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Head-to-head · Data Center Networking Solutions

HPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer vs Cisco Catalyst Center

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score HPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer #3 in Data Center Networking Solutions 9.1/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit HPE Aruba
Cisco Catalyst Center #4 in Data Center Networking Solutions 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Cisco

HPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer leads on 0 checks, Cisco Catalyst Center 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 scoreHPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer · 9.1/10

HPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer scores higher on our rubric for data center networking solutions: 9.1 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

HPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer is the better fit for HPE Aruba leaf-spine fabric deployments. Cisco Catalyst Center is the better fit for cisco-centric campus and data-center networks.

  • HPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer fits best

    HPE Aruba leaf-spine fabric deployments

  • Cisco Catalyst Center fits best

    Cisco-centric campus and data-center networks

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 HPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Cisco Catalyst Center 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 9.0
Ranking #3 in Data Center Networking Solutions #4 in Data Center Networking Solutions
Best for HPE Aruba leaf-spine fabric deployments Cisco-centric campus and data-center networks
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — Pricing on request
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 9 integrations 11 integrations
Features HPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer 0/4 · Cisco Catalyst Center 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 Not checked yet Hybrid
Supported device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Telemetry protocols Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Orchestrates BGP/OSPF underlays and EVPN/VXLAN overlays
  • Combines topology visibility, telemetry, alerts, and troubleshooting
  • Integrates with VMware, Nutanix, HPE tools, and Pensando PSM
  • Maps network topology and keeps device inventory updated.
  • Automates provisioning, configuration, compliance, and image management.
  • Offers REST APIs, webhooks, SDKs, Terraform, and Ansible integrations.
Cons
  • Paid subscriptions are required; there is no free plan
  • Management subscriptions are priced per managed switch
  • Focused on HPE Aruba Networking AOS-CX fabric environments
  • 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.
Our verdict

HPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer coordinates the provisioning, configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting of data-center fabrics built with HPE Aruba Networking AOS-CX switches. Its scope spans leaf-spine orchestration, routing and…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. HPE Aruba Networking Fabric ComposerData Center Networking Solutions 9.1Paid
  2. Cisco Catalyst CenterData Center Networking Solutions 9.0Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • HPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer — where it wins

    • Orchestrates BGP/OSPF underlays and EVPN/VXLAN overlays
    • Combines topology visibility, telemetry, alerts, and troubleshooting
    • Integrates with VMware, Nutanix, HPE tools, and Pensando PSM

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid subscriptions are required; there is no free plan
    • Management subscriptions are priced per managed switch
    • Focused on HPE Aruba Networking AOS-CX fabric environments

  • 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.
  • HPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer9.1/10 · Paid

    Centralized leaf-spine orchestration for teams managing HPE Aruba AOS-CX fabrics.

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

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

    Visit CiscoFull 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