Top 10 Enterprise Networking Hardware Companies in 2022

Enterprise networking hardware companies provide key network equipment such as network switches, routers, access points, and modems, along with ancillary solutions like server infrastructure, network management software, and security components. This article discusses the top hardware companies that can help you transform your enterprise network in 2022.

Key Must-Have Parameters to Assess Enterprise Networking Hardware Companies

Enterprise networking hardware companies are technology vendors that provide enterprises with key network equipment such as network switches, routers, access points, and modems, along with ancillary solutions like server infrastructure, network management software, and security components.

According to research by Mordor Intelligence, the network hardware market will grow from $9.83 billion in 2020 to nearly $15.48 billion by 2026. It is vital to scan the market carefully to find the partner best suited for your enterprise needs. Here are five key selection criteria to guide your assessment:

Key Parameters to Assess Enterprise Networking Hardware Companies

Key Parameters to Assess Enterprise Networking Hardware Companies

1. Market entrenchment

The company should be well established to provide long-term support. Network equipment involves a sizable capital expenditure, much higher than other technology costs like software as a service (SaaS) products. Therefore, the company should establish and adhere to multi-year SLAs – preferably backed by a large team and global offices.

2. Ability to scale

Your network infrastructure will evolve, and you need a partner who can support you on this dynamic growth journey. Particularly in 2022, hybrid workplaces and changing business environments will make additional demands from your enterprise network. The company you choose should keep up in order volumes and innovation, which brings us to the next point.

3. Next-gen innovations

You need a partner who can assist in network modernization without fully retrenching your existing systems. To achieve this, the company should have a set of next-gen capabilities, such as internet of things (IoT) support and the strategic use of analytics. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are the two other areas where the company should have intellectual property (IP) investments.

4. Customer support services

Customer support is among the key elements that define a trusted technology vendor. Especially if you are a managed services provider (MSP), communication service provider (CSP), an ecommerce company, or a digital service provider of any kind, network uptime is mission-critical for your business. You can look for companies that provide 24/7 support and have paid premium support offerings.

5. Partner network

Finally, the company’s partner network will determine if it can provide a holistic solution. The top enterprise networking hardware companies today function through alliances so that you can get packaged solutions but customize them as per your exact needs. Ideally, the company you choose should partner with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), third-party analytics specialists, and cybersecurity companies.

See More: What Is a Local Area Network (LAN)? Definition, Types, Architecture and Best Practices

According to IDC Research, more than 50% of enterprises are expected to increase their investments in network connectivity in 2022. Let us discuss the top companies in the networking hardware space, arranged alphabetically.

Disclaimer: This list is based on publicly available information and may include vendor websites that sell to mid-to-large enterprises. Readers are advised to conduct their final research to ensure the best fit for their unique organizational needs.

1. Arista Networks

Company overview: Arista Networks was founded in 2004 and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The company provides a wide range of networking hardware solutions, from network switches to appliances for software-defined networking.

Performance on key assessment parameters:

Market entrenchment:
Arista is based in the U.S. and has a global customer base, employing 2,600 people.

Readiness for scale:
Arista provides scalable solutions for mid-sized enterprises, large deployments, and CSPs through an open architecture.

Next-gen innovations:
Its solutions are built on cloud networking principles so that you can gain from telemetry, analytics, and automation.

Customer support services:
Arista offers country-specific services and premium support under the A-Care plan.

Partner network:
It partners with various technology majors, including Microsoft, Splunk, and VMware.

USP: Arista’s network hardware solutions are purpose-built for cloud-based enterprises and complex data center environments. This makes them future-proof for the long term.

Pricing: Arista EOS’s (extensible operating system) pricing starts at $495/month.

Editorial comments: Companies looking to build a data-driven cloud ecosystem should consider Arista for its proven solutions. However, companies have noted that the post-deployment support may be limited, and the number of features can be overwhelming.

2. Broadcom

Company overview: Broadcom is a semiconductor company that manufactures wireless and broadband network connectivity hardware. It was founded in 1991 and offers a wide range of solutions to address critical enterprise use cases.

Performance on key assessment parameters:

Market entrenchment:
Broadcom has over 21,000 employees and subsidiaries in key regions to aid in solution delivery and has.

Readiness for scale:
Its solutions are designed for scalability, and customers can get bespoke packages for specific use cases like mainframes, IoT, or

network security

.

Next-gen innovations:
Broadcom specializes in cutting-edge AIOps, workload automation, IoT enablement, and high-speed network support through optical technology.

Customer support services:
Customers can gain from different support communities, professional services, and an education center.

Partner network:
It has access to a robust partner landscape through the Advantage Partner Program.

USP: It is well-positioned to deliver holistic network solutions that span hardware, software, and security components. This makes Broadcom well suited to being a one-stop solution vendor.

Pricing: The pricing for Broadcom’s Mainframe Resource Intelligence offering starts at $5,000.

Editorial comments: Enterprises that need support across the end-to-end network deployment lifecycle (including maintenance and security) can work with Broadcom. However, Broadcom’s software solutions are not as seamless to use as its hardware, with customers noting gaps in functionality and sluggish performance.

3. Cisco

Company overview: Founded in 1984, Cisco is among the largest networking hardware vendors in the world. In addition to networks, it has platform solutions for workplace collaboration and security.

Performance on key assessment parameters:

Market entrenchment:
Cisco employs over 50,000 people worldwide and has an established presence in key geographic locations.

Readiness for scale:
Cisco supports companies of every size, from small businesses to mid-sized enterprises and end-user-facing CSPs.

Next-gen innovations:
Cisco has made significant advancements in AI and ML to optimize network connectivity and monitoring.

Customer support services:
The company is known for its robust customer support and has its own Cisco Networking Academy.

Partner network:
Nearly every major technology and networking hardware provider is a Cisco partner – examples include AT&T, Accenture, and IBM.

USP: Cisco brings decades of experience in the networking technology space, and its recent acquisitions also introduce customer experience and collaboration capabilities. Therefore, it combines networking capabilities with unified communications.

Pricing: Cisco’s Prime Network Control System Hardware Appliance is priced at $14,995.

Editorial comments: Cisco’s network equipment is extremely well-supported, with resellers, channel partners, and integration partners around the globe. But they may prove challenging to set up due to the lack of templates, and initial investment may be expensive.

See More: What Is Wide Area Network (WAN)? Definition, Types, Architecture and Best Practices

4. Datto

Company overview: Founded in 2007, Datto provides solutions for networking hardware, cybersecurity, and data backup. It is best known for catering to small, mid-sized, and large managed service providers (MSPs).

Performance on key assessment parameters:

Market entrenchment:
Datto is slightly smaller than most other networking hardware companies with 1,600 employees but reports consistently growing revenues and a global presence.

Readiness for scale:
Datto relies on the cloud and easy-to-deploy hardware appliances to scale your network landscape.

Next-gen innovations:
Datto offers protection from ransomware and strengthens your multi-layered defense for complex cloud environments.

Customer support services:
Datto offers Datto Academy and free unlimited support for MSP customers.

Partner network:
Datto has a large-scale partner program, which has resulted in relationships with Veeam, HPE, Cisco, and several others.

USP: Datto offers solutions for a wide variety of network requirements. It also allows you to deploy all-in-one appliances like SIRIS and ALTO without any hassle. This makes Datto among the most versatile networking hardware solutions.

Pricing: Pricing for Datto SIRIS 4: Smarter Enterprise Protection starts at $1,288.

Editorial comments: Datto helps enterprises reinforce their existing network environments and investments through cutting-edge network security and backup hardware. However, you can incur high costs if Datto’s hardware is connected to the cloud. The user training and documentation are two other offerings that can be improved.

5. Extreme Networks

Company overview: Founded in 1996, Extreme Networks manufactures wired and wireless network hardware components. It is traded on the NASDAQ and has offices in key regions, including the U.S. and the U.K.

Performance on key assessment parameters:

Market entrenchment:
The company employs over 2,500 people. It is the first network vendor to provide Bluetooth

intrusion prevention

and Wi-Fi security in a single system.

Readiness for scale:
Extreme helps companies transform into an “infinite enterprise” through highly scalable infrastructure components and network applications.

Next-gen innovations:
It provides sophisticated cloud and analytics solutions to optimize network deployments.

Customer support services:
Customers can gain from the Extreme Academy and a feature-rich support portal, along with a repository of learning resources.

Partner network:
Extreme has a global ecosystem of partners specializing in analytics, IoT, communications, cloud, data center, security, and ITOps.

USP: Extreme’s observability and orchestration products work with any network hardware you choose, even if they are from a third party. This reduces the risk of vendor lock-in.

Pricing: Extreme Networks’ routers start at $2,995.

Editorial comments: Extreme Networks’ solutions are powered by ML and are ideal for modern network landscapes. But customers have reported the occasional downtime, making it unsuitable for mission-critical traffic pathways.

6. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

Company overview: Founded in 2015, HPE continues the rich legacy of the original HP which was founded back in 1939. HPE offers networking solutions for wired, wireless, and data center environments.

Performance on key assessment parameters:

Market entrenchment:
Hewlett Packard was among the first pioneers in computing technology and network connectivity and now employs over 59,000 people as HPE.

Readiness for scale:
It helps businesses scale using advanced infrastructure, edge, cloud, and AiOps solutions for network management.

Next-gen innovations:
It is designed to power edge-to-cloud connectivity, with robust support for IoT, AI,

containerization

, hyper-converged infrastructure, and hybrid workplaces.

Customer support services:
Customers can obtain support through HPE’s online support portal and training center, including product return and recycling services.

Partner network:
The company provides integration partnerships via the Ezmeral Marketplace, apart from a global partner ecosystem.

USP: HPE combines networking hardware products like servers, switches, adapters, and storage infrastructure with a comprehensive platform solution. This makes it easy to deploy and maintain.

Pricing: Pricing for HPE Aruba (the company’s networking subsidiary) starts at $79.99 for a basic access point.

Editorial comments: HPE has made significant strides in AI and ML-based infrastructure management, enabling next-gen network governance. However, command-line controls are limited to only the top-tier products, and solutions are not always intuitive.

7. Juniper Networks

Company overview: Founded in 1996, Juniper Networks provides networking hardware equipment like routers, switches, and security appliances. The company has an impressive software offerings portfolio.

Performance on key assessment parameters:

Market entrenchment:
Juniper Networks is consistently recognized as a market leader and has 9,600+ employees and multiple offices worldwide.

Readiness for scale:
It can support enterprise growth through software-defined solutions and unique client-to-cloud architecture.

Next-gen innovations:
The company has developed several innovative products like intent-based networking,

secure access service edge (SASE)

, IoT, and automation.

Customer support services:
It has an easy-to-use downloads hub, documentation portal, and self-service toolkit, in addition to live support and training.

Partner network:
Juniper has several strategic, technology, and solution-specific alliances with technology majors like StackPath, Carbon Black, and IBM.

USP: Juniper Networks is equipped to simplify your full stack of IT networking requirements. It is suitable for companies of every size, even very large or mid-sized businesses.

Pricing: Pricing for hardware components starts at around $2,300.

Editorial comments: Juniper’s reliable network infrastructure and cloud solution make it ideal for digital and ecommerce services companies. However, customers have noted significant issues with the quality of firmware and documentation.

See More: Wide Area Network (WAN) vs. Local Area Network (LAN): Key Differences and Similarities

8. Netgear

Company overview: Netgear is a networking hardware company that caters to individual consumers, small to mid-sized businesses, large enterprises, and CSPs. Founded in 1996, the company owes its growth to its recent foray into cloud-based solutions.

Performance on key assessment parameters:

Market entrenchment:
Netgear is well-known for its retail and commercial solutions and employs over 1,000 people worldwide.

Readiness for scale:
It aids in scalability through cost-effective, robust solutions with the option of cloud-based management.

Next-gen innovations:
The company provides cutting-edge solutions like Mesh Wi-Fi and analytics-driven observability, with its podcasts on the latest innovations in this space.

Customer support services:
In addition to its support portal and training services, Netgear offers premium NETGEAR ProSupport offering maximum uptime.

Partner network:
Companies like Avaya, Bitdefender, Citrix, Intel, and Microsoft are part of Netgear’s partner ecosystem.

USP: Netgear is among the few enterprise networking hardware companies suitable for small-scale deployments. This also includes packaged offerings for home offices, a top use case in the remote and hybrid working era.

Pricing: Pricing for Netgear routers and modems starts at $55.99.

Editorial comments: Netgear’s access points, storage devices, switches, and other hardware are field-tested in SMB and mid-sized enterprise scenarios, providing you with excellent analytics visibility. However, the setup process can be complex, and the solutions aren’t suitable for large enterprise environments.

9. Nokia Networks

Company overview: Nokia Networks is a networking, telecommunication, and data center hardware company established in 2009. It results from a joint venture between Nokia’s network business and Siemens, carrying forward the two companies’ rich legacy.

Performance on key assessment parameters:

Market entrenchment:
It employs 150,000 people worldwide and has rapidly grown by acquiring leading companies like Alcatel Lucent.

Readiness for scale:
It can support massive deployments through products like Nokia AirScale, a 5G radio and baseband solution.

Next-gen innovations:
Nokia Networks is at the forefront of industry innovation, with its proprietary solutions for

cloud-native

network management, optical networks, advanced analytics, and mobile transport.

Customer support services:
It has an extensive library of developer resources and APIs, in addition to the business support portal.

Partner network:
The company’s partners include Accenture, EY, IBM, Salesforce, and several others.

USP: Nokia Networks is known for its Industry 4.0 connectivity solutions, purpose-built for smart cities, connected enterprises, and smart supply chains. This makes it ideal for use by governments and in smart factories.

Pricing: Pricing for Nokia Networks solutions is undisclosed.

Editorial comments: Nokia is more than another enterprise networking hardware company – it provides an end-to-end solution for even the most futuristic connectivity use cases. However, the pricing varies significantly across use cases and deployments and may not be sufficiently predictable.

10. Ubiquiti

Company overview: Ubiquiti offers a unified IT operating system to simplify network management. Along with hardware solutions, it provides multisite network governance tools.

Performance on key assessment parameters:

Market entrenchment:
Ubiquiti has stores and distributors around the world and employs around 1,000 employees.

Readiness for scale:
The company’s network equipment, phone systems, and on-site security solutions can be deployed and managed across multiple locations through cloud-based controls.

Next-gen innovations:
Ubiquiti specializes in sophisticated network management apps that work with routers, switches, and modems.

Customer support services:
Ubiquiti offers a simple online support portal, a help center, and a global community of customers.

Partner network:
Ubiquiti has a network of partners and resellers spread across Europe, Asia, the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and nearly every other region.

USP: Ubiquiti’s network solutions have a simple, minimalist, yet feature-rich user interface (UI). This lets you manage network deployments of every size with ease.

Pricing: Pricing for a simple access point starts at $99.

Editorial comments: Companies that need to combine their network environments with onsite hardware like security cameras and door accessories can rely on Ubiquiti for a comprehensive solution. However, provisioning access points is complex, and some of the more low-cost devices have a short shelf life.

See More: What Is Software-Defined Networking (SDN)? Definition, Architecture, and Applications

Product Comparison: Top Enterprise Networking Hardware Companies in 2022

Let’s compare the above companies based on their offerings.

Company overview
USP
Pricing
Arista Networks

Arista Networks specializes in networking hardware and SDN.

It is purpose-built for cloud-based enterprises and complex data center environments, making them future-proof.

Pricing for Arista EOS (Extensible Operating System) starts at $495/month.

Broadcom

It is a semiconductor company with solutions for key networking use cases.

It delivers holistic network solutions that span hardware, software, and security components.

Pricing for Broadcom’s Mainframe Resource Intelligence offering starts at $5,000.

Cisco

It is among the world’s largest networking hardware vendors and provides unified communications solutions as well.

Its recent acquisitions also introduce customer experience and collaboration capabilities, combining networking capabilities with unified communications.

Cisco’s Prime Network Control System Hardware Appliance is priced at $14,995, and other solutions may be priced differently.

Datto

It is a networking hardware security and backup company catering to MSPs.

Its solutions address a wide variety of network requirements, making Datto one of the most versatile networking hardware solutions.

Pricing for Datto SIRIS 4: Smarter Enterprise Protection starts at $1,288.

Extreme Networks

Extreme Networks offers wired and wireless network hardware.

It works with any network hardware you choose, even from a third party, which reduces the risk of vendor lock-in.

Extreme Networks’ routers start at $2,995.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

It continues the legacy of the original HP (founded in 1939) and offers wired, wireless, and data center products.

It combines networking hardware with a comprehensive platform that is easy to deploy and maintain.

Pricing for HPE Aruba (the company’s networking subsidiary) starts at $79.99 for a basic access point.

Juniper Networks

Juniper Networks has an extensive portfolio of network hardware and software products.

It simplifies your full stack of IT networking requirements, suitable for companies of every size.

Pricing for hardware components starts at around $2,300.

Netgear

Netgear is a networking hardware company that caters to consumers, small businesses, and enterprises.

It is among the few enterprise networking hardware companies suitable for small-scale deployments, including packaged offerings for home offices.

Pricing for Netgear routers and modems starts at $55.99.

Nokia Networks

Nokia Networks is a networking, telecommunication, and data center hardware company established in 2009.

It is known for its Industry 4.0 connectivity solutions, which are purpose-built for smart cities, connected enterprises, and smart supply chains.

Pricing for Nokia Networks solutions is undisclosed.

Ubiquiti

Ubiquiti provides networking hardware solutions and multisite administration tools.

It has a simple, minimalist, yet feature-rich user interface (UI) that lets you manage network deployments of every size with ease.

Pricing for a simple access point starts at $99.

Key takeaway

Among all the enterprises we surveyed this yearOpens a new window , most IT investments will be allocated to hardware purchases. Networking technology is among the top five investment priorities as per our Spiceworks Ziff Davis survey in 2021. This means that the networking hardware market will continue to gain momentum despite being a mature industry.

The companies we discussed in this article are among the world’s leaders in networking hardware. They offer a variety of solutions tailored to discrete enterprise use cases, and combine best-in-class hardware equipment with proprietary innovations to futureproof your enterprise.

Are you looking to refurbish your network equipment in 2022? Tell us on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We would love to hear from you!

MORE ON ENTERPRISE NETWORKS