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Head-to-head · Data Center Networking Solutions

Cisco Catalyst Center vs NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM)

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Cisco Catalyst Center #4 in Data Center Networking Solutions 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Cisco
NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM) #7 in Data Center Networking Solutions 8.8/10 Pricing on request · 60-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit NVIDIA

Cisco Catalyst Center leads on 0 checks, NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM) on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCisco Catalyst Center · 9.0/10
  • Free trialonly NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM)

Cisco Catalyst Center scores higher on our rubric for data center networking solutions: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

Cisco Catalyst Center is the better fit for cisco-centric campus and data-center networks. NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM) is the better fit for infiniBand fabrics and HPC environments.

  • Cisco Catalyst Center fits best

    Cisco-centric campus and data-center networks

  • NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM) fits best

    InfiniBand fabrics and HPC environments

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Cisco Catalyst Center 9.0/10 Visit ↗ NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM) 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.8
Ranking #4 in Data Center Networking Solutions #7 in Data Center Networking Solutions
Best for Cisco-centric campus and data-center networks InfiniBand fabrics and HPC environments
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request Pricing on request · 60-day trial
Free plan Not checked yet —
Free trial — 60 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 11 integrations 5 integrations
Features Cisco Catalyst Center 0/4 · NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM) 0/4
Network automation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Topology visualization Not checked yet Not checked yet
Multi-vendor support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Configuration compliance Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model Hybrid Not checked yet
Supported device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Telemetry protocols Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Maps network topology and keeps device inventory updated.
  • Automates provisioning, configuration, compliance, and image management.
  • Offers REST APIs, webhooks, SDKs, Terraform, and Ansible integrations.
  • Automates InfiniBand discovery, provisioning, validation, and updates
  • Streams telemetry and tracks traffic congestion in real time
  • Integrates job scheduling with Slurm and IBM Spectrum LSF
Cons
  • Requires a Catalyst software subscription for managed Cisco devices.
  • Appliance and virtual-appliance licensing is ordered through Cisco Smart Accounts.
  • Pricing is handled through sales rather than shown as a public product price.
  • Supports InfiniBand fabrics rather than a broad range of fabric types
  • Pricing is handled through sales and licensing
  • Self-hosted deployment requires on-premises infrastructure
Our verdict

Cisco Catalyst Center centralizes management of Cisco wired and wireless infrastructure across enterprise campus and branch environments. Its scope runs from discovering devices and mapping topology to provisioning, configuration…

Read the review →

NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM) is a host-based platform for operating scale-out, InfiniBand-connected data centers. It is designed for research, industrial, and other high-performance computing operators, with a fit for mid-market and…

Read the review →
  1. Cisco Catalyst CenterData Center Networking Solutions 9.0Pricing on request
  2. NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM)Data Center Networking Solutions 8.8Pricing on request · 60-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cisco Catalyst Center — where it wins

    • Maps network topology and keeps device inventory updated.
    • Automates provisioning, configuration, compliance, and image management.
    • Offers REST APIs, webhooks, SDKs, Terraform, and Ansible integrations.

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a Catalyst software subscription for managed Cisco devices.
    • Appliance and virtual-appliance licensing is ordered through Cisco Smart Accounts.
    • Pricing is handled through sales rather than shown as a public product price.

  • NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM) — where it wins

    • Automates InfiniBand discovery, provisioning, validation, and updates
    • Streams telemetry and tracks traffic congestion in real time
    • Integrates job scheduling with Slurm and IBM Spectrum LSF

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports InfiniBand fabrics rather than a broad range of fabric types
    • Pricing is handled through sales and licensing
    • Self-hosted deployment requires on-premises infrastructure
  • Cisco Catalyst Center9.0/10 · Pricing on request

    Centralized Cisco network management with discovery, provisioning, compliance, and assurance.

    Visit CiscoFull verdict →
  • NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM)8.8/10 · Pricing on request · 60-day trial

    InfiniBand fabric operations with automation, telemetry, and HPC scheduler integration.

    Visit NVIDIAFull verdict →

More comparisons

All data center networking solutions comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update