Cisco Systems is one of the top brands in the Network Equipment world, and rightfully so, their products are top of the line. Unfortunately, high demand for their products and steep prices have made Cisco the perfect target for counterfeiters. Counterfeit Cisco Hardware, known in the tech community as “Chisco” is generally manufactured in China and has become a major problem.
The Issue of Chisco Counterfeit Gear is not just a problem for Cisco Systems. Resellers on the Secondary Market, like Data Networks International, and unsuspecting buyers are also effected. A customer that unknowingly purchases a piece of fake Cisco equipment, will have major issues when the cheaply made unit breaks down. After dealing with the misfortune of buying fake Cisco Equipment, most customers tend to avoid purchasing from sources other than Cisco, which in turn affects the Reputable Cisco Resellers who deal in the Secondary Cisco Market.
The FBI is perpetually trying to crack down on the manufacturers and distributers of Fake Cisco Gear, however, new counterfeit equipment is being produced every day, making it impossible to catch them all. While there is not sure fire way to completely eliminate Chisco products from the Network Equipment Market, there are ways to avoid purchasing them.
Avoid Buying Directly from China : This one is a given. The majority of counterfeit Cisco units are manufactured in China, hence the nickname “Chisco”. Therefore, if you decide to purchase something directly from China, and you do not have an established relationship with the seller, you are much more likely to be purchasing fake equipment.
Ask for Serial Numbers and Pictures: : Any Reputable Cisco Dealer will be more than happy to provide you with pictures and serial numbers for units that you are potentially looking to purchase. Pictures of the units, especially if they are detailed will allow you to visually inspect for indicators that the unit is counterfeit. If you are still unsure, or you do not have pictures, you can check the serial number with Cisco to make sure that the product is legitimate and registered to them.
Avoid Prices that Are Insanely Low :It is important to trust your instincts. If a deal seams way too good to be true, is probably is. There is no possible way that you can buy a $2800 Cisco Switch for $300 unless it is damaged beyond repair or a complete and total knock off. Both of which you most certainly do not want. Do some research on the cost of the Switch, Router, or Firewall that you are looking to purchase, so that you know ahead of time what a reasonable price would be.
Check the Sellers Feedback : Although I do not recommend purchasing solely through Ebay, sometimes it is the only way to 
get what you are looking for. If you decide to purchase any Networking Equipment through Ebay, check the feedback for the seller you are looking to buy from. It is important to not only look at their rating number, but to also go through their profile and actually read their Feedback. This will help you to determine if the seller is legitimate or not.
Buy From a Reputable Cisco Reseller : One sure fire way to prevent yourself from purchasing Counterfeit Hardware is to buy directly from a Reputable Reseller. Most Resellers on the Secondary Market uphold the highest standards when it comes to the equipment that they sell. Meaning, most Network Equipment Resellers purchase their equipment from legitimate sources and put all of their equipment through extensive testing to ensure that everything they sell is 100 percent Genuine.
