Cisco DNA Center vs Cisco ISE: What are the differences?

Cisco DNA Center and Cisco ISE serve different purposes in network management and security. Let's explore the key differences between them.

1. Network Management vs. Network Access Control: Cisco DNA Center is a network management solution that provides centralized visibility and control over network infrastructure, automation of network configuration and troubleshooting, and network analytics. On the other hand, Cisco ISE is a network access control solution that focuses on managing user and device access to the network, enforcing security policies, and providing authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) services.

2. Scope of Control: Cisco DNA Center primarily focuses on the management of network devices such as routers, switches, and access points, along with the associated policies and configurations. In contrast, Cisco ISE has a broader scope that extends beyond network devices and encompasses user and device identities, access policies, and integrations with various network resources and services.

3. Automation and Orchestration Capabilities: Cisco DNA Center is known for its powerful automation and orchestration capabilities. It can automate network configuration tasks, provision devices, and streamline network provisioning workflows. On the other hand, while Cisco ISE does have some automation capabilities, its main focus is on authentication and access control.

4. Security Policies and Enforcement: Cisco DNA Center primarily deals with network-wide security policies and configurations but does not provide granular user-level access control. In contrast, Cisco ISE is designed specifically for user access control and provides granular security policies, allowing organizations to enforce different levels of access based on user roles and other contextual attributes.

5. Integration with Other Solutions: Cisco DNA Center integrates well with other network management solutions in the Cisco ecosystem, such as Cisco SD-WAN, Cisco ACI, and Cisco Stealthwatch, providing end-to-end network visibility and control. Cisco ISE, on the other hand, is designed to integrate with security solutions, identity management systems, and other third-party tools to enforce access policies and provide additional security layers.

6. Usage Scenarios and Deployment: Cisco DNA Center is typically used in scenarios where network automation, management, and analytics are the primary requirements. It is commonly used in enterprise network environments. On the other hand, Cisco ISE is mostly deployed in situations where user access control and security enforcement are crucial, such as in organizations with strict compliance requirements or those that handle sensitive data.

In summary, Cisco DNA Center focuses on network management, automation, and analytics, while Cisco ISE specializes in network access control and security enforcement.