Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) vs. Cradlepoint NetCloud Engine vs. Nuage Networks Virtualized Services Platform (VSP)

It's well suited in our corporate offices, where all our business users resides and where we can control all their accesses. What doesn't really fit well is when we have our branch fronts, where all the software domain access features aren't utilized to its fullest, due to the fact that customers and users don't really need to have all the security features that SDA provides.

Incentivized

The platform and product selection as a whole covers a lot of range. The pricing is low enough and the levels granular enough that even customers that only need the use of a few features of the product can buy into the ecosystem with reasonable investment and grow with confidence without having paid too much. One thing that this enterprise company gets is this: Many small companies need enterprise-class features but don't have the user count to justify purchasing enterprise-class solutions. It is not that they don't need advanced features, it's just that enterprise vendors assume that small companies only have basic needs. It is not true, but you can't buy a solution that is only sold in hundreds of seats if you have 25 users in your company. Cradlepoint NetCloud does a good job of getting this right. You can buy a single seat or hundreds of seats, and the price is truly commensurate with your seat count. Everyone gets the enterprise features, you only pay for the seats you need.

Incentivized

I can recommend the use of this software, the objective points that we had as an organization for months could be met. I am not saying that it is free of problems but it gives peace of mind and confidence that it is backed by a large company in the technology industry.

Incentivized

• Automation, pushing template-based configuration to multiple devices in one push saves time and manpower.
• Assurance [helps trace] issues related to devices, clients, and provide the troubleshoot as [the] best practices.
• Segmentation, with the use of the SGT tags, we are able to achieve segmentation and micro-segmentation securely.

Incentivized

• Remote router management
• Grouping and templating configurations
• Notifications and showing cellular health

Incentivized

• Documentation: Working in this solution I realized there were missing information details about the fusion device support for nexus.
• Fusion router: This roll in the fabric should be already integrated in the solution, right now it is configured manually.
• Bugs: Unfortunately the solution still present a lot of bugs, mainly in the controller.

Incentivized

• Group management of devices could be easier.
• Customized reporting would be nice.
• The task scheduler is not very robust (only one task is available for scheduling).

Incentivized

• There are certain tools that need training to be able to use them. One of them is SASE which requires reading long documentation and the support of qualified engineers is needed. I think this is difficult and does not allow you to explore all areas of the Nuage environment.
• There is intermittence in the afternoon hours. I mean by this that in the afternoon hours from 6 to 10 pm the platform does not load in the way it should, filling options are slowed down and the same thing happens in the early morning hours, the support team has not yet determined the exact reason for this.
• Volume discount could not be negotiated. That in this case a really extensive investment was requested for first-time use of the product.

Incentivized

It is difficult to start using the product due to its unfamiliar name and acronyms. ,The task should be accomplished in a specific order to ensure success

Incentivized

Device management is nearly the same as if you logged in locally, giving a familiar feel to the interface. Device group management can be cumbersome when pushing firmware updates.

Incentivized

As far as my experience with SD-Access -I'd say things that can be improved are - better functionality with ISE, ease to understand licensing and better documentation for configuration (add-ons, etc), and licensing.

Incentivized

Every time I have engaged support, it has been a satisfying experience. Because they cover such a wide range of applications, I do have to spend more time explaining our intended results and rationale than I would have to do with a more focused vendor, but it's a minor tradeoff for the value of saved time in every other aspect of the solution.

Incentivized

I rated the training an 8 because overall, it was well-structured, and the instructor was highly knowledgeable on the subject matter. The content was relevant, and I appreciated the clear explanations of complex topics. However, I felt that some sections were covered too quickly, making it difficult to fully absorb the information before moving on. Additionally, I would have liked more time dedicated to Q&A, as there were moments when I had questions but didn’t get the opportunity to ask them due to time constraints. Adding more interactive discussions or hands-on exercises could further enhance the learning experience and make it even more engaging

Incentivized

At the beginning, we had to open a TAC case for every single step during the implementation phase.

Incentivized

It is much easier to group your devices within NetCloud prior to deployment. We ran into issues of lost/changed settings when grouping devices that had already been deployed

Incentivized

Automation, pushing template-based configuration to multiple devices in one push saves time and manpower. Assurance helps trace issues related to devices, clients, and provide the troubleshoot as the best practices. Segmentation, with the use of the SGT tags, we are able to achieve segmentation and micro-segmentation securely.

Incentivized

The cost of equipment, lines, and services was over 1,000 times the five year cost of Cradlepoint (formerly Pertino) when looking for a complete WAN replacement. Using small Linux devices (Intel NUCs) instead of expensive networking hardware provided equal service levels when we needed passthrough site-based access, rather than buying specific hardware from a vendor (including even Cradlepoint, though the integration is great and I do recommend their devices - especially for their cellular data redundancy features)

Incentivized

• Integration with other platforms in a single platform is a great advantage for the user.
• Saves time in configuring devices on the network

Incentivized

• It has freed me up to do more productive things instead of troubleshooting the VPN.
• It has made my employees happier because they have less frustrations working from home or on the road.

Incentivized

• It has allowed us to unite different computer methodologies for the control of breakdowns in the cloud.
• This supports commitment and meets business objectives in less time. This is simpler and the benefit is obvious.
• Improving incorrect procedures in this sense allows us to anticipate correcting errors by giving us alerts and avoiding wasting too much time solving specific problems in the future.
• Meet business objectives in months and it has been surprising. A specific business objective was to improve our facilities to be able to deliver faster service to our customers and achieve higher profit income.

Incentivized