ExtremeCloud IQ vs PacketFence

ExtremeCloud IQ provides machine-learning-driven unified management for access points, switches and SD-WAN. It offers real-time and historical views of client and device health with built-in remediation tools. Automatic configuration policies, near zero-touch deployment workflows and Instant operations support onboarding and provisioning. Enhanced WiFi Maps help with network planning and optimization. The product supports OpenAPI-standard APIs for provisioning, management and customization. It can manage Cisco and HPE Aruba switches, while other third-party devices receive basic setup and monitoring. Deployment options include public cloud, private cloud and ExtremeCloud Edge; the product page describes 21 global points of presence across AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform. Licenses are pooled and portable across devices, locations and users, covering wired and wireless devices. Pilot includes guest management, wireless intrusion prevention and location services; CoPilot adds anomaly detection and experience monitoring. Pricing is on request, with a 90-day trial and no free plan.

PacketFence is an enterprise network access control platform for organizations managing wired, wireless, and VPN access. It can enforce policy through SNMP or RADIUS, inline Layer 2 or Layer 3 deployment, VLAN assignment, and quarantine isolation. Authentication options include 802.1X/EAP, directory services, external RADIUS, OAuth2 social login, SAML 2.0, and PKI certificates. Guest workflows include self-registration, sponsored access, email or SMS confirmation, and CSV imports. Self-service provisioning can configure 802.1X profiles for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. The platform checks antivirus, operating system patch level, and security-agent presence, and can quarantine devices that fail policy. Administrators get a web interface, command-line tools, REST API, customizable captive portals, and Perl extension points. The self-hosted Community Edition is GPL v2+ with unlimited devices and full source code. Its listed minimum requirements include Debian 12.x or RHEL 8.x, four CPU cores, 16 GB RAM, 200 GB disk, and a network interface. Paid plans include Starter at $5,000 /year for up to 250 registered devices.