CA Unified Communications Monitor vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) comparison

Broadcom and Cisco are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Broadcom is ranked #103, while Cisco is ranked #18 with an average rating of 8.2. Broadcom holds a 0.1% mindshare in NMS, compared to Cisco’s 0.5% mindshare. Additionally, 50% of Broadcom users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 92% of Cisco users who would recommend it.

CA Unified Communications M...

Read 2 CA Unified Communications Monitor reviews

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133 Comparison Views

50% willing to recommend

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabri...

Read 25 Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) reviews

816 Views
510 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

CA Unified Communications M...

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabri...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller and CA Unified Communications Monitor compete in network management and monitoring. Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller shows strength in support and scalability, whereas CA Unified Communications Monitor is noteworthy for its feature richness, offsetting potentially higher setup costs.

Features: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller offers advanced automation, centralized fabric management, and robust network visibility. It is known for seamless network integration. CA Unified Communications Monitor provides comprehensive monitoring capabilities, focusing on unified communications performance and in-depth analytics, delivering detailed insights into network traffic and performance.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller could improve in user interface design, interoperability with non-Cisco devices, and reducing deployment complexity. CA Unified Communications Monitor might enhance scalability options, reduce setup costs, and add more integration with third-party tools.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: CA Unified Communications Monitor has a straightforward deployment model and strong support, making it user-friendly for various organizations. Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller offers extensive resources and support but may require more expertise during deployment due to complex infrastructure requirements. Both platforms are commended for customer service, with CA Unified Communications Monitor perceived as more accessible initially.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller is recognized for competitive pricing and positive ROI through efficient network management capabilities. CA Unified Communications Monitor, although involving higher initial costs, is valued for extensive features that justify investment, leading to substantial long-term ROI. The choice depends on specific requirements and budget constraints.

To learn more, read our detailed CA Unified Communications Monitor vs. Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

CA Unified Communications Monitor vs. Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

April 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

CA Unified Communications M...

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

103rd

Average Rating

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Unified Communications Monitoring (5th), IT Infrastructure Monitoring (72nd)

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabri...

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

18th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Network Monitoring Software category, the mindshare of CA Unified Communications Monitor is 0.1%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) is 0.5%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Monitoring Software

Featured Reviews

itarchit489981

IT Architect at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees

Good end-to-end voice quality monitoring and offers valuable features

The solution should have automatic baseline detection. On the per hour, per base, per week. That's usually the best. And on a per individual CI level. I know that they're working on it and when that's available then we will definitely implement it because it will reduce the effort we need to maintain all the products. Right now we have to set thresholds for every location, and it needs to be actually dynamic so if we have better thresholding, we'll have faster alarms across all our locations. We won't have to expend effort on it by resetting or checking them on a regular basis.

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OusaidAbaz

Security Network Architect at Inmac

Provides spine-leaf architecture and support integration with programming languages

Configuring Cisco Nexus switches is relatively straightforward, especially if you're familiar with configuring Catalyst switches. The primary differences between Catalyst and Nexus switches lie in their system architecture and CLI commands. Nexus configurations can differ by about 20-30% from Catalyst configurations. For instance, while certain features may be enabled by default on Catalyst switches, they need to be explicitly enabled on Nexus switches. Maintaining a solution like this involves several support options, such as Cisco Smart Net. Smart Net is a support program that provides SLAs if the Nexus switches go down. With Smart Net, you can choose different levels of support, such as 2-hour, 4-hour, or 2-business-day response times. This ensures that Cisco will provide a replacement switch as quickly as possible if a Nexus switch fails or is out of service. The Nexus switches are known for their stability and high performance, so they have a higher price tag. Due to their cost, they are typically suited for large enterprises rather than small or medium-sized businesses. Major corporations, such as banks, multinational companies, and large industrial firms, have the budget for these high-end switches. The investment is justified by their advanced features and reliability, making them ideal for large-scale environments. Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Good end-to-end monitoring"

"We use the solution to meet the needs of the customer."

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

"It has a very nice dashboard so you can see what's currently happening in the network and the performance of the back story."

"I like that is easy to work on and straightforward."

"The monitoring capability is the best in Cisco Data Center Network Manager. It helps me improve network management tasks and optimize processes."

"The most valuable features of Cisco Data Center Network Manager are consistency and the core server. The teams have had a good experience."

"Automation of the ILS."

"We use the product to manage access points."

"VCNM provides a unique capability of managing the admin VDCs of Nexus boxes."

More Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) pros

Cons

"The solution should have automatic baseline detection."

"All the features and functions of the solution can be improved."

"More integration features would be beneficial."

"The configuration is too complicated and you have to create templates and use a lot of menus."

"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."

"In the next release, I would like to see it merged with Prime and I think that it should be more unified."

"It would be nice to have the ability to more easily collect information from other software when doing some types of analysis."

"Could integrate better with VMware products."

"It's a relatively expensive product for some clients."

"The reporting is not very intuitive and has room for improvement."

More Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"We usually opt for a yearly plan, commonly for three or five years upfront. Some customers may not utilize all the features included in the product, and this can lead to them paying for functionalities they don't need."

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

"The tool is always expensive, but their service, product quality, and support are good. We're happy with it, but it's still an expensive solution. There are cheaper alternatives but no similar platform across all domains."

"The solution is very expensive."

"The price of Cisco Data Center Network Manager is expensive compared to other vendors on the market."

"I would say that the pricing offers great value for the money."

"The product is licensed with contracts that work on a yearly basis rather than a monthly model."

"When we purchase a Nexus box, the MDS CM license comes with it."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

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Computer Software Company

19%

Financial Services Firm

12%

Government

12%

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

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What do you like most about Cisco Data Center Network Manager?

It uses push technology, which pushes the changes to all relevant devices to ensure they are updated accordingly.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Data Center Network Manager?

The tool is always expensive, but their service, product quality, and support are good. We're happy with it, but it's still an expensive solution. There are cheaper alternatives but no similar plat...

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What needs improvement with Cisco Data Center Network Manager?

In a mixed architecture where Nexus switches are used as border devices and are connected to a Palo Alto firewall (e.g., version 9.1 or 10.1), you might encounter issues with BGP peering. For insta...

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Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

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Also Known As

CA UC Monitor

Cisco Data Center Network Manager

Overview

CA Unified Communications Monitor is a unified communications monitoring solution that evaluates and reports on the network’s support of real-time applications in multi-vendor environments, so that Network Administrators can optimize the network’s quality of service and end user experience.

Broadcom

The Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC) offers a comprehensive solution for managing Cisco NX-OS switches in hybrid-cloud environments, providing automation, visibility, and consistent operations. Designed to simplify and enhance data center management, NDFC integrates with Cisco Nexus Dashboard to streamline network connectivity, reduce deployment times, and ensure seamless transitions with minimal disruptions. Its modular architecture, new user interface, and support for non-Nexus OS platforms make it a robust tool for LAN, SAN, and IP Fabric for Media management. Additionally, NDFC enhances fabric reliability, automates workflows, and supports cloud connectivity with AWS and Microsoft Azure, making it ideal for businesses adapting to increasingly complex digital environments.

Cisco

Sample Customers

BBVA Compass

Banco de Guayaquil, Cox Communications, Kuwait Petroleum Italia, Roper St. Francis, University of British Columbia

Buyer's Guide

CA Unified Communications Monitor vs. Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

April 2025

Free Report: CA Unified Communications Monitor vs. Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

Find out what your peers are saying about CA Unified Communications Monitor vs. Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.

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