How to Tell if Your Cisco Product Is Genuine?

Detecting counterfeiting signs is crucial to safeguarding your company’s network from potential hazards and significant financial losses. Counterfeit products can pose serious risks to network quality, performance, safety, and reliability. Unlike authentic Cisco gear, counterfeit items do not meet the same safety standards. Changes in power supply, for example, can threaten safety certifications and endanger equipment, operators, and the entire network.

Cisco products feature three main types of security labels:

1. Carton Security Label: Often found overlapping the edge of the white label on the carton.
2. PCBA Security Label: Present on the printed circuit board assemblies of most line cards and modules, featuring holographic and other security measures.
3. Module Security Label: Found on most optical transceivers and high-speed cable assemblies, showcasing holographic security indications.

To protect your networks, data, people, and organization, follow these best practices when purchasing Cisco products:

1. Examine Security Labels: Use Cisco’s Identity Counterfeit Platform to identify critical security elements on Carton Security, PCBA, and Module Security labels that confirm product authenticity.

• Carton Security Label:
• PCBA Security Label:
• Module Security Label:

1. Verify Software License and Warranty: Ensure the equipment comes with a valid software license and warranty. Cisco devices typically include end-user licenses, allowing the purchaser to use the software, such as Cisco IOS on a router or switch.

FAQ about Buying Cisco Products on Router-Switch

1. How do I know if my Cisco product is genuine? Check the labels using Cisco’s Identity Counterfeit Platform, which identifies key security features on Carton Security, PCBA, and Module Security labels.
2. How can you tell a fake Cisco SFP? Fake SFPs can easily bend and flex. Authentic Cisco solder points are covered by nickel-zinc, while counterfeits may have exposed copper points. The word “Stewart” should be inside the RJ-45 connector on genuine Cisco products, while counterfeits may show “GLG.”

For more information or to order Cisco products, visit Router-switch.com.