Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN compete in the network management and SD-WAN market. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN seems to have the upper hand with its advanced features and trusted reputation in technical reliability, attracting large enterprises seeking reliability and scalability.
Features: Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista's robust network management and security features along with its comprehensive reporting and analytics make it a unified solution that simplifies management across same-brand devices. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN offers advanced application-level routing, cloud integration, and strong failover capabilities, with centralized management and visibility into application traffic.
Room for Improvement: Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista could enhance its offerings by improving reporting capabilities, integrating more cybersecurity features, and offering lighter WiFi access points. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN would benefit from a simpler licensing model, enhanced security features, and a more user-friendly interface.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista offers reliable technical support and can be deployed on-premises and in private and public clouds, though it lacks hybrid cloud support. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN provides compatibility for on-premises, private, public, and hybrid clouds. It is praised for its central management but requires technical expertise for deployment.
Pricing and ROI: Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista offers a cost-effective perpetual licensing model, though it remains expensive relative to its features. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is considered expensive with subscription-based licensing and high support costs, but delivers a worthwhile ROI due to its superior technology and reliability.
With Zero Trust provisioning via the Catalyst Center and Meraki dashboard, new branch offices are configured in hours instead of weeks, freeing engineering teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than manual deployment.
They are now back to do that with the remainder of their company, so they've realized the value in 12 months and are willing to invest in the remainder of their organization.
The principal third-level support is very good.
I would consider Cisco support a 10 out of 10.
I would rate Cisco's support, their customer service, and technical support as excellent.
Its controller architecture is highly matured, making it one of the most valuable and reliable LAN platforms for large enterprises.
Cisco SD-WAN is highly scalable and can be expanded to more than 10,000 sites.
The ease of configuration and features like zero-touch provisioning enhance the scalability of Cisco SD-WAN, especially in disaster recovery situations.
While some software-related issues and bugs were encountered, they did not cause the whole environment to crash.
A simple issue in the control connections between the fabric causes numerous complexities.
We tend to play it safe and use versions that have been tested more thoroughly, rather than necessarily old versions.
Now, they change frequently, making it difficult to obtain long-term support.
Better documentation with real-world examples, improved third-party integration, and more detailed monitoring dashboards would make Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN even more effective.
Including more features like integrating with Splunk for monitoring vulnerabilities would help eliminate the need for other SOC solutions.
Its pricing is justifiable due to the comprehensive solution it offers.
It is also relatively cost-effective for smaller businesses when using the Meraki version.
The pricing of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is rated between eight and nine out of ten, where ten is the most expensive.
It also provides robust security features, including port security, analysis, mirroring, and multiple other security solutions.
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN has integrated security features which include base firewall, URL filtering, IPS, and secure segmentation.
The centralized dashboard gives me a clear view of all branch sites, making it easy to manage and monitor tunnel health, bandwidth usage, and device status from one place.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN | 2.4% |
| Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista | 1.8% |
| Other | 95.8% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 5 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 2 |
| Large Enterprise | 2 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 45 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 15 |
| Large Enterprise | 48 |
Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista provides comprehensive network management with tools like Visual RAF, health analysis, and detailed analytics. Its user-friendly interface simplifies device configuration, while monitoring capabilities cover both wired and wireless setups.
Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista stands out in the field of network management by offering extensive features for monitoring and managing network infrastructure. Users benefit from a system that efficiently tracks the up/down status of network devices, performs in-depth health analyses, and provides real-time analytics. Configuration management is simplified, facilitating the addition and modification of devices effortlessly. OmniVista effectively monitors wired and wireless equipment, granting insights into WiFi access points, switch speeds, and bandwidth. It ensures stable and scalable network environments, supported by dedicated technical assistance. Despite its strong points, enhancements in reporting features through AI, improved security, and the inclusion of an effective heatmap are areas for improvement. Additionally, limitations in changing user roles, reliance on CLI for admin tasks, and costly support are aspects noted by users.
What are the key features of Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista?In industries like telecommunications and education, entities utilize Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista for managing extensive wired and wireless networks, including ethernet suites and wireless access. It aids in configuration and maintenance through a graphical interface, supporting cloud and on-premise solutions and offering comprehensive tools for network connection management and audit reports.
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN offers centralized management and integrates seamlessly with existing Cisco ecosystems. It simplifies deployment with zero-touch provisioning, delivering robust security and optimized application routing.
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN provides essential capabilities for organizations seeking secure remote connectivity and cost reduction, notably through its support of hybrid environments. While pricing and complexity present challenges, its advanced application control and cloud compatibility make it a valuable asset for connecting branches and data centers. Users benefit from enhanced security, network assurance, and simplified management, driving operational efficiency.
What are the key features of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN?In banking, retail, and enterprise sectors, Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN facilitates effective network management by enhancing connectivity between branches and data centers. Its security features and zero-touch deployment are particularly valued, providing scalable solutions for locations that demand reliable, application-prioritized networking.
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