Expensive, Elaborate Cisco SDN Solution That Has a Bit of a Learning Curve
Updated October 07, 2022
Expensive, Elaborate Cisco SDN Solution That Has a Bit of a Learning Curve
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Modules Used
- Automation
Overall Satisfaction with Cisco DNA Center
We have a smaller network team that is using Cisco DNA Center to help automate infrastructure deployment and maintenance. Cisco DNA Center assists in automating tasks such as updating firmware on Cisco switches and routers, along with allowing on-the-fly switch replacement that's flexible enough to allow our desktop team to replace a switch if necessary.
- Deploying firmware to Cisco devices.
- Wireless assurance.
- Automation of equipment deployment.
- Ease of use.
- Ease of deployment.
- Obtuse UI.
- Frees up time for your network team.
- Allows certain functions to be automated.
- Allows deep visibility into your network.
I have not used any other products like Cisco DNA Center, as this was really the only SDN product we thought would be worthwhile since we are almost a 100% Cisco shop.
Do you think Cisco Catalyst Center delivers good value for the price?
Yes
Are you happy with Cisco Catalyst Center's feature set?
Yes
Did Cisco Catalyst Center live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of Cisco Catalyst Center go as expected?
No
Would you buy Cisco Catalyst Center again?
Yes
Cisco Hybrid Work
- Webex Meetings
- Webex App
- Slido
- Working from anywhere (e.g., coffee shop, airport)
- Working from an office or other company space
- Working from home
We had to start our hybrid work efforts during the start of the pandemic in 2020 and it's progressed into something much more robust and intentional in 2022. We have a lot of our workforce that relies on being able to be productivity from anywhere. Many of our employees work both remotely and on sight and being able to effortlessly switch between these workflows is important. Cisco WebEx is the glue that ties this all together, along with our VPN and remote desktop implementation.
We had a few issues. First off we had to deal with licensing issues for our VPN connectivity and also issues getting people to connect to our virtual desktop solution. We had difficulties with converting people from standard phones to soft phones as well, that was a big push by our networking and desktop teams.
WebEx has evolved into something that transcends just messaging. We use it for training, workshops, and for some of our breakout sessions during mandatory training sessions. We use Slido for interactivity during all these sessions as well. WebEx is used as our main source for interoffice messaging along with our EHR system. Without these solutions, the ability to communicate and collaborate would be hindered..
We've experienced how important it is to have stable and reliable connectivity and services. We are now at the mercy of not only our internet connectivity but of the cloud services we rely on. While this has been mostly reliable, there is a sort of helplessness when something does go wrong that is completely out of our control.
We have actually compared a few hybrid solutions from other vendors, such as Microsoft, and found that the Cisco solutions just tied into our existing infrastructure much better and more seamlessly than the other solutions. This is definitely part of the reason why we chose to take the Cisco route for our hybrid solutions.