Cisco Catalyst Center Reviews

Name: Cisco Catalyst Center
Brand: Cisco
Rating: 4.3 (16 reviews)

Vendor: Cisco

4.3 out of 5

16 reviews
100% willing to recommend

What is Cisco Catalyst Center?

Cisco Catalyst Center offers a comprehensive platform for network management, providing scalable solutions and advanced analytics for enterprise-level operations.

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Cisco Catalyst Center is the #3 ranked solution in top Network Management Applications. PeerSpot users give Cisco Catalyst Center an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Cisco Catalyst Center is most commonly compared to Cisco DNA Center: Cisco Catalyst Center vs Cisco DNA Center. Cisco Catalyst Center is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 65% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a manufacturing company, accounting for 16% of all views.

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Network Management Applications

July 2025

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Featured Cisco Catalyst Center reviews

Ahmad Attal

Cyber Security Architect at Spie Ics

I use Cisco Catalyst Center for network connectivity for customers who either have limited IT staff and need a simple solution to administrate or want to build a complex architecture and platform. It is user-friendly and often used with Wi-Fi solutions The analytics feature is quite good, and the…

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Premnath Jaganathan

Product Manager at Uop Ipl

The most valuable feature of Cisco Catalyst Center ( /products/cisco-catalyst-center-reviews ) is its dual functionality of observability and management. Unlike SolarWinds, which provides only network observability, Cisco Catalyst Center offers both management and monitoring capabilities. This dual functionality is crucial for monitoring large enterprises, providing a robust solution for IT teams.

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Syed Shahnawaz Hussain

Sr. Executive Design Engineering Team at Wateen Telecom (pvt.)

Some of the most common and valuable use cases for the Catalyst switches include network segmentation, VLAN implementation, and access level security integration. There are lots of features in the Catalyst switches, and some of the basic, important features are crucial for deployment. Cisco tech support is one of the best in the industry, which is a strong feature available across their products.

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Cisco Catalyst Center mindshare

As of July 2025, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Center in the Network Management Applications category stands at 8.6%, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Management Applications

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Jul 20, 2025

Valuable Features

Valuable features of Cisco Catalyst Center include Wireless Assurance, integration with third-party software, and centralized management. Observability and management dual functionality is crucial for IT teams. Automation streamlines network tasks, enhancing efficiency. Scalability, advanced security, and effective troubleshooting improve network performance. The availability of documentation and wide user support are significant advantages. Features like VLANs, analytics, and Prox platform offer versatility. Dashboards assist in identifying LAN issues, while Cisco Spaces aids future planning.

"Cisco tech support is one of the best in the industry, which is a strong feature available across their products."
"The most valuable feature of Cisco Catalyst Center is automation."
"Cisco's technical support is excellent."

Room for Improvement

Cisco Catalyst Center faces challenges in handling heterogeneous environments due to its limitations with non-Cisco devices. Users report complex deployment and setup processes with room for improvement in integration and GUI speed. Issues with cost, licensing options, and frequent software updates are concerns. Security enhancements, better documentation, and AI capabilities would benefit users. The need for extended data retention and improved analytics is also noted, and many users seek more intuitive interfaces.

"Advanced hardware replacement services have seen a degradation in quality, with delays in replacement parts."
"The initial setup of Cisco Catalyst Center is complex."
"Cisco Catalyst Center could improve its graphical user interface. Currently, it is CLI-based, which makes it challenging for those without Cisco training."

ROI

Cisco Catalyst Center offers significant cost savings by simplifying network management and reducing the need for extensive resources. Users experience benefits such as easy deployment and robust support. Despite the high initial cost, the platform's longevity contributes to a positive return on investment. Organizations attained performance improvements and network stability at implemented sites, leading to notable cost benefits. Many continue choosing Cisco solutions due to the observed positive return on investment.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers find Cisco Catalyst Center priced on the higher side compared to other OEMs. It is described as offering value for money and likened to the iPhone of networking for its balance of quality and service. Pricing can be influenced by discounts based on deal specifics and switch quantity. Despite higher costs, customers feel the stability and effectiveness of Cisco solutions justify the investment, though they face competitive challenges from other brands like Huawei and Juniper.

Popular Use Cases

Cisco Catalyst Center is utilized for managing fabric SD Access, network connectivity, monitoring, configuration, and automation. It provides visibility into Cisco products, enabling plug-and-play features, telemetry data collection, and hierarchy definition. Users manage wired and wireless devices, offering observability and network management in enterprise environments, educational institutions, and across IT infrastructures. It supports deployment of Catalyst switches for various applications and ensures ease of user connectivity management.

Service and Support

Cisco Catalyst Center's customer service and support are highly rated. Users praise Cisco's industry-leading support, dedication, and efficiency. Ratings mostly range from seven to nine out of ten. Users mention timely problem resolution and dedicated engineers for service agreements. However, there are some concerns about delays in advanced hardware replacement. Many find technical support through chat boxes and preconditioned questions helpful. Some note occasional challenges with time zones and finding the right engineer.

Deployment

Cisco Catalyst Center's initial setup varies in complexity depending on factors like architecture size and user familiarity. Some find it straightforward, achievable in a few hours if prerequisites are met. Others highlight complexities with SD Access Fabric and the need for clear documentation. Installing iOS software on new devices can be time-consuming, impacting costs. Experiences with deployment timeframes differ, with some completing the process in phases, particularly during challenging conditions like COVID.

Scalability

Cisco Catalyst Center excels in scalability across different sizes with customizable form factors. Multiple users noted its ability to support diverse business requirements, offering model flexibility for different performance needs. Its capability to handle large numbers of devices and robust stacking features is frequently highlighted. Evaluations tend to rank it between eight and ten out of ten for scalability, emphasizing its adaptability and suitability for both medium to large enterprises.

Stability

Cisco Catalyst Center is generally stable and reliable. Network experts mention its strong performance in switching and wireless domains. Some software bugs and patch management needs affect its stability, leading some to rate it lower. Stability ratings range from five to nine out of ten. Users find it free from major problems and report minimal issues over extended usage. Instances of prolonged uptime without rebooting further indicate its robustness in network management.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Network Management Applications Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

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Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

16%

Government

11%

Energy/Utilities Company

Healthcare Company

Financial Services Firm

Legal Firm

Educational Organization

Computer Software Company

Photography Company

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

Non Profit

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Hospitality Company

Insurance Company

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

Construction Company

Transportation Company

University

Wellness & Fitness Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Real Estate/Law Firm

Security Firm

Marketing Services Firm

Renewables & Environment Company

Logistics Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Compare Cisco Catalyst Center with alternative products

Learn more about Cisco Catalyst Center

Focusing on efficient network management, Cisco Catalyst Center effectively addresses dynamic enterprise environments, ensuring operational scalability and actionable insights through its robust feature set. It emphasizes seamless management with an intuitive interface tailored for professional use, facilitating enhanced network visibility and control among IT professionals and service providers.

What are the standout features of Cisco Catalyst Center?

Automated Provisioning: Simplifies and speeds up network configuration processes by automating repetitive tasks.
Advanced Analytics: Provides real-time insights and trends for network optimization and security enhancements.
Policy-Based Configuration: Ensures consistent network settings adherence with centralized policy management.
Comprehensive Monitoring: Offers in-depth visibility into network performance, facilitating quick identification of issues.

What benefits should users look for in reviews?

Improved Efficiency: Streamlined operations lead to reduced manual input and increased productivity.
Cost Savings: Automation and analytics reduce operational expenses and enhance ROI.
Enhanced Security: Policy enforcement and monitoring provide robust defense against vulnerabilities.
Scalability: Supports growing network infrastructures and evolving enterprise demands.

Cisco Catalyst Center is widely implemented across industries like finance, healthcare, and education due to its ability to handle complex network requirements. It addresses specific needs by offering tailored solutions designed to enhance operational efficiency and security, catering to professionals managing large-scale IT ecosystems.