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Cisco DNA Center VS Azure Network Watcher

Compare Cisco DNA Center VS Azure Network Watcher and see what are their differences

Cisco DNA Center logo Cisco DNA Center

Find and resolve network issues with Cisco DNA Center. Provides software-based network automation and assurance. Control and manage intent-based networks.

Azure Network Watcher logo Azure Network Watcher

Azure Network Watcher provides multiple features to help you visualize key parameters, track, troubleshoot, and activate or deactivate logs for resources in an Azure virtual network.
  • Cisco DNA Center Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-17
  • Azure Network Watcher Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-18

Cisco DNA Center features and specs

  • Centralized Network Management
    DNA Center offers a single pane of glass for managing the entire network, which simplifies operations and reduces administrative overhead.
  • Automation and AI-Driven Insights
    It uses AI and machine learning to provide predictive insights and automate routine tasks, improving efficiency and reducing human error.
  • Enhanced Security
    Integrates security features like Cisco ISE, providing network visibility and segmentation, which help in identifying and mitigating threats swiftly.
  • Scalability
    Designed to scale with your network, it supports a wide range of network sizes and can evolve as your network grows.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Offers extensive integration with third-party systems and other Cisco solutions, allowing for a more cohesive IT ecosystem.

Possible disadvantages of Cisco DNA Center

  • Cost
    The initial investment and ongoing licensing fees can be high, which may be a barrier for smaller organizations.
  • Complexity
    The wide array of features and capabilities can lead to a steep learning curve for IT staff who are not already familiar with Cisco products.
  • Hardware Dependence
    Some features and functionalities require specific Cisco hardware, which can limit flexibility and increase costs.
  • Vendor Lock-In
    Using Cisco-exclusive solutions may limit options for integrating non-Cisco hardware and software in the future.
  • Implementation Time
    Deploying Cisco DNA Center can be time-consuming and may require substantial planning and resources to implement effectively.

Azure Network Watcher features and specs

  • Comprehensive Network Monitoring
    Azure Network Watcher provides end-to-end monitoring capabilities across all your Azure resources, allowing you to maintain high visibility on the network performance and health.
  • Diagnostic Tools
    Offers a suite of diagnostic tools such as packet capture, VPN diagnostics, and NSG flow logs, which help in troubleshooting network issues efficiently.
  • Topology Viewer
    Visualizes the network topology, providing insights into how resources are connected, making it easier to understand the network architecture and identify bottlenecks or misconfigurations.
  • Integration with Other Azure Services
    Seamlessly integrates with other Azure services like Azure Monitor, providing a unified platform for monitoring and alerting on your network infrastructure.
  • Security Insights
    Helps enhance security by monitoring NSG flow logs and identifying potential threats or unusual traffic patterns.

Possible disadvantages of Azure Network Watcher

  • Complexity
    Due to its comprehensive range of features and capabilities, it may require a steep learning curve for new users to fully leverage its potential.
  • Cost
    While some of the features are free, others, especially those involving data processing or storage, may incur additional costs which can increase rapidly with scale.
  • Performance Overhead
    Enabling extensive logging and diagnostics can introduce performance overhead, potentially impacting the performance of monitored applications or resources.
  • Data Privacy Concerns
    As with any monitoring tool, there may be concerns about data privacy as sensitive information could be logged or captured during network monitoring.
  • Limited to Azure
    Azure Network Watcher is limited to Azure infrastructure, so it may not be suitable for organizations using a multi-cloud approach or hybrid environments not fully residing within Azure.

Analysis of Cisco DNA Center

Overall verdict

  • Cisco DNA Center is generally considered a robust and comprehensive network management solution designed for enterprise environments.

Why this product is good

  • It offers a wide range of features, including network automation, policy-based segmentation, assurance, and analytics. These capabilities help improve network performance, enhance security, and simplify management tasks. Additionally, its ability to provide deep insights and automate complex processes makes it a valuable tool for IT teams managing large and sophisticated networks.

Recommended for

    Cisco DNA Center is particularly recommended for large enterprises and organizations with complex network infrastructures that require automated solutions, centralized management, and advanced troubleshooting tools. It is also suitable for those looking to enhance network security and performance through segmentation and analytics.

Cisco DNA Center videos

Overview of Cisco DNA Center

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to use Cisco DNA Center Appliance for Assurance and SD-Access
  • Review - Overview of Cisco DNA Center Assurance

Azure Network Watcher videos

Complete Azure Network Watcher DEMO and Overview

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Cisco DNA Center and Azure Network Watcher)
Monitoring Tools
79 79%
21% 21
Log Management
89 89%
11% 11
Network & Admin
0 0%
100% 100
Security
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Cisco DNA Center and Azure Network Watcher

Cisco DNA Center Reviews

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Azure Network Watcher Reviews

Best network monitoring tools of 2020: remote monitoring and management (RMM)
Best network monitoring tools - at a glance(Image credit: WebTitan)1. WebTitanAdaptable web access policiesStrong range of analytics toolsMulti-faceted approach to handling security(Image credit: Pulseway)2. PulsewayLots of third party integrationsFlexible packagesDisaster recovery capabilities3. AteraFlexible deployment optionsEasy to useRange of features could be more...

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Cisco DNA Center and Azure Network Watcher, you can also consider the following products

Nmap - Nmap Free Security Scanner, Port Scanner, & Network Exploration Tool. Download open source software for Linux, Windows, UNIX, FreeBSD, etc.

Obkio - Simple Network Monitoring and Network Troubleshooting software to empower users to identify and troubleshoot network & application slowdown from the end-user perspective.

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager - SolarWinds is a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT infrastructure management software. Make IT look easy.

SolarWinds Network Bandwidth Analyzer - Download a 30-day free trial of Network Bandwidth Analyzer Pack, easy-to-use software that delivers real-time monitoring, alerting, and reporting for routers, switches, and other SNMP-enabled devices.

Cisco Network Assistant - Cisco Network Assistant simplifies wired and wireless network management, and provides critical product information using Cisco Active Advisor.

Flowmon - Clever Network Monitoring and Security Solution based on NetFlow, IPFIX and Network Behavior Analysis