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Cisco DNA Center vs SolarWinds Network Automation Manager comparison

Cisco and SolarWinds are both solutions in the Network Automation category. Cisco is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.0, while SolarWinds is ranked #14. Cisco holds a 15.0% mindshare in NA, compared to SolarWinds’s 3.0% mindshare. Additionally, 89% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 50% of SolarWinds users who would recommend it.
Cisco DNA Center
Read 41 Cisco DNA Center reviews
  • 3,153 Views
  • 1,830 Comparison Views
89% willing to recommend
SolarWinds Network Automati...
Read 2 SolarWinds Network Automation Manager reviews
  • 365 Views
  • 200 Comparison Views
50% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024
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Cisco DNA Center and SolarWinds Network Automation Manager are competing in the network management space, where each provides distinct features. Cisco DNA Center has the upper hand in integrating innovative functionalities, while SolarWinds stands out with its comprehensive feature set and broader compatibility.

Features: Cisco DNA Center provides advanced network analytics, policy-based automation, and seamless integration within Cisco environments. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager offers extensive network performance monitoring, automation capabilities that cover a wide range of devices, and customizable dashboards.

Room for Improvement: Cisco DNA Center could improve in non-Cisco device compatibility, pricing transparency, and user interface customization. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager might enhance ease of use for less technical users, offer more detailed Cisco integration guides, and broaden its security features scope.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco DNA Center is designed for seamless deployment within Cisco networks, supported by robust customer service. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager provides a straightforward installation process applicable to varied network landscapes, backed by substantial customer support and resources.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco DNA Center typically involves higher initial setup costs, offering substantial ROI through enhanced network efficiency and operational savings. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager offers more flexible pricing options, appealing to budget-sensitive organizations, delivering ROI through its extensive automation and monitoring features.

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Buyer's Guide
Cisco DNA Center vs. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager
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
16th
Ranking in Network Automation
2nd
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.3
Number of Reviews
41
Ranking in other categories
Network Management Applications (1st)
SolarWinds Network Automati...
Ranking in Network Monitoring Software
113th
Ranking in Network Automation
14th
Average Rating
5.6
Reviews Sentiment
8.5
Number of Reviews
2
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2025, in the Network Automation category, the mindshare of Cisco DNA Center is 15.0%, down from 19.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SolarWinds Network Automation Manager is 3.0%, up from 1.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Network Automation
 

Featured Reviews

AvrahamSonenthal - PeerSpot reviewer
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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Giulio Valeri - PeerSpot reviewer
Threat detection failures, poor technical support, and expensive
We use the solution to manage all of our customer's systems. We monitor and decide if everything is okay and if not, we do changes when needed. For example, if there is a need to change the antivirus software we can automate the process and install the new one. There are scripts within the software…
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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 automation features are significant, reducing configuration time. This means outstanding functionality. By deploying the controller automatically, the rest becomes automated"
"The monitoring is very valuable to me."
"The most valuable features of the solution are all of its security features...It is a highly scalable solution."
"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."
"Cisco VXLAN is a protocol that has been around for some time, but the practical implementation and operational capability of Cisco DNA Center bring it to life."
"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."
"The product's most valuable feature is the visual representation of the switch's front panel."
More Cisco DNA Center pros
"The installation is easy."
"The solution offers so many great resources, it makes them a powerhouse in the market."
 

Cons

"Requires more focus on the digital side of things."
"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 task failure reporting or provisioning failure reporting could be a little bit better in the UI, with more information given to the user."
"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."
"DNA Center has been on the market for a few years and they need to update it."
"What could be improved is the licensing cost of Cisco DNA Center. It's a little bit expensive."
"Technical support could be better. The price could be better, and it could be more stable."
"The solution can be quite pricey."
More Cisco DNA Center cons
"We did not like SolarWinds because it was not able to communicate between UPSA and our accounting system. They should have better integration."
"The price could be a bit lower."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Cisco DNA Center is a licensed product with multiple levels of licensing available such as basic, advanced, and essential. I don't have the exact figure, but Cisco DNA Center is costly. For example, the box has information about the essential license and costs a considerable amount of money. You need to pay extra to use advanced features in Cisco DNA Center. My company sees Cisco DNA Center as a solution that's worth the money, which is why it invested in the solution. If you want centralized management for your network, especially when upgrading it, Cisco DNA Center is perfect, but it's more suitable for a large-scale rather than a small-scale network."
"The licensing cost for Cisco DNA Center is not more than that of other solutions."
"The solution is a little bit expensive but depends a lot on the customer's usage. If you use it in the right place, you can easily pay for it."
"The partnership price is notably high, but it ultimately depends on the chosen business model."
"The price of the solution is expensive. The hardware is licensed on the device, but the hardware on the server is expensive."
"The tool's licensing may not come across as something that may be friendly for users."
"The tool is medium-priced."
"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
"The price of SolarWinds Network Automation Manager is fair. However, it is more expensive than ConnectWise."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
19%
Government
10%
Manufacturing Company
9%
University
6%
Educational Organization
61%
Computer Software Company
5%
Government
4%
Financial Services Firm
3%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

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?
I would rate the pricing a six out of ten, with ten being expensive.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Cisco DNA Center?
One area that needs improvement is the upgrade process. The time required for downloading and installing packages during upgrades is too long, often taking around ten hours. This is a significant i...
See all answers
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Comparisons

Juniper Mist Wired Assurance vs Cisco DNA Center Logo
Juniper Mist Wired Assurance vs Cisco DNA Center
Compared 9% of the time
Meraki Dashboard vs Cisco DNA Center Logo
Meraki Dashboard vs Cisco DNA Center
Compared 7% of the time
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs Cisco DNA Center Logo
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs Cisco DNA Center
Compared 7% of the time
Fortinet FortiManager vs Cisco DNA Center Logo
Fortinet FortiManager vs Cisco DNA Center
Compared 7% of the time
Huawei eSight vs Cisco DNA Center Logo
Huawei eSight vs Cisco DNA Center
Compared 6% of the time
More Cisco DNA Center Competitors
NetBrain vs SolarWinds Network Automation Manager Logo
NetBrain vs SolarWinds Network Automation Manager
Compared 100% of the time
More SolarWinds Network Automation Manager Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco DNA Center
February 2025
Cisco DNA Center reportDownload Cisco DNA Center product report
Buyer's Guide
Network Automation
February 2025
SolarWinds Network Automation Manager reportDownload SolarWinds Network Automation Manager product report
 

Also Known As

DNA Center
SolarWinds NAM
 

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

Scale environments from 1,000 to tens of thousands of nodes with comprehensive performance, traffic, WAN, and switch port monitoring, automated change and configuration management, and IP address management in an integrated network automation software solution.

SolarWinds
 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
Maalem Financing Company, School City of Hammond
Buyer's Guide
Cisco DNA Center vs. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager
January 2025
Free Report: Cisco DNA Center vs. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager
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