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About this research note:Selection Advice notes offer clearguidance in effectively managing,optimizing, and expediting theproduct and service procurementprocess.Avaya vs. Cisco: AComparison of LAN andWAN InfrastructurePublish Date: April, 2010Avaya and Cisco are two of the leading network equipmentvendors. Info-Tech’s five-year comparison of their LAN andWAN infrastructure demonstrates that customers can save asmuch as 54% by choosing Avaya. In addition to these costsavings, their focus on delivering reliability, improvingefficiency, and increasing scalability makes Avaya a persuasivealternative to buying Cisco. 1998-2008 Info-Tech Research Groupwww.infotech.com
Executive SummaryIT spending is more closely scrutinized than ever, and cost has become a very important considerationwhen selecting an equipment vendor. To help enterprise IT management choose between the leadingLAN and WAN infrastructure vendors, Info-Tech has compared the cost of Avaya Inc. versus CiscoSystems.This research note compares 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 Avaya infrastructure is lower than Cisco, with enterprisessaving from 27% to 54% by choosing Avaya. Enterprises of all sizes should the evaluate equipment andsupport costs when making a purchase decision on networking equipment. IT managers should also becognizant of qualitative factors, such as a vendor’s reputation for service and support, and the solution’sfit within existing enterprise architecture, to make a well-rounded decision.Selection Advice2Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Selection PointInfo-Tech recently compared the CAPEX and ongoing support costs of LAN and WAN infrastructure fromleading vendors Cisco Systems and Avaya. The evaluation examines the following components:»List price (CAPEX) of various products.»Annual support and maintenance contracts (assumes 8x5 technical support and Next BusinessDay (NBD) advanced hardware replacement for Cisco and 24x7xNBD for Avaya. This is becauseAvaya does not have an 8x5xNBD support option, and Cisco does not have a 24x7xNBD option).»All prices are stated in US dollars.These are the costs that can be compared, and make the most significant difference in a five-year costcomparison. To address the difference in LAN size, and accurately reflect different products used invarying sized implementations, the following scenarios are compared:»A small 250 port LAN without Power over Ethernet (PoE) and with a High-Availability (HA) optionused at the network core.»A medium 1750 port LAN with PoE and HA at the network core.»A large 3000 port LAN with PoE, Gigabit-to-the-desktop, and HA at the network core.Similarly, to address different WAN requirements and office sizes, the following scenarios are used:»15 small branch offices requiring a maximum of 2 T1s for WAN connectivity.»5 mid-sized branch or regional offices requiring a maximum of 8 T1s for WAN connectivity.»2 large regional or head offices requiring a maximum of 3 DS3s for WAN connectivity.In all cases, product features and functionality are matched as closely as possible to ensure an applesto-apples comparison.Selection Advice3Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Key Selection CriteriaIn each of the following six scenarios, a graph shows the cost elements over five years. The list ofproducts can be found below each graph, as well as pricing details. Info-Tech believes this to be ascomplete and accurate as possible, and all assumptions have been disclosed.Scenario ComparisonsScenario 1: Small 250 User Campus LANFigure 1. 250 User Campus LAN Cost ComparisonSource: Info-Tech Research GroupProduct ListsCiscoAvayaEdge – 6xCisco Catalyst 2960-48TC-LEdge – 6xAvaya ERS 2550TCore – 2xCisco Catalyst C3750E-24TD-SCore – 2xAvaya ERS 5530Selection Advice4Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Pricing DetailsCiscoAvayaTotal CAPEX 45,960 27,160Maintenance & Support 15,700 8,8505 Year Cost Comparison 61,660 36,010Cost Savings42%In this scenario, Avaya represents a 42% five-year cost savings over Cisco.Selection Advice5Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Scenario 2: Mid-Sized 1750 User Campus LANFigure 2. 1750 User Campus LAN Cost ComparisonSource: Info-Tech Research GroupProduct ListsCiscoAvayaEdge – 37xCisco Catalyst C3560-48PS-SEdge – 37xAvaya ERS 4550T-PWRCore – 2xCisco Catalyst 4506 Chassis(WS-C4506-E)10x46cm Resilient Stacking Cable2xCisco Catalyst 4500 Power Supply (DataOnly PWR-C45-1400AC)Core – 2xAvaya 8300 Series 6 SlotChassis (ERS 8306)2xCisco Catalyst 4500 Supervisor Module(WS-X45-SUP6-E)2xAvaya 8301 AC Power Supply(DS1405A14)2xCisco Catalyst 48 Port Gb Module (WSX4448-GB-SFP)2xAvaya Switch Fabric Module (ERS8393SF)2xAvaya 48 Port SFP Fiber Module (ERS8348GB)Selection Advice6Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Pricing DetailsCiscoAvayaTotal CAPEX 326,275 223,725Maintenance & Support 110,420 49,4005 Year Cost Comparison 436,695 273,125Cost Savings37%In this scenario, Avaya represents a 37% five-year cost savings over Cisco.Selection Advice7Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Scenario 3: Large 3000 User Campus LANFigure 3. 3000 User Campus LAN Cost ComparisonSource: Info-Tech Research GroupProduct ListsCiscoAvayaEdge – 64xCisco Catalyst C3750G-48PS-SEdge – 64xAvaya ERS 5520-48T-PWR16x1 Meter Stacking Cable (CAB-STACK1M)16x1 Meter Return CableCore – 2xCisco Catalyst 6506 6 SlotChassis (WS-C6506-E)Core – 2xAvaya 8600 Series 6 SlotChassis (ERS 8006)2xCisco Catalyst 6500 Power Supply (WSCAC-6000W)2xAvaya ERS 8000 Routing Switch SW KitSelection Advice8Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Product Lists (Continued)CiscoAvaya2xCisco Catalyst 6500 Supervisor Module(WS-SUP720)2xAvaya Power Supply Unit (ERS 8005PSU)4xCisco Catalyst 48 Port Gb Module (WSX6548-GE-TX)4xAvaya Switch Fabric Module (ERS8692SF)4xAvaya 48 Port Gb Module (ERS8630GBR)Pricing DetailsCiscoAvayaTotal CAPEX 1,118,280 696,340Maintenance & Support 401,6405 Year Cost Comparison 1,519,920 864,040Cost Savings 167,70043%In this scenario, Avaya represents a 43% five-year cost savings over Cisco.Selection Advice9Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Scenario 4: 15 Small Branch Office WANFigure 4. 15 Small Branch Office WAN Cost ComparisonSource: Info-Tech Research GroupProduct ListsCiscoAvaya15xCisco ISR G2 2901 (includes 2xT1/E1WIC - WIC-1DSU-T1-V2 and AdvancedSecurity Bundle - CISCO2901-SEC/K9)15xAvaya SR 1002 (includes 2xT1/E1Interface and Stateful Firewall)Pricing DetailsCiscoAvayaTotal CAPEX 73,425 37,425Maintenance & Support 26,325 8,625Selection Advice10Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Pricing Details (Continued)5 Year Cost ComparisonCost SavingsCiscoAvaya 99,750 46,05054%In this scenario, Avaya represents a 54% five-year cost savings over Cisco.Selection Advice11Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Scenario 5: Five Mid-Sized Branch Office WANFigure 5. Five Mid-Sized Branch Office WAN Cost ComparisonSource: Info-Tech Research GroupProduct ListsCiscoAvaya5xCisco ISR G2 2951 (Includes 4x2 PortWICs - VWIC2-2MFT-T1/E1 and AdvancedSecurity Bundle – CISCO2951-SEC/K9)5xAvaya SR 3120 (Includes 8 Port T1/E1Medium Module and Stateful Firewall)Pricing DetailsCiscoAvayaTotal CAPEX 94,475 44,475Maintenance & Support 29,925 17,250Selection Advice12Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Pricing Details (Continued)Cisco5 Year Cost ComparisonCost SavingsAvaya 124,400 61,72550%In this scenario, Avaya represents a 50% five-year cost savings over Cisco.Selection Advice13Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Scenario 6: Two Large Regional/Head Office WANFigure 6. Two Large Regional/Head Office WAN Cost ComparisonSource: Info-Tech Research GroupProduct ListsCiscoAvaya2xCisco ISR G2 3945 (Includes 3xDS3 NM- NM-1T3/E3 and Advanced SecurityBundle - CISCO3945-SEC/K9)2xAvaya SR 4134 (Includes 3xDS3 MediumInterface Module and Stateful Firewall)Selection Advice14Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Pricing DetailsCiscoAvayaTotal CAPEX 79,790 58,140Maintenance & Support 17,350 13,0805 Year Cost Comparison 97,140 71,220Cost Savings27%In this scenario, Avaya represents a 27% five-year cost savings over Cisco.The above scenarios compare the features and functionality of the products as closely as possible;however, there will be some differences in performance even in comparable models.Performance, Energy, and Discounting ConsiderationsWith respect to energy efficiency, Avaya seems poised to take the lead in greening enterprise networks.In recent testing completed by The Tolly Group (titled “Converged Data Network Solutions”, publishedMarch 2010), it was found that the Avaya ERS 8600 saves up to 40% on power consumption cost versuscomparable Cisco Catalyst 6500s. Energy costs to operate enterprise LAN and WAN infrastructure are asignificant component of cost evaluations, as today’s energy costs continue to skyrocket. A 40% savingson power consumption goes a long way towards helping to reduce data center operations costs.Purchasing more energy efficient products today will lead to a significant payoff in the coming years.Selection Advice15Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
RecommendationsInfo-Tech consistently recommends that enterprises carefully consider lifetime costs prior to makingpurchasing decisions. In the case of LAN and WAN infrastructure, focus on the following cost drivers:1. Up-front CAPEX is the largest cost comparison component. The cost of the equipment is,and will continue to be, the most significant contributor to overall costs. CAPEX typicallyrepresents over 80% of the five-year costs when using list pricing, so enterprises should closelyscrutinize the up-front cost of the equipment.2. Maintenance and support is not insignificant. Use caution when selecting vendor supportplans. In this analysis, Info-Tech assumed support to be 8x5xNBD for Cisco and 24x7xNBD forAvaya, but premium support packages such as 24x7x4 On-Site (4 hour on-site hardwarereplacement) can be over 50% more expensive.3. Power consumption is becoming a consideration. While LAN and WAN infrastructure doesnot consume power like servers and HVAC, as the price of energy continues to increase and asmore PoE enabled devices are attached to the LAN, power consumption should be considered inpurchasing decisions. The efficiency of a solution is an important component of the overall cost ofownership.Bottom LineAvaya and Cisco are two of the leading network equipment vendors. Info-Tech’ five-year comparison oftheir LAN and WAN infrastructure demonstrates that the premium paid for Cisco products can be over100%. In addition to cost-savings, their focus on delivering reliability, improving efficiency, and increasingscalability makes Avaya a persuasive alternative to buying Cisco.Info-Tech provides IT research and advice to more than 21,000 IT professionals worldwide. Our practical, actionable research is specificallydesigned to have a clear and direct impact on your organization. Info-Tech's products and services help our clients work faster and moreeffectively. Our research improves the IT decision-making process, expedites critical IT projects, and helps our clients keep current – enablingthem to achieve greater personal and corporate success.More About Info-TechSelection Advice16Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparisonwww.infotech.com
Avaya vs. Cisco: LAN and WAN Infrastructure Cost Comparison www.infotech.com Pricing Details Cisco Avaya Total CAPEX 79,790 58,140 Maintenance & Support 17,350 13,080 5 Year Cost Comparison 97,140 71,220 Cost Savings 27% In this scenario, Avaya represents a 27% five-year cost savings over Cisco.
