SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Reviews

Name: SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager
Brand: SolarWinds
Rating: 4.1 (25 reviews)

Vendor: SolarWinds

4.1 out of 5

25 reviews
94% willing to recommend

659 followers

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What is SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?

Before you monitor your network, configure it! A reliable and secure network starts with carefully planned, executed, and monitored network configuration and change management. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM) saves time and improves network reliability and security by managing configurations, changes, and compliance for routers, switches, and other network devices from Cisco, Juniper, HP, Dell, Brocade, Aruba, Rukus, and more.

Get the SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager, Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Configuration Manager and more!

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is the #4 ranked solution in top Network Automation solutions and #10 ranked solution in top Configuration Management solutions. PeerSpot users give SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 25 most recent SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 6.6. (Among the lowest in the category). SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is most commonly compared to Microsoft Intune: SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs Microsoft Intune. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 65% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a manufacturing company, accounting for 11% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

November 2024

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Featured reviews

RajeshB

Server and Network Monitoring Manager at a consultancy with 1,001-5,000 employees

Setting up a solution involves configuring a server and a web console, which is straightforward. Network team coordination is necessary when applying it to devices. This involves creating device connection profiles and ensuring SNMP is enabled. Initially, there were challenges involved in this process, but once the setup was complete, operations proceeded smoothly. All network devices are automatically added to NPM during auto-discovery in SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, including Network Configuration Manager features. Once configuration profile credentials are established in NCM, they are automatically deployed to all network devices. The solution is easy to use and deploy, although initial setup may require coordination and overcoming challenges.

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Manish Ved

Lead Infrastructure Domain Architect (Systems) at a healthcare company with 10,001+ employees

Our model of deployment is on-premises. I would advise other people looking into this solution to read its documentation and better understand what it does before they start using it. I would rate this solution as a whole a 10, on a scale from one to 10, with one being the worst and 10 being the best.

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OSSENI Adam

Senior Technical Consultant at ADE Technology Group

When it comes to the way of managing the network devices, SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager should provide the simplest way that devices can relate to the server. For example, when we want to get the devices on board, we go by SSH to make the SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager create the connectivity with the device. After that, we pull the configuration. It would be helpful if they could combine both so that everything will be done in one step. There are times when you schedule a job or do another action, if an issue happens or something does happen in the network, you would like to receive reports, whether via SMS or via mail. However, sometimes it doesn't come. This needs improvement. Sometimes it takes time before it comes, and sometimes it doesn't come at all. You could then falsely be accusing yourself of not scheduling something properly, or maybe the timing doesn't match, or maybe the NCP is not synchronized with the server. You then realize everything working fine, but still, the notification doesn't come the way it's supposed to.

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SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager mindshare

Product category:

As of December 2024, the mindshare of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager in the Configuration Management category stands at 1.4%, up from 1.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Configuration Management

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Configuration Management	Dec 18, 2024	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Dec 18, 2024	Download
Comparison	SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform	Dec 18, 2024	Download
Comparison	SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs Microsoft Intune	Dec 18, 2024	Download
Comparison	SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs Microsoft Configuration Manager	Dec 18, 2024	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Microsoft Intune	4.1	12.0%	93%	233 interviews Add to research
Microsoft Configuration Manager	4.1	14.4%	91%	80 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager offers key features such as compliance management, configuration backup automation, security vulnerability detection, and easy device upgrades. The tool simplifies scripting for changes, allows real-time fault detection, and provides detailed reports on network device statuses. Its capabilities include comprehensive scanning, mapping, and automated workflows. Users appreciate its ease of use, reliability, scalability, and centralized management for network configurations, making it valuable for troubleshooting and security compliance.

"The tool is useful for security purposes."
"NCM also helps with vulnerability assessment and remediation."
"The network performance monitoring of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is a vital feature"

Room for Improvement

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager needs better compliance reporting and improved access control list compliance. The interface and integration with the network performance monitor could be enhanced. Automation and AI features require further development. Network logs and search capabilities need refinement. The tool should also support a broader range of devices and offer better third-party plugin integration. Users experience issues with job processing and network notifications. Compatibility with non-Windows operating systems would be beneficial.

"The AI features do not work well."
"There is room for improvement in automation."
"There are certain limitations of node-related monitoring"

ROI

NCM pays for itself within three years, reducing the need for Cisco certified engineers on site. Return on investment is rated six out of ten. More expensive than others, its benefits and value are good. Immediate benefits include quick fault flagging and heightened visibility. ROI takes time to achieve due to automation maturity. Compliance, backup, and vulnerability assessment features are valuable. Faster realization with more automation.

Pricing

Enterprise users of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager report varied pricing experiences. Annual licensing costs start at $1000 and scale with device count, with a minimal bundle at around $3000. Additional functionalities can significantly increase costs, up to $10,000. Some users find the pricing fair and competitive, though others note it is high compared to alternatives. Additional costs for support, maintenance, and specific requirements may arise, impacting overall expenditures. Pricing sentiment ranges from reasonable to expensive.

"The pricing is good."
"Available at a moderate price"
"Pricing is reasonable and competitive."

Popular Use Cases

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is primarily used for managing network configurations, automating backups, ensuring compliance, detecting vulnerabilities, and performing firmware upgrades. It supports various vendors and allows users to oversee nodes, monitor performance, and troubleshoot devices. Organizations use it for network visibility, automation, and configuration management, including backing up and restoring configurations, network monitoring, and pushing configurations across multiple devices. It helps in disaster recovery and compliance management for network devices.

Service and Support

Customer service and support for SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager have mixed feedback. Many find it helpful and efficient, with ratings often between seven and nine out of ten. However, there are frequent mentions of slow response times, delays in ticket prioritization, and occasional quality issues. Although some users appreciate the guidance and documentation provided, others report needing to escalate issues for quicker resolutions. Improvements in response time and prioritization are commonly suggested.

Deployment

The setup of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is typically easy and user-friendly, often taking two to three hours or up to a day. Teams find the deployment faster with customization, though configuring compliance policies and managed devices may add complexity. In large environments, setup can extend to several weeks due to network preparation, device registration, and training. Even for smaller settings, some users might face challenges if new to SolarWinds, necessitating training.

Scalability

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is highly scalable, handling thousands of devices without issues. Users rate its scalability between seven and ten out of ten, supporting numerous clients and projects. It efficiently manages over 12,000 network devices and is suitable for both small and large enterprises. Many users find it user-friendly and expandable through additional licensing.

Stability

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is largely seen as stable with reports of good performance. Users suggest that stability depends on proper configuration and resource allocation. Most feedback indicates strong stability, though some mention occasional issues, often linked to external factors like operating system updates. There are calls for improved handling of job failures and detailed reporting. Ratings vary, with some users rating it highly, while stability concerns include performance tuning and rare job execution issues.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.