Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) Reviews

We use it to simplify the maintenance of servers and the network infrastructure for data centers. This means a single pane of glass from where we can easily manage the data center. 

We can configure things, check the host setup, and apply this to the policies. In addition, we also upgraded the OS version to fulfill the compliance requirements. We can also manage the progress and develop updates or check the health status and upgrade of home-based solutions.

We now get more insight into the network's health data. This includes the compliance part and other points to a single pane from there. We can also upgrade and get the visibility for the running version. Without the compatibility of the infrastructure, we would not have been able to do this. It will manage what we don't see on the device and sync from a single cloud.

I don't have to rely on the on-site engineer who can do the configuration. I can have our team just plug the devices and perform remotely. I can also do the templates. 

Automation for the RMA process can be added. 

I have been using Cisco Data Center Network Manager for more than a year.

It is a scalable solution. It is recommended for both small and medium-sized companies. 

The technical support team is excellent. 

The initial setup is straightforward. The deployment of the solution is dependent on the organization, but after it is downloaded, it takes an hour to get the solution deployed. 

I rate the overall solution a ten out of ten. 

We use the solution to build private clouds in government data centers. Government institutions mainly use their own data centers. We come in when they want an update or something in addition to their data centers. We work on any addition or update requirements in these data centers. 

We are system integrators who also take part in purchase and selling. We architect solutions and implement them for all activities as part of a business. 

The most valuable feature is that it is vendor-independent. We have an open-solution approach. However, the actual devices have to be from an OEM but the management part, if proposed on open platforms, the solution becomes independent of OEMs. 

For network management, your access is locked to Cisco. Open solutions let us integrate with other solutions. Cisco should have better integration to use additional tools. If the customer thinks about using additional solutions, which are alternatives, Cisco should make sure they are not left out.

I have been using the solution for more than ten years. 

I would rate the stability a ten out of ten. 

The product is very scalable. We work with their architects to figure out the solution. Scalability is a factor we take into consideration when we design a data center. 

This solution can be used by big companies as well as SMBs. 

The technical support is good. I would rate the technical support a ten out of ten. For maintenance and support, Cisco provides options like next day, business day, or within around four hours. Multiple options are available, so depending on the use case, everyone can choose the ideal level of support. 

When a solution has more depth, the setup is more complex. Cisco has extensive training and documentation, so we don't have a hard time with the setup.

I would say that the pricing offers great value for the money. The solution is expensive, but it gets compensated by the use cases. 

The licensing cost is also on the higher side, but customers show confidence in our implementation of this solution. Getting trained people on this solution to do the job is easier for us. We have found that Cisco is a good company to work with. 

The licensing model is not complex. Some scenarios can be complex, but the complexity is justified. 

The cost structure is very transparent regarding maintenance and support. 

For some use cases, we worked with Juniper. Juniper is equally strong. 

In comparison, the certification process is very extensive for Cisco. Most professionals are trained and familiar with Cisco. Of every ten professionals, all will be trained in Cisco, whereas only two will be familiar with Juniper. 

Whichever solution needs to be implemented, we can always work with Cisco Solutions. They have the right fit for everything, Cisco helps us select the right product. We work out a solution and vet it by Cisco; that's how we work. I would overall rate the solution an eight out of ten. 

The interface of this solution is easy to use overall and is intuitive enough. 

We recently deployed our supply value for architecture and connected it to DCNM.

I like running the scripts. With the help of a Python script, we deployed within the configuration and built up the code.

One of the biggest challenges is that we aren't always able to push the configuration onto the target device. Whenever this happens, we have to do a factory reset, put on the script, and then reconfigure it again. In the next release, I would like to have a troubleshooting feature.

I have been using Cisco Data Center Network Manager for about two years.

Cisco Data Center Network Manager is not a stable product. We had some database issues, and we had to restart it manually. We also had some false alarms and had to investigate. 

On a scale from one to ten, I would give stability a seven.

Cisco Data Center Network Manager is scalable. We have two IT engineers using it right now.

On a scale from one to ten, I would give scalability an eight.

I think we are premium partners, so technical support was mostly good.

Positive

We have Cisco ECI. We are focusing on high-end customers, so we are using DCNM. We also have Cisco AFI.

The initial setup is straightforward. 

We implemented this solution. We have three people, including a network architect, to deploy and manage this solution.

I would tell potential users a couple of things. Firstly, if you're trying to execute any network script, ensure it's properly written. Otherwise, it's going to create a huge impact. Secondly, before performing any upgrade to the latest version, pay the tag ticket to ensure that the firmware is OK and cannot cause any outage in your environment.

On a scale from one to ten, I would give Cisco Data Center Network Manager an eight.

The HDA is part of the micro-segmentation of the network, and it can be integrated with security departments like the F5 Checkpoint Firewall Tool. You can integrate all the networks into the software and file network data center. We are looking for the load balancing and application service of Cloudflare.

The visibility of applications is not great, which is why we study upscalability. We want to understand the software-defined network and access, the edge, and how to connect. The setup is complex and could be improved. Regarding additional features, the integration with the APM would be good.

We have been using this solution for 14 years, and it is implemented on-premises, Google Cloud, Amazon, or Azure.

It is a stable solution. 

It's scalable in terms of the network and software. You can do many things in terms of integration with the terraform.

I rate the technical support an eight out of ten. We have a great relationship with them and talk directly with the business unit.

Positive

The setup process was complex and not simple. It's not a plug-and-play solution.

I rate the pricing a six out of ten, with ten being a good price.

I rate this solution a six out of ten. It can be compared to VMWare but more as a complimentary solution than a competitor.

We use the product to manage access points. 

The solution needs to improve reports. 

I rate the product a seven out of ten. It is a very good solution. 

We are customers of Cisco and I'm a system engineer. 

Fabric suite automation is a great feature.

I'd like to see better integration with VMware products such as NSX and the reporting could be improved. 

I've been using this solution for one and a half years. 

The solution is stable. 

The solution is scalable. We currently have four network managers and eight system engineers. 

The technical support is quite good, they respond quickly. 

We previously used SolarWinds Network Monitoring but switched to Cisco but it has multiple tools on a single platform. SolarWinds does provide better reporting.

Deployment took us 25 days and was carried out by our local team with some assistance from Cisco. 

The product is good but quite expensive. We pay an annual license and the cost depends on the number of devices. 

I rate this solution nine out of 10. 

Data Center Network Manager is a little complex because it includes a lot of hardware to be installed, so making this simpler would be an improvement.

I've been using this solution for five years.

Data Center Network Manager is absolutely stable.

Data Center Network Manager is scalable.

Cisco's technical support is excellent.

The initial setup is straightforward so long as you have experience in networking.

We've had a good ROI from Data Center Network Manager. There's also a facility on Cisco's website to calculate the ROI from adopting this solution.

On average, Data Center Network Manager's pricing isn't too costly unless you choose a premier license.

I would advise those thinking of implementing Data Center Network Manager to get some expert supervision during the planning stage. I would give Data Center Network Manager a rating of nine out of ten.

We are a solution provider and this is one of the products that we implement for our customers. I am in a networking environment and this is a solution for monitoring the activity and connectivity in a Cisco network.

The most valuable feature is the connectivity monitoring.

Sometimes the product gives us problems that require support.

There are still several things that need to be done in order to perfect this solution.

I have been working with the Cisco Data Center Network Manager for four years.

The stability is there with this solution.

Scaling this solution requires upgrading.

The initial setup is pretty straightforward.

My team is responsible for the implementation, deployment, and support of this solution.

At this point, I am happy with this product and I would recommend it. I will only switch if somebody comes out with one that is much better.

In general, this is a good solution, but there are still things that they need to work on.

I would rate this solution a seven out of ten.

Our primary use case of the solution is for automation. We're an airline so a lot of people buy from us. We are vendors and I'm an IT manager. 

There are many valuable features in this solution: The automation of the ILS, the automation of the small changes, the lands updates, scheduling, integration - basically, the pushing of features that we used to do manually. It's a good product.

The robustness in the API could be improved. I also think Cisco could look into reducing the pricing of the solution. 

I've been using this solution since it's been on the market. 

The stability hasn't been too bad. 

There are no issues with scalability.

The technical support is a gap for us as a company. When I think of technical support, there's two types: There's developmental and then there's operational support. Cisco shines at developmental support and new products. Operational support, and then continuing to keep the lights on, is an area that could be improved.

Any company needs to understand that it requires a commitment, the need to employ somebody who's a specialist, who understands and can manage the portal itself. If you do that, there are many benefits to be had. 

I would rate this solution an eight out of 10. 

Our primary use case is for monitoring and protecting companies from malware attacks as well as providing secure VPN. I'm an IT solution consultant. 

The monitoring system in this product is valuable. It provides a clear indication of what's going on in the network and the server processing, power, etc. User interface is also very good, very informative. 

It's a relatively expensive product for some clients so perhaps improvement could be made in that area. In terms of product improvement, I don't have any recommendations. I'm happy with the product as is. 

I've been providing service on this solution and using it for over 10 years. 

It's a stable product, I don't intend to replace it in the near future.

I've used the technical support many times in the past. They are very helpful. 

I've used HP in the past, but it's for enterprise companies so not comparable to Network Manager.

The initial setup is very straightforward - I use the help of an integrator for this. 

I believe cost for the product is below 5,000K.

I would recommend Network Manager for small and medium scale companies. When it comes to larger scale companies, you would need to look at HP. 

I would rate this product a nine out of 10.