Apache SpamAssassin vs Cisco Catalyst Center
Apache SpamAssassin
spamassassin.apache.orgCisco Catalyst Center
cisco.comSide by side
| Figure | Apache SpamAssassin | Cisco Catalyst Center |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · Email Anti-Spam Software | 9.1 (#1) | 7.8 (#8) |
| API | The Mail::SpamAssassin classes expose an abstract API for embedding the engine in mail systems. | The platform exposes northbound REST APIs for discovery, inventory, topology, provisioning, assurance, and other network operations. |
| Deployment | The project wiki says SpamAssassin runs on a server and filters spam before it reaches the mailbox. | Cisco describes hardware and virtual appliance deployments, including current guides for VMware ESXi and Ubuntu KVM. |
| Purpose | SpamAssassin classifies email and helps system administrators block unsolicited bulk email. | Cisco Catalyst Center is a centralized network controller and management dashboard for enterprise network operations. |
| Support | The user mailing list accepts questions, and developers and PMC members answer as time permits. | Cisco says Catalyst and Cisco DNA software subscriptions include embedded software support and downloads; opening a support case requires a Cisco Service Contract. |
Plans
Cisco Catalyst Center
- Cisco DNA AdvantagePriced on request
- Cisco DNA EssentialsPriced on request
In their own words
Apache SpamAssassin
Apache SpamAssassin is free, open-source software that classifies email to help system administrators block unsolicited bulk messages. It runs on a server to filter mail before it reaches a mailbox. Detection combines header and text analysis, Bayesian filtering, DNS blocklists, collaborative filtering databases, and local and network tests. Its scoring framework and plugins add heuristic and statistical checks. Tests and configuration are stored as plain text, so administrators can adjust settings and add rules. The Mail::SpamAssassin API can be integrated with systems such as procmail, sendmail, Postfix, and qmail. The core distribution includes command-line filtering tools and Perl modules for use in other products. The downloads page lists version 4.0.2 as the released version. Official releases are signed, with GPG signatures and SHA-256 and SHA-512 checksum links for downloads. Users can ask questions on the mailing list; developers and PMC members answer as time permits.
Cisco Catalyst Center
Cisco Catalyst Center has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.