TrustRadius Insights for Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, third party data sources.
Pros
Security Features Appreciated: Users have praised the security feature sets, such as SGT tagging and compliance with security standards, for enhancing network security and governance. These features have helped in ensuring a robust defense against potential threats and vulnerabilities.
Valuable Monitoring Capabilities: Reviewers find the ISE monitoring and auditing capabilities valuable for enhancing network visibility by providing detailed insights into network activities. The ability to track and analyze network traffic has been instrumental in identifying issues promptly and maintaining smooth operations.
Efficient Automation Features: Customers have highlighted the automation features of the product, particularly DNA automation for daily tasks and telemetry functions. This automation not only saves time but also streamlines processes, allowing teams to focus on strategic initiatives while routine tasks are efficiently handled by the system.
I am using SDA in part of my Campus infrastructure. It supposed to be easier to administrate , fewer manpower, it turns out the the solution need a dedicated team to deal with all the bugs.
Pros
Automation for daily activities (DNA)
Telemetry (DNA)
Cons
NOT Micro segmentation for Broadcast and multicast
NOT Supporting Multicast over SD transit
NOT Supporting silent host
Demanding advantage license
Likelihood to Recommend
I dont see the point to use VXLAN in a campus environment that dont have the need of stretched L2 environment (fully aware about VXLAN header and SGTs ) LISP and BGP Crave a advantage licenses (extremely expansive )
VU
Verified User
Engineer in Engineering (Government Administration company, 10,001+ employees)
Cisco's SD-Access has reduced the downtime largely. [It] helped us in planning global expansion which can now be more agile. We are planning to invest in other areas due to the cost-savings from SD-Access and enhance our overall performance and productivity. The employees are interested in up-skilling in the technology, hence utilizing the resources in a better way.
Pros
Agility
Flexibility
Expansion
Global Reachout
Cons
Licensing
Bug fixes
Likelihood to Recommend
As far as my experience with SD-Access - I think it is well suited for multi-connectivity, network segmentation, and security. Things it is not so appropriate to use with, or I'd say things that can be improved are - better functionality with ISE, ease to understand licensing and better documentation for configuration (add-ons, etc), and licensing.
VU
Verified User
Professional in Information Technology (Computer Networking company, 5001-10,000 employees)
We are using Cisco SD-Access for [the] whole organization. With the help of Cisco SD-Access, we are able to address the problems [of] automation through DNA center, network insight through assurance, and segmentation using SGTs. We deployed [Cisco] SD-Access in all our offices across Canada with two-layer architecture. Moving out from the complex traditional to next-generation networks save[s] our timelines for critical projects.
Pros
Automation, pushing template-based configuration to multiple devices in one push saves time and manpower.
Assurance [helps trace] issues related to devices, clients, and provide the troubleshoot as [the] best practices.
Segmentation, with the use of the SGT tags, we are able to achieve segmentation and micro-segmentation securely.
Cons
There are some issues we are facing like the stability of the DNA center versions.
Need to simplify the licenses used for Devices and the DNA center which is hard to understand and explain further.
Likelihood to Recommend
If the use case [is] to have the automation and network insight in your network, Cisco SD-Access is a good solution to go ahead with. The only concern is the stability of the codes and the bugs/vulnerabilities. The other thing [is] as it is a new technology [you] would need more focus on the adoption program from Cisco.
We have 50 of our bigger sites ready for Cisco SD-Access. We finished refreshing the hardware to various models of the 9500 and 9300 Series. We have DNA-C running in EMEA, AMEC, and APAC, with full ISE integration. We have migrated a site of 4500 users to SD-Access (in one weekend) and have implemented two greenfield sites--one with a couple of thousand users and one small site with 60 users.
The site operations managers are thrilled with the Assurance module, and, after a period of learning along with Cisco, our management is happy with the visibility DNA-C offers.
Pros
Enhanced user experience
Better manageability
Cons
Better functionality with ISE
Better documentation of all the config that DNA-C adds to the on-boarded devices
Likelihood to Recommend
I think Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) is suited for most types of sites and for most organizations. Only when there is too much variation in the types of sites and their requirements might Cisco SD-Access be less valuable.