Cisco DNA Center vs HPE Intelligent Management Center comparison

Cisco and Hewlett Packard Enterprise are both solutions in the Network Management Applications category. Cisco is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.0, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.5. Cisco holds a 28.1% mindshare in NMA, compared to Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s 5.6% mindshare. Additionally, 89% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 85% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users who would recommend it.

Cisco DNA Center

Read 41 Cisco DNA Center reviews

6,795 Views
3,997 Comparison Views

89% willing to recommend

HPE Intelligent Management ...

Read 7 HPE Intelligent Management Center reviews

1,340 Views
967 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

Cisco DNA Center

HPE Intelligent Management ...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 2, 2025

HPE Intelligent Management Center and Cisco DNA Center are network management products in competition. Cisco DNA Center appears to have an edge due to its advanced automation and AI capabilities.

Features: HPE Intelligent Management Center offers comprehensive network management, flexible scalability, and integration with various network devices. Cisco DNA Center provides intelligent automation, real-time insights, and robust security features, standing out with AI-driven operations.

Room for Improvement: HPE Intelligent Management Center can enhance its user interface, device management capabilities, and add more customizable reporting options. Cisco DNA Center could improve deployment complexity, provide more intuitive learning curves for new users, and expand integration with non-Cisco devices.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: HPE Intelligent Management Center uses a traditional and predictable deployment model. Cisco DNA Center offers a complex deployment process backed by extensive customer service, detailed documentation, and community support.

Pricing and ROI: HPE Intelligent Management Center typically offers more competitive pricing with a clearer ROI due to lower setup costs, while Cisco DNA Center justifies its higher initial investment with enhanced functionalities and long-term efficiencies.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco DNA Center vs. HPE Intelligent Management Center Report (Updated: January 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco DNA Center vs. HPE Intelligent Management Center

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 Management Applications

1st

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Monitoring Software (15th), 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 February 2025, in the Network Management Applications category, the mindshare of Cisco DNA Center is 28.1%, up from 28.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE Intelligent Management Center is 5.6%, down from 7.5% 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

"The product gives a consolidated view."

"The most valuable feature of Cisco DNA Center is the AI (Artificial Intelligence) that provides us with valuable information."

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

"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's most valuable in Cisco DNA Center is the ability to manage any Cisco infrastructure and device through it. Setup was straightforward."

"The most valuable features of Cisco DNA Center are wireless assurance and visibility."

"It is a stable solution."

"The best feature of Cisco DNA Center is the visibility page, where you can see everything on the dashboard, and you don't have to be a technical person to view the issues."

More Cisco DNA Center pros

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

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

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

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

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

Cons

"The cost is very high."

"The task failure reporting or provisioning failure reporting could be a little bit better in the UI, with more information given to the user."

"It seems to be a little bit more centered toward wireless than wired. You've got more options you can do wirelessly than you can with the wired switches, but it works for what we need it to do. We would like to see a little bit more about the traffic, and we're looking at what's out there to see about that. We are looking at something that might give us a bit more insight into the actual traffic. If they had the full functionality on the wired side, as they do on the wireless side in terms of being able to view traffic and everything, it would be good."

"Cisco could improve the security side of their solutions."

"The solution needs to improve the dashboard."

"What could be improved is the licensing cost of Cisco DNA Center. It's a little bit expensive."

"The solution can be quite pricey."

"Cisco DNA Center was a new technology for us, at the beginning, it was not easy to do, but Cisco did a lot of training with us to a level we could handle everything. The team is managing itself now without the assistance of Cisco."

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

"Affordability is a problem because it's created for large enterprises only. So, some customers, even if their engineers want the solution, might have problems with budget limitations."

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

"The price could be better. It's a very expensive tool."

"The tool is medium-priced."

"Cisco DNA Center is too expensive."

"I do know that Cisco does offer some really good promotions for DNA Center to bring the costs down."

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

More Cisco DNA Center pricing and cost advice

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

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

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

19%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

University

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.

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 HPE Intelligent Management Center?

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

See all answers

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.

See all answers

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...

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

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 4% of the time

More Cisco DNA Center Competitors

Aruba Airwave vs HPE Intelligent Management Center

Compared 31% of the time

IBM Tivoli NetCool vs HPE Intelligent Management Center

Compared 7% of the time

Huawei eSight vs HPE Intelligent Management Center

Compared 6% of the time

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs HPE Intelligent Management Center

Compared 5% of the time

ExtremeCloud IQ vs HPE Intelligent Management Center

Compared 5% of the time

More HPE Intelligent Management Center Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco DNA Center

February 2025

Download Cisco DNA Center product report

Buyer's Guide

Network Management Applications

February 2025

HPE Intelligent Management Center report

Download HPE Intelligent Management Center product 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

Buyer's Guide

Cisco DNA Center vs. HPE Intelligent Management Center

January 2025

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