I always recommend the product for network automation and backup of network devices. However, it's only for the network devices, not the server. I have worked with other tools, too. SolarWinds has most of the functionalities. Many customers use it for monitoring and security purposes. SolarWinds NPM’s NetPath feature has some limitations. We cannot add the cloud broker firewall. It would be great if the vendor could add the feature to NPM. They are working on it, and we can expect it in the next release. Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.
The modules have a lot of features, but SolarWinds' support is a pain point. I would rate it differently for automation and features. * For automation, I would rate it four out of ten. * For features, I would rate it eight out of ten.
The solution is capable of handling the latest monitoring and implementing configurations by integrating other configuration management tools to provide storage center locations. In addition to SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager, we have another similar tool as a backup in our organization so that operations are not disrupted and dependency on a single tool can be minimized. If any remote unit or device belonging to our company goes down, we can easily restore the device for the backup standalone device's configuration. I would recommend SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager to others, but I would also suggest they compare similar and more capable solutions in the market. I would rate the solution a seven out of ten overall.
The various use cases, such as network device backups, configuration management, and change management, offer significant value to users. I would rate the product around a 9.5 overall.
Server and Network Monitoring Manager at a consultancy with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Top 20
2024-02-22T05:47:00Z
Feb 22, 2024
We have SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager, SolarWinds Syslog service, and SolarWinds Syslock servers. We have purchased almost 13 different backlog products from SolarWinds. Although we have purchased licenses for these products, we have not received adequate support. Despite buying the permit, SolarWinds often states it's a free tool, which is confusing. Due to these issues, we are now considering getting rid of the SolarWinds Syslock servers. Everything works fine with NPM in our IT environment, and we haven't faced any challenges. Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten.
Learn what your peers think about SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: October 2024.
Senior System Engineer at a manufacturing company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Top 20
2024-01-29T13:47:00Z
Jan 29, 2024
I would recommend it as it will certainly indicate the issue, but it may not immediately provide the root cause. Additionally, it will display the devices connected to each port, albeit not always with their names, but with MAC addresses. If you have a DHCP server or a similar tool that can correlate MAC addresses to machines, it becomes easier to identify the device. Conversely, if you know the IP address, you can input it into SolarWinds to determine the switch it's connected to. Overall, I would rate it eight out of ten.
Technical Support Specialist at a consultancy with 11-50 employees
Real User
Top 20
2023-04-18T15:35:00Z
Apr 18, 2023
I'm using SolarWinds, including Network Performance Manager, IPAM, Configuration Manager, and Network Traffic Analyzer. I also have the toolkit and the Network Topology Mapper. Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten.
Team Leader - Telecom & Network at 2B Operating Co.
Real User
Top 5
2023-04-14T13:22:00Z
Apr 14, 2023
We use the SolarWinds NPM module and SolarWinds IPAM for many IP addresses. We also use SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. My organization is the end user of the product. I am currently not working with the latest version of the product. A single person can handle the solution’s deployment. Sometimes we face issues with the solution’s database. I like SolarWinds because you see all the features live, even on real devices. Even before I buy it, I can see all the features. So you can connect to any set of devices and see all the features live. I recommend SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager because it gives me full visibility of our network. Overall, I rate SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager an eight out of ten.
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.
For those who are new to the field and don't want to delve into technical materials, I recommend SolarWinds NCM as it is easier to understand. I rate SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager a nine out of ten.
Senior Technical Consultant at ADE Technology Group
Consultant
Top 10
2023-01-03T21:13:34Z
Jan 3, 2023
The company we worked with did not have a maintenance contract with SolarWinds for the Network Configuration Manager. This may be because they were only interested in using certain specific features of the solution, such as configuration, backups, and scheduling jobs, and did not need the full range of options offered by the solution. My advice to others is if you want to use good technology, or solutions, then you need to be ready to spend the money. If you want something good, you want quality, you want good performance for your network, or you want to be able to do everything in a simple way, then you should be able to spend the money so that everything can be done in the simplest way. I rate SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager a nine out of ten.
We are a partner. I have different projects. I'm not working on a single project. Some of the clients are using a cloud-based instance. Some of them have physical on-premises setups. Most of them are on the cloud. Before using anything, I would advise new users just go look at the requirements. For example, what are the requirements that you have to monitor? If you have just some devices by which you want to monitor the status of and need only some of the statistics, then NCM is not needed. Companies should not purchase anything blindly; they should understand the infrastructure and requirements. I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
The NCM is a very useful tool for managing your network device configuration backups as well as configuration security checks. The configuration security compliance works best for Cisco devices, though would like SolarWinds to expand this to other vendors too.
Other good functions of NCM include - configuration templates (example configuring NetFlow on devices en-mass), executing set of commands on devices, integration with NetPath
Managing Director at a consultancy with 51-200 employees
Real User
2020-10-01T09:57:57Z
Oct 1, 2020
This solution works in conjunction with SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor. Usually, you first buy SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor and then SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. You have to go with both. I would recommend this solution. Typically, while recommending a solution, I look at what the management needs in terms of strategy, how a solution integrates, and how powerful is the IT department. Based on that, I recommend a solution that meets the needs and integrates with ITSM. I would rate SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager a seven out of ten.
Chief Technology Officer at Leystel Nigeria Limited
Reseller
2020-09-13T07:02:30Z
Sep 13, 2020
Larger organizations would be able to have people invest the time to learn how to use the system and deploy on their own. Smaller organizations would need an integrator to help them through the deployment process. We definitely plan to continue working with this solution. There are less popular devices that are not directly supported by NCM. You have open-source Linux devices that you really can't support with NCM. They have their own tool that you have to use. We have a couple of those, but generally, NCM is a tool we use for the majority of the well-known brand network purposes. My advice to others who want to use this solution would be to get it if you have a network with several departmental devices to take care of. Do an early set up of your approval process to make sure that change management is built-in. If you have several people with the admin password who are able to go in and make changes to all your devices at one time, it makes the entire system much less stable. You need to ensure that you put in all of the controls very early on, and have levels of authorization for change. This should be done very early when you deploy the system. I recommend using SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Senior Engineer/Network Operations at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
2020-03-09T08:07:00Z
Mar 9, 2020
Just make sure you only put the nodes that you need to monitor and make sure whoever needs to have nodes in SolarWinds, keep the people besides your team or your group, who want their own nodes there. Make sure you set up the right rules and the standards and the thresholds where you need to get communication for error messages or CPU alerts or power heat or any type of alerts. The alerts, they need to be very clearly addressed in order for you to monitor your devices. We have faced some problems in the past that the alerts are not really set up properly. We have to randomly change the thresholds and the numbers and the ranges. I would recommend that you make sure you monitor only what you need to monitor. Make sure if you need to trigger those alerts, make sure that you have somebody or a team to respond. And, they can have a group responsible for whatever they need to troubleshoot. I would rate it at a seven out of ten.
Network Engineer at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
MSP
2020-01-22T12:44:00Z
Jan 22, 2020
We are using version 7.9 of the solution. We migrated from 7.7 to 7.9 about three years ago. We use both the cloud and on-premises deployment models. We had production on the on-premises model in 2016. I'm an implementation engineer for SolarWinds so I'm not using the NCM devices any longer. I'd advise others who may be installing the solution for the first time to just use the 7.9 version of the solution. It's the latest version. If you are using FortiGate you'll be able to configure everything and have a backup and be able to use the data. I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
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.
I always recommend the product for network automation and backup of network devices. However, it's only for the network devices, not the server. I have worked with other tools, too. SolarWinds has most of the functionalities. Many customers use it for monitoring and security purposes. SolarWinds NPM’s NetPath feature has some limitations. We cannot add the cloud broker firewall. It would be great if the vendor could add the feature to NPM. They are working on it, and we can expect it in the next release. Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.
The modules have a lot of features, but SolarWinds' support is a pain point. I would rate it differently for automation and features. * For automation, I would rate it four out of ten. * For features, I would rate it eight out of ten.
The solution is capable of handling the latest monitoring and implementing configurations by integrating other configuration management tools to provide storage center locations. In addition to SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager, we have another similar tool as a backup in our organization so that operations are not disrupted and dependency on a single tool can be minimized. If any remote unit or device belonging to our company goes down, we can easily restore the device for the backup standalone device's configuration. I would recommend SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager to others, but I would also suggest they compare similar and more capable solutions in the market. I would rate the solution a seven out of ten overall.
The various use cases, such as network device backups, configuration management, and change management, offer significant value to users. I would rate the product around a 9.5 overall.
We have SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager, SolarWinds Syslog service, and SolarWinds Syslock servers. We have purchased almost 13 different backlog products from SolarWinds. Although we have purchased licenses for these products, we have not received adequate support. Despite buying the permit, SolarWinds often states it's a free tool, which is confusing. Due to these issues, we are now considering getting rid of the SolarWinds Syslock servers. Everything works fine with NPM in our IT environment, and we haven't faced any challenges. Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten.
Overall, I would rate it six out of ten.
I would recommend it as it will certainly indicate the issue, but it may not immediately provide the root cause. Additionally, it will display the devices connected to each port, albeit not always with their names, but with MAC addresses. If you have a DHCP server or a similar tool that can correlate MAC addresses to machines, it becomes easier to identify the device. Conversely, if you know the IP address, you can input it into SolarWinds to determine the switch it's connected to. Overall, I would rate it eight out of ten.
I'm using SolarWinds, including Network Performance Manager, IPAM, Configuration Manager, and Network Traffic Analyzer. I also have the toolkit and the Network Topology Mapper. Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten.
We use the SolarWinds NPM module and SolarWinds IPAM for many IP addresses. We also use SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. My organization is the end user of the product. I am currently not working with the latest version of the product. A single person can handle the solution’s deployment. Sometimes we face issues with the solution’s database. I like SolarWinds because you see all the features live, even on real devices. Even before I buy it, I can see all the features. So you can connect to any set of devices and see all the features live. I recommend SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager because it gives me full visibility of our network. Overall, I rate SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager an eight out of ten.
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.
For those who are new to the field and don't want to delve into technical materials, I recommend SolarWinds NCM as it is easier to understand. I rate SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager a nine out of ten.
The company we worked with did not have a maintenance contract with SolarWinds for the Network Configuration Manager. This may be because they were only interested in using certain specific features of the solution, such as configuration, backups, and scheduling jobs, and did not need the full range of options offered by the solution. My advice to others is if you want to use good technology, or solutions, then you need to be ready to spend the money. If you want something good, you want quality, you want good performance for your network, or you want to be able to do everything in a simple way, then you should be able to spend the money so that everything can be done in the simplest way. I rate SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager a nine out of ten.
We are a partner. I have different projects. I'm not working on a single project. Some of the clients are using a cloud-based instance. Some of them have physical on-premises setups. Most of them are on the cloud. Before using anything, I would advise new users just go look at the requirements. For example, what are the requirements that you have to monitor? If you have just some devices by which you want to monitor the status of and need only some of the statistics, then NCM is not needed. Companies should not purchase anything blindly; they should understand the infrastructure and requirements. I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
The NCM is a very useful tool for managing your network device configuration backups as well as configuration security checks. The configuration security compliance works best for Cisco devices, though would like SolarWinds to expand this to other vendors too.
Other good functions of NCM include - configuration templates (example configuring NetFlow on devices en-mass), executing set of commands on devices, integration with NetPath
On a scale from one to ten, I would give SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager an eight.
I would recommend this solution to others. I rate SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager a nine out of ten.
This solution works in conjunction with SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor. Usually, you first buy SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor and then SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. You have to go with both. I would recommend this solution. Typically, while recommending a solution, I look at what the management needs in terms of strategy, how a solution integrates, and how powerful is the IT department. Based on that, I recommend a solution that meets the needs and integrates with ITSM. I would rate SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager a seven out of ten.
Larger organizations would be able to have people invest the time to learn how to use the system and deploy on their own. Smaller organizations would need an integrator to help them through the deployment process. We definitely plan to continue working with this solution. There are less popular devices that are not directly supported by NCM. You have open-source Linux devices that you really can't support with NCM. They have their own tool that you have to use. We have a couple of those, but generally, NCM is a tool we use for the majority of the well-known brand network purposes. My advice to others who want to use this solution would be to get it if you have a network with several departmental devices to take care of. Do an early set up of your approval process to make sure that change management is built-in. If you have several people with the admin password who are able to go in and make changes to all your devices at one time, it makes the entire system much less stable. You need to ensure that you put in all of the controls very early on, and have levels of authorization for change. This should be done very early when you deploy the system. I recommend using SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Just make sure you only put the nodes that you need to monitor and make sure whoever needs to have nodes in SolarWinds, keep the people besides your team or your group, who want their own nodes there. Make sure you set up the right rules and the standards and the thresholds where you need to get communication for error messages or CPU alerts or power heat or any type of alerts. The alerts, they need to be very clearly addressed in order for you to monitor your devices. We have faced some problems in the past that the alerts are not really set up properly. We have to randomly change the thresholds and the numbers and the ranges. I would recommend that you make sure you monitor only what you need to monitor. Make sure if you need to trigger those alerts, make sure that you have somebody or a team to respond. And, they can have a group responsible for whatever they need to troubleshoot. I would rate it at a seven out of ten.
We are using version 7.9 of the solution. We migrated from 7.7 to 7.9 about three years ago. We use both the cloud and on-premises deployment models. We had production on the on-premises model in 2016. I'm an implementation engineer for SolarWinds so I'm not using the NCM devices any longer. I'd advise others who may be installing the solution for the first time to just use the 7.9 version of the solution. It's the latest version. If you are using FortiGate you'll be able to configure everything and have a backup and be able to use the data. I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
We use the on-premises deployment model. We're a SolarWinds distributor. I'd rate the solution nine out of ten.