Cisco Catalyst Center Reviews

Name: Cisco Catalyst Center
Brand: Cisco
Rating: 4.4 (4 reviews)

Vendor: Cisco

4.4 out of 5

4 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 #15 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

December 2024

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Featured reviews

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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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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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

"The best feature is its availability, easy deployment, and the good support for the solution."
"There is a lot of documentation for the platform, which is an advantage."
"The architecture and the way Cisco designs it, VXLAN and Cisco Express Forwarding are some of the features I like."

Room for Improvement

Cisco Catalyst Center faces challenges in managing mixed vendor environments since it primarily supports Cisco devices with DNA licenses. Though it offers third-party SDKs for non-Cisco devices, practicality is limited. The deployment process is complex, with uncertainties during setup. While offering impressive insights into network details, improvements could streamline user experience. Integration is hindered by proprietary protocols, and it presents multiple licensing options, which adds costs compared to competitors offering a single license for all features.

"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."
"It is a little more expensive."
"The only limitation is when integrating with other products due to Cisco's proprietary protocols."

Pricing

Enterprise users report Cisco Catalyst Center as relatively expensive compared to other OEMs but note its value for money. It is viewed as the "iPhone of the networking industry" due to its balanced pricing, being neither too costly nor too cheap. The setup costs can be somewhat high, reflecting its premium positioning in the market.

Popular Use Cases

Cisco Catalyst Center is primarily used for visibility into Cisco products, enabling day zero to day two operations. Users benefit from plug-and-play, device onboarding, hierarchy definition, and telemetry collection for a comprehensive overview. It aids in automation and visibility assurance while managing reporting, monitoring, and provisioning for wireless and wired devices. It is employed in data center networks, routing platforms, Catalyst, firewalls, access points, and wireless controllers across enterprise settings and educational institutions.

Deployment

Users find Cisco Catalyst Center's initial setup manageable if prerequisites like IP configuration and port opening are completed. Implementing a software-defined network demands understanding LISP, fabric creation, and segmentation management. Basic automation and assurance are simpler. Device integration should take one to two hours if everything is ready. A second-generation DNA Center appliance cluster is frequently used. Individuals can configure small switch sizes alone, while chassis-based setups may need additional personnel. Completion is achievable in one day.

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.