Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs ExtremeControl comparison

Cisco and Extreme are both solutions in the Network Access Control (NAC) category. Cisco is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.3, while Extreme is ranked #15 with an average rating of 5.0. Cisco holds a 28.4% mindshare in NAC, compared to Extreme’s 1.9% mindshare. Additionally, 87% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 83% of Extreme users who would recommend it.

Cisco Identity Services Eng...

Read 141 Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) reviews

18,067 Views
11,960 Comparison Views

87% willing to recommend

ExtremeControl

Read 5 ExtremeControl reviews

884 Views
708 Comparison Views

83% willing to recommend

Cisco Identity Services Eng...

ExtremeControl

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 5, 2024

Cisco Identity Services Engine and ExtremeControl are competing network security solutions. ExtremeControl is generally favored for its advanced features, despite higher pricing, indicating a perception of higher value.

Features: Cisco ISE focuses on comprehensive identity management, policy enforcement, and strong security features. ExtremeControl offers robust network access control, dynamic segmentation, and advanced segmentation.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco ISE provides straightforward deployment and substantial support options. ExtremeControl offers customizable deployment solutions and specialized customer service, appealing to organizations needing tailored implementations.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco ISE tends to be more cost-effective with a faster ROI due to lower initial setup costs. ExtremeControl, while more expensive, is perceived as a worthwhile investment for larger enterprises seeking extensive features.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs. ExtremeControl Report (Updated: January 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs. ExtremeControl

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 Identity Services Eng...

Ranking in Network Access Control (NAC)

1st

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

141

Ranking in other categories

Cisco Security Portfolio (1st)

ExtremeControl

Ranking in Network Access Control (NAC)

15th

Average Rating

7.2

Reviews Sentiment

4.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2025, in the Network Access Control (NAC) category, the mindshare of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is 28.4%, down from 31.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of ExtremeControl is 1.9%, up from 1.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Access Control (NAC)

Featured Reviews

SunilkumarNaganuri

Service Line Manager (Service Operations Expert) - Network Access Control at a pharma/biotech company with 10,001+ employees

Enhanced device administration hindered by complex deployment and security limitations

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) needs to improve the profiling preauthentication. They are very poor in asset classification and should focus on improving the preauthentication profiling, especially for NAC use cases. This will give them a roadmap for software-defined access (SDA) use cases and network segmentation. Threat detection capabilities are very weak. Additionally, the product is vulnerable and has many bugs.

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Jose Mota

IT specialist at FERCAM SpA

Has a simple setup process, but it could be affordable

We have noticed similarities between Extreme and Ubiquiti, particularly in their functionality, like how they operate wirelessly and can be managed from the cloud or locally. Based on our experience, Ubiquiti's system may be more user-friendly and capable of handling heavy loads. Still, Extreme could be more reliable, although you have yet to compare them side by side directly. For instance, we have observed Extreme performing well in a warehouse environment, which might have a different level of network traffic than a convention center.

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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 interface is pretty easy to use."

"The ability to integrate our Cisco AnyConnect connections to the active directory has been great."

"It is scalable because we use a network load balancer at the front of the PSN. It can be extended as we want to multiply. It's scalable to our environment. We have around 8,000 users and we are planning to expand it."

"RADIUS is the best feature because it supplies authentication to our entire campus."

"One of the most important features is the authentication security for the individual connection to the network through their computer or laptop."

"So far, we have had no issues with the stability."

"Technical support is okay."

"Our clients like Cisco ISE because they already use various Cisco solutions. It's easy for them to use this solution because they have an engineer with Cisco certifications."

More Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) pros

"The solution is easy to use."

"The company also uses Cisco ISE in other places. I have been told that ExtremeControl is easier to use than ISE. The other reason we prefer ExtremeControl is stability. That's why they chose it for this big hospital in Oslo."

"It has effectively enhanced network security and integrated with other security tools to streamline operations."

"There is information on migrating most of the cloud system's features."

"I can know which end users are using which features."

Cons

"I'd like to see the logging be a bit more robust in terms of what it has baked in. If I want to do any in-depth searching, I have to export all the logs to an external platform like Elastic or LogRhythm and then parse through them myself. It would be nice if I could find what I want, when I want it, on the platform itself."

"The Cisco wireless controller needs to add more than one physical port."

"The licensing scheme is complex and could use enhancement to provide more options."

"Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) needs to improve the profiling preauthentication."

"The product is expensive. It would also be a good add-on to have some machine learning."

"If Cisco could grant more control, the features could be more focused on network and security administration, reducing the need for integration with other components."

"There should be an easier way to do the upgrades. There are a lot of steps to get to the next version from the previous version which ends up being a bit of the headache with the upgrade."

"Migration could be better. Right now, we back up with the new version, and it requires a lot of licensing and other things. Whenever we choose a product, it's very difficult because we have to meet the requirements of each feature. There is no standard feature, so the best system that we bought may not fit the solution. We have to look at every feature that the customer uses. If you compare it with other products like Aruba, it's not the same. With Cisco, I have to read all about the features on this version and the licensing required for the product. In Aruba, that thing is covered when you get one license because it covers almost everything. It could also be more scalable."

More Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) cons

"One improvement could be better clarification, namely that the system only works optimally with all components purchased together."

"The installation is easy, it can take between five minutes to four hours depending on the complexity of the environment. The speed of the installation could improve for more complex environments."

"I'd like to have access to more information on the traffic passing through."

"There isn't enough development for the on-premises controller."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The licensing can be confusing, but it is still pretty good."

"I don't know too much about the actual pricing on it. The licensing part is pretty straightforward. It's a lot more simple than some of the other Cisco licensing models. In that aspect, it's great."

"Cisco is expensive, but it's the cost for all the functions and value it brings. Functions like internet solutions, integrations, security, and many more features are important, but it's expensive for some clients."

"Licensing is a disaster. It's a mess and I hope they fix it soon."

"Cisco ISE is not inexpensive, but the solution is well-built and worth the expense."

"The SMARTnet technical support is available at an additional cost."

"The pricing is fair for what it does."

"I think licensing costs roughly $2,000 a year. ISE is more expensive than Network Access Control."

More Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) pricing and cost advice

"ExtremeControl can be expensive compared to other options in the market."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

28%

Computer Software Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

Government

Computer Software Company

15%

Healthcare Company

10%

Government

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

Which is better - Aruba Clearpass or Cisco ISE?

Aruba ClearPass is a Network Access Control tool that gives secure network access to multiple device types. You can adapt the policies to VPN access, wired, or wireless access. You can securely ...

See all answers

What are the main differences between Cisco ISE and Forescout Platform?

OK, so Cisco ISE uses 802.1X to secure switchports against unauthorized access. The drawback of this is that ISE cannot secure the port if a device does not support 802.1x. Cameras, badge readers, ...

See all answers

How does Cisco ISE compare with Fortinet FortiNAC?

Cisco ISE uses AI endpoint analytics to identify new devices based on their behavior. It will also notify you if someone plugs in with a device that is not allowed and will block it. The user exper...

See all answers

What do you like most about ExtremeControl?

It has effectively enhanced network security and integrated with other security tools to streamline operations.

See all answers

What needs improvement with ExtremeControl?

One improvement could be better clarification, namely that the system only works optimally with all components purchased together.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for ExtremeControl?

We don't like ExtremeControl on-premises because it's missing most features. There is information on migrating most of the cloud system's features, but there isn't enough development for the on-pre...

See all answers

Comparisons

Aruba ClearPass vs Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

Compared 25% of the time

Fortinet FortiNAC vs Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

Compared 21% of the time

Forescout Platform vs Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

Compared 13% of the time

CyberArk Privileged Access Manager vs Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

Compared 6% of the time

Cisco DNA Center vs Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

Compared 1% of the time

More Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Competitors

Aruba ClearPass vs ExtremeControl

Compared 47% of the time

Fortinet FortiNAC vs ExtremeControl

Compared 17% of the time

Forescout Platform vs ExtremeControl

Compared 5% of the time

More ExtremeControl Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

January 2025

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) report

Download Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) product report

Buyer's Guide

Network Access Control (NAC)

December 2024

Download ExtremeControl product report

Also Known As

Cisco ISE

Extreme Access Control, Enterasys NAC

Learn More

Cisco

Extreme

Overview

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) offers comprehensive network access control and visibility, supporting features like 802.1X authentication, profiling, and posturing. It integrates with Microsoft and other Cisco products, facilitating robust security policies across distributed networks.

Cisco Identity Services Engine is a key player in network access control, offering centralized management and a user-friendly interface. It supports zero trust principles and provides strong authentication for wired and wireless networks. ISE's capabilities include granular security policies, enhanced device posturing, and seamless integration, bolstering security infrastructure. Users benefit from its dual authentication through EAP, simplifying access management across networks.

What are the key features of Cisco ISE?

802.1X Authentication: Supports network security for authorized device access.
Profiling: Identifies devices for accurate policy enforcement.
Posturing: Evaluates device compliance for access decisions.
TACACS: Streamlines network device authentication and authorization.
Guest Access: Provides secure access to visitors.
Microsoft Compatibility: Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft environments.

What benefits and ROI should be considered?

Security Enhancement: Offers strong network security policies.
Operational Efficiency: Centralized management improves operational aspects.
Improved Compliance: Ensures adherence to industry standards.
Scalability: Supports growing network demands effectively.

In industries like finance, healthcare, and education, Cisco ISE is pivotal for securing wired and wireless networks, implementing BYOD policies, and managing user access. Organizations leverage ISE for effective authentication and authorization, while maintaining compliance with industry security standards.

ExtremeControl lets you manage secure and automated access for both, BYOD and IoT devices from one convenient dashboard. It makes it easy to roll out granular policies across your wired and wireless networks to meet industry and company compliance obligations. Identity based network access control keeps unauthorized people and devices from accessing your network.

Sample Customers

Aegean Motorway, BC Hydro, Beachbody, Bucks County Intermediate Unit , Cisco IT, Derby City Council, Global Banking Customer, Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha, Houston Methodist, Linz AG, London Hydro, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Molina Healthcare, MST Systems, New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Reykjavik University, Wildau University

Street Crane, Robert Bosch, Molex Chengdu, Weir Valves & Controls UK, Renault, AESSEAL, Ducati, Alexander Dennis, UK Ministry of Defence, Manz

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs. ExtremeControl

January 2025

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