Cisco DNA Center vs VMware NSX comparison

Cisco and VMware are both solutions in the Network Automation category. Cisco is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.0, while VMware is ranked #5 with an average rating of 7.9. Cisco holds a 20.3% mindshare in NA, compared to VMware’s 5.3% mindshare. Additionally, 89% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 88% of VMware 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

VMware NSX

Read 101 VMware NSX reviews

902 Views
585 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

Cisco DNA Center

VMware NSX

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 6, 2025

VMware NSX and Cisco DNA Center both compete in the networking solutions category. VMware NSX is favored for its emphasis on automation and security, whereas Cisco DNA Center stands out for its seamless integration with Cisco devices, making it advantageous for those already invested in Cisco infrastructure.

Features: VMware NSX offers robust security with features like micro-segmentation, distributed firewall, and dynamic load balancing, making it ideal for scalable virtual networking. Cisco DNA Center provides advanced analytics, integration with Cisco's ecosystem, and streamlined network management with detailed visibility and control.

Room for Improvement: VMware NSX could focus on simpler integration with non-VMware systems, improving its scalability, and addressing pricing complexities. Cisco DNA Center users desire more intuitive user interfaces, better integration with non-Cisco products, and reduced complexity during initial learning phases.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: VMware NSX is recognized for its flexibility across various environments and responsive technical support. Cisco DNA Center is known for its robust support network and user satisfaction, although users recommend expanding integration with third-party devices.

Pricing and ROI: VMware NSX is expensive but offers significant ROI through reduced hardware needs and enhanced security. Cisco DNA Center's high costs can be a challenge for smaller businesses despite potential long-term savings, primarily due to its centralized management and network efficiency benefits.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco DNA Center vs. VMware NSX Report (Updated: December 2024).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco DNA Center vs. VMware NSX

December 2024

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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 Automation

2nd

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Management Applications (1st), Network Monitoring Software (16th)

VMware NSX

Ranking in Network Automation

5th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

101

Ranking in other categories

Network Virtualization (2nd), Cloud and Data Center Security (2nd), Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) (6th), Network Detection and Response (NDR) (8th), Microsegmentation Software (1st)

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2025, in the Network Automation category, the mindshare of Cisco DNA Center is 20.3%, down from 25.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of VMware NSX is 5.3%, down from 8.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Automation

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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Tarek Nader

Sr. vRA Consultant at VMware

It extends Layer-2 scalability on Layer 3

NSX extends Layer-2 scalability on Layer 3, covering the vRO and extending the capability on Layer 3 by decapsulating using a new mechanism. NSX-V was designed to use with VMware products and Success 360, providing more flexibility toward different levels of cloud, containers, and components. NSX-T gives you the ability to stretch your network across different view locations. If you have multiple sites, you can connect them using NSX-T.

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

"People like to use the dashboards to get an overview of their network."

"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."

"The solution has the capability to scale."

"Application Assurance works very well."

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

"It is a stable solution."

"Cisco DNA Center is a user-friendly solution."

"Automation is another key highlight. With automation, you can automate everything through a single port."

More Cisco DNA Center pros

"The initial setup was straightforward. It follows a certain structure and you won't miss a step. It's all on the same level, step by step."

"The most valuable feature of VMware NSX is the ability to set up virtual networking environments."

"The most valuable features for us at this early stage are the interface and the integration with existing VMware solutions."

"It's what we use the CIS Benchmarks for. It's for employing hardening rules and keeping them up to date when things happen on our systems. So it's really configurations and stuff that harden and report back."

"They have a lot of support and specialists who can meet with the customer."

"The solution is very stable and reliable."

"The micro-segmentation and the ability to create policy rules are valuable."

"VMware NSX offers some of the best features for security, such as micro-segmentation."

More VMware NSX pros

Cons

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

"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."

"As a user, it would be good if I could plug in controllers, suites, and devices from other vendors to Cisco DNA Center."

"They should include UTM features in the product."

"In terms of the clustering part, there are some concerns."

"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."

"DNA Center has been on the market for a few years and they need to update it."

"The solution can be quite pricey."

More Cisco DNA Center cons

"The cost of the solution has room for improvement."

"The vendor should integrate a basic load balancer in future versions"

"I would like to see automation capabilities in the deployment process."

"The setup of the solution could be simplified."

"If there are other solutions already in place, it can be difficult to implement."

"VMware NSX only supports some platforms like KVM."

"It still needs to grow. There are still some features that it doesn't do, like it doesn't do multicasting."

"It's not feature-rich."

More VMware NSX cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"The product is very costly."

"Cisco DNA Center is too expensive."

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

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

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

"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."

More Cisco DNA Center pricing and cost advice

"The solution is reasonable at the local level."

"VMware NSX is expensive and everything is licensed. We have to pay for each individual feature."

"The product pricing ranges from medium to expensive. I rate the pricing a seven out of ten."

"It is an expensive product, but cheaper than some competing solutions."

"We are using a perpetual license to use the solution and we have support."

"The solution is very expensive."

"The price is based on the virtual desktop infrastructure(VDI) side and also is dependant on the size of the environment. The price is expensive and it could attract more purchasers in smaller organisations if it was reduced."

"The price of this product is too high."

More VMware NSX pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

19%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

University

Computer Software Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

14%

Manufacturing Company

Government

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?

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

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 VMware NSX?

The product has valuable features for security and network extension.

See all answers

Comparisons

Juniper Mist Wired Assurance vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 9% of the time

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 8% of the time

Meraki Dashboard vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 7% of the time

Fortinet FortiManager vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 7% of the time

Huawei eSight vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 7% of the time

More Cisco DNA Center Competitors

Nutanix Flow Network Security vs VMware NSX

Compared 23% of the time

Illumio vs VMware NSX

Compared 19% of the time

Akamai Guardicore Segmentation vs VMware NSX

Compared 16% of the time

Cisco Secure Workload vs VMware NSX

Compared 7% of the time

HPE SDN vs VMware NSX

Compared 1% of the time

More VMware NSX Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco DNA Center

January 2025

Download Cisco DNA Center product report

Buyer's Guide

VMware NSX

December 2024

Download VMware NSX product report

Also Known As

DNA Center

VMware Nicira, Lastline Defender

Learn More

Cisco

VMware

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.

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

Information Not Available

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 DNA Center vs. VMware NSX

December 2024

Free Report: Cisco DNA Center vs. VMware NSX

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