement for users and IoT endpoints, and the recently introduced Juniper Mist Access Assurance service further provides agentless NAC capabilities.
  • Simplified network management with fabric technology: Juniper's Campus Fabric, based on a VXLAN overlay with an EVPN control plane, can ease campus and branch management of Juniper devices by reducing network complexity and deployment inconsistencies.

  Cons:

  • Cloud-dependent management platform: While Mist Edge handles some network functions on-premises, to get the most value (e.g., access to real-time statistics and device updates) it requires a connection to the Mist Cloud. The legacy Junos Space Network Management Platform lags functionality as a fully centralized (on-premises) alternative.
  • Campus fabric lacks third-party support: While Juniper's fabric is built on a standards-based EVPN-VXLAN architecture and interoperates with third-party infrastructure, it does not manage third-party network devices natively.
  • Limited customer traction of NaaS solution: Juniper has announced its NaaS offering, but Gartner barely sees it come up during inquiry.


• TP-Link - Niche Player
  

  Pros:

  • Scalable network management offering: The Omada network management offering is bundled with its access network hardware, which provides unified monitoring for an unlimited number of TP-Link APs, campus switches and security gateway products.
  • Wi-Fi 6 and 7 portfolio: TP-Link has a comprehensive portfolio of Wi-Fi 6 access points, all of which are supported by RF optimization features, which can improve overall end-user experience and the ability to troubleshoot the wireless network infrastructure. It has also introduced Wi-Fi 7 access points to its portfolio.
  • Competitive pricing: TP-Link's pricing is among the lowest of its competitors, which aligns with the needs of most MSEs. More broadly, this strategy is particularly attractive to organizations with basic network connectivity needs and where cost is the primary determinant.

  Cons:

  • Lack of enterprise focus on software innovation: Despite products that meet all traditional levels of enterprise network technology, TP-Link lags behind other vendors in its support of advanced network operations technologies, such as network assurance, automation and AIOps functionality.
  • Basic network security and location features: TP-Link provides only basic network policy enforcement, and limited IoT containment and indoor location services.
  • Limited product capabilities: TP-Link's enterprise network portfolio lags the competition, with limited AI/ML capabilities. Additionally, TP-Link's portfolio lacks support for next-generation networking features such as network fabrics, leaf-spine topologies and dynamic segmentation.

Reference

• Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure, 6 March 2024, ID G00785075

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