Multicloud Fabric
Overview
Cisco Multicloud Fabric (MCF) is a Cisco-operated multicloud networking solution designed to provide seamless, secure connectivity across distributed sites - such as branches, campuses, and data centers - and public cloud environments. By serving as a unified overlay, MCF eliminates the complexity of managing disparate cloud-native transit constructs by enabling site-to-cloud and cloud-to-cloud traffic through a single operational model that enforces Zero-Trust Routing and provides integrated visibility and security. At launch, the solution supports AWS, Azure, and GCP, allowing enterprises to connect their virtual private clouds (VPCs and VNets) and branch sites without the need to manage networking virtual machines or agents within their own cloud accounts.
MCF expresses connection intent against identity rather than IP addresses or CIDRs. Currently, identity means network identity: tags on cloud networks (VPC, VNet) and tags on sites. NetOps writes "connect retail sites to inventory VPCs", not "connect site-NJ-01 to vpc-abcd-1234". When VPCs or sites are added, retired, or moved, intent stays valid because it's pinned to a tag, not an address. MCF scans new resources matching existing tags automatically and adds them to the right connections.
MCF is for mid-market and enterprise organizations operating across multiple public clouds. Common industries include retail, hospitality, financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing. Enterprises with predominantly cloud-to-cloud needs (no significant branch footprint) are also a valid target. The primary operators are:
- Cloud NetOps, managing cloud networking.
- NetOps, managing site and branch infrastructure.
- SecOps, enforcing segmentation and security policy.
Cisco Multicloud Fabric Architecture
- vPoP in each CSP, region & availability zone
- Deployed and operated by Cisco, consumed as-a-Service
- AutoVPN between Meraki MX and Cisco vPoP
- vPoP provides Service Chain Rule and Thousand Eyes insertion
Ideal Customer Profile - Public Beta & MVP
Demographics
- Customer segment / Tier
- Enterprise (growing into Commercial)
Priority geographies
- USA, Canada, Westen Europe
- Exclude: Restricted countries
Priority industries
- Hospitality & Retail. Followed by Finance & Insurance
- Exclude: Avoid highly regulated
Cisco install base:
- 1. Meraki Routing (MX) customers (direct AutoVPN integration)
- 2. Cisco IOS-XE routers (Manual IPSec integration)
- 3. Cisco-hosted Catalyst SD-WAN (in CCC with IPSec automation) – Post MVP
Environments supported
-
AWS is priority, Azure & GCP are also supported
Competitive displacement
- Primary competitors: Alkira, Aviatrix
- Additional: CSP native elements (AWS Cloud WAN)
Customer Challenges / Qualification Criteria
- Infrastructure in more than one public cloud provider (M&A, Multi-vendor Policies, best-of breed choices, Shadow IT etc.)
- Customers with IT skill shortages or operational complexity
- Customers who try to exit DCs / CoLos and go Cloud First
- Cloud refresh - customers who need to redesign their cloud architecture
- WAN refresh - customers who have a refresh of their routing coming up
Key Use Cases
- Site-2-Cloud connectivity
- Cloud-2-Cloud connectivity
Primary Buyer: NetOps (responsible for Site & Cloud) - Feature-Who-Value:
- Setup Simplicity
- Network Visibility
- Cost Transparency
Supported Use Cases at Public Beta
MCF supports site-to-cloud and cloud-to-cloud use cases.
- A site can be a branch, campus or a data-center. Deep integration via AutoVPN for Meraki MX and MX-based Cisco Secure Router sites, providing seamless point-and-click connectivity.
- Cisco Multicloud Fabric supports AWS, Azure, and GCP. Enterprises can attach VPCs and VNets from any of these three to the multicloud fabric. Geographic coverage at GA is North America and Europe (November 2026).