Cisco Catalyst Center vs ExtremeControl
Cisco Catalyst Center
cisco.comExtremeControl
extremenetworks.comSide by side
| Figure | Cisco Catalyst Center | ExtremeControl |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Network Access Control Software | 7.8 (#10) | 8.0 (#8) |
| Access controls | It supports predefined and custom fine-grained user roles, including administrator, network administrator, and observer roles. | It supports role-based access, guest access, BYOD onboarding, and secure IoT network access, including for third-party networking devices. |
| API | The platform exposes northbound REST APIs for discovery, inventory, topology, provisioning, assurance, and other network operations. | It offers an open northbound API for customized integrations with enterprise platforms. |
| Deployment | Cisco describes hardware and virtual appliance deployments, including current guides for VMware ESXi and Ubuntu KVM. | ExtremeControl is available as part of ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine, which can be managed in the cloud or locally on premises. |
| Founded | 1984 | 1996 |
| Integrations | Cisco documents integrations with ISE, ThousandEyes, Webex, Microsoft Teams, ServiceNow, Infoblox, and BlueCat, plus generic APIs for other ITSM and IPAM systems. | The product page names VMware Workspace ONE UEM (AirWatch), Citrix, and MobileIron among EMM/MDM integrations, and describes integration with NGFW, SIEM, CMDB, and internet security solutions. |
| Purpose | Cisco Catalyst Center is a centralized network controller and management dashboard for enterprise network operations. | ExtremeControl provides network access control and endpoint security through centralized visibility and control of users and devices. |
Plans
Cisco Catalyst Center
- Cisco DNA AdvantagePriced on request
- Cisco DNA EssentialsPriced on request
In their own words
Cisco Catalyst Center
Cisco Catalyst Center has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
ExtremeControl
ExtremeControl centralizes network access control, visibility, and policy management for users, endpoints, and IoT devices. It supports wired, wireless, and VPN access control, including role-based access, guest access, BYOD onboarding, 802.1X, and secure IoT access through third-party networking devices. Administrators can build policies around user, time, location, vulnerability, or access type, then apply VLAN, ACL, and QoS rules. The product can share user, IP address, and location context with perimeter firewalls and coordinate endpoint isolation and remediation after alerts. Reports and alerts cover authentication, guest access, onboarding, device profiles, and endpoint health. Listed integrations include NGFW, SIEM, CMDB, internet security, and EMM/MDM tools; an open northbound API supports custom integrations. Virtual engines are documented for VMware ESX/ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V. ExtremeControl is paid, with pricing on request based on unique MAC addresses connected within the past 24 hours; there is no free plan. An initial ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine installation does not include an end-system license, though its generated evaluation license includes unlimited end-systems.