Cisco DNA Center Reviews

Name: Cisco DNA Center
Brand: Cisco
Rating: 4.0 (41 reviews)

Vendor: Cisco

4.0 out of 5

41 reviews
89% willing to recommend

494 followers

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What is Cisco DNA Center?

Cisco DNA Center offers a comprehensive platform for network automation and management, providing detailed analytics, enhanced security, and streamlined operations for both wired and wireless networks.

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Cisco DNA Center is the #1 ranked solution in top Network Management Applications, #2 ranked solution in top Network Automation solutions, and #13 ranked solution in best Network Monitoring Tools. PeerSpot users give Cisco DNA Center an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. Cisco DNA Center is most commonly compared to NetScaler: Cisco DNA Center vs NetScaler. Cisco DNA Center is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 69% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 17% of all views.

Helped 842,388 peers since 2012

Featured Cisco DNA Center reviews

AvrahamSonenthal

Senior Network Engineer at Inside Global

The platform's biggest benefit has been in managing our wireless network. Having a single pane of glass to control all wireless controllers and access points and to monitor activity has been a significant advantage. We're a small federal agency with around 300 network devices, so automation is a minor focus. It's more relevant for larger networks. The main benefits we've seen are in inventory management and the potential for configuration automation. However, I recommend using the DNA Centre only for larger networks with over a thousand devices; otherwise, it may not be cost-effective. Before proceeding, ensure that your devices are compatible with DNA Center, as not all Cisco devices are supported. Also, investing in proper training is different from plug-and-play. I rate it an eight.

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Bharath _Kumar

Solution Architect at Velocis Systems

Similar to the options like XL and XXL that one gets when it comes to clothing sizes to choose from, Cisco DNA Center offers a few options to its users. Based on your network nodes, be it the number of wireless access points or wired endpoints, the tool is scalable, and that is not a problem. The scalability has no limits. If you have increased the scalability limit, you can have one more cluster of Cisco DNA Center, which can be deployed, after which those branches can be there. One need not worry about the scalability process. People also have an AWS option. My company works with government companies, enterprise-sized businesses, and SMBs. When it comes to SMBs, my company does not prefer to offer Cisco DNA Center. Instead, my company offers SMBs Cisco Meraki.

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SinaGhozati

Network Solutions Architect at SPIE ICS

I rate the initial setup phase of the product a five on a scale of one to ten, where one is difficult and ten is easy. The initial configuration is not a problem, but working with Cisco DNA Center is hard, so there is a learning curve for all the clients. It is really complex to speak on how Cisco DNA Center can be improved, but there are products equivalent to Cisco in the market, like Aruba Central, which is way easier to work with, including the dashboard and everything. Cisco offers a wide range of features in their management tool, making it hard for the client to work on it. It is hard to wrap your head around all the functionalities provided by Cisco, and you have to learn about the solution to get a hang of it. The solution is deployed on an on-premises model. The deployment time taken for the solution depends on the requirements of the company's clients. The time taken for deployment may range from a day to two weeks. For Cisco DNA Center's deployment, there is a need for a server and an OVA file. There is also a process for configuring Cisco DNA Center by itself, and then there is another process for adding all your devices. At the end of the deployment phase, we get templates to push into the configuration part.

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Cisco DNA Center mindshare

Product category:

As of March 2025, the mindshare of Cisco DNA Center in the Network Management Applications category stands at 27.4%, down from 28.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Management Applications

PeerAnalyst reports based on Cisco DNA Center reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Network Management Applications	Mar 26, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Mar 26, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco DNA Center vs Aruba Airwave	Mar 26, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco DNA Center vs Fortinet FortiManager	Mar 26, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco DNA Center vs NetScaler	Mar 26, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
NetScaler	4.2	1.4%	91%	107 interviews Add to research
Fortinet FortiManager	4.0	5.1%	94%	64 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Cisco DNA Center offers valuable features including advanced analytics and enhanced security with ISE integration. Centralized management with user-defined policies, ease of configuration, and automation streamline operations. Monitoring with AI aids in troubleshooting, while network automation ensures seamless device integration. User-friendly dashboards provide network-wide visibility. It's ideal for centralized, scalable management, supporting multiple configurations and segmentations. LAN automation enhances deployment. Security, application assurance, and comprehensive analytics boost network performance and reliability.

"The monitoring is very valuable to me."
"Automation helps configure devices without manual intervention, enabling zero-touch provisioning."
"The product's most valuable feature is the visual representation of the switch's front panel."

Room for Improvement

Cisco DNA Center needs better compatibility with third-party vendors and other Cisco products. The integration with Meraki should improve, and IPV6 support is lacking. Users find the pricing high and the setup complex. Enhancements are required in reporting, dashboard design, and task failure details. Security features need improvement, and the upgrade process should be streamlined. Users experience issues with latency in data correlation and require more user-friendly functionality. Integration with analytic tools is limited.

"The cost is very high."
"One area that needs improvement is the upgrade process."
"The solution's setup process needs enhancement."

Pricing

Cisco DNA Center's pricing is consistently viewed as high, often exceeding budget expectations, particularly for SMB and mid-market sectors. Licensing is complex, with costs varying based on deployment and options like basic or advanced licenses. Some users benefit from promotions, but overall affordability remains a challenge. Long-term contracts like three to five years are common, and recurring fees, along with CAPEX and OPEX considerations, highlight the need for cost-effective cloud-based solutions to appeal to smaller enterprises.

"I would rate the pricing a six out of ten, with ten being expensive."
"The tool's licensing may not come across as something that may be friendly for users."
"The tool is medium-priced."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Cisco DNA Center for network management, automation, and segmentation. They deploy it for centralized device configuration, visibility, and assurance. It aids in real-time data monitoring, policy setting, and zero-touch provisioning. Educational institutions utilize it for visitor management, while various entities employ it for efficient network operations, integrating Cisco technologies. It supports location tracking, configuration, monitoring, and addressing compliance with security protocols across numerous campuses and branch networks.

Service and Support

Cisco DNA Center customer service and support is generally regarded as helpful, excellent, and responsive by many. Users highlight positive experiences, though some mention delays in issue resolution and inconsistent support quality. While technical support is considered solid by most, some find it less effective, with room for improvement in response time and agent expertise. Many appreciate proactive guidance and find the support team knowledgeable, though a few express dissatisfaction with complex issues and compliance concerns.

Deployment

Cisco DNA Center's initial setup ranges from straightforward to complex depending on network requirements and expertise. While some find it easy with basic networks and proper guidance, others face challenges with advanced configurations and integration with third-party devices. Deployment can take from a few days to a couple of months, influenced by network size and preparatory work. Training and understanding Cisco terminology are crucial for smoother implementation and optimization.

Scalability

Cisco DNA Center is highly scalable, efficiently managing expanding network requirements. It accommodates diverse network sizes, from a few nodes to large distributed systems. While scalability depends on licensing, expansion can involve purchasing additional licenses. It integrates well within Cisco environments but lacks multi-vendor support. Organizations experiencing latency issues rate scalability lower. It's utilized by enterprises, medium-sized businesses, and institutions with varying user bases, showcasing adaptability and flexibility across different infrastructure demands.

Stability

Many users praise Cisco DNA Center for its high stability, noting its consistent performance without crashes. Some have encountered minor stability challenges, especially with logs and database management, suggesting patience during operation. Ratings often range from eight to nine out of ten, although a few have given lower scores due to specific issues that required updates or rebooting. Despite some bugs, users find the platform reliable and easy to handle compared to other software.

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

Download our Cisco DNA Center Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

University

Healthcare Company

Educational Organization

Energy/Utilities Company

Retailer

Insurance Company

Construction Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Comms Service Provider

Non Profit

Transportation Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Engineering Company

Hospitality Company

Media Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Legal Firm

Performing Arts

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Outsourcing Company

Consumer Goods Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Logistics Company

Compare Cisco DNA Center with alternative products

Learn more about Cisco DNA Center

Cisco DNA Center integrates with Cisco infrastructure to deliver efficient network automation and management, helping organizations improve network visibility, security, and control. It supports AI-driven analytics and automated workflows to enhance operational efficiency and reduce errors. Challenges include compatibility with third-party systems, steep learning curve, and complex deployment. Its interface facilitates centralized control, vital for troubleshooting, policy management, and configuration management, with support for zero-touch provisioning and SD-Access.

What are the key features of Cisco DNA Center?

Robust Analytics: Provides detailed insights into network health with AI-driven analytics.
Centralized Security: Integrates with ISE for comprehensive security management.
Automated Device Management: Simplifies device provisioning and configuration transfers.
Wi-Fi Analytics: Offers deep insights into wireless network performance.
Zero-Touch Provisioning: Streamlines new device deployments with minimal human intervention.
Scalable Segmentation: Efficiently segments network traffic ensuring security and performance.

What benefits should users consider?

Operational Efficiency: Automation reduces potential errors and streamlines workflow.
Enhanced Security: Integration with Cisco ISE bolsters security capabilities.
Network Visibility: Comprehensive dashboards and analysis tools enhance monitoring.
Troubleshooting: Real-time monitoring aids in identifying and resolving issues swiftly.

In sectors such as healthcare, finance, and retail, Cisco DNA Center is utilized for its ability to enhance security and compliance, manage large-scale networks, and provide detailed analytics for better operational decision-making. Its support for location tracking and policy automation ensures efficient network management across diverse environments.

Cisco DNA Center was previously known as DNA Center.