Cisco Catalyst Center Reviews

Name: Cisco Catalyst Center
Brand: Cisco
Rating: 4.4 (5 reviews)

Vendor: Cisco

4.4 out of 5

5 reviews
100% willing to recommend

What is Cisco Catalyst Center?

Cisco Catalyst Center offers a comprehensive platform for network management, providing scalable solutions and advanced analytics for enterprise-level operations.

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Cisco Catalyst Center is the #7 ranked solution in top Network Management Applications. PeerSpot users give Cisco Catalyst Center an average rating of 8.8 out of 10. Cisco Catalyst Center is most commonly compared to Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN: Cisco Catalyst Center vs Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN.

Buyer's Guide

Network Management Applications

February 2025

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Featured reviews

Daniel Garcia Montes

Consultant at TECVA

I can work with the typical configuration involving VLANs and authentication with RADIUS. I can utilize the most popular features in Catalyst. Prox platform is a universal platform. There is a lot of documentation for the platform, which is an advantage. The best feature is its availability, easy deployment, and the good support for the solution.

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Bharath _Kumar

Solution Architect at Velocis Systems

Most customers have heterogeneous environments. The main drawback of Cisco Catalyst Center is that it can only manage and monitor Cisco devices with a DNA license, specifically the Catalyst 9000 series. Customers often have mixed vendor environments, and platforms like Xtream offer vendor-agnostic solutions. While Cisco's DNA Center does have third-party SDKs that allow monitoring of non-Cisco devices, this approach isn't always practical. Additionally, Kumar mentioned the importance of segmentation, transitioning to SDA, and moving away from traditional VLANs and ACLs towards identity-based segmentation integrated with ISE. Therefore, it's more suitable for customers who primarily use Cisco solutions rather than those with diverse vendor environments.

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reviewer2592675

Consultant at Tata Consultancy

I work primarily for Catalyst, mainly in data center networks Catalyst provides a reliable and mature network solution, which has stabilized all features and improved productivity. The architecture and the way Cisco designs it, VXLAN and Cisco Express Forwarding are some of the features I like.…

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Valuable Features

Cisco Catalyst Center offers valuable features like Wireless Assurance and Cisco Spaces. Its architecture includes VXLAN and Cisco Express Forwarding. Users appreciate VLANs, RADIUS authentication, and broad support with extensive documentation. It stands out for its industry-standard status, easy deployment, and strong user community. The platform's universal nature and accessibility to multiple code examples reduce the need for direct support, ensuring high availability.

"The best feature of Cisco is its industry-standard nature."
"The best feature of Cisco is its industry-standard nature."
"The best feature is its availability, easy deployment, and the good support for the solution."

Room for Improvement

Customers suggest improvements in Cisco Catalyst Center's capability to handle mixed vendor environments, as it mainly supports Cisco devices with a DNA license. They encounter challenges with its complex deployment, integration issues due to proprietary protocols, and varied licensing options. They also note the need for better cohesion between the web-based GUI and command line configuration. Maglev OS is powerful but requires simplification. The platform’s detailed insights are appreciated, though the overall experience could be more seamless.

"The price to get in the door is quite high."
"There should be tighter cohesion between the web-based GUI and the command line configuration."
"Regarding the cons of Catalyst, it is a little more expensive. With other vendors, you have one license for all features. In the case of Catalyst, there are many licensing options."

Pricing

Cisco Catalyst Center is considered expensive compared to other OEMs. Some find it offers value for money despite the high price. Users describe its pricing as average, likening Cisco to the iPhone of the networking industry. Setup costs may be somewhat high.

Popular Use Cases

Cisco Catalyst Center is commonly used for gaining visibility into day zero, day one, and day two operations of Cisco products. Users utilize its plug-and-play functionalities, device onboarding, telemetry data collection, and basic automation. It is employed in managing reporting, monitoring, and provisioning for both wireless and wired devices across enterprise environments and educational institutions. Cisco Catalyst Center is applied to support data center networks, routing platforms, firewalls, access points, wireless controllers, and switching platforms.

Service and Support

Cisco Catalyst Center is accessed regularly for network monitoring and data generation. Significant tasks like configuration changes and template deployment are part of the initial setup, while day-to-day operations are handled by NOC. Cisco is praised for having top-notch support in the industry. The platform is rated highly for ease of use, averaging eight out of ten. Interaction with support rated at seven out of ten indicates user satisfaction with assistance.

Deployment

Cisco Catalyst Center's initial setup involves understanding LISP, fabric creation, and segmentation management, which can be complex. However, basic automation and assurance are straightforward. With prerequisites like IP configuration and port opening met, integration takes one to two hours. A cluster of three Generation 2 DNA Center appliances is used. Setup is easy and can be done in one day, though chassis-based installations may require more personnel.

Scalability

Cisco Catalyst Center offers scalability with different form factors suited for varied organizational needs, accommodating up to 256 devices. It fits both medium enterprises and small companies requiring reporting, troubleshooting, and automation. Spanning tree architecture may pose challenges, but the use of stacking switches and robust features enhance scalability. This makes it highly effective for large enterprises seeking control over their environments. Users rate its scalability highly.

Stability

Cisco Catalyst Center is recognized for its formidable stability in networking operations, with users noting its performance in areas like switching, DNA Center, and wireless. Though some stability concerns in the security domain were mentioned, the frequency of PAC cases remains notably low. Users have observed remarkable dependability, recounting instances of units running without reboots for extended periods, reaching up to two and a half years, illustrating its reliable nature.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

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Learn more about Cisco Catalyst Center

Focusing on efficient network management, Cisco Catalyst Center effectively addresses dynamic enterprise environments, ensuring operational scalability and actionable insights through its robust feature set. It emphasizes seamless management with an intuitive interface tailored for professional use, facilitating enhanced network visibility and control among IT professionals and service providers.

What are the standout features of Cisco Catalyst Center?

Automated Provisioning: Simplifies and speeds up network configuration processes by automating repetitive tasks.
Advanced Analytics: Provides real-time insights and trends for network optimization and security enhancements.
Policy-Based Configuration: Ensures consistent network settings adherence with centralized policy management.
Comprehensive Monitoring: Offers in-depth visibility into network performance, facilitating quick identification of issues.

What benefits should users look for in reviews?

Improved Efficiency: Streamlined operations lead to reduced manual input and increased productivity.
Cost Savings: Automation and analytics reduce operational expenses and enhance ROI.
Enhanced Security: Policy enforcement and monitoring provide robust defense against vulnerabilities.
Scalability: Supports growing network infrastructures and evolving enterprise demands.

Cisco Catalyst Center is widely implemented across industries like finance, healthcare, and education due to its ability to handle complex network requirements. It addresses specific needs by offering tailored solutions designed to enhance operational efficiency and security, catering to professionals managing large-scale IT ecosystems.