Understanding the Differences: DNA Essentials vs DNA Advantage

Welcome back, everyone! This blog will quickly outline the differences between DNA Essentials and DNA Advantage to hopefully help you choose the best option for you. You really don't have that much of an option since the DNA "level" has to match the IOS "level."

Network Essentials = DNA Essentials

Network Advantage = DNA Advantage

Cisco Network Essentials 

• Network Essentials is considered basic layer 3 allowing routing between different network segments. 

Cisco Network Advantage

• Network Advantage is full layer 3.  It includes all the features of Network Essentials and adds full L3 protocol support like BGP, full EIGRP, OSPF, VRF, VXLAN, etc

DNA Advantage is significantly more expensive than DNA Essentials so if you're not using the full layer 3 functionalities, the DNA attachment will be considerably more.  For a C9300-48U-A, a 3-year DNA Essentials subscription lists for $1,325, whereas the same 3-year DNA Advantage lists for $4,460.  This is a huge difference spread across hundreds or thousands of access switches.

There are different capabilities tied to the different DNAs that might influence whether you need Essentials or Advantage IOS/DNA, but its likely going to be the IOS requirements that determine the DNA level.  So, lets dive in.

DNA (Digital Network Architecture) is Cisco's intent-based networking solution that proposes to simplify operations, enhance security, reduce costs, and enable automation through software-defined technologies.

Both DNA Essentials and DNA Advantage are subscription-based licenses. When purchasing a new switch, Cisco required that a 3-, 5-, or 7-year DNA subscription also be purchased. 

Since Chuck Robbins took the helm of Cisco in 2015, his vision was to transform a hardware company into a software company with recurring revenue.  Cisco One, Cisco Prime, Smart Licensing, Cisco Spaces, and now DNA licensing are all different efforts trying to achieve the same goal which is grow recurring software revenue.

“We also continued to successfully execute on our strategy driving solid growth in ARR (annual recurring revenue) to nearly $24 billion and posting double-digit growth in subscription and software revenues,” Robbins said in May of 2023.

Unfortunately, DNA licensing doesn't mean that much to most users. End users were forced to purchase DNA subscriptions whether they had a DNA appliance or not. The current generation DNA appliance lists for $125,800, but Cisco is also trying to give it away, assuming you purchase a bunch of other add-ons. There is a virtual DNA appliance that can be used, but you're still looking at approximately $20K per month.

So, long story short, the software adoption strategy probably isn't being adopted like Robbins hoped. In fact, Cisco recently announced that DNA licensing will allow users to "view" certain assets in the Meraki Dashboard. This, to me, is another attempt to make it valuable, but I'm not sure it will be enough. 

The table below shows you exactly what each DNA level offers, and again, if you don't have the Catalyst Appliance (or DNA Appliance), the below means nothing to you.

DNA Essentials vs DNA Advantage

* Not supported on all platforms.
** Cisco ThousandEyes Network and Application Synthetics entitlements will be provided as described in ThousandEyes with Cisco Catalyst 9000 Switches.
*** Supported on Network Advantage from Cisco IOS XE Fuji 16.9.7 onwards. Prior to Cisco IOS Fuji XE 16.9.7, Cisco Catalyst or Cisco DNA Advantage is also required.

We hope this comparison between DNA Essentials and DNA Advantage has clarified the options available and helped you determine which might be the best fit for your network needs. 

As you consider your next steps, remember that choosing the right license can greatly influence your network's efficiency and capabilities. Whether you opt for the basic layer-3 routing of Network Essentials or the comprehensive protocol support of Network Advantage, Edgeium is here to support your journey toward a more dynamic network infrastructure. 

For any further details or personalized advice, don't hesitate to contact us.