Cisco is the leading network equipment industry and provides a varied range of network solutions. Cisco DNA and ACI are technical terms, and people get confused with their configuration.
DNA stands for Digital Network Architecture, and ACI stands for Application Centric information. These are the latest technology networks for the server infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- Cisco DNA is a software-based network automation and management solution, while ACI is a hardware-based solution for data center networking.
- Cisco DNA focuses on automating and optimizing network performance, while ACI provides a more robust and scalable solution for data center networking.
- Cisco DNA is designed for campus and branch networks, while ACI is designed for large-scale data centers.
Cisco DNA Vs ACI
The difference between Cisco DNA and ACI is that Cisco DNA is internet-based networking that includes certain features that lead to the automation of IWAN administration and deployment, whereas Cisco ACI is software-based networking that creates and customizes the network policies.
Cisco DNA goes beyond the technology-centric collection of network technologies and focuses on integrating these technologies into a holistic architecture that achieves business goals.
In an enterprise architectural path to digital transformation, Cisco DNA is a technique to make network services relevant and easy to use.
The Cisco ACI architectural approach weaves security into the fabric of today’s dynamic, application-oriented data centres continuously and ubiquitously.
Cisco ACI provides visibility across the whole application and service-oriented environment and the attack lifecycle.
Cisco ACI Security enables businesses to install security controls more quickly and effectively where and when they’re needed.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Cisco DNA | ACI |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Cisco DNA is a software-based solution for automating and ensuring operations across wide area networks, campus networks, and local networks. | Application-centric infrastructure, or Cisco ACI, is a comprehensive design with centralized automated and policy-driven application profiles. |
| Technology | Edge configuration that can be tailored to each edge. | Edge configuration along with centralized configuration from APIC GUI. |
| Features | Customized border nodes, manually configured ISIS on each device until automated LAN is present, switch mode can be of any type as long as Cisco DNA is enabled. | All switches and controllers must be running the same version of the software, the configuration of all spines is the same, APIC is used to push ISIS to all devices. |
| Applications | WAN or campus | Datacenter |
| Platform Delivery | Management and Control Platform | Application-oriented platform |
What is Cisco DNA?
Cisco DNA serves as a link between your team and an intent-based network. It’s a software-driven, open, extensible architecture that speeds up and simplifies enterprise network operations while lowering costs and lowering risk.
Thanks to a single network fabric powered by deep intelligence and integrated security, only Cisco can bring automation and assurance across your whole business at scale.
Cisco DNA frees IT staff from time-consuming, repetitive network configuration procedures, allowing them to focus on the innovation that their company requires.
Cisco DNA automation and security are based on an SDN controller, sophisticated contextual analytics, network virtualization, and the cloud’s infinite extensibility.
Cisco DNA is available in three subscription packages: Cisco ONE Advantage, which is SD-Access and Assurance ready;
Cisco DNA Advantage, which is SD-Access and Assurance competent; and Cisco DNA Essentials, which provides basic monitoring and automation.
Cisco ONE Advantage is the most comprehensive offer, combining policy-based automation with SD-Access, Cisco DNA increases assurance and security. Cisco ONE Advantage allows customers to enable all Cisco DNA usage cases.
Advantages of Cisco DNA:
- Deliver distinctive experiences using contextual insights to accelerate innovation.
- With faster network service provisioning, you can increase your business agility.
- Reduced network installation time and faster troubleshooting result in lower expenses.
- Reduce risk by detecting threats faster.
What is ACI?
Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) is a cutting-edge architecture that streamlines optimizers and speeds the whole application deployment process.
Cisco ACI’s holistic systems-based strategy includes tight integration of physical and virtual aspects, an open ecosystem concept, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), hardware, and software innovation.
This novel strategy employs a uniform policy-based operating model across network and security aspects to enable Cisco ACI (computing; storage in the future), breaking down IT silos and lowering costs and complexity.
To support on-demand provisioning and dynamic scaling of applications, enterprises must automate security rules as they migrate to next-generation data centres and cloud environments.
The manual, device-centric approach to security management is insecure and prone to errors.
The security policies must be transported with the application endpoints as application workloads are added, modified, and migrated in an agile data centre environment.
Dynamic policy development and deletion are required to safeguard east-west traffic and handle application mobility.
Visibility into traffic is critical for detecting and mitigating emerging advanced targeted threats as well as securing tenants.
To meet security concerns for next-generation data centres and cloud settings, Cisco ACI Security Solution takes a holistic, systems-based approach.
With previous overlay-based network virtualization security devices, which have limited access and scalability and require extra control of underlay and overlay network elements and security protocols, this solution provides both transparency and scalability.
The Cisco ACI Security Solution uses an application-centric approach and a common policy-based operations model to address the security needs of the next-generation data centre, ensuring compliance and reducing the risk of security breaches.
Main differences Between Cisco DNA And ACI
- Cisco DNA is designed to support internet-based networking, whereas Cisco ACI is designed to expand the performance of network automation.
- Cisco DNA is more of a technology architecture, but Cisco ACI is a network architecture.
- Cisco DNA doesn’t include any policy infrastructure controller, whereas ACI includes an APIC (Application Policy Infrastructure Controller).
- In the case of underlay in Cisco DNA, ISIS is manually configured, whereas ISIS is automatically published in the case of Cisco ACI.
- In Cisco DNA, if we have to upgrade the controller, we have to download the image from the cloud, while to upgrade the controller in ACI, we have to download the image from CCO.
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=SmyBDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT52&dq=cisco+dna+and+cisco+aci&ots=T1p3onglxH&sig=3Hhq6ZWBb9TgD3N1IrPhQaY-w_0
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8883558/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352864820302418
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
Cisco DNA and ACI both offer interesting solutions which are interestingly distinct. Each of them appears to hold different markets and technologies.
The comparison table provides a clear understanding of the differences between Cisco DNA and ACI. It’s a valuable resource for IT professionals evaluating these solutions.
Absolutely, the detailed comparison table allows for a quick assessment of the key distinctions between the two solutions.
The article has given a comprehensive and insightful comparison between Cisco DNA and ACI. It’s a great read for anyone interested in network solutions.
ACI is a superior solution as it does not require manual configuration of ISIS, making it easier to adopt and implement. Cisco DNA has its merits, but it seems ACI is more advantageous in many aspects.
While there are advantages to the Cisco ACI, it does not necessarily make it superior in all scenarios. Cisco DNA’s focus on network automation and management is equally important.
ACI may seem superior, but it also comes with its own set of complexities. The choice between DNA and ACI depends on the specific requirements of the organization.
I believe the comparison leans towards Cisco DNA and how it is effectively making its mark in the network automation and management industry.
It’s quite fascinating to see the evolution of network solutions. Cisco DNA and ACI both have their unique strengths, making it essential for organizations to assess their specific needs before making a choice.
Indeed, the details provided in the article highlight the need for organizations to make informed decisions based on their requirements and the capabilities of each solution.