Cisco Catalyst Center vs NACVIEW
Cisco Catalyst Center
cisco.com
NACVIEW
nacview.comSide by side
| Figure | Cisco Catalyst Center | NACVIEW |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 3 |
| Spec score · Network Access Control Software | 7.8 (#10) | 7.9 (#9) |
| Access controls | It supports predefined and custom fine-grained user roles, including administrator, network administrator, and observer roles. | Features include 802.1X authentication, VLAN segmentation, captive portals, and guest and BYOD access. |
| API | The platform exposes northbound REST APIs for discovery, inventory, topology, provisioning, assurance, and other network operations. | NV3 includes a full API for programmatic control, automation, and integration. |
| Deployment | Cisco describes hardware and virtual appliance deployments, including current guides for VMware ESXi and Ubuntu KVM. | NACVIEW is available as software for a virtual appliance or as a hardware appliance, with VMware and Hyper-V listed as standard virtual machine options. |
| Founded | 1984 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | San Jose, California, United States | Poznań, Poland |
| Integrations | Cisco documents integrations with ISE, ThousandEyes, Webex, Microsoft Teams, ServiceNow, Infoblox, and BlueCat, plus generic APIs for other ITSM and IPAM systems. | NACVIEW describes bidirectional information exchange with Firewall, UTM, MDM, SIEM, and other cybersecurity solutions. |
| Purpose | Cisco Catalyst Center is a centralized network controller and management dashboard for enterprise network operations. | NACVIEW controls access by users and devices to wired, wireless, and VPN networks. |
| Security | Catalyst Center supports FIPS 140-2-compliant cryptography modules, and Cisco recommends deploying it behind a firewall on a private internal network. | NV3 lists OTP and OAuth2 as additional administrator authentication layers and OTP for TACACS security. |
| Support | Cisco says Catalyst and Cisco DNA software subscriptions include embedded software support and downloads; opening a support case requires a Cisco Service Contract. | The FAQ says the annual subscription includes support, while a perpetual license is sold with support and the first year of support is required. |
Plans
Cisco Catalyst Center
- Cisco DNA AdvantagePriced on request
- Cisco DNA EssentialsPriced on request
NACVIEW
- NV-20Free
- Annual subscriptionPrice not published
- Perpetual licensePrice not published
In their own words
Cisco Catalyst Center
Cisco Catalyst Center has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
NACVIEW
NACVIEW controls which users and devices can access wired, wireless, and VPN networks. It detects connected devices in real time and can retrieve endpoint information from Active Directory, SQL databases, LDAP, and RADIUS servers. Access controls include 802.1X authentication, VLAN segmentation, captive portals, and guest and BYOD access. The system can identify unknown or misconfigured devices and quarantine infected devices. Device profiling uses DHCP Fingerprinting, HTTP/S, NMAP, DNS, and RADIUS. NACVIEW can exchange information with Firewall, UTM, MDM, SIEM, and other cybersecurity solutions; NV3 includes an API for automation and integration. Deployment is available as software for a virtual appliance or as a hardware appliance, with VMware and Hyper-V listed as virtual machine options. The 60-day trial provides full software functionality on a user's own network. The free NV-20 lifetime license is limited to 20 simultaneously authorized endpoint devices. Deployment requires at least one managed switch. Annual subscriptions include support; perpetual licenses require first-year support.