Innovations | Recognise and service 1400+ apps | Cisco access switches can inspect traffic and application flows to enforce network access policy and protect against attacks via Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow, DNS-AS, NBAR, and Cisco DNA Center. | HPE switching platforms are limited to basic traffic classification and policy enforcement via ACL. HPE dynamic segmentation requires centralised data-plane architecture using tunneled node, which can dramatically reduce system performance and add CapEx. | Huawei offers limited SLA monitoring with iPCA. Huawei NetStream is still limited on some platforms, and most of the time it is still sampled. Full NetStream is taxing to switch performance. | | Differentiate between non-encrypted and encrypted apps to help ensure appropriate treatment of business-critical traffic. | Cisco access switches can inspect traffic and application flows to enforce network access policy and protect against attacks via Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow, DNS-AS, NBAR, and Cisco DNA Center. | HPE switching platforms are limited to basic traffic classification and policy enforcement via ACL. HPE dynamic segmentation requires centralised data-plane architecture using tunneled node, which can dramatically reduce system performance and add CapEx. | Huawei offers limited SLA monitoring with iPCA. Huawei NetStream is still limited on some platforms, and most of the time it is still sampled. Full NetStream is taxing to switch performance. | | Track users on location via BLE or Wi-Fi | Cisco Spaces supports the tracking of BLE and Wi-Fi devices with location accuracy up to 1-2 meters. | Limited. Separate platforms for tracking BLE (Meridian) and Wi-Fi (ALE)HPE has limited support with Bluetooth in the access points but lacks precise Wi-Fi-based location. Unlike Cisco, HPE does not support Virtual BLE beacons or precise location based on Wi-Fi angle of arrival. | Huawei has no support for Virtual BLE beacons. Huawei Wi-Fi location based on angle of arrival (AoA) is an unproven solution. | | Get a realistic and granular view of customer locations, whether tracking via BLE or Wi-Fi. | Cisco Spaces supports the tracking of BLE and Wi-Fi devices with location accuracy up to 1-2 meters. | HPE has limited support with Bluetooth in the access points but lacks precise Wi-Fi-based location. Unlike Cisco, HPE does not support Virtual BLE beacons or precise location based on Wi-Fi angle of arrival. | Huawei has no support for Virtual BLE beacons. Huawei Wi-Fi location based on angle of arrival (AoA) is an unproven solution. | | Engage with customers on location | The Cisco Spaces solution offers an understanding of how users interact with the environment so businesses can make better decisions. | HPE provides BLE location in its access points, tags, and Meridian application for wayfinding and customer engagement. | No | | Make relevant business decisions while providing a more personalised experience. | The Cisco Spaces solution offers an understanding of how users interact with the environment so businesses can make better decisions. | HPE provides BLE location in its access points, tags, and Meridian application for wayfinding and customer engagement. | No | | Monitoring by endpoint type | Cisco can use analytics to monitor behavior with Stealthwatch and NetFlow, and can classify traffic on the edge and inside the network with Cisco Software-Defined Access. | LimitedVery limited functionality, with Aruba Tunneled Node offered as a limited solution. | Limited iPCA is offered as an option but provides limited platform support and visibility. | | Monitor and classify behaviors of devices and data that are critical to identifying problems. | Cisco can use analytics to monitor behavior with Stealthwatch and NetFlow, and can classify traffic on the edge and inside the network with Cisco Software-Defined Access. | Very limited functionality, with Aruba Tunneled Node offered as a limited solution. | iPCA is offered as an option but provides limited platform support and visibility. | | Support new capabilities without major upgrades | Through the integration of custom ASICs, UADP, and access point modularity, Cisco offers support for new innovations. | Limited No support for modular APs. Switching platforms use a custom ASIC with limited extensibility. | No current support for modular access points that support location-based analytics and beacons/BLE. Only the AP4050DN has some modularity for IoT use cases. | | Avoid major upgrades by leveraging existing access points, controllers, and switches without performance impact. | Through the integration of custom ASICs, UADP, and access point modularity, Cisco offers support for new innovations. | No support for modular APs. Switching platforms use a custom ASIC with limited extensibility. | No current support for modular access points that support location-based analytics and beacons/BLE. Only the AP4050DN has some modularity for IoT use cases. |
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Agility | Improve experience for Apple users | Cisco and Apple have joined efforts to provide better user experiences for Apple device users when connected to a Cisco network. | LimitedFunctionality can only be supported through manual QoS prioritisation and Wi-Fi standards. | LimitedFunctionality can only be supported through manual QoS prioritisation. | | Promote a better user experience for business-relevant applications on all Apple devices. | Cisco and Apple have joined efforts to provide better user experiences for Apple device users when connected to a Cisco network. | Functionality can only be supported through manual QoS prioritisation and Wi-Fi standards. | Functionality can only be supported through manual QoS prioritisation. | | Help ensure positive user experience during peak times | Flexible Radio Assignment will automatically optimise your network and improve user experience during unpredicted times of high density. | LimitedYes | LimitedManual | | Automatically optimise a wireless network during unexpected peak times without adding new access points. | Flexible Radio Assignment will automatically optimise your network and improve user experience during unpredicted times of high density. | Yes | Manual | | Consistent application performance across the network | Through best practices, the EasyQoS application provides a simplified method of delivering end-to-end QoS. | | LimitedLimited | | Help ensure voice and video experiences across a network automatically, without IT intervention. | Through best practices, the EasyQoS application provides a simplified method of delivering end-to-end QoS. | | Limited | | Detect and set features to new devices | Through Cisco Auto Smartports, devices are dynamically detected and ports configured based on the device type detected on the port. | LimitedHPE can detect and set characteristics on an AP attaching to an HPE switch, but cannot detect other types of devices. | Only for Huawei access points and switches | | When IP phones, cameras, access points, or other devices connect, configurations such as QoS, VLAN, and security are automatically applied. | Through Cisco Auto Smartports, devices are dynamically detected and ports configured based on the device type detected on the port. | HPE can detect and set characteristics on an AP attaching to an HPE switch, but cannot detect other types of devices. | Only for Huawei access points and switches | | Power resiliency for IoT and other devices | Cisco offers Persistent PoE, Fast PoE, and Universal PoE while providing multiple-level redundancy through high availability with StackWise . | Very limitedHPE offers basic PoE/PoE+ (30W) support and supplies 1:1 power redundancy via dual power supplies supported in a limited number of switches. | LimitedHuawei supports PoE and PoE+ PoH (95W) on a two switch platforms. Power redundancy is 1:1 PoH (power over HDMI (95W) on a single S5700 platform. Huawei perpetual PoE & fast PoE is not as fast and mature as Cisco. | | Get an always-on environment for IoT and other devices that are powered via PoE, even when the switch reboots. | Cisco offers Persistent PoE, Fast PoE, and Universal PoE while providing multiple-level redundancy through high availability with StackWise . | HPE offers basic PoE/PoE+ (30W) support and supplies 1:1 power redundancy via dual power supplies supported in a limited number of switches. | Huawei supports PoE and PoE+ PoH (95W) on a two switch platforms. Power redundancy is 1:1 PoH (power over HDMI (95W) on a single S5700 platform. Huawei perpetual PoE & fast PoE is not as fast and mature as Cisco. | | Consistent automation across the WAN, WLAN, and wired network | Use Cisco DNA Center to centrally provision WAN-path selection with SD-WAN and security, encryption, application visibility, and control via TrustSec. | LimitedHPE-Aruba uses AirWave for automated deployment of switches and APs. Missing is the ability to manage WAN devices in AirWave. | LimitedHuawei requires two dashboards, eSight & Agile Controller, to deploy automated campus in addition to frequent CLI interruptions. | | Using a single pane of glass, deploy a new branch online, or roll out a new application policy within minutes. | Use Cisco DNA Center to centrally provision WAN-path selection with SD-WAN and security, encryption, application visibility, and control via TrustSec. | HPE-Aruba uses AirWave for automated deployment of switches and APs. Missing is the ability to manage WAN devices in AirWave. | Huawei requires two dashboards, eSight & Agile Controller, to deploy automated campus in addition to frequent CLI interruptions. |
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Security | Threat detection | Eliminate threats across the network with Cisco's security solutions. Products include Software Defined Access, TrustSec, Identity Services Engine, and Rapid Threat Containment. | LimitedRequires multiple products like ClearPass, Introspect, AirWave | LimitedRequires multiple products like Agile Controller, eSight, CIS. | | Rapidly eliminate threats across the entire network (wired and wireless) from a single place | Eliminate threats across the network with Cisco's security solutions. Products include Software Defined Access, TrustSec, Identity Services Engine, and Rapid Threat Containment. | Requires multiple products like ClearPass, Introspect, AirWave | Requires multiple products like Agile Controller, eSight, CIS. | | Security active-learning | Cisco Talos feeds strengthen defenses and help protect against known and emerging threats. | Through the Niara acquisition and integration in ClearPass, HPE can provide machine learning for security concerns. | | | Prevent new threats to the network before being hacked. | Cisco Talos feeds strengthen defenses and help protect against known and emerging threats. | Through the Niara acquisition and integration in ClearPass, HPE can provide machine learning for security concerns. | | | Intent-based networking for availability, agility, and policy segmentation | Centralise and automate network design, policy, and provisioning of all wired and wireless networks with Cisco DNA Center. | {icon type="No"} | {icon type="No"} | | Intent-based networking improves network availability and agility. It streamlines end-to-end network lifecycle management through automated design, implementation, and operation and advanced network assurance. Download Gartner report. | Centralise and automate network design, policy, and provisioning of all wired and wireless networks with Cisco DNA Center. | | |
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Apple and Cisco Partnership | Operating system-level optimisation for improved roaming of iOS devices | | | | | Operating system-level prioritisation of business critical applications for iOS and MacOS devices | | | | | iOS device view of network performance to improve troubleshooting | | | |
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Services for Wireless and Mobility | Depth | Cisco offers a diverse and comprehensive services portfolio with end-to-end expert guidance for Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), including WLAN assessment, WLAN solution design, WLAN Advise and Implement, RF site survey and design, and Business Critical Services for WLAN. | HPE has a broad portfolio of Advisory and Implementation services for WLAN equipped for Wi-Fi 6, including Prediction WLAN Site Survey with High-Level Design Service, AirWave Deployment and Integration Service, and HPE FlexNetwork Readiness Assessment. | LimitedHuawei provides some services for WLAN similar to Cisco's, such as WLAN Planning and Design and a design approach based on a six-dimensional model covering capacity, bandwidth, deployment, channel, coverage, and optimisation. | | | Cisco offers a diverse and comprehensive services portfolio with end-to-end expert guidance for Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), including WLAN assessment, WLAN solution design, WLAN Advise and Implement, RF site survey and design, and Business Critical Services for WLAN. | HPE has a broad portfolio of Advisory and Implementation services for WLAN equipped for Wi-Fi 6, including Prediction WLAN Site Survey with High-Level Design Service, AirWave Deployment and Integration Service, and HPE FlexNetwork Readiness Assessment. | Huawei provides some services for WLAN similar to Cisco's, such as WLAN Planning and Design and a design approach based on a six-dimensional model covering capacity, bandwidth, deployment, channel, coverage, and optimisation. | | Level of Network Expertise for Ease of Adoption and Deployment | On-site RF Site Survey and Design Advisory Service assesses, designs, and builds a solid WLAN RF infrastructure for the wireless network foundation. Cisco experts perform tests at the customer site(s) to measure RF propagation, coverage, interference, and signal quality, verifying the WLAN infrastructure can adjust to dynamic environmental changes. | LimitedPrediction WLAN Site Survey with High-Level Design Service is performed remotely and highlights areas that need to be supported by WLAN, using AI to predictively determine quantity and placement of access points. Automated RF Optimisation is completed through AirMatch software, with no option for onsite testing by wireless experts. | LimitedHuawei provides a variety of remote, self-service offerings, such as the WLAN Planning Quick Start Guide with a WLAN Planner emulation tool. This tool simulates actual building structures and visualises network coverage obstacles, with an optional RF simulation tool. Huawei does not offer onsite RF assessment or testing by wireless experts. | | | On-site RF Site Survey and Design Advisory Service assesses, designs, and builds a solid WLAN RF infrastructure for the wireless network foundation. Cisco experts perform tests at the customer site(s) to measure RF propagation, coverage, interference, and signal quality, verifying the WLAN infrastructure can adjust to dynamic environmental changes. | Prediction WLAN Site Survey with High-Level Design Service is performed remotely and highlights areas that need to be supported by WLAN, using AI to predictively determine quantity and placement of access points. Automated RF Optimisation is completed through AirMatch software, with no option for onsite testing by wireless experts. | Huawei provides a variety of remote, self-service offerings, such as the WLAN Planning Quick Start Guide with a WLAN Planner emulation tool. This tool simulates actual building structures and visualises network coverage obstacles, with an optional RF simulation tool. Huawei does not offer onsite RF assessment or testing by wireless experts. | | Security | WLAN Advise and Implement utilises adaptive wireless intrusion prevention to help protect the network from threats with custom-designed solutions that optimise RF coverage and performance. Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) is the only advanced malware protection system that covers endpoints before, during, and after an attack with continuous data gathering and advanced analytics. | HPE utilises Aruba Instant Wi-Fi with a built-in wireless intrusion-prevention solution and spectrum analyser to support RFProtect software that prevents denial-of-service and man-in-the-middle attacks, mitigating over-the-air security threats. | LimitedHuawei utilises a wireless intrusion-prevention system and Next-Generation Detection Intrusion Prevention system, as well as Wi-Fi Protected Access options, but has limited security-threat analytics or advanced malware protection. | | | WLAN Advise and Implement utilises adaptive wireless intrusion prevention to help protect the network from threats with custom-designed solutions that optimise RF coverage and performance. Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) is the only advanced malware protection system that covers endpoints before, during, and after an attack with continuous data gathering and advanced analytics. | HPE utilises Aruba Instant Wi-Fi with a built-in wireless intrusion-prevention solution and spectrum analyser to support RFProtect software that prevents denial-of-service and man-in-the-middle attacks, mitigating over-the-air security threats. | Huawei utilises a wireless intrusion-prevention system and Next-Generation Detection Intrusion Prevention system, as well as Wi-Fi Protected Access options, but has limited security-threat analytics or advanced malware protection. |
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