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Cisco Catalyst Center vs SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper comparison

Cisco and SolarWinds are both solutions in the Network Management Applications category. Cisco is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.5, while SolarWinds is ranked #22. Cisco holds a 9.0% mindshare in NMA, compared to SolarWinds’s 2.1% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of SolarWinds users who would recommend it.
Cisco Catalyst Center
Read 16 Cisco Catalyst Center reviews
  • 662 Views
  • 662 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
SolarWinds Network Topology...
Read 2 SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper reviews
  • 296 Views
  • 296 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary
We performed a comparison between Cisco Catalyst Center and SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Fortinet and others in Network Management Applications.

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To learn more, read our detailed Network Management Applications Report (Updated: July 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Network Management Applications
July 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

Cisco Catalyst Center
Ranking in Network Management Applications
3rd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
16
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
SolarWinds Network Topology...
Ranking in Network Management Applications
22nd
Average Rating
9.6
Reviews Sentiment
2.7
Number of Reviews
2
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Network Management Applications category, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Center is 9.0%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper is 2.1%, up from 1.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Network Management Applications
 

Featured Reviews

Ahmad Attal - PeerSpot reviewer
Delivers strong analytics and integration capabilities but requires regular updates and training
My customers often complain about numerous software bugs requiring frequent software patches and updates to resolve these issues. Furthermore, the complexity of the solution can be challenging for some customers as they often require extensive training to fully understand and utilize the product. They have concerns about the high number of software bugs and the need for regular updates to address these bugs.
Read full review
reviewer2687874 - PeerSpot reviewer
Effective tools simplify network mapping and analysis
I can't really articulate any areas that could be improved with the product right offhand. Just as long as they keep it around, since I know things are going into subscription models. One thing we do appreciate about the tool is that it's essentially a perpetual tool. Once you purchase it and the Engineer's ToolBox, it's been beneficial, serving as another utility tool on the network. I can't think of anything specific offhand for how SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper could improve, because I treat it as a simple utility tool that serves those needs. It scans the network for SNMP and ICMP echoes to map the topologies of the existing network. It's a small utility tool that's very helpful and beneficial, another option for us to utilize, and while there's always room for more features, that typically comes with a cost that we have to weigh.
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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

"Cisco's technical support is excellent."
"The best feature is its availability, easy deployment, and the good support for the solution."
"There is a lot of documentation for the platform, which is an advantage."
"Cisco Catalyst switches are reliable and stable."
"The best feature of Cisco is its industry-standard nature."
"The best feature of Cisco is its industry-standard nature."
"Cisco performs well in the network space, especially in areas like switching, DNA Center, and wireless, where it is known for its stability."
"The integration of Cisco Catalyst Center is fine"
More Cisco Catalyst Center pros
"It's user-friendly."
"One of the best features of SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper is that it has over 60 utility tools to utilize, so it offers a lot of different features, more than I have time to discuss at this moment, making it a good extra set of utility tools that we can incorporate onto our network."
 

Cons

"The price to get in the door is quite high."
"My customers often complain about numerous software bugs requiring frequent software patches and updates to resolve these issues."
"Some documentation or use cases are not clear enough."
"Some features in terms of security should be there, especially in threat detection. Cisco Catalyst Center lacked intelligence in this area and required reliance on third-party appliances like firewalls or threat protection devices."
"It is a little more expensive."
"Advanced hardware replacement services have seen a degradation in quality, with delays in replacement parts."
"The retention period of data could be improved from seven days to 30 days. This change would help in cases where users are on leave for extended periods."
"Cisco Catalyst Center could improve its graphical user interface. Currently, it is CLI-based, which makes it challenging for those without Cisco training."
More Cisco Catalyst Center cons
"This is a relatively expensive product."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Manufacturing Company
15%
Government
11%
Energy/Utilities Company
8%
Healthcare Company
6%
Educational Organization
12%
Government
11%
Computer Software Company
11%
Energy/Utilities Company
11%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Catalyst Center?
The cost is relative and depends on the market and one's budget provision. While Cisco provides a good return on investment, they are also facing competitive pricing challenges from Huawei.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Cisco Catalyst Center?
The area for improvement in Cisco Catalyst Center is the spectrum analyzer, as I find it difficult to identify which type of device is causing a problem. Additionally, the accuracy of reports can b...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Cisco Catalyst Center?
We are primarily using Cisco Catalyst Center for two purposes: LAN automation, which we deployed for two sites, and wireless assurance for all 17 sites.
See all answers
Ask a question
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Comparisons

Cisco DNA Center vs Cisco Catalyst Center Logo
Cisco DNA Center vs Cisco Catalyst Center
Compared 65% of the time
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs Cisco Catalyst Center Logo
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs Cisco Catalyst Center
Compared 18% of the time
Juniper Mist Wired Assurance vs Cisco Catalyst Center Logo
Juniper Mist Wired Assurance vs Cisco Catalyst Center
Compared 8% of the time
Aruba Airwave vs Cisco Catalyst Center Logo
Aruba Airwave vs Cisco Catalyst Center
Compared 5% of the time
More Cisco Catalyst Center Competitors
Aruba Airwave vs SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper Logo
Aruba Airwave vs SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper
Compared 29% of the time
Cisco DNA Center vs SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper Logo
Cisco DNA Center vs SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper
Compared 27% of the time
Fortinet FortiManager vs SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper Logo
Fortinet FortiManager vs SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper
Compared 18% of the time
More SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Center
August 2025
Cisco Catalyst Center reportDownload Cisco Catalyst Center product report
Buyer's Guide
Network Management Applications
July 2025
SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper reportDownload SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper product report
 

Also Known As

No data available
SolarWinds NTM
 

Overview

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

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.

Cisco

Automate device discovery and mapping
Build multiple maps from a single scan
Export network diagrams to Visio
Auto-detect changes to network topology
Perform multi-level network discovery
Address regulatory PCI compliance

SolarWinds
Buyer's Guide
Network Management Applications
July 2025
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We monitor all Network Management Applications reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.