Cisco Catalyst Center Reviews

Name: Cisco Catalyst Center
Brand: Cisco
Rating: 4.3 (10 reviews)

Vendor: Cisco

4.3 out of 5

10 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 8.6 out of 10. Cisco Catalyst Center is most commonly compared to Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN: Cisco Catalyst Center vs Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a government, accounting for 18% of all views.

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Network Management Applications

February 2025

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Featured Cisco Catalyst Center reviews

Ahmad Attal

Cyber Security Architect at Spie Ics

My customers often complain about numerous software bugs requiring frequent software patches and updates to resolve these issues. Furthermore, the complexity of the solution can be challenging for some customers as they often require extensive training to fully understand and utilize the product. They have concerns about the high number of software bugs and the need for regular updates to address these bugs.

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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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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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Valuable Features

Cisco Catalyst Center is valued for its robust Wireless Assurance, effective management of SD Access, and strong integration with third-party software. Users appreciate its reliable architecture, easy deployment, and comprehensive documentation. It supports efficient management with features like VXLAN, Cisco Express Forwarding, and VLANs. The community knowledge base is extensive, enabling self-reliance. Its analytics and threat intelligence, including Talos Intelligence, provide valuable insights. Its hardware is strong, offering confidence in usage.

"Cisco Catalyst Center was flexible in terms of scalability, offering advanced security features and reliable performance."
"Cisco Catalyst switches are reliable and stable."
"I find Cisco Catalyst Center to be a great solution because their hardware is strong, and the platform is reliable."

Room for Improvement

Cisco Catalyst Center struggles with non-Cisco device management, high costs, and complexity. Users find its setup complex, hindered by numerous software issues. The interface could be faster, and the data retention period should extend beyond seven days. Documentation needs clarity, and licensing is costly. Integration with third-party products is challenging due to proprietary protocols. Improvements in segmentation, deployment process, and GUI would enhance its suitability for environments with multiple vendors.

"Some features in terms of security should be there, especially in threat detection. Cisco Catalyst Center lacked intelligence in this area and required reliance on third-party appliances like firewalls or threat protection devices."
"There is room for improvement in introducing auto-heal AI capabilities. In the current setup, incidents are always reactionary, and it would be beneficial if Cisco Catalyst Center could proactively handle issues such as bandwidth crunches and packet drops."
"Some documentation or use cases are not clear enough."

Pricing

Enterprise users express that Cisco Catalyst Center pricing is higher compared to other OEMs, though it offers value for money and reflects quality hardware and service. Discounts depend on deals and switch quantities. Some find the setup costly, yet many consider Cisco's pricing average, aligning it with industry standards and justifying the expense due to its robust features and reputation, likened to the iPhone of networking.

Popular Use Cases

Cisco Catalyst Center is primarily used for managing Cisco product visibility and network operations. It facilitates device onboarding, hierarchical structure definition, and telemetry data gathering for a comprehensive view. It supports reporting, monitoring, and provisioning for both wired and wireless devices. Utilized in enterprise networks, educational institutions, and various sectors, it simplifies administration for IT-limited teams and supports complex architectures. It also manages fabric SD Access and tracks user connectivity histories.

Service and Support

Cisco Catalyst Center's customer service and support are highly regarded for efficiency and dedication. Users report exceptional support experiences, praising Cisco's ability to handle issues promptly, even during overnight situations. The platform is user-friendly, facilitating network management. Support ratings frequently reach eight out of ten, with responses often escalating to higher-level teams when necessary. The operations or NOC teams utilize the platform daily to ensure smooth network functionality with consistent access to DNA Center data.

Deployment

Cisco Catalyst Center's initial setup is manageable yet requires understanding components like LISP and segmentation. Complexities may arise, but automation simplifies tasks. If prerequisites are met, adding devices to the network is quick, taking one to two hours. Setup varies with switch size; more personnel might be needed for chassis-based configurations. While some find it a bit challenging, once configured, it is user-friendly. Users often find the process straightforward and not overly difficult.

Scalability

Cisco Catalyst Center is highly scalable with various form factors to accommodate different organizational needs. It offers significant environment control for large entities and remains suitable for medium and some small businesses. Its architecture allows features like switch stacking, ensuring robustness. While the spanning tree architecture may present some limitations, it continues as an industry standard. Users rate its scalability positively, giving it scores of eight and ten out of ten.

Stability

Cisco Catalyst Center is praised for its network stability, particularly in switching, DNA Center, and wireless. While some users report issues in security and software bugs, most find it reliable with minimal major problems. Long-term users mention stability with units operating seamlessly for years. Some rate its stability between five to eight out of ten, indicating varied experiences. Glitches noted over a decade ago appear resolved, suggesting improvements in recent stability.

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

Download our Network Management Applications Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Government

18%

Manufacturing Company

16%

Energy/Utilities Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Healthcare Company

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Educational Organization

Non Profit

Outsourcing Company

Computer Software Company

Construction Company

Transportation Company

Photography Company

Insurance Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Logistics Company

Hospitality 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.