Networking customers are digging into the important points of Cisco’s new software-defined networking strategy, but these big-picture questions also deserve consideration.

Cisco recently announced its new software-defined networking strategy, Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI). Last week, I wrote about the various drawbacks of the platform, including its complexity and Cisco’s history of software development. Here I outline another questions customers should ask themselves before venturing into Cisco ACI.

How does ACI compare with other platforms?

All the signs show that Cisco is rallying behind ACI as its flagship SDN product. But we must keep in mind that Cisco also has Dynamic Fabric Automation, the OpenFlow-based Extensible Network Controller, and the Cisco ONE strategy for third-party software integration. Even as, VMware NSX, Nuage Networks, Midokura, and large Switch, to call a number of, even have products that compete directly — many offering similar benefits for lower costs.

When discussing Cisco ACI with anyone, the most typical question I hear is, “How does it compare to VMware NSX?” It is a fair question, but one who shouldn’t ever be asked. Cisco owns 70% or more of the networking market, dominates network standards bodies, and has a proven history of purchaser satisfaction. Yet everyone sees VMware NSX as an obvious competitor. Last year, VMware was not a networking company; this year it competes with Cisco. Ouch.

Cisco might want to convince customers that the ACI process of integrated hardware and software is the proper choice. The VMware NSX story of software independence has real power and can make sense to a huge audience. Importantly, NSX have been deployed for greater than four years in large companies, and the brand new version is accessible today.

Is Cisco SDN really open?

Another issue is the extent of Cisco’s commitment to open standards.

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