OpenText Network Automation vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager comparison

OpenText Network Automation vs. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

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Categories and Ranking

OpenText Network Automation

Ranking in Network Automation

7th

Average Rating

7.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SolarWinds Network Configur...

Ranking in Network Automation

4th

Average Rating

8.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Configuration Management (10th)

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2024, in the Network Automation category, the mindshare of OpenText Network Automation is 2.6%, down from 3.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is 14.1%, down from 15.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Automation

Featured Reviews

reviewer1480065

Service Operations Engineer at ATOS

Apr 17, 2024

Allows to upload necessary firmware to your device and perform the upgrade

There is a team responsible for network automation to check devices for compliance. I connect to the device, make the necessary configurations, and inform the team that certain rules must be removed because they do not apply to the specific device. I check the configuration on the device itself…

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RajeshB

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

Feb 22, 2024

Offers additional functionality, including warranty management

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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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Pushing the network configuration to bulk devices. This saves a considerable amount of time that the engineer spends in pushing the network configuration."

"With OpenText Network Automation, firmware can be uploaded for specific devices. If you need to upgrade a device, you can use this tool, though it may not apply to all devices."

"When compared with SolarWinds, it is more user-friendly, and tasks can be completed more quickly."

"Configuration refers to the specific settings and options that determine how a device or system behaves. It can include things, such as network settings, security settings, and other options that are specific to the device or system in question. One of the most valuable features of the solution was its ability to track and monitor changes to the configuration of devices on a network. This can be useful for troubleshooting and identifying potential issues. By keeping track of who made changes to the configuration and when it can be easier to determine the cause of any problems that may arise."

"Compared to other vendors, like NetBrain, managing the solution is easy. They made it very user-friendly."

"The solution's view is very nice, and they have a great customized dashboard."

"The features we find most valuable is the configuration backup automation, the configuration compliance, the security vulnerability detection and upgrading devices."

"The installation is straightforward."

"The scanning features have proven to be highly valuable, particularly due to the comprehensive information they provide."

"SolarWinds NCM provides updates on the status of your network infrastructure. If any issues arise, such as a link failure or a device going offline, you will receive notifications and alerts. Additionally, if someone unplugs a cable, SolarWinds NCM will detect it. It also features a Topology Mapper that displays the connectivity of your network devices, giving you a visual representation of the network's structure. With SolarWinds NCM, you have a clear understanding of what's happening within your network and can generate comprehensive reports."

"NCM also helps with vulnerability assessment and remediation."

More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager pros

Cons

"The tool performs slowly."

"Compatibility of the devices needs to be enhanced, as it seems to be limited."

"Level one administration task can be defined in Micro Focus Network Automation but it could be more simplified."

"Our experience has shown that most of the problems we've had with SolarWinds NCM are related to software issues."

"Its customer service response could be faster."

"The solution could improve by being more secure."

"When we run the SolarWinds NCM jobs at the cellular line, it runs in the morning. They're just not finishing. We're getting false processing."

"The network logs could be improved. When the error logs come across with those false positive alarms in the error logs."

"There are certain limitations of node-related monitoring"

"The solution could have better integration."

"The third-party plugins available in the solution could improve. I have received some issues with the templates."

More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Pricing is reasonable, but if you compare it with other network Operation Management tools that are available on the market, it's expensive."

"With a minimal bundle, we pay about $3000 a year in licensing costs. If you have multiple devices in your network, you must buy the bundle, which is 100% identical for your infrastructure. If you have 15 devices, you need 15 licenses, for example. That's one bundle. You don't pay for anything over and above that."

"I have a yearly subscription."

"In Africa, the cost is a major factor in decision-making for many companies. As a result, some companies may choose cheaper solutions, even if they are open-source, over more expensive ones, such as SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. However, as an engineer, I believe that the functionalities and services offered by SolarWinds justify the cost. Nonetheless, many companies in Africa may still view the prices as unaffordable."

"There is a license needed to use SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager."

"There is a license for the use of this solution and it is priced well, there is a lot of value for the money."

"We have to pay additionally for its support and maintenance."

"Available at a moderate price"

"You have a base license for 50 devices, and then you can add more licenses as you go."

More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager pricing and cost advice

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Network Automation solutions are best for your needs.

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815,854 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Government

15%

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

14%

Healthcare Company

11%

Computer Software Company

12%

Government

11%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Micro Focus Network Automation?

The tool performs slowly.

What is your primary use case for Micro Focus Network Automation?

What advice do you have for others considering Micro Focus Network Automation?

When managing a large number of devices, network automation simplifies the process of locating specific configurations. For example, if you need to find a particular configuration, network automati...

What do you like most about SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?

The configuration compliance aspect of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager allows for easy comparison of configuration settings across branches, ensuring adherence to security guidelines and b...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?

The pricing is okay. Overall, I would rate the pricing a three on a scale of one to ten, with ten being most expensive and one being cheap.

What needs improvement with SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?

The vendor recently introduced AI features to detect alerts. The AI features do not work well. It would be good if the vendor developed the AI feature so that we could understand what patterns the ...

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Product Reports

Network Automation

Download OpenText Network Automation product report

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

Download SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager product report

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager report

Also Known As

Micro Focus Network Automation, HPE Network Automation

SolarWinds NCM

Learn More

OpenText

SolarWinds

Overview

OpenText Network Automation helps IT organizations drive efficiencies by automating time-consuming manual compliance and network configuration tasks for the complete operational lifecycle of network devices from provisioning to policy-based network configuration management, compliance policy enforcement and reporting, and security administration. OpenText Network Automation also helps increase network stability and uptime by preventing inconsistencies and misconfigurations often created by manual processes. When combined with OpenText Network Node Manager i, it delivers a unique integrated solution that delivers network fault, availability, and performance integrated with change, network configuration, compliance, and automated diagnostics that operates from a shared network topology database.

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.

Sample Customers

Tech Mahindra, Avea, China Merchants Bank, NNIT, Distinctive Software Solutions, Virgin Media, NEC Australia, Osiatis, Hostworks, Retegal, Allianz Shared Infrastructure Services SE (ASIC), State of Kansas Division of Information Services and Communications (DISC)

United Lincolnshire Hospitals, Air Rarotonga, NetSuite, Thai AirAsia, REA Group, 335th Signal Command, Agilisys, Marine Expeditionary Force

OpenText Network Automation vs. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager