ExtremeCloud IQ and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN compete in the network management and security category. ExtremeCloud IQ seems to have the upper hand in pricing and ease of deployment, while Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN excels in features and security.
Features: ExtremeCloud IQ offers controller-less architecture, extensive deployment planning tools, and integrated firewalls that provide robust security. It excels in centralized cloud management and scalability, enabling easy control of multiple access points (APs) across different locations. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is known for its application-level routing, extensive security features, and reliable network configurations, making it ideal for high-density enterprise environments.
Room for Improvement: ExtremeCloud IQ could enhance its user interface and simplify setup processes. Updating tools and the development of more powerful APs would improve user experience. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN would benefit from reducing deployment complexity and improving licensing flexibility. Enhancements in security features and user interface would also increase its competitiveness.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: ExtremeCloud IQ provides flexibility with its deployment options, supporting public, private, and hybrid clouds. Its customer service is well-regarded for its responsiveness and quality support, catering to both cloud and on-premises needs. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN, while offering diverse deployment scenarios, requires a steeper learning curve. Its customer support is robust but typically involves more time for issue resolution compared to Extreme.
Pricing and ROI: ExtremeCloud IQ is seen as cost-effective, especially in educational settings, due to its simplified pricing structures and discounts for bulk purchases and long-term licenses. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is more expensive due to its comprehensive features, considered justifiable but potentially prohibitive for small to medium-sized businesses.
I managed to support and deploy ExtremeCloud IQ and handle network management without requiring external staffing, thus saving on external hiring costs.
The principal third-level support is very good.
Cisco's ongoing reorganizations have affected the quality of technical support, which varies depending on the engineer handling cases.
The technical team is very competent.
I experienced effective help mainly remotely, though for some issues, a technical person had to assist on-site.
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.
It requires some time to update, which affects real-time management.
Now, they change frequently, making it difficult to obtain long-term support.
Including more features like integrating with Splunk for monitoring vulnerabilities would help eliminate the need for other SOC solutions.
I needed deep details and more thorough resources.
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.
Its pricing is justifiable due to the comprehensive solution it offers.
The licensing was a challenge due to budget constraints, and I used ExtremeCloud IQ without a license for a period.
It also provides robust security features, including port security, analysis, mirroring, and multiple other security solutions.
Security is standard compliant, eliminating config drift that was prevalent before manual configurations.
Integration with Cisco ISE, Cisco Firewalls, and other Cisco solutions is beneficial.
The automation and information provided by ExtremeCloud IQ, such as connection status and logs, were very beneficial.
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN serves to connect remote offices, reduce MPLS costs, and facilitate cloud and internet access while providing secure connectivity and centralized management for hybrid networks.
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is leveraged for secure connectivity, load balancing, VPN, centralized network management, and migrating from traditional networks to SD-WAN. It supports hybrid networks, enabling centralized management across branches and data centers, improving security, and optimizing bandwidth usage. Industries such as banking and retail benefit from its capabilities for secure and efficient network management.
What are the main features of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN?
What benefits should be considered in reviews?
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN's implementation in banking enhances secure transaction communication between branches and data centers. Retailers utilize it to ensure steady connectivity for point-of-sale systems and inventory management. Organizations benefit from centralized management, making it easier to handle networks across multiple locations.
ExtremeCloud is a resilient and scalable cloud-based network management solution offered by Extreme Networks as a subscription service.
The network is your platform of engagement for clients and staff. We have designed ExtremeCloud to provide superior user experience by empowering you and the applications that drive your business. The combination of Extreme Networks’ smart wired and wireless edges and the elasticity, resilience and scalability provided via state-of-the-art datacenters distributed strategically for worldwide availability allows you to respond to the changing needs of your business, at the speed of cloud, through a simple, multi-site aware user interface.
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