AppDynamics Cloud

Basic Information

Cisco AppDynamics Cloud is a cloud-native observability platform designed for modern, distributed, and dynamic cloud-native applications. It provides a unified view of the cloud-native technology landscape, correlating telemetry data across the entire IT stack.

• Model: Cloud-native observability platform.
• Version: The "AppDynamics Cloud SKU" has been discontinued. The platform has transitioned to "Cisco Cloud Observability," powered by the Cisco Observability Platform, as of November 27, 2023. Specific version numbers for the SaaS platform are continuously updated; agent and on-premises components have distinct release cycles (e.g., AppDynamics On-Premises Controller 25.4.0).
• Release Date: Launched June 14, 2022, with commercial availability starting June 28, 2022.
• Minimum Requirements: As a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering, direct server hardware specifications are managed by Cisco. Client-side access typically requires a modern web browser and internet connectivity. Agent requirements vary by monitored environment.
• Supported Operating Systems (for agents/components):
  • Linux (64-bit): RHEL 8.x, 9.x; CentOS 8.x; Ubuntu 20.x, 22.x; OpenSUSE Leap 15.5; Alma Linux 8.
  • Microsoft Windows (64-bit): Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019.
  • JVM-based applications are supported across various operating systems where the JVM is supported.
• Latest Stable Version: As a continuously updated SaaS platform, specific versioning for the cloud service is dynamic. For on-premises components, recent versions include 25.4.0 for the Controller and Enterprise Console.
• End of Support Date: Support for the "AppDynamics Cloud SKU" continues for the term of existing contracts. Customers must transition to Cisco Cloud Observability at the end of their contract term or upon token depletion.
• End of Life Date: The "AppDynamics Cloud SKU" was End-of-Life (EoL) effective September 21, 2023, meaning it is no longer available for purchase.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not applicable; as a SaaS platform, updates are continuous and automatic.
• License Type: Primarily token-based ("Cloud Native Application Observability - Ingest Edition"), where tokens are consumed by metrics, events, logs, and spans. Paid and trial licenses are available.
• Deployment Model: Cloud-native Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). It supports managed Kubernetes environments on public clouds such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Red Hat OpenShift.

Technical Requirements

As a SaaS offering, Cisco AppDynamics Cloud's core infrastructure is managed by Cisco. End-user technical requirements primarily involve client-side access and agent deployment within monitored environments.

• RAM: Not specified for the SaaS platform. Agent memory consumption varies by type and configuration, typically optimized for low overhead.
• Processor: Not specified for the SaaS platform. Agent CPU usage is designed to be minimal.
• Storage: Not specified for the SaaS platform. Data retention for metrics is 400 days, and for events, 30 days.
• Display: Standard web browser compatibility for the user interface.
• Ports: Network connectivity to Cisco's cloud services for data ingestion and UI access. Specific agent-to-controller communication ports are typically outbound HTTPS.
• Operating System (for agents/components):
  • Linux (64-bit) distributions including RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE Leap, Alma Linux.
  • Microsoft Windows (64-bit) Server editions.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

The SaaS deployment model shifts the burden of infrastructure management to Cisco, simplifying operational overhead for users. The primary technical considerations for users revolve around ensuring compatibility for agents deployed within their monitored applications and infrastructure. Agent design emphasizes low resource consumption to minimize impact on application performance. The platform's support for major Linux and Windows Server distributions, alongside various cloud platforms, ensures broad applicability across diverse enterprise environments.

Support & Compatibility

Cisco AppDynamics Cloud, now largely integrated into Cisco Cloud Observability, offers broad compatibility with modern cloud-native ecosystems.

• Latest Version: The platform undergoes continuous updates as a SaaS offering. For on-premises components, recent versions include 25.4.0 for the Controller.
• OS Support (for agents/components): Supports various Linux distributions (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE Leap, Alma Linux) and Windows Server versions (2019, 2022). App Server Agents support all versions of Windows (x86/x64) and Linux (x64/ARM64) operating systems supported by the target runtime and OS vendor.
• Cloud Platform Support: Provides visibility and monitoring for workloads running on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Red Hat OpenShift.
• End of Support Date: The "AppDynamics Cloud SKU" is EoL, but support for existing contracts continues. Customers transition to Cisco Cloud Observability.
• Localization: Documentation is available in English and Japanese. UI localization details are not explicitly stated in public information.
• Available Drivers: Not applicable in the traditional sense; the platform uses agents for data collection. These agents are software components tailored for specific application runtimes (e.g., Java Agent) and infrastructure.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Cisco AppDynamics Cloud (and its successor, Cisco Cloud Observability) demonstrates strong compatibility with leading cloud providers and widely used operating systems for its agents. The transition from a specific "AppDynamics Cloud SKU" to the broader "Cisco Cloud Observability" indicates an evolution towards a more integrated full-stack observability solution within the Cisco ecosystem. Continuous updates inherent in a SaaS model ensure ongoing compatibility with evolving cloud technologies. Support is primarily tied to existing contracts for the EoL SKU, with a clear path for migration to the current offering.

Security Status

Cisco AppDynamics Cloud integrates security features to protect cloud-native applications and data.

• Security Features:
  • Real-time vulnerability analytics and business risk observability.
  • Detection of dependency and configuration-level security vulnerabilities in production environments.
  • Automatic runtime protection, real-time threat detection, and breach prevention.
  • Correlation of security details with application topology to prioritize critical issues.
  • Integration with Cisco Secure Application for enhanced cloud and data security modules.
• Known Vulnerabilities: A Denial of Service (DoS) vulnerability (CVE-2024-20394) was identified in the Cisco AppDynamics Network Visibility Agent in May 2024, which could be exploited by an unauthenticated local attacker. Cisco has released software updates to address this. Cisco AppDynamics maintains a vulnerability disclosure program.
• Blacklist Status: No public information indicates a blacklist status.
• Certifications: While Cisco offers professional certifications for AppDynamics users (e.g., Associate Performance Analyst, Associate Administrator), specific platform security certifications (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2) for Cisco AppDynamics Cloud are not explicitly detailed in the provided search results.
• Encryption Support: As an enterprise SaaS platform, standard industry practices for data encryption in transit (e.g., TLS) and at rest are expected, though specific details are not explicitly provided in the search results.
• Authentication Methods: Not explicitly detailed in the search results, but enterprise SaaS solutions typically support various authentication methods, including single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• General Recommendations:
  • Apply software updates promptly to address known vulnerabilities.
  • Leverage integrated security features like real-time vulnerability analytics and runtime protection.
  • Follow secure coding practices and regularly audit application dependencies.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

Cisco AppDynamics Cloud, particularly through its integration with Cisco Secure Application, offers robust security features aimed at cloud-native environments, including real-time threat detection and vulnerability management. The proactive approach to addressing vulnerabilities, as evidenced by the prompt release of fixes for issues like CVE-2024-20394, demonstrates a commitment to security. While specific platform-level security certifications are not detailed, the comprehensive security modules and the existence of a vulnerability disclosure program suggest a strong focus on maintaining a secure platform.

Performance & Benchmarks

Cisco AppDynamics Cloud is engineered for high performance in observing complex, distributed cloud-native applications.

• Benchmark Scores: Specific public benchmark scores (e.g., industry-standard performance tests) for Cisco AppDynamics Cloud are not readily available.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: The platform provides real-time monitoring of system responsiveness, throughput, error rates, and transaction volumes. It focuses on end-user experience metrics such as page load times and transaction success rates. It is designed to ingest metrics, events, logs, and traces (MELT) at massive scale across any cloud environment.
• Power Consumption: Not applicable to end-users for a SaaS platform.
• Carbon Footprint: Not applicable to end-users for a SaaS platform.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Positioned as a leader in Application Performance Management (APM) solutions. It aims to cut through the complexity of modern applications, offering a correlated view of telemetry data. The platform is designed to accelerate detection and resolution of performance issues before they impact business.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

Cisco AppDynamics Cloud is built from the ground up for cloud-native observability, emphasizing the ability to handle the scale and complexity of modern distributed applications. Its core strength lies in real-time, continuous monitoring and the correlation of diverse telemetry data (MELT) to provide deep insights into application behavior and user experience. This enables rapid identification and resolution of performance bottlenecks, contributing to improved digital experiences and business outcomes. While specific third-party benchmark scores are not published, its design principles and stated capabilities indicate a focus on high-performance data ingestion and analysis for critical applications.

User Reviews & Feedback

User feedback generally highlights Cisco AppDynamics Cloud's capabilities in providing comprehensive visibility and actionable insights for complex cloud-native environments.

• Strengths:
  • Unified Visibility: Provides a seamless, correlated view of telemetry data across the entire cloud-native landscape, helping cut through complexity.
  • Real-time Insights: Offers immediate visibility into application health, performance, and user interactions, enabling proactive issue resolution.
  • Intuitive Interface: Delivers power and usability in a single, intuitive interface.
  • Business Context: Links technical performance with business outcomes, allowing teams to prioritize efforts based on business impact.
  • Cloud-Native Focus: Purpose-built for distributed and dynamic cloud-native applications at scale, supporting major public clouds.
• Weaknesses:
  • Transition Period: The EoL of the "AppDynamics Cloud SKU" and transition to Cisco Cloud Observability might introduce a period of adjustment for existing users.
  • Complexity of Observability: While simplifying, the inherent complexity of full-stack observability in cloud-native environments still requires expertise to fully leverage the platform.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Monitoring and optimizing performance of cloud-native applications and microservices.
  • Troubleshooting and isolating performance issues in Kubernetes and containerized applications.
  • Gaining full-stack visibility across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
  • Enhancing end-user experience by monitoring critical performance indicators.
  • Integrating performance monitoring into DevOps and CI/CD pipelines.

Summary

Cisco AppDynamics Cloud emerged as a dedicated cloud-native observability platform, designed to address the complexities of modern, distributed applications running in dynamic cloud environments. Launched in mid-2022, its primary strength lies in its ability to ingest and correlate vast amounts of metrics, events, logs, and traces (MELT) data from across the entire IT stack, providing real-time, actionable insights into application performance and security. It excels in offering unified visibility, an intuitive user interface, and the crucial capability to link technical performance directly to business outcomes, thereby empowering IT and business teams to proactively identify and resolve issues.

However, the "AppDynamics Cloud SKU" reached its End-of-Life in September 2023, signifying a strategic evolution. The platform has since transitioned into "Cisco Cloud Observability," which is powered by the broader Cisco Observability Platform. While this transition ensures continued innovation and integration within Cisco's full-stack observability vision, it means that the original "Cisco AppDynamics Cloud" as a distinct SKU is no longer available for new purchases, with existing customers migrating to the successor offering.

From a technical standpoint, being a SaaS solution, it offloads infrastructure management from the user, focusing requirements on agent compatibility and client-side access. It supports a wide array of Linux and Windows Server operating systems for its agents and integrates seamlessly with major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, GCP, and Red Hat OpenShift. Security is a significant focus, with features like real-time vulnerability analytics, runtime protection, and integration with Cisco Secure Application, though users should remain vigilant about agent-specific vulnerabilities and apply updates.

Overall, Cisco AppDynamics Cloud (now Cisco Cloud Observability) is a powerful and comprehensive solution for enterprises navigating the complexities of cloud-native application performance and security. Its strengths in unified visibility, real-time insights, and business context make it a valuable tool for maintaining exceptional digital experiences. The primary weakness is the EoL of the specific SKU, necessitating a transition for existing users, but this also represents a move towards a more integrated and future-proof observability platform under the Cisco umbrella.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.