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Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) vs OptiView XG [EOL] comparison

Cisco and NETSCOUT are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Additionally, 92% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 89% of NETSCOUT users who would recommend it.
Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabri...
Read 25 Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) reviews
  • 837 Views
  • 518 Comparison Views
92% willing to recommend
OptiView XG [EOL]
Read 38 OptiView XG [EOL] reviews
    89% willing to recommend
     

    Comparison Buyer's Guide

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    Executive Summary
    We performed a comparison between Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) and OptiView XG [EOL] based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

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

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    To learn more, read our detailed Network Monitoring Software Report (Updated: April 2025).
    Buyer's Guide
    Network Monitoring Software
    April 2025
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    Helped 849,686 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...
    Average Rating
    8.0
    Reviews Sentiment
    6.8
    Number of Reviews
    25
    Ranking in other categories
    Network Monitoring Software (18th)
    OptiView XG [EOL]
    Average Rating
    8.6
    Number of Reviews
    38
    Ranking in other categories
    No ranking in other categories
     

    Featured Reviews

    OusaidAbaz - PeerSpot reviewer
    Provides spine-leaf architecture and support integration with programming languages
    Configuring Cisco Nexus switches is relatively straightforward, especially if you're familiar with configuring Catalyst switches. The primary differences between Catalyst and Nexus switches lie in their system architecture and CLI commands. Nexus configurations can differ by about 20-30% from Catalyst configurations. For instance, while certain features may be enabled by default on Catalyst switches, they need to be explicitly enabled on Nexus switches. Maintaining a solution like this involves several support options, such as Cisco Smart Net. Smart Net is a support program that provides SLAs if the Nexus switches go down. With Smart Net, you can choose different levels of support, such as 2-hour, 4-hour, or 2-business-day response times. This ensures that Cisco will provide a replacement switch as quickly as possible if a Nexus switch fails or is out of service. The Nexus switches are known for their stability and high performance, so they have a higher price tag. Due to their cost, they are typically suited for large enterprises rather than small or medium-sized businesses. Major corporations, such as banks, multinational companies, and large industrial firms, have the budget for these high-end switches. The investment is justified by their advanced features and reliability, making them ideal for large-scale environments. Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.
    Read full review
    AA
    We use it for network discovery, fiber testing, and checking the packet status. It scans the network for problems.
    * Make sure that you know what you're doing. * Make sure you know where to do the plugins. There are multiple Ethernet ports. Know which one you want to be part of the network, which one you want for management, etc. Sometimes they interchange those things if they don't pay attention. They just plug everything in there, and then you get screwed up. * You need to know what SFP you're going to use for a 10-Gigabit and a 1-Gigabit port. Those are important things. But again, you have to pay particular attention to those things, or else you will not get any results.
    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 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."
    "The most valuable features of Cisco Data Center Network Manager are consistency and the core server. The teams have had a good experience."
    "You can integrate all the networks into the software."
    "We use the product to manage access points."
    "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 feature I find most valuable, is the stability of the solution."
    "I like running the scripts. With the help of a Python script, we deployed within the configuration and built up the code."
    "Monitoring system provides a clear indication of what's going on in the network."
    More Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) pros
    "Gives us the ability to see our network."
    "It is a very valuable tool. It goes out and does a discovery, which is a great process of it. You could have something like a rogue DHCP server, and it will identify it, and then you can see to which switch port it is connected. It is quite an impressive tool. I really liked it because you didn't have to install an agent on anything. It would just go out and do its discovery. For me, that's great."
     

    Cons

    "In the next release, I would like to see it merged with Prime and I think that it should be more unified."
    "The automation feature could be improved."
    "The visibility of applications is not great."
    "One of the biggest challenges is that we aren't always able to push the configuration onto the target device. Whenever this happens, we have to do a factory reset, put on the script, and then reconfigure it again. In the next release, I would like to have a troubleshooting feature."
    "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."
    "If the customer thinks about using additional solutions, Cisco should make sure they are not left out."
    "The solution needs to improve reports."
    More Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) cons
    "I would like a built-in tap feature which doesn't interfere with the network, and it allows you to see what is happening there."
    "Its price can be improved. Their support can also be improved a little bit. In terms of features, it did everything I wanted it to do. With more features, I would have to start installing network agents or something else, and I don't want to have to install anything. This was the value for me about this device."
     

    Pricing and Cost Advice

    "The price of Cisco Data Center Network Manager is expensive compared to other vendors on the market."
    "The solution is very expensive."
    "When we purchase a Nexus box, the MDS CM license comes with it."
    "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."
    "On average, Data Center Network Manager's pricing isn't too costly unless you choose a premier license."
    "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."
    "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."
    "Its price was a bit excessive. The device that I had died. It is under warranty, and they want $20,000 for another one. I just don't want to spend that kind of money, so I'm trying to find an alternate solution. They have annual maintenance on it, which probably was 10% a year, so it all starts to add up."
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    Top Industries

    By visitors reading reviews
    Computer Software Company
    20%
    Government
    12%
    Financial Services Firm
    11%
    Real Estate/Law Firm
    7%
    Government
    15%
    Computer Software Company
    13%
    Financial Services Firm
    13%
    Comms Service Provider
    9%
     

    Company Size

    By reviewers
    Large Enterprise
    Midsize Enterprise
    Small Business
     

    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
    Ask a question
    Earn 20 points
     

    Comparisons

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    Compared 57% of the time
    Zabbix vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) Logo
    Zabbix vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)
    Compared 18% of the time
    Icinga vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) Logo
    Icinga vs Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)
    Compared 13% 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 13% of the time
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    NETSCOUT nGeniusONE vs OptiView XG [EOL] Logo
    NETSCOUT nGeniusONE vs OptiView XG [EOL]
    Compared 50% of the time
    vRealize Network Insight vs OptiView XG [EOL] Logo
    vRealize Network Insight vs OptiView XG [EOL]
    Compared 50% of the time
    More OptiView XG [EOL] Competitors
     

    Product Reports

    Buyer's Guide
    Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM)
    April 2025
    Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) reportDownload Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) product report
    Buyer's Guide
    OptiView XG [EOL]
    April 2025
    OptiView XG [EOL] reportDownload OptiView XG [EOL] 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

    OptiView XG is the first network analysis tablet designed specifically for the network engineer. It combines critical functions necessary to automate root-cause analysis of both wired and wireless network performance issues – whether network or application related to reduce time for problem identification. OptiView XG supports repeatable, effective troubleshooting – whether pre- or post-deployment.

    NETSCOUT
     

    Sample Customers

    Banco de Guayaquil, Cox Communications, Kuwait Petroleum Italia, Roper St. Francis, University of British Columbia
    XG is used in all industries. Example customers include: Republic National Distributing Company, Titelive, CitiGroup, Los Angeles Unified School District, Saudi German Hospital, DeKalb County Schools, Valdosta State University, The Everett Clinic, Bio-Reference, Miami-Dade Library, Mitel, Borsa Istanbul, Cimarex, Air National Guard Lowndes County, High Point City, Carrollton City Schools, Kern County, Pruitt Communications and Bosch Group.
    Buyer's Guide
    Network Monitoring Software
    April 2025
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