

SolarWinds NPM and Cisco DNA Center compete in the network management category. Based on feature comparisons, Cisco DNA Center seems to have the upper hand due to its advanced analytics and automation capabilities.
Features: SolarWinds NPM is known for quick deployment, numerous configuration options, and modular pricing, providing robust network monitoring and compatibility with multiple vendors' devices. Cisco DNA Center stands out for advanced analytics, centralized network management, and robust security features.
Room for Improvement: SolarWinds NPM could improve in areas like resource utilization, complex alert configuration, and required additional modules for more features. It also faces issues with scalability and integration. Cisco DNA Center's challenges include high pricing, complexity in deployment, and limited integration with non-Cisco hardware.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SolarWinds NPM provides on-premises and hybrid cloud deployment options but has mixed customer service reviews. Cisco DNA Center offers mainly on-premises deployment with robust customer support but can be challenging for first-time users.
Pricing and ROI: SolarWinds NPM has a cost-effective pricing model, praised for monitoring needs and scalability. Cisco DNA Center, although considered expensive, is noted for justifying the investment with advanced features.
Although Cisco DNA Center is expensive, we have seen a return on investment in terms of time savings.
The return on investment is significant as the solution effectively reduces costs while being worth its expense.
I would rate Cisco support easily at nine out of ten.
Overall, Cisco DNA Center rates eight out of ten as a complete solution.
The support for Cisco DNA Center is good.
If there is no timely response, getting a resolution is more difficult.
We had contact with SolarWinds regarding the implementation, and they were helpful.
They have good technical support.
From my experience, we can easily manage numerous devices.
The solution is designed for large enterprise companies.
SolarWinds NPM is scalable and effective in handling large network infrastructures.
When we communicate problems, they solve them effectively.
The NPM product is stable, particularly when used for simple network monitoring.
The AI-driven insights have contributed significantly to faster troubleshooting and predictive analytics.
The deployment part is definitely an area for improvement.
The client history in Cisco DNA Center can be longer than 10 days, perhaps extending to 15 or 20 days.
Customers have given feedback about the delayed response times from the technical team.
SolarWinds needs to upscale on observability and add full-fledged observability features, including security features.
I would need a feature in SolarWinds in the future for some kind of malfunctioning detection, such as malware attacks or that type of environment.
It is not too pricey and is adequate.
PRTG's package offers all features in one bundle, which is cost-effective.
The solution is considered expensive.
If there is a problem, I can inspect the situation and see what is happening, which is beneficial.
The most valuable features include AI-driven insights which make troubleshooting much easier.
Whenever any node is down in our network, whether it is a server or any network device, we receive information through email that the device is down.
It provides a detailed overview of the network, which is valuable.
SolarWinds NPM has specific modules for monitoring different network capabilities, which provides rich features for carrying out specific tasks.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| SolarWinds NPM | 3.7% |
| Cisco DNA Center | 0.8% |
| Other | 95.5% |


| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 12 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 9 |
| Large Enterprise | 24 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 59 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 33 |
| Large Enterprise | 85 |
Cisco DNA Center delivers powerful centralized security, automation, and comprehensive analytics for enhanced network management. With an intuitive dashboard and integration with Cisco devices, it reduces errors, boosts efficiency, and ensures seamless wired and wireless network operations.
Organizations leverage Cisco DNA Center for network management and automation, offering increased visibility into traffic flows and efficient device provisioning. It supports real-time data transmission, network segmentation, and integrates with ISE. Features like wireless assurance, centralized management, and AI-driven insights into network health promote an efficient network environment while addressing compliance issues. However, improvements are necessary for better third-party integration, affordability, and more user-friendly documentation.
What are the solution's most important features?In industries like healthcare, finance, and education, Cisco DNA Center's advanced features facilitate the management of complex network infrastructures and aid in achieving compliance efficiently. Its ability to manage LANs and WLANs supports diverse networking environments including greenfield projects and SPN setups.
SolarWinds NPM is a network performance monitoring tool offering a user-friendly interface with customizable dashboards. It provides real-time tracking of device health, latency, and bandwidth utilization, supporting diverse integration and scalability needs.
SolarWinds NPM's robust features include real-time monitoring of network performance and efficient tracking of device health, latency, and bandwidth utilization. The tool is appreciated for its ease of deployment, scalability, and support for integration with other tools. Features like SNMP monitoring, NetPath, and comprehensive reporting enhance its diagnostic capabilities and network visibility. However, users identify areas for improvement such as real-time analytics, advanced customization options, and enhanced scalability for larger enterprises. Better customer support, improved integrations, and security measures are also desired.
What are the key features of SolarWinds NPM?In enterprise environments, SolarWinds NPM is deployed to monitor network health and device status, sending alerts for any issues. It provides visibility into network performance, tracking bandwidth utilization and server metrics efficiently. Its applications span from monitoring routers, switches, and firewalls to supporting infrastructure monitoring across industries.
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