Cisco DNA Center vs HPE Intelligent Management Center comparison

Cisco DNA Center vs. HPE Intelligent Management Center

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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 Management Applications

1st

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Monitoring Software (13th), Network Automation (2nd)

HPE Intelligent Management ...

Ranking in Network Management Applications

8th

Average Rating

7.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2025, in the Network Management Applications category, the mindshare of Cisco DNA Center is 27.4%, down from 28.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE Intelligent Management Center is 5.6%, down from 7.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Management Applications

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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Muhammad_Faisal

Manager ITSM at Lucky Cement Limited

Achieve seamless network and link monitoring with comprehensive device management

The most valuable function is that the IMC takes an entire backup of my network devices, and I can also redeploy them. The really beneficial feature is the link monitoring. I had checked Check Point's product, however, my requirements are better fulfilled by IMC. The main feature is that IMC automatically configures the device for my use. I have over 200 features in my network, and IMC manages the complete environment. Automation is good, but I mainly use it for monitoring. I am too satisfied with this product.

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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

"Cisco DNA Center provides operational support, compliance support, security vulnerability detection, and automatic scheduling."

"The monitoring features are very useful for network engineers."

"Cisco is a leading network company."

"The product's most valuable feature is the visual representation of the switch's front panel."

"DNA Center is scalable."

"The product gives a consolidated view."

"It offers automation, security enforcement, analytics, and integration with other Cisco technologies, making it a key driver for efficient network operations and compliance with security protocols."

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

More Cisco DNA Center pros

"The most valuable feature is the interface and its ease of use."

"One of the notable advantages is its ability to provide quick responses, especially in critical situations."

"The most valuable function is that the IMC takes an entire backup of my network devices, and I can also redeploy them."

"It's a very complete product with a lot of functionality."

"The most useful feature is infrastructure monitoring including switches and servers."

Cons

"The solution's setup process needs enhancement."

"From the recent DNA point of view, there are some stability challenges with Cisco, but very minor."

"They can improve the network visibility. Licensing and its maintenance are also needed."

"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."

"The solution’s security side could be improved."

"Technical support could be better. The price could be better, and it could be more stable."

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

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

More Cisco DNA Center cons

"HPE Intelligent Management Center is a bit slow."

"I would like to see additional modules included."

"The integration with other network devices needs improvement."

"One notable deficiency is the lack of online support for the product."

"I face the issue with the integration with links on Fortinet Firewall."

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"The tool's licensing may not come across as something that may be friendly for users."

"We have a three-year license with them."

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

"Cisco DNA Center is too expensive."

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

"Cisco DNA Center is expensive."

"Our licensing agreement is for three years."

More Cisco DNA Center pricing and cost advice

"There are licensing costs and they are quite expensive."

"The price of this solution is not at all cheap, but it's reasonable compared to SolarWinds."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

17%

Government

14%

Educational Organization

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.

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

The cost is very high.

What needs improvement with Cisco DNA Center?

The system is working fine for me currently.

What do you like most about HPE Intelligent Management Center?

One of the notable advantages is its ability to provide quick responses, especially in critical situations.

What needs improvement with HPE Intelligent Management Center?

I face the issue with the integration with links on Fortinet Firewall. This will be sorted out with the help of IMC, and now I have a modem dialing as per my needs.

What is your primary use case for HPE Intelligent Management Center?

I am using this solution for network monitoring, links monitoring, and complete monitoring of my infrastructure. I also deploy FortiVAF, FortiAnalyzer, and FortiManager as part of a complete securi...

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Product Reports

Cisco DNA Center

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Network Management Applications

Download HPE Intelligent Management Center product report

HPE Intelligent Management Center report

Also Known As

DNA Center

HPE IMC

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

HPE Intelligent Management Center (IMC) is a comprehensive management platform that was built from the ground up to support the Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance, Security (FCAPS) model. It provides features and functions that are designed for comprehensive management of the network infrastructure. IMC was designed to provide the following functions:

Supports the ITIL operational center of excellence IT practices model.
Uses a single-pane management paradigm to enable end-to-end business management of IT services

Provides scalability by supporting distributed and hierarchical system architectures, through additional operating system and database support.

Uses an SOA model to provide full resource, service, and user management.
Enables integration of traditionally separate management tools using a modular design.
Enables enterprises to expand their infrastructure management in scale and to seamlessly accommodate new technologies at the same time.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Cisco DNA Center vs. HPE Intelligent Management Center