Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) vs Observer Apex comparison

Cisco and Viavi Solutions are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Cisco is ranked #19 with an average rating of 8.2, while Viavi Solutions is ranked #103. Cisco holds a 0.6% mindshare in NMS, compared to Viavi Solutions’s 0.1% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution.

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabri...

Read 25 Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) reviews

821 Views
294 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Observer Apex

Read 1 Observer Apex review

194 Views
86 Comparison Views

0% willing to recommend

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabri...

Observer Apex

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) and Observer Apex based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Zabbix, Auvik, SolarWinds and others in Network Monitoring Software.

To learn more, read our detailed Network Monitoring Software Report (Updated: May 2025).

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Network Monitoring Software

May 2025

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Helped 859,545 peers since 2012

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

19th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Observer Apex

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

103rd

Average Rating

0.0

Reviews Sentiment

8.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Network Monitoring Software category, the mindshare of Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) is 0.6%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Observer Apex 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

Upul Abhayasena

Manager - Technology at a engineering company with 10,001+ employees

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…

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Jeroen-Dubbelman

Director at Bitrate

Has good network visibility

The primary use case is for monitoring and troubleshooting. We also use it for security. The correlation of data in Apex helps to get full visibility of the entire enterprise. Apex is where we get the end-user experience score from one to ten. Network visibility is the most valuable feature.…

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

"The interface of this solution is easy to use overall."

"Fabric suite automation is a great feature."

"I like that is easy to work on and straightforward."

"I don't have to rely on the on-site engineer who can do the configuration. I can have our team just plug the devices and perform remotely. I can also do the templates."

"The most valuable feature is the connectivity monitoring."

"The monitoring capability is the best in Cisco Data Center Network Manager. It helps me improve network management tasks and optimize processes."

"It uses push technology, which pushes the changes to all relevant devices to ensure they are updated accordingly."

"We use the product to manage access points."

More Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) pros

"Network visibility is the most valuable feature."

Cons

"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."

"The initial setup is challenging."

"Sometimes the product gives us problems that require support."

"The tool should be more user-friendly and improve AI integration."

"If the customer thinks about using additional solutions, Cisco should make sure they are not left out."

"More integration features would be beneficial."

"In the next release, I would like to see it merged with Prime and I think that it should be more unified."

More Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) cons

"The pricing and AI can be improved."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"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."

"The product is licensed with contracts that work on a yearly basis rather than a monthly model."

"I would say that the pricing offers great value for the money."

"When we purchase a Nexus box, the MDS CM license comes with it."

"The price of Cisco Data Center Network Manager is expensive compared to other vendors on the market."

"On average, Data Center Network Manager's pricing isn't too costly unless you choose a premier license."

"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."

"It's expensive."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Government

12%

Financial Services Firm

Healthcare Company

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

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 Observer Apex?

Network visibility is the most valuable feature.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Observer Apex?

It's expensive.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Observer Apex?

The pricing and AI can be improved.

See all answers

Comparisons

Cisco DNA Center vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

Compared 55% of the time

Zabbix vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

Compared 15% of the time

SolarWinds Network Automation Manager vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

Compared 13% of the time

Icinga vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

Compared 10% of the time

Marvis Virtual Network Assistant vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

Compared 7% of the time

More Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) Competitors

No data available

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)

June 2025

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) report

Download Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) product report

Buyer's Guide

Network Monitoring Software

May 2025

Download Observer Apex 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

Observer Apex offers a smart, search-based launch page that intelligently interprets users’ inputs, guiding them to one of three pre-engineered workflows to solve most IT service issues in less than three steps.

Viavi Solutions

Sample Customers

Banco de Guayaquil, Cox Communications, Kuwait Petroleum Italia, Roper St. Francis, University of British Columbia

Capita

Buyer's Guide

Network Monitoring Software

May 2025

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