Cisco Meraki Dashboard vs Portnox NAC

Cisco Meraki Dashboard is a cloud platform for provisioning, configuring and troubleshooting networking and IoT deployments. From one dashboard it manages wireless, switching, routing, cellular gateways, cameras, sensors and industrial Ethernet switching. Cisco describes use across networks from small sites to distributed deployments with thousands of sites, and says zero-touch provisioning can deploy new sites in minutes. Integrated tools include ping, traceroute, throughput checks and live packet capture. The platform is API-first and includes a Networking App Marketplace with more than 350 applications, alongside partner apps, APIs and built-in integrations. Access is listed through web, API, Android and iOS; the mobile app manages organization and network administrators. Cisco states that its architecture keeps end-user traffic from traversing Meraki datacenters, while management data uses secure connections. The platform uses a PCI- and HIPAA-compliant architecture and has a stated 99.99% uptime SLA. Meraki products require valid licensing; there is no free plan, though a free trial is available.

Portnox NAC is a cloud-delivered network access control service for hybrid and distributed networks. It provides device visibility, risk-based access controls, and automated compliance enforcement across wired, wireless, and VPN connections. Administrators can define policies by role, location, device type, and network layer. Authentication options include 802.1X, MAC Authentication Bypass, and passwordless certificates; Portnox can act as a certificate authority or integrate with a third party. The service continuously assesses endpoint risk and can use agentless assessment integrations such as Microsoft Intune. Noncompliant devices can be quarantined or moved to a remediation VLAN, with automated policies able to return endpoints to compliance. Portnox lists integrations including Active Directory, Entra ID, Intune, Jamf, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Okta, and a REST API. The service supports RDP, SSH, VNC, and Telnet, along with SIEM log export and session recording. Portnox says its controls can help organizations address HIPAA, GLBA, PCI DSS, and GDPR. A 30-day trial is advertised, but no plan price is listed; subscription terms are 12, 24, or 36 months.