Panorama to Strata Cloud Manager - anyone using in production?

[smelias]

Hi,

We're currently running a VM Panorama instance to manage a large installation of Palo FWs across offices. We've exceeded managed device capacity on the Panorama and before making another finanical commitement to expand the managed device count was wondering if it made sense to move over to SCM for new locations in 2025. We would maintain Panorama for the existing locations and eventually migrate those locations over to SCM. *IS* anyone actually using SCM for managing physical Palo's? We're aprehensive since we use templates, groups, GP, etc.. and have heard there's not 100% functional parity with Panoroma. Anyone had any success? Likewise what are the "gotchas" or considerations for not using SCM and bitting the upgrade Panorama bullet?

[ozheng]

Hello Smelias,

If you are using a M-600 / M-700 or Panorama VM, the number of devices has increased.

https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/panorama/11-0/panorama-admin/set-up-panorama/manage-large-scale-fi...

As you mentioned, the feature parity is not 100%, so you need first to review the features you are using with what is supported.

Also SCM will require to move the device on Advanced Routing Engine.

After SCM/Panorama, eventually the feature parity will be 100% one day. The main difference will be cloud or on-prem, each has its pros and cons.

Olivier