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Head-to-head · Software-Defined Networking Software

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller vs Cisco Catalyst Center

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller #2 in Software-Defined Networking Software 9.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Cisco NDFC
Cisco Catalyst Center #3 in Software-Defined Networking Software 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Cisco

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller leads on 0 checks, Cisco Catalyst Center on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller · 9.1/10
  • Most featuresCisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller · 2 of 2

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller scores higher on our rubric for software-defined networking software: 9.1 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

On deployment model, Cisco Catalyst Center gives you Hybrid where Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller offers On-premises.

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller is the better fit for cisco VXLAN EVPN fabrics. Cisco Catalyst Center is the better fit for cisco enterprise network automation.

  • Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller fits best

    Cisco VXLAN EVPN fabrics

  • Cisco Catalyst Center fits best

    Cisco enterprise network automation

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 Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Cisco Catalyst Center 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 9.0
Ranking #2 in Software-Defined Networking Software #3 in Software-Defined Networking Software
Best for Cisco VXLAN EVPN fabrics Cisco enterprise network automation
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request Pricing on request
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 7 integrations 11 integrations
Features Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller 2/2 · Cisco Catalyst Center 0/2
Policy segmentation ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Northbound API ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model On-premises Hybrid
Control-plane model Centralized Not checked yet
Supported protocols OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, VXLAN, EVPN, SNMP, SCP, REST Not checked yet
Managed device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Automates VXLAN BGP EVPN underlay and overlay operations
  • Combines provisioning, compliance, topology, monitoring, and rollback
  • Supports multi-fabric, multisite management and REST automation
  • Maps networks and maintains a continuously updated device inventory
  • Automates provisioning, policy, compliance, backups, and software upgrades
  • Extends operations through APIs, Terraform, Ansible, and many integrations
Cons
  • Uses an on-premises deployment model on Cisco Nexus Dashboard
  • Pricing requires contact with Cisco rather than published plan details
  • Non-Cisco device support is available only for selected devices
  • Pricing requires contact with Cisco sales
  • A Catalyst software subscription is required for managed devices
  • Its focus on Cisco infrastructure limits fit for mixed-vendor environments
Our verdict

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC) is a centralized network management and automation service for data-center and campus networks. It is designed for teams managing Cisco Nexus, MDS, IOS XE, IOS XR, and selected non-Cisco…

Read the review →

Cisco Catalyst Center is a centralized network management system for enterprise campus and branch environments. It manages Cisco wired and wireless infrastructure across discovery, topology mapping, inventory, provisioning, configuration,…

Read the review →
  1. Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric ControllerSoftware-Defined Networking Software 9.1Pricing on request
  2. Cisco Catalyst CenterSoftware-Defined Networking Software 9.0Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller — where it wins

    • Automates VXLAN BGP EVPN underlay and overlay operations
    • Combines provisioning, compliance, topology, monitoring, and rollback
    • Supports multi-fabric, multisite management and REST automation

    Where it doesn't

    • Uses an on-premises deployment model on Cisco Nexus Dashboard
    • Pricing requires contact with Cisco rather than published plan details
    • Non-Cisco device support is available only for selected devices

  • Cisco Catalyst Center — where it wins

    • Maps networks and maintains a continuously updated device inventory
    • Automates provisioning, policy, compliance, backups, and software upgrades
    • Extends operations through APIs, Terraform, Ansible, and many integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contact with Cisco sales
    • A Catalyst software subscription is required for managed devices
    • Its focus on Cisco infrastructure limits fit for mixed-vendor environments
  • Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller9.1/10 · Pricing on request

    A focused controller for provisioning, automating, and governing VXLAN EVPN fabrics.

    Visit Cisco NDFCFull verdict →
  • Cisco Catalyst Center9.0/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad Cisco network-operations platform for discovery, automation, compliance, and assurance.

    Visit CiscoFull verdict →

More comparisons

All Software-Defined networking software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update