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Head-to-head · Data Center Fabric Software

Huawei iMaster NCE-Fabric vs Dell Active Fabric Manager

Updated Oct 2026
Both researched from official sources
3 checks side by side

Higher score Huawei iMaster NCE-Fabric #2 in Data Center Fabric Software 9.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 4 features Contact Huawei

Dell Active Fabric Manager #6 in Data Center Fabric Software 8.7/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Dell

Huawei iMaster NCE-Fabric leads on 0 checks, Dell Active Fabric Manager 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 scoreHuawei iMaster NCE-Fabric · 9.2/10
Most featuresDell Active Fabric Manager · 2 of 4

Huawei iMaster NCE-Fabric scores higher on our rubric for data center fabric software: 9.2 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

Huawei iMaster NCE-Fabric is the better fit for huawei-based VXLAN data-center fabrics. Dell Active Fabric Manager is the better fit for teams deploying Dell VLT fabrics.

Huawei iMaster NCE-Fabric fits best
Huawei-based VXLAN data-center fabrics
Dell Active Fabric Manager fits best
Teams deploying Dell VLT fabrics

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

Show only differences

Feature	Huawei iMaster NCE-Fabric 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Dell Active Fabric Manager 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.7
Ranking	#2 in Data Center Fabric Software	#6 in Data Center Fabric Software
Best for	Huawei-based VXLAN data-center fabrics	Teams deploying Dell VLT fabrics
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	Pricing on request
Free plan	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Platforms	Linux	Web
Support	Email, Tickets, Community, Docs	Docs
Integrations	7 integrations	1 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Huawei iMaster NCE-Fabric 0/4 · Dell Active Fabric Manager 2/4
Fabric automation	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Multi-vendor management	Not checked yet	—
Fabric assurance	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
API access	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported fabrics	Not checked yet	Layer 2 VLT; Layer 3 distributed core; Layer 3 Routed VLT
Deployment model	On-premises	On-premises
Our review
Pros	Automates provisioning, onboarding, and orchestration across data-center networks Supports centralized, distributed, and hybrid VXLAN overlays Connects with OpenStack, Kubernetes, VMware, and Microsoft platforms	Designs Layer 2 VLT and two Layer 3 fabric types Discovers fabrics, deploys switch configurations, and validates changes Monitors health and performance through network, fabric, switch, and port views
Cons	On-premises, self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure planning Pricing is provided through a sales inquiry rather than published plans Its broad control and integration scope may exceed simpler fabric needs	Management is limited to Dell Networking switches On-premises, self-hosted deployment requires local infrastructure Pricing is handled through sales
Our verdict	Huawei iMaster NCE-Fabric is a software-defined management and control system for data-center networks. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise teams that need centralized control over Huawei-based VXLAN fabrics, including multi-cloud or… Read the review →	Dell Active Fabric Manager (AFM) is a network automation and orchestration tool for administrators managing Dell data center fabrics. It designs Layer 2 VLT, Layer 3 Routed VLT, and Layer 3 distributed-core fabrics, with discovery and… Read the review →

H Huawei iMaster NCE-FabricData Center Fabric Software 9.2Pricing on request
D Dell Active Fabric ManagerData Center Fabric Software 8.7Pricing on request

Compare the top tools in

Strengths and trade-offs

Huawei iMaster NCE-Fabric — where it wins
- Automates provisioning, onboarding, and orchestration across data-center networks
- Supports centralized, distributed, and hybrid VXLAN overlays
- Connects with OpenStack, Kubernetes, VMware, and Microsoft platforms
Where it doesn't
- On-premises, self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure planning
- Pricing is provided through a sales inquiry rather than published plans
- Its broad control and integration scope may exceed simpler fabric needs
Dell Active Fabric Manager — where it wins
- Designs Layer 2 VLT and two Layer 3 fabric types
- Discovers fabrics, deploys switch configurations, and validates changes
- Monitors health and performance through network, fabric, switch, and port views
Where it doesn't
- Management is limited to Dell Networking switches
- On-premises, self-hosted deployment requires local infrastructure
- Pricing is handled through sales

Huawei iMaster NCE-Fabric9.2/10 · Pricing on request
A self-hosted fabric controller for teams building Huawei-based VXLAN data-center networks.
Contact Huawei Full verdict →
Dell Active Fabric Manager8.7/10 · Pricing on request
A focused lifecycle tool for designing, deploying, and monitoring Dell VLT fabrics.
Visit Dell Full verdict →

More comparisons

All data center fabric software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update