Head-to-head · Software-Defined Networking Software
Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller vs OpenStack Neutron
Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller leads on 0 checks, OpenStack Neutron 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
Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller scores higher on our rubric for software-defined networking software: 9.1 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.
On deployment model, OpenStack Neutron gives you Hybrid where Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller offers On-premises. On control-plane model, OpenStack Neutron gives you Hybrid where Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller offers Centralized.
Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller is the better fit for cisco VXLAN EVPN fabrics. OpenStack Neutron is the better fit for openStack cloud networking.
- Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller fits best
Cisco VXLAN EVPN fabrics
- OpenStack Neutron fits best
OpenStack cloud networking
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Side by side
| Feature | Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller 9.1/10 Visit ↗ | OpenStack Neutron 8.4/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.1 | 8.4 |
| Ranking | #2 in Software-Defined Networking Software | #7 in Software-Defined Networking Software |
| Best for | Cisco VXLAN EVPN fabrics | OpenStack cloud networking |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | Pricing on request | Open source |
| Free plan | — | Not checked yet |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web | Linux |
| Support | Docs | Docs, Community |
| Integrations | 7 integrations | 4 integrations |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise | Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller 2/2 · OpenStack Neutron 2/2 | ||
| Policy segmentation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Northbound API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment model | On-premises | Hybrid |
| Control-plane model | Centralized | Hybrid |
| Supported protocols | OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, VXLAN, EVPN, SNMP, SCP, REST | VLAN, VXLAN, GRE, Geneve |
| Managed device limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| 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 → |
OpenStack Neutron provides networking as a service for OpenStack clouds. It exposes APIs for creating and managing networks, subnets, ports, addresses, routers, and related services. The component is aimed at teams operating OpenStack… Read the review → |
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
OpenStack Neutron — where it wins
- Covers routing, NAT, VPN, QoS, IPAM, and security groups
- Integrates with Open vSwitch, OVN, Nova, and Keystone
- Supports VLAN, VXLAN, GRE, and Geneve networking
Where it doesn't
- Designed for OpenStack rather than general network control
- Requires self-hosted deployment on Linux or through APIs
- Its broad modular scope can exceed a narrow networking need
- 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 → - OpenStack Neutron8.4/10 · Open source
A broad, modular networking layer for OpenStack deployments.
Visit OpenStackFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update