

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller and Meraki Dashboard compete in network management. Cisco Nexus has the upper hand in managing detailed network operations and automation, whereas Meraki wins in simplicity and cloud-based management.
Features: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller is valued for its stability, unique capabilities in managing Nexus boxes, and comprehensive network analysis tools. It provides strong automation and security integrations, especially with programming languages and configuration tools. Meraki Dashboard is renowned for simplicity and ease of use, enhanced by a cloud-based management system. Its single-pane view and robust analytics are key, alongside straightforward setup ideal for smaller businesses.
Room for Improvement: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller could benefit from simpler configuration processes and better integration with other tools. Users seek improved reporting and pricing adjustments as well as reduced complexity in hardware requirements. Meraki Dashboard could enhance user interface and provide more granular control. Better integration with non-Cisco products is desired, with improvements in VPN functionalities. Licensing complexities and costs are common feedback points.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller is typically deployed on-premises and offers solid developmental support. Operational support receives mixed reviews. Meraki Dashboard supports diverse deployment options including public cloud and offers flexible environments. Its customer service is generally well-regarded, though operational support could be enhanced. Meraki's cloud capabilities offer broader deployment flexibility.
Pricing and ROI: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller is noted for higher costs yet offers value in large-scale network management and automation features. Pricing is often justified but has room for cost optimization. Nexus users enjoy ROI from long-term deployments. Meraki Dashboard has competitive pricing with annual licenses but is perceived as expensive by some. Users find the integrated features offset costs by reducing management time, with a flexible yet complex licensing structure. ROI for Meraki is enhanced by its ease of use for smaller businesses.
Cisco's support I would rate as a 10 compared to all other vendors.
When our site went down, Cisco's technical support was very responsive and effective, so I would rate them nine out of ten for their support.
The support response time can be slow, sometimes taking up to fifteen hours.
They are instantly available for technical support from Meraki Dashboard.
We have not encountered any downtime related to the Meraki cloud feature in the last five years.
I do not believe it integrated well with different infrastructures for hybrid environments.
I appreciate the security that has been provided by Meraki, but they specifically require port 80 which is highly vulnerable towards Meraki domain itself, so I would like to remove it.
It provides many insights out of the box without any need to search for them.
I would like to enhance my expertise on Cisco Umbrella and Cisco M, which is an endpoint security management tool.
The cost of the Meraki solution is high, which may not be affordable for smaller companies, especially in developing countries.
If we involve a third-party vendor, the price will definitely go up.
I would rate the pricing for Meraki Dashboard as one.
People typically understand north-south traffic flows but usually miss the east-west traffic flows in data centers.
Meraki Dashboard positively impacts my organization by enabling live monitoring. If someone unplugs the power cable, if the switches are down, if there is an outage, or if there is any misconfiguration, we get an alert from Cisco in our mailbox.
Substantial security can be achieved within Meraki Dashboard itself, eliminating the need for additional firewalls to protect your network.
It summarizes everything in one place, which is very important for our organization.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Meraki Dashboard | 0.8% |
| Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) | 0.6% |
| Other | 98.6% |


| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 10 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 6 |
| Large Enterprise | 16 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 23 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 13 |
| Large Enterprise | 26 |
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.
Meraki Dashboard is a comprehensive cloud-based platform that offers centralized management and control for all Meraki networking and security products. It provides a user-friendly interface, allowing administrators to easily monitor and configure their network infrastructure from anywhere. With real-time visibility, troubleshooting becomes effortless, ensuring optimal performance and minimizing downtime.
The intuitive dashboard offers a holistic view of the network, enabling quick identification of potential issues and proactive measures. It simplifies network deployment and scaling, with zero-touch provisioning and automatic firmware updates. The robust security features include advanced threat protection, content filtering, and VPN connectivity.
Meraki Dashboard also offers powerful analytics and reporting capabilities, providing valuable insights into network usage, application performance, and user behavior. With its seamless integration and scalability,
Meraki Dashboard is the ideal solution for organizations of all sizes, ensuring efficient network management and enhanced productivity.
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