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Cisco ACI VS Visual Syslog Server

Compare Cisco ACI VS Visual Syslog Server and see what are their differences

Cisco ACI logo Cisco ACI

Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) simplifies, optimizes, and accelerates the application deployment lifecycle in next-generation data centers and clouds.

Visual Syslog Server logo Visual Syslog Server

Visual Syslog Server (daemon) for Windows with a graphical user interface.
  • Cisco ACI Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21
  • Visual Syslog Server Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-29

Cisco ACI features and specs

  • Centralized Management
    Cisco ACI provides a centralized point of management for the entire network infrastructure, making it easier to configure, automate, and manage policies across the network.
  • Scalability
    ACI allows for scalable design, accommodating the growth of network infrastructure with minimal disruption and extensive support for multi-cloud environments.
  • Policy-Based Automation
    ACI leverages policy-driven automation to reduce the complexity and potential for human error in network configurations. Policies can be applied uniformly across the network to ensure compliance and security.
  • Security
    By using micro-segmentation and other security features, ACI enhances network security by isolating segments of the network and ensuring consistent security policies.
  • Multi-Tenancy Support
    ACI supports multi-tenancy, allowing different segments or tenants within an organization to operate within their own isolated environments while sharing the same physical infrastructure.
  • Integration with Third-Party Tools
    The platform supports integration with a wide range of third-party tools and applications, streamlining workflows and improving operational efficiencies.
  • Visibility and Troubleshooting
    ACI provides extensive monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities, allowing for enhanced visibility into network performance and faster resolution of issues.

Possible disadvantages of Cisco ACI

  • High Initial Investment
    The upfront costs associated with deploying Cisco ACI can be significant, including both hardware and software expenses.
  • Complexity
    While ACI simplifies many aspects of network management, its sophisticated features and architecture can add layers of complexity, requiring specialized knowledge and training.
  • Vendor Lock-In
    Implementing Cisco ACI often ties the organization to Cisco's ecosystem, which might limit flexibility with multi-vendor environments or introduce higher costs for future upgrades and expansions.
  • Learning Curve
    Network administrators and engineers may face a steep learning curve when transitioning to ACI, necessitating time for training and adjustment.
  • Dependency on APIC
    The Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) is a critical component of the ACI architecture, and any failure or issue with APIC can impact the entire network's operation.
  • Migration Challenges
    Migrating existing network infrastructure to ACI can be a complex and risky process, requiring careful planning and execution to avoid disruptions.

Visual Syslog Server features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Visual Syslog Server provides an intuitive and easy-to-use graphical interface, making it accessible even for users who may not be familiar with command-line syslog tools.
  • Real-Time Monitoring
    The tool supports real-time monitoring of syslog messages, allowing administrators to observe the log data as it is being generated.
  • Simple Setup
    Setting up Visual Syslog Server is straightforward, with minimal configuration requirements, making it quick to deploy in various environments.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Visual Syslog Server is free to use and can be modified to suit specific requirements.
  • Filtered Search
    It offers filtering options to search through logs based on keywords, severity levels, and other criteria, helping users quickly find relevant information.

Possible disadvantages of Visual Syslog Server

  • Limited Platform Support
    Visual Syslog Server primarily supports Windows operating systems, potentially limiting its use in diverse IT environments that may also include Linux or macOS systems.
  • Basic Functionality
    While it covers essential syslog processing features, advanced log analysis and correlation capabilities are limited compared to more comprehensive tools.
  • Scalability Issues
    Visual Syslog Server might struggle to efficiently handle very large volumes of log data, making it less suitable for enterprise-level installations.
  • Lack of Advanced Security Features
    The software does not include advanced security features such as encryption or secure log transfer mechanisms out of the box, which may be a concern for security-sensitive environments.
  • Dependent on External Software
    Integration with other tools may require additional configuration or reliance on other software, which could complicate deployment in certain scenarios.

Analysis of Cisco ACI

Overall verdict

  • Cisco ACI is generally considered a robust and effective solution for many organizations, providing a scalable and efficient network management framework.

Why this product is good

  • Cisco ACI provides centralized management and control of network infrastructure, which can significantly reduce complexity and improve operational efficiency.
  • The platform supports advanced automation capabilities and policy-driven network provisioning, enhancing agility and consistency.
  • Its integration with both Cisco hardware and third-party systems makes it a versatile choice for various IT environments.
  • ACIโ€™s security features, including micro-segmentation and policy enforcement, enhance overall network security.
  • The ecosystem offers extensive support and documentation, backed by Ciscoโ€™s reputed customer service.

Recommended for

  • Large enterprises with complex network requirements.
  • Organizations looking to streamline their network management and operations through automation.
  • Companies seeking a scalable solution that can grow with their business needs.
  • Network administrators who need comprehensive visibility and control over their network environment.
  • Businesses utilizing hybrid or multi-cloud strategies, benefiting from ACIโ€™s integration capabilities.

Cisco ACI videos

Cisco ACI vs. VMware NSX: Which Software-Defined Solution is Right for You?

Visual Syslog Server videos

No Visual Syslog Server videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Cisco ACI and Visual Syslog Server)
Monitoring Tools
89 89%
11% 11
Log Management
83 83%
17% 17
DCIM Software
100 100%
0% 0
Performance Monitoring
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Visual Syslog Server seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Cisco ACI mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Cisco ACI yet. Tracking of Cisco ACI recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Visual Syslog Server mentions (1)

  • [Siemens] Profinet problem
    Does the managed switch support syslog? Visual Syslog Server is completely free, run it on the laptop you had Wireshark on and set the switch to log everything (debug). Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Cisco ACI and Visual Syslog Server, you can also consider the following products

ManageEngine OpManager - Monitors routers, switches, firewalls, load-balancers, wireless LAN controllers, servers, VMs, printers, storage devices, and everything that has an IP and is connected to the network.

nxlog - NXLog offersย log management solutions for companies of all sizes.

Cisco Data Center Network Manager - Cisco Data Center Network Manager offers network management system (NMS) support for traditional or multiple-tenant LAN and SAN fabrics.

rsyslog - Rsyslog is an enhanced syslogd supporting, among others, MySQL, PostgreSQL, failover log...

DCImanager - DCImanager is a platform for managing physical equipment. Connect any physical equipment to a single platform. Use the platform to manage your servers, switches, PDU as well as physical and virtual networks.

Kiwi Syslog Server - Kiwi Syslog Server prvides solution to centralize and simplify log message management across network devices and servers.