Cisco DNA Center - optional with Cat 9K?

[NinjaPirate]

Hi there,

It is my understanding that DNA Center is an option while deploying Cat 9Ks network and IOS XE CLI is still around and since I got the perpetual Advantage license with the switch it should not stop anytime when the 3 year forced DNA subscription finished. Please let me know if I am mistaken anywhere above as for the time being  I see no justifiable advantage on spending another ~$120K on a cluster of DNA Centers. I need these 9Ks only for regular campus network, which I was able to manage via CLI for all my life.

[grabonlee]

DNA Center is optional. Also I don't think Network Advantage license comes with DNA subscription. DNA subscription is different and comes in 3 flavors: DNA Essentials, DNA Advantage and DNA Premier

[NinjaPirate]

So I see you confirm essentially this is optional as my CLI is still there. And yeah, my advantage license does not contain DNA, but they force to buy it at least 3 year one with any 9K!

[grabonlee]

I don't think you're required to buy DNA term license. You just need to order the Cat9K switch using the right part number. For example, 

C9500-40X-A

Cisco Catalyst 9500 40-port 10G switch, NW Adv. License

You need to have a conversation with your channel partner who would guide you.

[Preston Chilcote]

It's true, that we are all very comfortable with Cisco CLI, but DNA Center has some features you should at least watch some training about. https://www.cisco.com/c/m/en_us/products/cloud-systems-management/dna-center/getting-started.html

-Tired of logging into 10 different devices to track down a problem?  DNA Center will aggregate and analyze all the data across devices to tell you where the problem is.  Should cut troubleshooting time down by at least half in many cases. 

-How do you manage software consistency across your network devices?  Software Image Management built into DNA Center allows you to easily monitor and upgrade devices that are out of compliance.

-Need to deploy a batch of new switches?  DNA makes it easy to configure these with Plug and Play, using configuration templates, which make configuration errors far less likely.

After 15 years of experience, I felt the same way you did about the CLI, but I forced myself to research and get hands on with DNA Center.  I have been very impressed with how much easier it is to manage a network with these features.

[anantsiv]

Hi Ninja,

Good day . Kindly find the link where in you can find the details

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/products/collateral/software/one-wireless-subscription/nb-06-dna-acces-wl-sw-faq-ctp-en.pdf

Regards

Ananth