Auconet BICS vs Cisco Catalyst Center
Auconet BICS
auconet.comCisco Catalyst Center
cisco.comSide by side
| Figure | Auconet BICS | Cisco Catalyst Center |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Network Access Control Software | 8.1 (#4) | 7.8 (#10) |
| Deployment | BICS is available on-premises, as a virtual appliance, or as cloud or SaaS, including multi-tenant deployments. | Cisco describes hardware and virtual appliance deployments, including current guides for VMware ESXi and Ubuntu KVM. |
| Founded | 1998 | 1984 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, United States | San Jose, California, United States |
| Integrations | Auconet says BICS integrates with third-party software and competing CMDB platforms, and its Enterprise Security Foundation exposes APIs for partners. | Cisco documents integrations with ISE, ThousandEyes, Webex, Microsoft Teams, ServiceNow, Infoblox, and BlueCat, plus generic APIs for other ITSM and IPAM systems. |
| Security | BICS supports MAC-based authentication and IEEE 802.1X separately or together, with real-time access policies for wired and wireless endpoints. | Catalyst Center supports FIPS 140-2-compliant cryptography modules, and Cisco recommends deploying it behind a firewall on a private internal network. |
| Support | Auconet provides contact by email, phone, or an information request form; a banking case study says two part-time staff handled support requests for hundreds of tenant banks. | 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
Auconet BICS
Auconet BICS is an IT operations, systems management, network access control, and service management platform for large and multi-tenant networks. It provides real-time discovery, monitoring, management, and control for mixed device environments, including servers, desktops, ATMs, kiosks, retail POS systems, mobile devices, cameras, pumps, and sensors. BICS consolidates device and endpoint information into a real-time configuration management database and supports shared commands and workflows across vendors. One central console can manage hundreds of thousands of network elements. Access security includes MAC Layer-2 authentication and IEEE 802.1X, separately or together, with policies for wired and wireless endpoints. BICS can discover and monitor SCADA infrastructure, while Data Centers and Security variants add data-center automation and IT or industrial access controls. Deployment options include cloud, on-premises appliance, virtual on-premises, and multi-tenant implementations. Agentless discovery is available through Auconet ESF, and open APIs can connect visibility data with security systems such as SIEMs, vulnerability tools, and firewalls. Auconet says implementation can take hours, with discovery and visualization beginning immediately.
Cisco Catalyst Center
Cisco Catalyst Center has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.