Detecting Counterfeit Cisco Equipment

Why is Cisco equipment counterfeited? Because, according to an <a href="http://www.donkeyonawaffle.org/OMB%20briefing%202008%2001%2011%20a.ppt" target="_blank">FBI presentation</a>, Cisco has market share.

Mike Fratto, Former Network Computing Editor

August 14, 2008

1 Min Read
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Why is Cisco equipment counterfeited? Because, according to an FBI presentation, Cisco has market share.Who doesn't like to save money on equipment costs? There are legitimate used equipment retailers, something that Andrew Conry-Murray wrote about in "Used Tech Gear: Notes From The Underground" (registration required).

There also are some handy guides, like those from Andover Consulting or Coast Networking, to aid in detecting counterfeit Cisco equipment.

How do you, as IT buyers, ensure that used equipment from any vendor is authentic?

About the Author

Mike Fratto

Former Network Computing Editor

Mike Fratto is a principal analyst at Current Analysis, covering the Enterprise Networking and Data Center Technology markets. Prior to that, Mike was with UBM Tech for 15 years, and served as editor of Network Computing. He was also lead analyst for InformationWeek Analytics and executive editor for Secure Enterprise. He has spoken at several conferences including Interop, MISTI, the Internet Security Conference, as well as to local groups. He served as the chair for Interop's datacenter and storage tracks. He also teaches a network security graduate course at Syracuse University. Prior to Network Computing, Mike was an independent consultant.

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