Cisco Catalyst Center Reviews

Name: Cisco Catalyst Center
Brand: Cisco
Rating: 4.3 (15 reviews)

Vendor: Cisco

4.3 out of 5

15 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 #5 ranked solution in top Network Management Applications. PeerSpot users give Cisco Catalyst Center an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Cisco Catalyst Center is most commonly compared to Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN: Cisco Catalyst Center vs Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN. Cisco Catalyst Center is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 64% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a government, accounting for 18% of all views.

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Network Management Applications

April 2025

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Featured Cisco Catalyst Center reviews

Ahmad Attal

Cyber Security Architect at Spie Ics

I use Cisco Catalyst Center for network connectivity for customers who either have limited IT staff and need a simple solution to administrate or want to build a complex architecture and platform. It is user-friendly and often used with Wi-Fi solutions The analytics feature is quite good, and the…

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Premnath Jaganathan

Product Manager at Uop Ipl

The most valuable feature of Cisco Catalyst Center ( /products/cisco-catalyst-center-reviews ) is its dual functionality of observability and management. Unlike SolarWinds, which provides only network observability, Cisco Catalyst Center offers both management and monitoring capabilities. This dual functionality is crucial for monitoring large enterprises, providing a robust solution for IT teams.

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Syed Shahnawaz Hussain

Sr. Executive Design Engineering Team at Wateen Telecom (pvt.)

Some of the most common and valuable use cases for the Catalyst switches include network segmentation, VLAN implementation, and access level security integration. There are lots of features in the Catalyst switches, and some of the basic, important features are crucial for deployment. Cisco tech support is one of the best in the industry, which is a strong feature available across their products.

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Valuable Features

Wireless Assurance, Cisco Spaces, VXLAN, Express Forwarding, VLAN configuration, and RADIUS authentication are valued. Users benefit from its strong hardware, robust threat intelligence, and dual functionality for management and monitoring. Analytics, performance, third-party integration, and scalability are key. Centralized management via DNA Center, automation capabilities, and extensive documentation enhance usage. Valuable features include observability, management combination, advanced security features, device stability, network segmentation, and excellent tech support.

"Cisco tech support is one of the best in the industry, which is a strong feature available across their products."
"The most valuable feature of Cisco Catalyst Center is automation."
"Cisco's technical support is excellent."

Room for Improvement

Cisco Catalyst Center needs improvement in managing heterogeneous environments since it primarily supports Cisco with DNA licenses. Enhancements are needed in deployment processes, reducing software bugs, and providing better documentation. Cost-effectiveness and user interface simplicity are also concerns. The platform could benefit from integration improvements, faster GUI, and enhanced security features such as threat detection. Adding auto-heal AI capabilities and extending the data retention period would further enhance its functionality.

"Advanced hardware replacement services have seen a degradation in quality, with delays in replacement parts."
"The initial setup of Cisco Catalyst Center is complex."
"Cisco Catalyst Center could improve its graphical user interface. Currently, it is CLI-based, which makes it challenging for those without Cisco training."

ROI

Cisco Catalyst Center reduces the need for extensive technical resources, simplifying network management and lowering costs. Its easy deployment and good support enhance availability. Users report high initial costs but appreciate the long-lasting hardware. By matching models to customer needs, this platform can improve performance and investment returns. Many observe a positive return, consistently choosing Cisco Catalyst Center due to its ability to meet performance demands, thus supporting operational efficiency.

Pricing

Enterprise respondents reported Cisco Catalyst Center as a higher-priced solution compared to other OEMs, yet justified by its stability and quality. Despite competitive pricing pressures and the perception of high costs, some view Cisco's offerings as providing value due to hardware excellence and potential discounts based on negotiation. Although setup can be costly and pricing varies by market and requirements, many find the return on investment acceptable given the service level and product reliability.

Popular Use Cases

Cisco Catalyst Center is primarily utilized for network management, offering visibility and automation for day zero, day one, and day two operations. It supports functions such as device onboarding, reporting, monitoring, provisioning for both wired and wireless devices, and managing SD Access. It serves educational institutions, enterprises, and environments requiring user-friendly or complex network connectivity solutions. Users leverage it for configuring switches, routers, firewalls, and managing large-scale device deployments.

Service and Support

Customer service and support for Cisco Catalyst Center receive high praise for efficiency and dedication. Users highlight strong industry support, with many experiencing prompt responses and effective problem-solving. Technical support scores range from eight to nine out of ten, with commendations for thoroughness and reliability. Online tech support and advanced hardware replacement have mixed feedback, with occasional delays in part replacements. Nonetheless, Cisco’s support maintains a positive reputation with ongoing customer satisfaction.

Deployment

Setting up Cisco Catalyst Center varies in complexity depending on environment size and user expertise. While basic automation is straightforward, elements like LISP require understanding. With proper prerequisites, device integration takes 1-2 hours. Some find initial processes time-consuming, especially loading iOS software. Documentation clarity is needed for easy adaptation. For some, setup isn't difficult, rating it six out of ten. Others find the architecture's size impacts complexity, needing more resources for chassis-based configurations.

Scalability

Cisco Catalyst Center is rated highly for scalability, ranging between eight to ten on a scale of ten. It offers various form factors suitable for diverse organizational needs, from small to extra-large capacities. The platform is adaptable to businesses of all sizes and flexible in meeting extensive reporting and automation needs. Stacking features are praised for robustness, and the center manages many devices efficiently, supporting different series models.

Stability

Cisco Catalyst Center is recognized for its strong stability in networking, particularly in switching and wireless. Users have noted its reliability with reports of long uptime and minimal power cycling. Although some users acknowledge software bugs and patching requirements, stability ratings often range from eight to nine out of ten. Instances of stability issues are low, and many users find it reassuring for managing critical workloads due to its robustness and security.

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

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Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Government

18%

Manufacturing Company

12%

Healthcare Company

10%

Energy/Utilities Company

Financial Services Firm

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

Computer Software Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Non Profit

Legal Firm

Educational Organization

Outsourcing Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Construction Company

Hospitality Company

Insurance Company

Logistics Company

Performing Arts

Photography Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Transportation Company

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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.