Cisco DNA Center vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) comparison

Cisco DNA Center and Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Cisco DNA Center is ranked #15 with an average rating of 8.0, while Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) is ranked #18 with an average rating of 8.1. Cisco DNA Center holds a 1.3% mindshare in NMS, compared to Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)’s 0.5% mindshare. Additionally, 89% of Cisco DNA Center users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 92% of Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) users who would recommend it.

Cisco DNA Center

Read 41 Cisco DNA Center reviews

1,586 Views
951 Comparison Views

89% willing to recommend

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabri...

Read 25 Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) reviews

813 Views
525 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Cisco DNA Center

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabri...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller and Cisco DNA Center are key players in the network management category. Cisco DNA Center appears to have the upper hand due to its broader integration capabilities and effective centralized management features.

Features: Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller excels with its admin VDC management, a robust automation suite, and unparalleled insights into data centers. Users recognize its stability and innovative fabric suite automation. Cisco DNA Center provides centralized management, AI-driven insights, and enhanced security through software-defined networking, making it valuable for large-scale operations.

Room for Improvement: Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller users desire better third-party integrations, improvements in automation, and pricing adjustments. There are also calls for better VRF support and IPv6 integration. Cisco DNA Center could improve with cost-effective licensing models, better integration with non-Cisco products, and enhanced reporting capabilities. Its user interface and configuration complexity could be simplified to support smaller networks and ease the initial setup process.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both products offer on-premises and private cloud options. Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller's deployment is straightforward but may involve complex hardware setups. DNA Center offers hybrid cloud flexibility with simple operational setup. Technical support for both is reliable, though there is some variability in response effectiveness. DNA Center benefits from high-quality technical engagement, albeit at a high cost.

Pricing and ROI: Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller is perceived as expensive compared to market alternatives, with users finding value in its features for larger environments. Licensing is often tied to third-party hardware, and ROI is appreciated for its longevity and management capabilities. DNA Center pricing is also high, potentially deterring mid-market customers. Its extensive feature set and centralized management justify the cost for large enterprises, offering multiple licensing tiers that can escalate costs but promise significant ROI through reduced manual efforts and streamlined operations.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco DNA Center vs. Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) Report (Updated: January 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco DNA Center vs. Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

January 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

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

Categories and Ranking

Cisco DNA Center

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

15th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Management Applications (1st), Network Automation (2nd)

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabri...

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

18th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2025, in the Network Monitoring Software category, the mindshare of Cisco DNA Center is 1.3%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) is 0.5%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Monitoring Software

Featured Reviews

AvrahamSonenthal

Senior Network Engineer at Inside Global

Efficiently manages our wireless network and provides valuable monitoring features

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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OusaidAbaz

Security Network Architect at Inmac

Provides spine-leaf architecture and support integration with programming languages

Configuring Cisco Nexus switches is relatively straightforward, especially if you're familiar with configuring Catalyst switches. The primary differences between Catalyst and Nexus switches lie in their system architecture and CLI commands. Nexus configurations can differ by about 20-30% from Catalyst configurations. For instance, while certain features may be enabled by default on Catalyst switches, they need to be explicitly enabled on Nexus switches. Maintaining a solution like this involves several support options, such as Cisco Smart Net. Smart Net is a support program that provides SLAs if the Nexus switches go down. With Smart Net, you can choose different levels of support, such as 2-hour, 4-hour, or 2-business-day response times. This ensures that Cisco will provide a replacement switch as quickly as possible if a Nexus switch fails or is out of service. The Nexus switches are known for their stability and high performance, so they have a higher price tag. Due to their cost, they are typically suited for large enterprises rather than small or medium-sized businesses. Major corporations, such as banks, multinational companies, and large industrial firms, have the budget for these high-end switches. The investment is justified by their advanced features and reliability, making them ideal for large-scale environments. Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The most valuable feature of the solution stems from the fact that it gives some kind of ease in operations, especially since our company is moving from CLI to GUI-based configuration."

"I like the visibility, instant build, network, policies, and the ability to control access. I also like that you can visualize your whole network."

"The product offers an intuitive and automated way to manage user networks. It gives me an insight into the network health."

"Automation helps configure devices without manual intervention, enabling zero-touch provisioning."

"I think that their LAN automation is a very good feature."

"The solution has the capability to scale."

"We have many people from the team who manage a lot of devices. By using Cisco DNA Center, it has taken some of that burden away, we are impressed with it. We did the investment in CAPEX, but in the OPEX was very low."

"It does a lot of things automatically, and that's the big thing with it. They're making the software so that you don't need to be as knowledgeable as me on the switching and routing side to get your work done. If you want, you can have DNA troubleshoot your problem for you and give you solutions or fix it itself, if it was something that's just a configuration issue."

More Cisco DNA Center pros

"Stability is not an issue."

"The monitoring capability is the best in Cisco Data Center Network Manager. It helps me improve network management tasks and optimize processes."

"The most valuable feature is the connectivity monitoring."

"The feature I find most valuable, is the stability of the solution."

"The product has excellent stability."

"I like running the scripts. With the help of a Python script, we deployed within the configuration and built up the code."

"You can integrate all the networks into the software."

"I like that is easy to work on and straightforward."

More Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) pros

Cons

"They should include UTM features in the product."

"An area for improvement in Cisco DNA Center is the latency in data correlation. For example, sometimes, when an issue happens, and I check the logs, I can't find the corresponding log. There's a delay in log replication, so this is what needs improvement in Cisco DNA Center. Reporting in Cisco DNA Center could also be improved because it only has a few templates, and you can't customize it based on your requirements. There aren't many options available in Cisco DNA Center regarding reporting, versus Cisco Prime, which has excellent features for different levels of detailed reports. I'd like to see real-time data replication in the next release of Cisco DNA Center, similar to what's done in Meraki. Data in Meraki is real-time with no delay, so data is immediately replicated in the cloud. Currently, there's a lag in Cisco DNA Center, and addressing that lag is the enhancement I'd like to see in Cisco DNA Center. The solution also needs to be more user-friendly."

"The features of Cisco DNA Center and Cisco Prime could have more parity."

"The product doesn’t have good monitoring capabilities."

"There is a limitation with the number of VRFs that you can have in your network, and this has caused us problems with some customers."

"There are some software problems from version to version. It takes a long time for DNA Center to recognize the video and control access devices."

"The solution's technical support is an area with which my company's clients have a problem. Cisco doesn't provide good technical support unless a user has a big account that Cisco wants to retain."

"Cisco DNA Center should improve its configuration management. It is better to have a dev version before pushing it."

More Cisco DNA Center cons

"The configuration is too complicated and you have to create templates and use a lot of menus."

"The reporting is not very intuitive and has room for improvement."

"The visibility of applications is not great."

"Automation for the RMA process can be added."

"It is not very easy to monitor or to browse."

"The tool should be more user-friendly and improve AI integration."

"More integration features would be beneficial."

"The tool's pricing strategy could be improved to compete more effectively in the market, especially against competitors like Huawei, Aruba, and Juniper."

More Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of the solution is expensive. The hardware is licensed on the device, but the hardware on the server is expensive."

"We get a yearly license at the time we buy the product."

"Our licensing agreement is for three years."

"I rate the product's pricing an eight on a scale of one to ten, where one is very cheap, and ten is very expensive."

"The partnership price is notably high, but it ultimately depends on the chosen business model."

"The tool is medium-priced."

"I would rate the pricing a six out of ten, with ten being expensive."

"Licensing for Cisco DNA Center is a little bit expensive, just like any Cisco solution. Its cost could still be improved."

More Cisco DNA Center pricing and cost advice

"I would say that the pricing offers great value for the money."

"On average, Data Center Network Manager's pricing isn't too costly unless you choose a premier license."

"We usually opt for a yearly plan, commonly for three or five years upfront. Some customers may not utilize all the features included in the product, and this can lead to them paying for functionalities they don't need."

"The price of Cisco Data Center Network Manager is expensive compared to other vendors on the market."

"The solution is very expensive."

"The tool is always expensive, but their service, product quality, and support are good. We're happy with it, but it's still an expensive solution. There are cheaper alternatives but no similar platform across all domains."

"The product is licensed with contracts that work on a yearly basis rather than a monthly model."

"When we purchase a Nexus box, the MDS CM license comes with it."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

18%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

University

Computer Software Company

22%

Financial Services Firm

13%

Government

12%

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Cisco DNA Center?

The most valuable feature of the solution stems from the fact that it gives some kind of ease in operations, especially since our company is moving from CLI to GUI-based configuration.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco DNA Center?

The cost is very high.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cisco DNA Center?

The system is working fine for me currently.

See all answers

What do you like most about Cisco Data Center Network Manager?

It uses push technology, which pushes the changes to all relevant devices to ensure they are updated accordingly.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Data Center Network Manager?

The tool is always expensive, but their service, product quality, and support are good. We're happy with it, but it's still an expensive solution. There are cheaper alternatives but no similar plat...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cisco Data Center Network Manager?

In a mixed architecture where Nexus switches are used as border devices and are connected to a Palo Alto firewall (e.g., version 9.1 or 10.1), you might encounter issues with BGP peering. For insta...

See all answers

Comparisons

Juniper Mist Wired Assurance vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 8% of the time

Meraki Dashboard vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 7% of the time

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 7% of the time

Cisco Catalyst Center vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 7% of the time

Juniper Mist Premium Analytics vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 3% of the time

More Cisco DNA Center Competitors

Zabbix vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

Compared 17% of the time

Marvis Virtual Network Assistant vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

Compared 17% of the time

Icinga vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

Compared 12% of the time

More Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco DNA Center

February 2025

Download Cisco DNA Center product report

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

February 2025

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) report

Download Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) product report

Also Known As

DNA Center

Cisco Data Center Network Manager

Overview

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.

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

The Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC) offers a comprehensive solution for managing Cisco NX-OS switches in hybrid-cloud environments, providing automation, visibility, and consistent operations. Designed to simplify and enhance data center management, NDFC integrates with Cisco Nexus Dashboard to streamline network connectivity, reduce deployment times, and ensure seamless transitions with minimal disruptions. Its modular architecture, new user interface, and support for non-Nexus OS platforms make it a robust tool for LAN, SAN, and IP Fabric for Media management. Additionally, NDFC enhances fabric reliability, automates workflows, and supports cloud connectivity with AWS and Microsoft Azure, making it ideal for businesses adapting to increasingly complex digital environments.

Cisco

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Banco de Guayaquil, Cox Communications, Kuwait Petroleum Italia, Roper St. Francis, University of British Columbia

Buyer's Guide

Cisco DNA Center vs. Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

January 2025

Free Report: Cisco DNA Center vs. Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

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