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Cisco ACI vs VMware NSX comparison

Cisco and VMware are both solutions in the Network Virtualization category. Cisco is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.5, while VMware is ranked #2 with an average rating of 7.7. Cisco holds a 46.2% mindshare in NV, compared to VMware’s 46.2% mindshare. Additionally, 85% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 88% of VMware users who would recommend it.
Cisco ACI
Read 99 Cisco ACI reviews
  • 3,849 Views
  • 835 Comparison Views
85% willing to recommend
VMware NSX
Read 101 VMware NSX reviews
  • 1,205 Views
  • 819 Comparison Views
88% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 10, 2024

VMware NSX and Cisco ACI compete in the network virtualization and software-defined networking category. VMware NSX seems to have the upper hand in cost-effectiveness and support, while Cisco ACI stands out for its advanced feature set and performance.

Features: VMware NSX offers security capabilities, micro-segmentation, and network virtualization. Cisco ACI provides centralized management, automation features, and integration with Cisco hardware, making its features more robust for complex environments.

Room for Improvement: VMware NSX needs better documentation and simpler configuration processes. Cisco ACI should focus on reducing setup complexity and addressing its steep learning curve. Users find Cisco ACI documentation less problematic compared to VMware NSX.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: VMware NSX is easier to deploy due to straightforward setup and strong customer support. Cisco ACI's deployment is complex, but excellent customer service helps users manage its intricacies. Both products benefit from effective support services that mitigate deployment challenges.

Pricing and ROI: VMware NSX is more cost-effective with lower setup costs, appealing to budget-conscious businesses. Cisco ACI, though more expensive, offers better long-term ROI due to its advanced features and significant network performance improvements.

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To learn more, read our detailed Cisco ACI vs. VMware NSX Report (Updated: November 2024).
Buyer's Guide
Cisco ACI vs. VMware NSX
November 2024
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Categories and Ranking

Cisco ACI
Ranking in Network Virtualization
1st
Ranking in Cloud and Data Center Security
4th
Average Rating
8.0
Number of Reviews
99
Ranking in other categories
Software Defined Networking (SDN) (2nd)
VMware NSX
Ranking in Network Virtualization
2nd
Ranking in Cloud and Data Center Security
1st
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
101
Ranking in other categories
Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) (8th), Network Detection and Response (NDR) (7th), Network Automation (5th), Microsegmentation Software (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2024, in the Network Virtualization category, the mindshare of Cisco ACI is 46.2%, down from 47.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of VMware NSX is 46.2%, up from 45.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Network Virtualization
 

Featured Reviews

Raj Metkar - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 10, 2024
Provides scalability, ease of migration for future DC moves, multi-tenancy and programmability
Cisco's MSO (Multi-Site Orchestrator) or NDO has room for improvement. Cisco monitors ACI through a product called NDI. I find it very frustrating that Cisco has multiple monitoring platforms. It has DNAC for monitoring Cisco NX-OS, campus switches, and any other routers and switches you would have in the environment. That same thing does not work for Cisco ACI monitoring. MEraki cloudbasd platform for Meraki which will get extended to Campus monitoring, to be honest Cisco never got Monitoring 100% right from days of CiscoWorks to Prime to current platforms. To monitor and manage Cisco ACI, you need to have another platform called NDI and Cisco Dashboard Insights. What frustrates me about Cisco is that it never has a central, single pane of glass platform for all its solutions. It has one thing for Cisco ACI and another thing for campus switches. I would really appreciate it if Cisco came up with something centralized to monitor everything. I haven't thought about anything since the Cisco NDO is quite advanced, and you can deploy your cloud networking through it. I don't know how many people use it. I might explore it as my cloud orchestration tool in the future. We do a lot of cloud automation using our scripts like TerraForm, but I would like to see people using NDO more. We could have more case studies on how many people use NDO for their cloud orchestration. That might be a much easier journey for people when they move from an on-premises data center into a cloud and move from one cloud to another cloud. That is where I personally see an orchestrator being effectively used for multiple deployments.
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Chris Nixon - PeerSpot reviewer
Nov 29, 2022
Overly complex, initial setup could be simplified, but the migration methods are good
We were using VMware NSX for high availability.  We recently used it to migrate a way to the public cloud The migration methods are the most valuable aspect of this solution. The rest is just overly complicated. We had some issues with the cloud version. It needs to be cheaper. We are stopping…
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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The basic functionality that is the most useful is creating a virtual network on a physical device."
"Building the ACI Fabric is its most valuable feature."
"The most valuable feature of Cisco ACI is that it is eay to manage. We can automate and it can be scripted. Virtual ACI is very good."
"We are doing automation from ACI and we have integration with Azure. With the Azure stack integration we can have total automation. We can configure the EPGs from there, and we can configure load balancing functionalities from there as well. The most useful feature is that you don't need to configure anything on ACI itself. You can configure on Azure and it will provision your application."
"The flexibility of adding new components with minimal impact on existing services running in the data center is a key benefit of this ACI-based solution."
"The most valuable feature is programmability, where we can manage a network via APIs and software, as opposed to having to manage complex hardware."
"The features we find most valuable is the integration with the virtual switches of our UCS platform."
"It provides flexibility, so you can install it everywhere."
More Cisco ACI pros
"The firewall is its most valuable feature."
"I have found VMware NSX to be easy to use."
"The most valuable feature of VMware NSX is the ability to set up virtual networking environments."
"The installation is straightforward, it took a couple of hours."
"We secured our organisation with Micro-segmentation."
"I have found the system to be very intuitive, functional, and they have great technology."
"The initial setup is easy and takes between one and five days."
"I really like the management dashboard, the tailor-made assurance, the telemetry, and the ease of integration with all other solutions of VMware, such as vSphere."
More VMware NSX pros
 

Cons

"It would be better to introduce some wizards to guide you through the whole configuration process instead of clicking through a bunch of menus with no concrete path. It is too easy to forget one or another if you configure it this way."
"An area for improvement in Cisco ACI is security, which Cisco needs to enhance in the solution. Though Cisco ACI uses a whitelist model, you must purchase an external product, such as a security firewall solution, to make whitelisting work, which the customer could find expensive. For example, you're a customer who has Cisco ACI, and the solution doesn't have IP-based filtering, so as a customer, you've purchased Cisco ACI. However, you still need to buy another product for security, and some customers wouldn't like that. However, some customers prefer to go with Cisco ACI because of its scalability and flexibility versus other solutions such as Juniper and Aruba. Technical support for Cisco ACI also needs improvement, particularly in product knowledge."
"It needs more integration with public clouds, like Azure and AWS."
"The product needs to be simpler. There is too much complexity in ACI. 80 percent of its features are of no use to us. We could do with a simplified version."
"We're still in the process of doing the migration. We haven't migrated completely all of our applications out of our legacy into it yet. It was challenging at first, but getting easier now that we're starting to get into it."
"It's a very complex system, as it should be. It's a new way of thinking about networking. Cisco ACI adds complexity. Cisco ACI is extremely complex. That's not necessarily a complaint, as much as it is a fact."
"I think that technical support tickets should be escalated sooner."
"I would like for ACI to manage all of the devices."
More Cisco ACI cons
"The tool's setup is complex and we need support to implement it."
"The next release of NSX should try to make Kubernetes and container integration a little easier than it is now. It's quite a complicated process."
"Everybody needs a network to connect to, and VMware doesn't readily provide one."
"The vendor should integrate a basic load balancer in future versions"
"Traffic flow introspection topology visibility is definitely needed because at the moment, NSX-T lacks in this area."
"I would like to have automating reporting built into common service management platforms, such as JIRA, Serviceaide, and ServiceNow."
"Nowadays, NSX supports the KVM and ESXi hypervisors only. It should also support Hyper-V and Citrix hypervisors."
"Going through and getting more features sets from the routing protocols is definitely necessary for the future."
More VMware NSX cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The cost is fine."
"Cisco ACI is more expensive than Juniper, however, ACI is not the most expensive option."
"It's expensive but the product is very good. I have never found another partner like Cisco with a solution like this and with great support."
"The price could be improved. It is expensive, but then again, it is Cisco. The price is worth what you pay for."
"We bought a package for hardware, software, and support. At that time, Cisco was simply selling that package to distributors, then we opted for it directly."
"The thing that I like the most from Cisco is the support and all the documentation that they have. We do have to pay for it though."
"Cisco ACI costs depend on how many sites you have. One simple site with a simple installation, including two leaves, two spines, and some fibers, would cost $200,000 to $300,000 for the licenses. The solution is a bit expensive, but it's a good investment if you want your data centers to work without interruption."
"It is quite expensive. It is not at all on the cheap or medium side."
More Cisco ACI pricing and cost advice
"We are using a perpetual license to use the solution and we have support."
"I'm unable to give information on the pricing or licensing cost of VMware NSX because I've never been someone who looks into the economic part of any security or virtualization solutions. That's handled by an entirely different team, and I don't even have the slightest idea about the costs associated with the solution, though I've heard pricing for VMware NSX is on the higher side."
"Our customers have definitely complained about its cost. It's expensive. I'd rate it a nine out of ten in terms of pricing where ten represents a high price. There are other products out there that are equally expensive."
"VMware has always been geared towards enterprise and their pricing options are a bit high. Their price is higher than other options in the market."
"VMware NSX is expensive and everything is licensed. We have to pay for each individual feature."
"The tool's pricing is reasonable."
"We are using the free version of the solution."
"I would rate the pricing of VMware NSX as seven out of ten"
More VMware NSX pricing and cost advice
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Answers from the Community

MB
Nov 8, 2021
Nov 8, 2021
What are the biggest differences between Cisco ACI and VMware NSX?
Once you know your way around the Cisco ecosystem, using Cisco ACI is not so difficult. It is a global product, so when you change one interface, changes are automatically reflected on every switch. Cisco ACI can connect with both virtualized networks and physical networks. As with many Cisco solutions, Cisco ACI has a steep learning curve. It is not user-friendly and most of our team would lik...
See 2 answers
SB
Jun 9, 2021
There are some very major differences between both the Products and to name a few. -Cisco ACI have physical network gear (9K Switches) where the Code runs in ACI Policy Mode & the UCS server where APIC software runs. -VMware NSX doesn't have any physical network gear of its own, VMware NSX software runs on ESXi hosts(Any Vendor) & even NSX Bare Metal Edge runs on any Vendor hardware(check compatibility) -Cisco ACI offers both Underlay & Overlay functionality -VMware NSX is a software and it builds an Overlay tunnel for (VM/Container) communication on top of an already established IP network which can be build on hardware network gear (Cisco Legacy/ACI/Juniper etc.) -Cisco ACI: To use micro-segmentation on a VM or Container level you will need some other Cisco products -VMware NSX: Micro-segmentation can be done Out of the Box because DFW Distributed Firewall are applied on the vnic of a VM i.e. on the ESXi kernel. Being different in many manners but they still define the SDN realm with L2-L7 Network services and what you choose over the other may depend on many other factors like what network gear you already have or if its Green or Brownfield deployment. For example if your infra already have something other than Cisco 9K switches and is well configured then it will make more sense to use NSX to make use of all the SDN functionalities. This is just an example not a recommendation.
Read full answer
reviewer1650858 - PeerSpot reviewer
Nov 8, 2021
Once you know your way around the Cisco ecosystem, using Cisco ACI is not so difficult. It is a global product, so when you change one interface, changes are automatically reflected on every switch. Cisco ACI can connect with both virtualized networks and physical networks. As with many Cisco solutions, Cisco ACI has a steep learning curve. It is not user-friendly and most of our team would like to see a better GUI. It would be great if we could test upgrades in a simulation before implementing; this could save a lot of rework and downtime. The key component for us with VMware NSX is the distributed firewall. VMware NSX can segment every application and server based on the ports with which they need to communicate. We can activate the ports we need and disable the ones we don’t. This really helps to keep things very secure and makes VMware NSX very flexible. We would like to see VMware NSX integrate better with other open-source solutions; integration can be very complex leading many to simply choose not to use VMware NSX at all. We found some maximums can be very limiting, especially with very large environments. VMware can only be used with virtualized networks. Conclusion: Cisco ACI and VMware have many similar qualities and features. The fundamental difference is that Vmware NSX’s primary focus is on virtualized networks, while Cisco ACI can connect to both virtual and physical networks. Vmware NSX can provide better levels of granularity and visibility into how your workload performs and functions. Cisco ACI does not provide this. Because Cisco ACI is more robust and can handle both physical and virtual networks, Cisco ACI might be a more appropriate solution. At the end of the day, it really depends on your organization’s ecosystem and applications, features and utilities needed, and, of course, cost of implementation. You may need one of these solutions or both.
Read full answer
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
24%
Financial Services Firm
12%
Government
7%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Computer Software Company
16%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Government
9%
Manufacturing Company
9%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What are the biggest differences between Cisco ACI and VMware NSX?
There are some very major differences between both the Products and to name a few. -Cisco ACI have physical network gear (9K Switches) where the Code runs in ACI Policy Mode & the UCS server wh...
See all answers
What are the biggest differences between Cisco ACI and VMware NSX?
Once you know your way around the Cisco ecosystem, using Cisco ACI is not so difficult. It is a global product, so when you change one interface, changes are automatically reflected on every switch...
See all answers
What do you like most about Cisco ACI?
The flexibility of adding new components with minimal impact on existing services running in the data center is a key benefit of this ACI-based solution.
See all answers
What do you like most about VMware NSX?
The product has valuable features for security and network extension.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for VMware NSX?
The pricing is another discussion. The pricing is rated three because it's very expensive, changes often, and isn't easy to negotiate.
See all answers
What needs improvement with VMware NSX?
A basic load balancer feature was present in a previous version, but the latest version only has an advanced load balancer. The vendor should integrate a basic load balancer in future versions. The...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Akamai Guardicore Segmentation vs Cisco ACI
Compared 16% of the time
HPE SDN vs Cisco ACI Logo
HPE SDN vs Cisco ACI
Compared 7% of the time
Illumio vs Cisco ACI Logo
Illumio vs Cisco ACI
Compared 7% of the time
Juniper Contrail Networking vs Cisco ACI Logo
Juniper Contrail Networking vs Cisco ACI
Compared 6% of the time
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Nutanix Flow Network Security vs VMware NSX Logo
Nutanix Flow Network Security vs VMware NSX
Compared 23% of the time
Illumio vs VMware NSX Logo
Illumio vs VMware NSX
Compared 19% of the time
Akamai Guardicore Segmentation vs VMware NSX Logo
Akamai Guardicore Segmentation vs VMware NSX
Compared 15% of the time
Cisco Secure Workload vs VMware NSX Logo
Cisco Secure Workload vs VMware NSX
Compared 8% of the time
Vectra AI vs VMware NSX Logo
Vectra AI vs VMware NSX
Compared 2% of the time
More VMware NSX Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco ACI
November 2024
Cisco ACI reportDownload Cisco ACI product report
Buyer's Guide
VMware NSX
October 2024
VMware NSX reportDownload VMware NSX product report
 

Also Known As

No data available
VMware Nicira, Lastline Defender
 

Learn More

Cisco
VMware
 

Overview

Cisco ACI automates data center networking, centralizing management and configuration of diverse network environments. It's used for micro-segmentation, replacing legacy networks, and deploying software-defined networking.

Cisco ACI enables seamless integration with cloud platforms and multi-site connectivity. It ensures high availability and redundancy, supports network-centric applications, enhances security, and facilitates agile service implementations across different regions and data centers. The platform offers high throughput, ease of configuration, centralized management, and programmability. Users find value in its single management interface, policy-based routing, Service Graphs, and simplified deployment. Cisco ACI also excels in scalability, automation, low latency, and supports data center expansion efficiently.

What are the key features of Cisco ACI?
  • High Throughput: Ensures fast data transmission and network efficiency.
  • Ease of Configuration: Simplifies setup and changes to network configurations.
  • Centralized Management: Provides a single interface for managing the entire network.
  • Micro-Segmentation: Enhances security by isolating network segments.
  • Integration with VMware: Seamlessly integrates with VMware environments.
  • Scalability: Easily expands to accommodate growing organizational needs.
  • Automation Capabilities: Reduces manual tasks through advanced automation.
  • Policy-Based Routing: Optimizes network traffic based on set policies.
What benefits should users look for when evaluating Cisco ACI?
  • Seamless integration with cloud platforms and multi-site connectivity.
  • High availability and redundancy ensuring consistent service uptime.
  • Enhanced security with micro-segmentation and policy-based control.
  • Agility in service implementations across regions and data centers.
  • Efficiency in network management with centralized control.

Organizations in industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology implement Cisco ACI to modernize data centers, improve security, and streamline network operations. Its capabilities support expanding infrastructure, integrating with cloud services, and managing complex network architectures with minimal effort.

VMware NSX is a sophisticated solution utilized for micro-segmentation, network security, software-defined networking, and private cloud construction. It aids in the transition from physical to virtual infrastructure, ensuring efficient network virtualization and security of production workloads.

VMware NSX empowers organizations to manage network functions, implement distributed firewalls, and enhance security within virtual environments. Crucial for disaster recovery and load balancing, it supports cloud-native application development and enterprise clients. Its ease of use, scalability, and seamless integration with existing VMware solutions ensure streamlined network management and swift deployment. Despite its extensive features, areas like pricing, routing functionality, and compatibility with certain platforms require attention.

What are the key features of VMware NSX?
  • Ease of Use: Simplifies network management with an intuitive interface.
  • Scalability: Adapts to growing infrastructure needs seamlessly.
  • Micro-Segmentation: Enhances security by dividing networks into smaller, manageable segments.
  • Integration: Seamlessly works with existing VMware solutions and third-party applications.
  • Dynamic Routing: Optimizes network traffic efficiently.
  • Security Options: Offers robust firewall features and security measures.
  • Automation: Facilitates quick deployment through comprehensive automation capabilities.
  • High Bandwidth: Ensures high-performance network operations.
What benefits and ROI should users look for?
  • Enhanced Network Security: Superior protection for virtual environments.
  • Efficient Disaster Recovery: Reliable support for business continuity.
  • Reduced Deployment Time: Fast implementation and configuration.
  • Improved Network Management: Centralized and streamlined control of network resources.

VMware NSX is widely implemented across industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Organizations in these sectors utilize it to bolster security, enhance network efficiency, and support cloud-native applications. By extending on-premise networks into provider spaces and managing virtual access networks, VMware NSX significantly optimizes infrastructure operations.

 

Sample Customers

Bowling Green State University, du, Qatar University
City of Avondale, Lumeta, Kroll Ontrack, Heartland Payment Systems, Baystate Heallth, Exostar, Tribune Media, iGATE, NTT Communications, Synergent, California Natural Resources Agency, Bloomington Public Schools, Columbia Sportswear, Join Experience S.A, Schuberg Philis
Buyer's Guide
Cisco ACI vs. VMware NSX
November 2024
Free Report: Cisco ACI vs. VMware NSX
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco ACI vs. VMware NSX and other solutions. Updated: November 2024.
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