Item: Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access)
Rating: 9
Author: Inderdeep Singh

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We are using Cisco SD-Access for [the] whole organization. With the help of Cisco SD-Access, we are able to address the problems [of] automation through DNA center, network insight through assurance, and segmentation using SGTs. We deployed [Cisco] SD-Access in all our offices across Canada with two-layer architecture. Moving out from the complex traditional to next-generation networks save[s] our timelines for critical projects.

Pros and Cons

Pros

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.

Cons

There are some issues we are facing like the stability of the DNA center versions.
Need to simplify the licenses used for Devices and the DNA center which is hard to understand and explain further.

Key Insights

Do you think Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access)'s feature set?

Yes

Did Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) again?

Yes

Return on Investment

Time and manpower save in case of configuration devices.
Easy to find issues and guided process to troubleshoot issues through DNA center.
Integrations and API calls helps beyond the expectations
ROI

Integrations with other Cisco products

Cisco Secure Network Analytics (StealthWatch), Cisco DNA Spaces and BMC Helix ITSM (Remedy)

Automatic ticket creation on the issues, location-based services for the wireless infrastructure through DNA Spaces, co-existing between Cisco DNA center and the Cisco Prime infrastructure helps for some of the features handled through Prime and some through DNA Center. With the help of Stealth Watch, we are getting more visibility across the network.

Network Ops Experience

Yes, Cisco SD-Access helps to manage the whole fabric infrastructure of all our sites through a single pane of glass (Cisco DNA center). We can push configurations via templates to the various devices, create Qos and Data policies, using PNP, and get micro-segmentation using Cisco DNA Center. It helps to ease the manageability and uniform configuration across all devices.

Support Rating

I would say it is excellent support on Cisco SD-Access from the Cisco Sales for all initial conversations which includes technical presentation demos, Cisco TAC for helping on day-to-day issues and troubleshooting, and [the] Cisco CX team for the smooth deployment of the product and the solution. We are happy overall [with] deploying Cisco SD-Access in our environment.

Alternatives Considered

Arista Campus Switches, Aruba Networks Wireless LAN (WLAN) and Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches

Basically, we have various devices and solutions from Cisco and we are more focused on the next generation networks with the best support. We knew that Cisco has the best team sitting to support [any] issues and help us to troubleshoot whenever we need it. So we go with Cisco for this solution.

Other Software Used

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series, Citrix ADC (formerly NetScaler ADC), Cisco ASA

Likelihood to Recommend

If the use case [is] to have the automation and network insight in your network, Cisco SD-Access is a good solution to go ahead with. The only concern is the stability of the codes and the bugs/vulnerabilities. The other thing [is] as it is a new technology [you] would need more focus on the adoption program from Cisco.

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Cisco SD-Access review