Azure Virtual WAN vs. Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Azure Virtual WAN
Score 8.4 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft's Azure Virtual WAN connects global branch offices, point-of-sale locations, and sites using Azure and the Microsoft global network. With it the user can plan, configure, and seamlessly deploy new connections.N/A
Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms
Score 9.6 out of 10
N/A
Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms deliver secure, high-performance SD-WAN built for hybrid work, multicloud access, and 5G-ready networks. Powered by Cisco IOS XE, these devices combine flexible routing, SASE integration, and cloud-native agility to support AI-driven networking and edge computing needs.N/A
Pricing
Azure Virtual WANCisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Azure Virtual WANCisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Azure Virtual WANCisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms
Best Alternatives
Azure Virtual WANCisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms
Small Businesses

No answers on this topic

No answers on this topic

Medium-sized Companies
Cisco Meraki MX
Cisco Meraki MX
Score 9.0 out of 10
Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches
Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches
Score 9.0 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Meraki MX
Cisco Meraki MX
Score 9.0 out of 10
Cisco Catalyst Switches
Cisco Catalyst Switches
Score 9.1 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Azure Virtual WANCisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(2 ratings)
8.4
(34 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
7.8
(2 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
8.6
(13 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
4.6
(3 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Azure Virtual WANCisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft
Azure Virtual WAN provides single functional interphase for routing, monitoring, connectivity and security operations. The connection of hubs in Azure virtual WAN makes it simple for us to use Microsoft as the pillar of our spoke connectivity. The platform provides us with robust connectivity features that allow for transitive connectivity across different spokes. However, you should always ensure you have understood your total cost of ownership to avoid potential price bombshells.
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Cisco
With the flexibility of sizing options, the Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms has worked to deliver solutions for our various needs. Smaller systems offer strong connectivity for office developments. Mid-range options have served our larger campuses well. Our data center deployments of the larger systems have provided up to 100G connectivity and advanced routing solutions. The Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms continues to meet our needs and exceed our expectations.
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Pros
Microsoft
  • It offers a seamless experience while connecting Virtual networks and Workloads via Azure Hub.
  • Lot of connectivity options present - site to site VPN/Express route etc.
  • Very easy connectivity and migration with on-premise sites and Azure Hub.
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Cisco
  • More resources for tunneling
  • Ability to use sdwan softwre
  • More memory for tcam tables
  • Ability to utilize T1 lines for PRI
  • Ability to act as a SBC for VoIP communication
  • Rfid usage
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Cons
Microsoft
  • Integrations are limited within Azure. It is difficult to carry out multi-cloud integrations.
  • If you haven't understood your monthly cost you can receive price shocks.
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Cisco
  • Adding more NIM slots on motherboard
  • Adding PVDM slot for use cases where the router is used only for trans coding
  • Adding more granular tiers for DNA licensing. For example it is a big gap between 2000Mbps (400 Mbps agg) and 1Gbps (2 Gbps Agg)
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Likelihood to Renew
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Cisco
Because I have had no issues with this product line and have grown go really trust in it. One of the besr thing is that this has had less vulnerabilities that the past cisco router that I have dealt with. In my line of work needing to upgrade code is always something that needs to be done after hours and most likely on weekends.
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Usability
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Cisco
Either you deploy those routers as a standalone, or as part of the SD-WAN fabric, the amount of features and settings you can configure on them, is well beyond any other vendor or product on the market. While this may bring some configuration complexity, availability of support for variaty of different protocols and features allows you to solve almost any network challenge you may face
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Support Rating
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Cisco
I have always had great response time and have never been let down by cisco support. I have had issues where the person who was assisting me was not able to provide a resolution but by utilizing his team members they where able to come together to provide a answer and resplve the situation.
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Implementation Rating
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Cisco
the licensing is messy
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Alternatives Considered
Microsoft
As we were already using Azure as a cloud platform, it was easy setting up a Virtual WAN inside Azure as users/developers and DevOps engineers were familiar with the user interface and functioning as compared to going to some other portal for just the VWAN solution. The umbrella of features provided by Azure Virtual WAN made it the right choice for our infrastructure.
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Cisco
Compared to the Cisco 2000 Series Connected GRID Routers, CGR2010, the Cisco Catalyst 8000 Edge Platforms is more powerful in processing, and it has the capability to do the segment routing. It is easier to install physically and occupies less space in the rack, consumes less power, and saves more for the company.
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Return on Investment
Microsoft
  • Automatic troubleshooting solves incidents without costing our operational time.
  • We are able unify all our operational activities.
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Cisco
  • Improving the performance and the availability, it has increased the SLA we can ensure to the customers and so the sales has increased
  • The initial expense is really high so the breakeven point is not so near
  • The opex for licensing is high too
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ScreenShots