Item: Cisco Catalyst Center
Rating: 8
Author: Nathan Jenkins

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use it to manage our wired and wireless catalyst network update, monitor and visualize. The business problems relate to that always promised but never delivered single pain of glass and the lack of two way programmability between Cisco Catalyst Center and Space’s especially with regards to AP positioning. We are a hospital with a 9500 core and distribution layer and 9400 and 9300 access layer 920 wireless access point spread between 9120 and 9136.

Pros and Cons

Onboard switches and AP’s and apply standard policies
Visualize the network
Push out software updates
Provide monitoring on multiple aspects of the network function

Price
More integration with spaces
Easier to rename claimed devices
Easier to move devices between maps
Easier to move maps within the hierarchy as the hierarchy may not solely be defined by location

Return on Investment

Software updates very positive
AP positioning needs to draw in from Spaces
Moving items within the hierarchy needs to improve

Cisco Products Used for Hybrid Work

Cisco DNA Spaces
Cisco DNA Center
Cisco Catalyst Switches
Cisco Aironet and Catalyst Access Points
Cisco AnyConnect

Organizational Challenges Faced

Finding the funding

Impact on Organizational Challenges

Cisco provides a joined up collection of products that work well (most of the time) together. The resources of spaces provide the key to a number of experience maximizing technologies that not only improve our patients experience but saves us money in the long reducing wait times and the cost implications of missed appointments. The reliability of the network and the ability to have a single support partner is also key to driving down costs.

Alternatives Considered

I selected Cisco Catalyst Center because it was first on the list.

Key Insights

Do you think Cisco Catalyst Center delivers good value for the price?

Not sure

Are you happy with Cisco Catalyst Center's feature set?

Yes

Did Cisco Catalyst Center live up to sales and marketing promises?

Did implementation of Cisco Catalyst Center go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Cisco Catalyst Center again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Cisco Spaces, Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (Cisco ACI), Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches, Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series Switches, Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches, Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches, Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers

Likelihood to Recommend

Cisco Catalyst Center has been in its element when building and managing our new network. It is not the single workspace promised, but the single pane of glass is a well known Cisco Myth.

The highs and lows of the Cisco Catalyst Center journey

Modules Used

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Catalyst Center