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Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) vs Entuity comparison

Cisco and Park Place Technologies are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Cisco is ranked #17 with an average rating of 8.0, while Park Place Technologies is ranked #41 with an average rating of 9.0. Cisco holds a 0.6% mindshare in NMS, compared to Park Place Technologies’s 0.6% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Park Place Technologies users who would recommend it.
Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabri...
Read 25 Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) reviews
  • 891 Views
  • 864 Comparison Views
92% willing to recommend
Entuity
Read 11 Entuity reviews
  • 1,069 Views
  • 973 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller and Entuity compete in the network management space. Cisco seems to have the upper hand due to its reliable performance and automation capabilities, while Entuity's modern interface and user satisfaction are noteworthy.

Features: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller offers stability, connectivity monitoring, and comprehensive automation. Its vendor-independent nature and detailed visualization appeal to many. Entuity provides strong network mapping, automated discovery, and efficient integration with ticketing tools. Its SurePath feature and ease of use make it appealing, with standout dashboards and technical support.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller faces challenges with integration complexity, pricing, and reporting. Simplifying configuration and improving API and VMware integration would be beneficial. Entuity could enhance integration with third-party tools, improve device configuration customization, and overcome cloud support limitations.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller is considered complex to deploy, often requiring extensive hardware. Users report mixed experiences with technical support, noting a need for improvement in operational support. Entuity offers straightforward deployment with fewer user issues and requires less frequent support.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller is known for its high cost but provides a significant return on investment due to its robust features. Despite a fluctuating pricing model, Entuity remains competitive, offering cost-effectiveness and flexibility to maintain its customer base.

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To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) vs. Entuity Report (Updated: September 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) vs. Entuity
September 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 Nexus Dashboard Fabri...
Ranking in Network Monitoring Software
17th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
25
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Entuity
Ranking in Network Monitoring Software
41st
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
11
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Network Monitoring Software category, the mindshare of Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) is 0.6%, up from 0.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Entuity is 0.6%, down from 0.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Network Monitoring Software Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)0.6%
Entuity0.6%
Other98.8%
Network Monitoring Software
 

Featured Reviews

Upul Abhayasena - PeerSpot reviewer
Robust management tool with an easy setup and room for more features
DCNM is used by one of the airline customers in Qatar to manage many data centers and rack switches running on normal Nexus or NX-OS mode. They required a controller platform to manage these Nexus switches, and thus, they utilized DCNM as a Fabric controller. Given that ACI deployment is very low…
Read full review
Ahmed Salman - PeerSpot reviewer
A good solution for network monitoring and support management, but there is no centralized database
There is no centralized database. It is an issue if you use a local database and have multiple borders. However, if you have an external database, you can keep the same old data from an old border up to 100 borders. In addition, if we want to create an ABI or use an ABI to connect data, there is no competition when we ask for support. If we want to modify the calculation matrix or equation, we have to raise a professional service. Other competitors like Micro Focus, a network management system, have a new supportability matrix in the market every quarter.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Stability is not an issue."
"It has a very nice dashboard so you can see what's currently happening in the network and the performance of the back story."
"The most valuable features of Cisco Data Center Network Manager are consistency and the core server. The teams have had a good experience."
"It uses push technology, which pushes the changes to all relevant devices to ensure they are updated accordingly."
"You can integrate all the networks into the software."
"Monitoring system provides a clear indication of what's going on in the network."
"The automation capability is more than enough. It depends on how we consider and integrate the automation engine. We need to ensure the automation engine and then how to perform it. It depends on the policy making, API integration, and other integrations."
"The tool's most valuable feature is the consolidated dashboard, providing insights into parameters and overall usage of network features. It allows us to easily summarize insights through the dashboards. The solution offers automation capabilities, particularly in the context of connecting LAN sites with websites."
More Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) pros
"The best thing about Entuity is that it's easy to use. It's user-friendly. It's intuitive and easy to customize as per your needs."
"The most valuable feature of Entuity is network mapping and information. When clicking on a particular location it can automatically survey the connectivity diagram for us. We can arrange this icon in any kind of formats, such as ring or mesh. The networking mapping can show the components and interconnectivity with the help of IP addresses and NetFlow."
"The initial setup of Entuity is easy and the full process took approximately 30 minutes."
"Entuity's best feature is its ability to monitor a large number of devices."
"The setup was very simple and took about an hour."
"Event management and the geographical Google API-based network topology are the most valuable features of Entuity."
"This is a product that is easy to deploy and maintain with a positive end-user experience."
"I particularly like the theme and the dashboard that they have brought in this version. In the previous version, there was only a simple screen. There wasn't any dashboard. It was a simple view, but now, they have brought in a dashboard that gives the fields for the ops as well. They can get the data they want to see in a single place."
More Entuity pros
 

Cons

"We need better performance and reliability."
"API lacks robustness."
"The tool's pricing strategy could be improved to compete more effectively in the market, especially against competitors like Huawei, Aruba, and Juniper."
"In the next release, I would like to see it merged with Prime and I think that it should be more unified."
"The configuration is too complicated and you have to create templates and use a lot of menus."
"The delivery Cisco Data Center Network Manager could improve if it was easier. Additionally, some feature improvement is needed."
"It's a relatively expensive product for some clients."
"The solution needs to improve reports."
More Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) cons
"It should support IPAM or IP Address Management. When it comes to the network, IP Address Management is a feature for which we have to use a different solution. When we are managing networks, if IPAM also becomes a part of this, we do not have to look for a separate solution."
"We would like the backup element of this solution to be improved as, at present, it is very limited and does not have much scope for customization."
"Entuity could improve by having more integration because now network management is not a standalone solution. You have to integrate it with your network, applications, and everything else. We have to collect that information from those solutions or relevant managers. Additionally, the SLA dashboard should be improved."
"If we want to modify the calculation matrix or equation, we have to raise a professional service."
"Entuity currently has APIs, but they are not straightforward. They are not flexible if an external system wants to communicate with Entuity or create an integration that is not available out of the box. Its APIs can be flexible so that they can be utilized for external integrations that are not available out of the box."
"Entuity can improve the fetching of device configuration. The solution uses scripts and I could not understand them or find any recourses on the internet to learn about the language that is used in the script. It could be more user-friendly and the device configuration management could be enhanced."
"Entuity can expand its coverage on monitoring VoIP solutions a little bit more."
"The configuration of the logging could be improved because if someone deleted any note or inventory, or some change to the inventory, we are not able to identify which user or which administrator modifies these details. For example, there should be read-only locks on maps to prevent their deletion. This way people can only read and cannot delete that particular map."
More Entuity cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"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."
"When we purchase a Nexus box, the MDS CM license comes with it."
"On average, Data Center Network Manager's pricing isn't too costly unless you choose a premier license."
"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."
"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."
"The solution is very expensive."
"We have 400 licenses and we are only using 150 licenses."
"It can be comparatively expensive but that is because it is comprehensive."
"Entuity is not an expensive solution."
"It varies and depends on the quantity. It's worth the cost."
"Entuity's licensing is very highly-priced."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
13%
Government
12%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Financial Services Firm
22%
Computer Software Company
9%
Energy/Utilities Company
7%
Government
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business10
Midsize Enterprise6
Large Enterprise15
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business4
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise3
 

Questions from the Community

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.
See all answers
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...
See all answers
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...
See all answers
What do you like most about Entuity?
Event management and the geographical Google API-based network topology are the most valuable features of Entuity.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Entuity?
We work with other solutions. We have a very good relationship with Entuity Commercial. You can negotiate discounts and provide better proposals to our customers. The pricing is very competitive. T...
See all answers
What needs improvement with Entuity?
Entuity could integrate with other solutions and collect more information from IoT devices.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Compared 54% of the time
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Zabbix vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)
Compared 16% of the time
SolarWinds Network Automation Manager vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) Logo
SolarWinds Network Automation Manager vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)
Compared 12% of the time
SolarWinds NPM vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) Logo
SolarWinds NPM vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)
Compared 10% of the time
Icinga vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) Logo
Icinga vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)
Compared 8% of the time
More Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) Competitors
SolarWinds NPM vs Entuity Logo
SolarWinds NPM vs Entuity
Compared 58% of the time
PRTG Network Monitor vs Entuity Logo
PRTG Network Monitor vs Entuity
Compared 18% of the time
ThousandEyes vs Entuity Logo
ThousandEyes vs Entuity
Compared 13% of the time
Motadata Network Management System vs Entuity Logo
Motadata Network Management System vs Entuity
Compared 12% of the time
More Entuity Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)
October 2025
Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) reportDownload Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) product report
Buyer's Guide
Entuity
October 2025
Entuity reportDownload Entuity product report
 

Also Known As

Cisco Data Center Network Manager
No data available
 

Overview

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
Entuity network management software continually monitors network bandwidth, network error rate and network congestion, which are all factors that impact overall network throughput. Events can be raised in response to abnormal traffic to allow remedial action before users are impacted. The Entuity network monitor continually evaluates network latency and network jitter to calculate MOS and ICPIF scores. Events can be raised when these scores are unacceptable for business application, voice and video performance. Key Features include: Root Cause Analysis, Event Management, Flow Monitoring & Analysis, Application Path Monitoring and Network Performance Monitoring.
Park Place Technologies
 

Sample Customers

Banco de Guayaquil, Cox Communications, Kuwait Petroleum Italia, Roper St. Francis, University of British Columbia
Tait Communications, Vattenfall, Discovery, University of Minnesota, Pernod Ricard, Electric Car
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) vs. Entuity
September 2025
Free Report: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) vs. Entuity
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