New, refurbished, used or counterfeit network equipment: What will you buy?

Even before it ships, a replacement network switch is either a smart buy or a waste of money. Be certain about what you are getting before you buy.

You clearly do not want counterfeit, and while you might not spot a fake until it arrives, there are signs to look for before and on receipt. New, OEM-remanufactured, refurbished, and used equipment can all be good options, especially when budget matters, but the seller and channel decide what warranty, support, and accountability come with the purchase.

The equipment

Understanding the difference matters because it tells you what you are getting in terms of quality and warranty.

• New. Genuine OEM hardware that has not been deployed or used. When bought through the manufacturer or an authorized reseller, it usually comes with the full manufacturer’s warranty and eligibility for support.
• OEM-remanufactured. Used equipment remanufactured and certified by the original manufacturer, such as Cisco Refresh, and sold with OEM backing.
• Refurbished. Used hardware that has been inspected, tested, cleaned, configuration-reset, and repaired where needed before resale by a third party. “Refurbished” is not a regulated term, so it is worth only as much as the process behind it. The difference between genuine refurbished and simply “used” is a documented testing protocol. A seller should be able to provide details of its testing, cleaning, and refurbishment process, and confirm what checks apply to the unit or grade being sold. It is often sold as “Grade A” refurbished, a designation that is also unregulated, so the seller should be able to confirm exactly what its grades mean, and what testing and warranty come with them.
• Used (tested). Previously deployed hardware that has been powered on and confirmed functional, but not cleaned, repaired, or restored to a standard. Often sold as a “working pull.” Better assurance than as-is, significantly short of full refurbishment.
• Used (as-is). Genuine OEM hardware that was previously deployed and is now resold with no standardized testing or repair. Usually sold as-is.
• Counterfeit. Buyer beware! Counterfeit “equipment” comes in many forms. It may be fake hardware, or it may be genuine used hardware that has been reboxed, relabeled, altered, or misrepresented as new. Labels, packaging, serial numbers, software identifiers, components, or documentation may be fabricated, altered, or mismatched to imitate the manufacturer’s product. You may not receive the item, condition, origin, or support entitlement you thought you were buying. It is illegal and can carry safety and security risks. Spot it by serial numbers that fail OEM verification, operating-system-reported serials that do not match the physical label, mismatched packaging or labels, poor finish, and prices too low to be plausible.

The sellers

The same equipment can reach you through different kinds of seller, and the channel they operate in largely decides what warranty, support, and licensing come with it.

• Authorized channel. The OEM and its authorized resellers and distributors. This is the normal OEM route for new equipment, along with the OEM’s own refurbished product, such as Cisco Refresh, which is remanufactured by Cisco and carries the same warranty and service support options as the equivalent new product.
• Secondary market. The resale channel for genuine equipment after its first life. It is where used and refurbished gear is sold, by brokers, dealers, refurbishers, and IT asset disposition (ITAD) firms. Established dealers may belong to UNEDA, the industry trade body. Warranty and support usually come from the dealer rather than the OEM.
• Gray market. Genuine, usually new OEM equipment sold outside the manufacturer’s intended regional channel. It often exists because regional pricing, discount structures, and resale restrictions create room to buy in one market and resell in another. The hardware is real. The issue is that warranty, support, and licensing may not attach to the buyer. Check for entitlement.

Counterfeits can surface when supplier controls fail or when a seller passes off fake, altered, reboxed, or relabeled equipment as genuine new equipment. The risk is highest with undocumented sellers and unsupervised marketplaces, but counterfeit gear has reached controlled procurement environments too, such as hospitals, government agencies, and military systems. Verification matters more than the channel’s label.

Purchasing equipment

You can only test equipment after receipt; however, there are steps you can take before purchase to ensure you receive new or high-quality refurbished and used equipment. Before you buy, check for:

• Reachable support. A real, staffed phone line you can call, with local numbers for your region where available, and a US number if you are buying in the US, not just a web form or an overseas relay. Test it before you order.
• Serial numbers on request. A reputable seller provides serial numbers before purchase so you can verify them with the OEM. A refusal is a red flag.
• Written warranty and returns. Clear terms covering warranty length, advance replacement, the RMA process, and a stated return window.
• A documented testing process. A specific protocol the seller can describe, not generic “fully tested” wording.
• Trading history. An established physical address, years in business, and customer references you can check.
• Industry membership. UNEDA membership signals a commitment to a code of ethics, though it is not a substitute for your own checks.

Refurbished and used equipment often has much lower prices than new equipment, which can be a real advantage for businesses on a strict budget. A little due diligence on the seller goes a long way toward ensuring you get what you need for your network upgrade.

Sources

• UNEDA (United Network Equipment Dealers Association)
• UNEDA membership requirements and code of ethics
• Cisco Refresh FAQ (remanufactured by Cisco, same warranty as new, -RF part numbers)
• Cisco Brand Protection (Cisco’s stated warranty and support position on unauthorized-channel purchases; OEM framing)
• Cisco anti-counterfeit and product integrity (counterfeit illegality, safety and security risk)
• U.S. Department of Justice, United States v. Onur Aksoy / Pro Network Entities (counterfeit Cisco gear reaching hospitals, schools, government, and military systems)
• Cisco serial number and coverage check tool

About NetworkTigers

NetworkTigers is the leader in the secondary market for Grade A, seller-refurbished networking equipment. Founded in January 1996 as Andover Consulting Group, the company originally built and re-architected data centers for Fortune 500 firms. Today, NetworkTigers provides consulting and network equipment to global government agencies, Fortune 2000 companies, and healthcare companies. Visit www.networktigers.com