Cisco DNA Center vs NetFort LANGuardian comparison

Cisco and Rapid7 are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Cisco is ranked #13 with an average rating of 8.0, while Rapid7 is ranked #92. Cisco holds a 1.4% mindshare in NMS, compared to Rapid7’s 0.1% mindshare. Additionally, 89% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Rapid7 users who would recommend it.

Cisco DNA Center

Read 41 Cisco DNA Center reviews

1,823 Views
1,148 Comparison Views

89% willing to recommend

NetFort LANGuardian

Read 2 NetFort LANGuardian reviews

307 Views
123 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Cisco DNA Center

NetFort LANGuardian

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024

NetFort LANGuardian and Cisco DNA Center are competitors in network management solutions. NetFort LANGuardian is preferred for its cost-effectiveness and customer support, whereas Cisco DNA Center leads in features and capabilities, representing a more substantial investment.

Features: NetFort LANGuardian offers detailed network traffic analysis, deep packet inspection, and real-time visibility, enhancing network security. Cisco DNA Center excels in automation, sophisticated network assurance, and strong integration with Cisco hardware and software, providing a comprehensive feature-rich environment.

Room for Improvement: NetFort LANGuardian could improve by expanding its automation features, enhancing software integration, and offering a broader set of capabilities. Cisco DNA Center might focus on simplifying its deployment process, reducing resource demands for integration, and providing more flexible pricing models to accommodate various organizational needs.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: NetFort LANGuardian is praised for its straightforward deployment and responsive customer service, appealing to those with limited IT resources. Cisco DNA Center demands more extensive integration but leverages robust Cisco customer service and abundant deployment resources, making it ideal for enterprise-grade solutions.

Pricing and ROI: NetFort LANGuardian provides an attractive setup cost and good ROI for organizations seeking efficient solutions. Cisco DNA Center has a higher initial investment but offers substantial ROI over time via advanced capabilities and operational efficiencies.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco DNA Center vs. NetFort LANGuardian Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco DNA Center vs. NetFort LANGuardian

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

Cisco DNA Center

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

13th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Management Applications (1st), Network Automation (2nd)

NetFort LANGuardian

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

92nd

Average Rating

10.0

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 Cisco DNA Center is 1.4%, up from 0.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of NetFort LANGuardian is 0.1%, down from 0.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Monitoring Software

Featured Reviews

AvrahamSonenthal

Senior Network Engineer at Inside Global

Efficiently manages our wireless network and provides valuable monitoring features

The platform's biggest benefit has been in managing our wireless network. Having a single pane of glass to control all wireless controllers and access points and to monitor activity has been a significant advantage. We're a small federal agency with around 300 network devices, so automation is a minor focus. It's more relevant for larger networks. The main benefits we've seen are in inventory management and the potential for configuration automation. However, I recommend using the DNA Centre only for larger networks with over a thousand devices; otherwise, it may not be cost-effective. Before proceeding, ensure that your devices are compatible with DNA Center, as not all Cisco devices are supported. Also, investing in proper training is different from plug-and-play. I rate it an eight.

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it_user172854

Research Special Projects Lead at a university with 501-1,000 employees

Cost effective but when we originally purchased LANGuardian, some features needed further development.

The ability to detect and decipher torrent traffic for the purpose of identifying what some refer to as "copyright violators" Our CIO asked us to track down the source of undesired uploads, which trigger e-mails received by outside bodies regarding what they refer to as "copyright violations",…

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

19%

Comms Service Provider

University

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Cisco DNA Center?

The most valuable feature of the solution stems from the fact that it gives some kind of ease in operations, especially since our company is moving from CLI to GUI-based configuration.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco DNA Center?

The cost is very high.

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What needs improvement with Cisco DNA Center?

The system is working fine for me currently.

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Comparisons

Cisco Catalyst Center vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 11% of the time

Juniper Mist Wired Assurance vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 7% of the time

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 6% of the time

Fortinet FortiManager vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 6% of the time

NetBrain vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 5% of the time

More Cisco DNA Center Competitors

PRTG Network Monitor vs NetFort LANGuardian

Compared 55% of the time

Fortinet FortiSIEM vs NetFort LANGuardian

Compared 45% of the time

More NetFort LANGuardian Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco DNA Center

May 2025

Download Cisco DNA Center product report

Buyer's Guide

Network Monitoring Software

April 2025

Download NetFort LANGuardian product report

Also Known As

DNA Center

LANGuardian

Overview

Cisco DNA Center offers a comprehensive platform for network automation and management, providing detailed analytics, enhanced security, and streamlined operations for both wired and wireless networks.

Cisco DNA Center integrates with Cisco infrastructure to deliver efficient network automation and management, helping organizations improve network visibility, security, and control. It supports AI-driven analytics and automated workflows to enhance operational efficiency and reduce errors. Challenges include compatibility with third-party systems, steep learning curve, and complex deployment. Its interface facilitates centralized control, vital for troubleshooting, policy management, and configuration management, with support for zero-touch provisioning and SD-Access.

What are the key features of Cisco DNA Center?

Robust Analytics: Provides detailed insights into network health with AI-driven analytics.
Centralized Security: Integrates with ISE for comprehensive security management.
Automated Device Management: Simplifies device provisioning and configuration transfers.
Wi-Fi Analytics: Offers deep insights into wireless network performance.
Zero-Touch Provisioning: Streamlines new device deployments with minimal human intervention.
Scalable Segmentation: Efficiently segments network traffic ensuring security and performance.

What benefits should users consider?

Operational Efficiency: Automation reduces potential errors and streamlines workflow.
Enhanced Security: Integration with Cisco ISE bolsters security capabilities.
Network Visibility: Comprehensive dashboards and analysis tools enhance monitoring.
Troubleshooting: Real-time monitoring aids in identifying and resolving issues swiftly.

In sectors such as healthcare, finance, and retail, Cisco DNA Center is utilized for its ability to enhance security and compliance, manage large-scale networks, and provide detailed analytics for better operational decision-making. Its support for location tracking and policy automation ensures efficient network management across diverse environments.

Cisco

NetFort LANGuardian is deep packet inspection software for investigating, monitoring, and reporting on network and user activity. It is a passive network traffic analyzer, not inline and cannot have an impact on network performance. Gain layer 7 visibility without the need for expensive appliances.

Rapid7

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

City of Armadale, NCG Group, King Faisal Hospital

Buyer's Guide

Cisco DNA Center vs. NetFort LANGuardian

April 2025

Free Report: Cisco DNA Center vs. NetFort LANGuardian

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