Are you confident that all of your device’s firmware and configurations are up to date? Managing network configurations can be a pain. To make life easier, we’ve reviewed six of the best network configuration management tools you can start using today.
Here is our list of the best network configuration management tools:
- ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager EDITOR’S CHOICE Features automation, compliance management, and easy-to-use config restore points. Start a 30-day free trial.
- Site24x7 (FREE TRIAL) This cloud platform includes a network configuration management tool, offering real-time monitoring of network devices, configuration tracking, change management, and alerts for unauthorized modifications. Start a 30-day free trial.
- Device 42 The best choice for data centers and large enterprise networks. Features data center-specific tools.
- WeConfig A solid and free option to back up and restore configurations and firmware.
- TrueSight Network Automation Leverages out-of-the-box automation to help discover compliance issues and deploy best practices.
- Auvik A network monitoring and management package that is delivered from the cloud.
- SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Blends intuitive reporting with its signature automation to take the hassle out of configuration management.
- Net LineDancer Compatible with Linux, Windows, and CentOS. It can manage up to 200,000 devices.
No matter what size organization you manage, having firm control over your network configuration is critical in keeping your environment secure, and your settings consistent. Rather than manually checking every device, you can save hours of time by utilizing network configuration management tools.
Our methodology for selecting the best network configuration management tool
We’ve broken down our analysis for you based on these key criteria:
- Ease of integration with various network devices and systems.
- The capability for automated configuration management and updates.
- Features for compliance management and policy enforcement.
- Backup and restoration functionalities for configurations.
- User-friendly interface and effective real-time monitoring.
The Best Network Configuration Management Tools
Whether you’re looking for more consistency, or need to keep to date firmware, having a network configuration management tool becomes essential as your network continues to grow.
1. ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager (FREE TRIAL)
ManageEngine provides a suite of tools that help deploy networking configurations, as well as analyzer performance and monitor applications. ManageEngine starts by backing up all of your configuration changes before doing an automated sweep of your work to look for policy violations, security issues, and improvements based on best practices.
Key Features:
- Automated policy violation sweeps
- Configuration change backups
- User action auditing and logging
- Linux and Windows compatibility
Why do we recommend it?
ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager is recommended for its automation features, compliance management capabilities, and user-friendly configuration restore points, providing a solid solution for network configuration management.
You’ll get similar levels of control over your user accounts through auditing and action logging. These logs provide details as to what a specific user has changed and when that change was made. If you feel certain actions could indicate an account is acting maliciously, you can set up a script to automatically suspend accounts that behave in a certain manner.
Who is it recommended for?
This tool is suitable for organizations that require automated network configuration management with a focus on compliance and security.
Pros:
- Detailed auditing and action logging for user changes
- Compatibility with both Linux and Windows
- Free version available for small-scale testing
Cons:
- Limited environment testing with the free version
ManageEngine’s Network Configuration Manager is compatible with both Linux and Windows. If you want to test it out yourself, there is a free version that allows you to add two devices. This is a pretty limited test environment and doesn’t give you the best opportunity to test all of its features. Alternatively, you can download a free 30-day trial.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager is our top pick for a network configuration management tool because it offers a comprehensive, automated, and user-friendly solution for managing network device configurations. Designed to streamline network operations, it ensures compliance, reduces downtime, and enhances security by providing complete control over configuration changes. Its robust feature set makes it an indispensable tool for network administrators. An important feature of Network Configuration Manager is its ability to automate configuration backups, ensuring that the latest device configurations are always securely stored. This minimizes the risk of data loss and simplifies recovery in case of failures. The tool also provides real-time change tracking and alerts, allowing administrators to quickly identify and revert unauthorized or faulty changes, reducing the risk of network outages. Network Configuration Manager integrates compliance management capabilities, offering pre-built templates for industry standards like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and SOX. It ensures that network configurations adhere to regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties. Its bulk configuration deployment feature saves time by allowing simultaneous updates across multiple devices. The tool’s well-planned interface, detailed reports, and integration with other ManageEngine products make it a versatile choice for businesses of all sizes.
Download: Get a 30-day FREE Trial
Official Site: https://www.manageengine.com/network-configuration-manager/download.html
OS: Windows Server, Linux, and AWS
2. Site24x7 (FREE TRIAL)
Site24x7 offers a powerful network configuration management tool that provides organizations with visibility and control over their network devices. It helps IT teams track, monitor, and manage configurations across a wide range of network hardware, including routers, switches, firewalls, and access points.
Key Features:
- Firmware vulnerability detection
- Custom device templates
- Compliance with SOX, HIPAA, PCI DSS
- Automated configurations
Why do we recommend it?
The Site24x7 platform allows users to view and manage the configurations of multiple devices from a single interface, making it easier to ensure that all devices are correctly configured and compliant with organizational standards. By tracking changes to network configurations, Site24x7 helps reduce the risk of misconfigurations, which can lead to security vulnerabilities or network outages.
A key feature of Site24x7’s network configuration management tool is its ability to automatically detect and log configuration changes. Whenever a change is made to a network device, the platform records the details of the modification, including the user who made the change, the time of the change, and the specific configuration altered.
The tool creates an audit trail that helps organizations maintain accountability and provides a historical record that can be invaluable during troubleshooting, audits, or security investigations. Additionally, Site24x7 offers the ability to compare previous and current configurations, making it easier to identify unauthorized or unintended changes that may have been made.
Site24x7 also provides automated alerts and notifications for any unauthorized or non-compliant configuration changes, ensuring that IT teams can take immediate corrective action. These alerts can be customized to reflect the organization’s specific policies or regulatory requirements. The platform further enhances configuration management by offering backup and restore capabilities.
Who is it recommended for?
This tool is recommended for IT teams, network administrators, and system engineers in businesses of all sizes. It is particularly valuable for organizations with complex or large network infrastructures, where managing and securing configurations across multiple devices is crucial. It is also ideal for companies in regulated industries that need to maintain compliance with network security standards and track configuration changes for auditing purposes.
Pros:
- Manages configurations for devices from over 75 vendors
- Automates and schedules configuration backups
- Compares device configurations with baselines, startup, running, or previous configurations to validate changes
- Sends instant alerts via email, SMS, voice calls, and third-party integrations like Jira, Slack, and Microsoft Teams
Cons:
- No on-premises version
A subscriber to the Site24x7 gets all of the modules on the platform, not just the Network Configuration Manager. These tools include monitoring for networks, servers, services, and cloud platforms. You can assess the package with a 30-day free trial.
3. Device42
Device42 is a network configuration manager more suited towards large MSPs or data centers. In addition to configuration management, Device42 can also provide asset tracking and data center infrastructure management.
Key Features:
- Data center management tools
- Hardware inventory management
- Asset tracking and infrastructure management
- Remote technician visualization tools
Why do we recommend it?
Device42 is recommended for its specialized features in data center management, including data room layouts and hardware inventory management, making it a strong choice for large MSPs or data centers.
When compared to SolarWinds and ManageEngine, Device42 is not as intuitive or easy to set up. With that being said, if you do run a data center you’ll enjoy features such as Data Room Layouts, Rack Diagrams, and Hardware Inventory Management.
The rack diagrams allow you to virtually recreate your environment to allow remote technicians the ability to ‘see’ the datacenter without having to be on site. This design removes the need for lengthy spreadsheets or complicated notes.
The data center Room Layouts feature gives you similar visibility and gives you at-a-glance availability of your equipment. While most of this won’t apply to most MSPs, it’s good to see Device42 has the tools to help simplify data center network configuration management.
Who is it recommended for?
Best for larger enterprises or data centers requiring detailed asset tracking and infrastructure management.
Pros:
- Specialized data center management tools
- Rack diagrams and hardware inventory management
- Good visibility with data center room layouts
Cons:
- May be overkill for smaller or less complex environments
Device42 is available for both cloud and on-premises environments. You can test out Device42 for a full 30 days.
4. WeConfig
WeConfig is a free Windows-based configuration tool developed by Westermo. Initially, this tool was only designed to support other Westermo devices, but because it relies on the SNMP system, it can be used with other devices from other manufacturers.
Key Features:
- SNMP-based network scanning
- Manual configuration management
- Simple dashboard interface
- Designed for Westermo device support
Why do we recommend it?
WeConfig is recommended for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, being a free Windows-based tool that can manage network configurations with ease.
Like most tools, WeConfig goes out and scans the network for any devices it can find, and then compiles those devices into its database. Once this scan is complete, you’ll be able to view your networked device through a simple dashboard.
This viewing arrangement allows you to click and drag elements into their desired spots, and then lock them so they cannot be moved or deleted. Note: WeConfig does not automatically scan the network, so anytime a new device is added you must rescan for it to be logged in the system.
Managing configurations is relatively simple. You can view any changes recently made on any device and easily push out firmware updates and changes through the dashboard. WeConfig doesn’t offer much automation when compared to SolarWinds, so you’ll find yourself making changes manually rather than scripting them out.
While WeConfig is a simple and free solution, you might find it’s lack of alerting and customization a bit frustrating. WeConfig is also more suited for small networks since it lacks the ability to accommodate teams or other authentication capabilities.
Who is it recommended for?
Ideal for smaller networks or organizations looking for a straightforward, no-cost solution for configuration management.
Pros:
- Free and simple to use
- Allows for manual configuration management
- Basic but effective dashboard
Cons:
- Lacks automation and advanced alerting
5. TrueSight Network Automation
Formerly known as BladeLogic, TrueSight Network Automation provides network configuration with an emphasis on automation.
Key Features:
- Automated network scanning
- Compliance policy scanning
- Bulk configuration management
- TrueSight Vulnerability Management integration
Why do we recommend it?
TrueSight is recommended for its focus on automation and compliance scanning, making it efficient for managing network configurations and ensuring compliance with various standards.
On deployment, the software will start scanning and logging all devices it can find. During this time you can also set the tool to scan for compliance policies. There are a number of pre-configured policies that come out of the box with this tool. These reports help you check for NIST, PCI, CIS, SOX, DISA, SCAP, and HIPPA compliance.
If there are any integrity issues found during the scan, you can allow the tool to automatically force specific changes across your network to meet compliance standards. Personally, we would want to be able to review these changes first, but it does save you a lot of time if you would have had to do this manually.
Configuration changes can be pushed out and retracted in bulk; this includes firmware as well. Truesight does have the ability to have multiple logins and user security controls making this a viable option for anyone looking for a tool that supports a team environment.
Lastly, TrueSight Automation has an integration called TrueSight Vulnerability Management. This additional tool will scan for security threats and risks in your network and stop them. This tool utilizes the NIST National Vulnerability Database to constantly monitor your network configuration for threats and vulnerabilities.
Who is it recommended for?
Suitable for organizations that prioritize automated compliance and security in their network configuration management.
Pros:
- Comprehensive compliance policy scanning
- Bulk configuration changes and retraction capabilities
- Additional vulnerability management integration
Cons:
- Might be too automated for some preferences
TrueSight Network Automation is available for both Windows and Linux. At this time it does not appear there are any free trials for either Network Automation or Vulnerability Management. For more information, you can contact its sales team on its official website.
6. Auvik
The Auvik platform also implements device status polling with the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and traffic analysis with NetFlow, IPFIX, J-Flow, and sFlow.
Key Features:
- SNMP Device Polling: Uses SNMP to continuously monitor device statuses and provide real-time performance insights.
- Traffic Analysis: Supports multiple traffic analysis protocols like NetFlow, IPFIX, J-Flow, and sFlow to capture and analyze network traffic patterns.
- Automatic Configuration Backup: Automatically scans and stores device configurations every 60 minutes, ensuring that changes are tracked and archived.
- Version Control: Maintains a full version history of device configurations, allowing for rollbacks to previous versions if necessary.
- Config Comparison Tool: Enables side-by-side comparisons of different configuration versions, highlighting changes and facilitating troubleshooting.
Why do we recommend it?
Auvik is recommended for its robust network monitoring and configuration management capabilities. Its use of SNMP polling and multiple traffic analysis protocols offers valuable insights into network performance. The automatic backup and version control features add an extra layer of reliability, ensuring that network configurations are always protected and easily restorable.
The network configuration management service in Auvik scans all devices every 60 minutes. After storing an initial configuration copy, the tool compares the running configuration with the latest stored configuration. If there is a difference, the package archives a new configuration version. The tool doesn’t overwrite the older version, so it will create a version history for the configuration of each device.
The console includes a data viewer that lets a system manager see all of the commands in the device’s settings. It also has a comparison tool that shows the differences between two configurations. After considering older configurations, a technician can decide whether to roll back to an older configuration and wipe out recent changes.
Who is it recommended for?
Auvik is best suited for small to medium-sized IT teams looking for an easy-to-use but comprehensive network monitoring solution. It’s particularly valuable for organizations needing automatic configuration backups and real-time traffic monitoring without the need for extensive manual oversight. IT managers responsible for managing hybrid or complex network environments will benefit from its configuration management and rollback features.
Pros:
- Real-Time Monitoring: Constant device polling provides up-to-date visibility on network health and performance.
- Comprehensive Traffic Analysis: Multiple protocol support makes Auvik versatile in analyzing traffic for detailed insights.
- Automatic Backups: The platform ensures regular backups of device configurations, reducing the risk of lost configurations.
- Easy Rollbacks: Version control with rollback options simplifies recovery from configuration errors or missteps.
Cons:
- Short Free Trial: The 14-day trial might not be enough time to fully explore and evaluate the tool for larger networks.
You can examine the Auvik system by accessing a 14-day free trial.
7. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM) offers industry-leading network configuration management by integrating with hundreds of different devices and making management simple through an intuitive dashboard. From ten devices to ten thousand, you’ll have full control over any changes that need to be made.
Key Features:
- Automated administrative tasks
- Configuration backup and restore
- Real-time change alerts
- Compliance scanning and reporting
Why do we recommend it?
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is highly recommended for its advanced automation capabilities, intuitive dashboard, and robust configuration management across a wide range of devices, suitable for networks of all sizes.
Through the automation dashboard, you can automate administrative tasks across all of your dashboards. Whether that be firmware updates, firewall rules, or VLAN changes, it can all be applied to all of your devices automatically through a set schedule.
If you find yourself holding your breath during firmware updates, (NCM) gives you peace of mind through configuration backups every time a change is made. Recovering to a previous configuration is as easy as selecting your device, and choosing a date from the drop-down menu.
Under the Configs tab, you can see a side-by-side comparison to your last-known good backup, and compare it to your current settings. This ensures you always have a record of what was done, and what configurations you can restore to with confidence.
If you work with a team, setting up real-time change detection can help alert you any time a configuration is updated. This helps keep you in the loop to ensure that nothing is being changed when it shouldn’t be and that necessary maintenance is actually getting done when you schedule it.
To help avoid any accidents and to ensure configurations are correct, you can enable configuration reviews that require you or another administrator to review and sign off on certain updates and changes. Under the Security tab, you can review different users, restrict their access, and even get an audit log view of any changes they have made.
The more devices you manage, the tougher it is to ensure you’re within compliance across every device. It was nice to see that the Network Configuration Manager came with numerous scans you could run across all of your devices.
These out-of-the-box reports can test your devices for policy violations and best practices. The reports not only give you a breakdown of what was found, but also have an entire section dedicated to remediation, and usually offers scripts you can launch to fix the change automatically.
In the Network Configuration Manager, templates are a powerful way to make updating your devices a seamless process, but you may find yourself with a device that doesn’t already have a template. If that’s the case, SolarWinds has a community of over 250,000 people who share and upload their scripts, configurations, and settings.
Since Network Configuration Manager is built on the Orion platform, it can easily integrate with Network Performance Monitor and Netflow Traffic Analyzer. This integration can enhance your configuration management and provide proactive monitoring to help reduce downtime and gain insight into how your devices communicate with your network.
Who is it recommended for?
Ideal for MSPs and IT departments seeking a comprehensive solution for network configuration management, particularly in environments with a large number of devices.
Pros:
- Advanced automation for various tasks
- Efficient configuration backup and recovery
- Real-time change detection for team collaboration
- Comprehensive compliance scans and reports
- Strong community support for templates and scripts
- Integration with other SolarWinds products for enhanced monitoring
Cons:
- May require time to fully utilize all features
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is available for both on-premises and cloud-based deployment. You can test out NCM today with a free 30-day trial.
8. Net LineDancer
Netline LineDancer, commonly referred to as NetLD has all the standard features you’d need in a network configuration management tool packed into a simplistic interface. While NetLD isn’t as well suited to manage larger clients, it does have the ability to service up to 200,000 nodes and up to 1,000 SmartBridge servers.
Key Features:
- Automatic configuration snapshots
- Management of up to 200,000 nodes
- Simple user interface
- Comprehensive hardware audit capabilities
Why do we recommend it?
Net LineDancer is recommended for its ease of use and capacity to manage up to 200,000 devices, making it a viable option for medium to large-scale networks.
On the first scan, NetLD will find all compatible devices, log them, and automatically take a snapshot of their configuration settings. You can implement configuration changes in bulk fairly easily across your network. While the interface on NetLD isn’t as good as SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager, it still gets the job done.
In addition to managing configurations, NetlLD has the ability to run a full hardware inventory audit. This includes a full breakdown of components such as power supplies, serial numbers, and even fan tray assemblies. This is a great addition to configuration manager especially if you’re looking to cycle out old hardware or finding replacement parts for hardware failures.
The reporting features keep you or your team up to speed on changes made across configurations whether that be to your firewall, switches, or VLAN. While this tool can assist in the day to day of configuration management it lacks some of the team features that SolarWinds or ManageEngine provides. NetLD lacks access controls and some of the automated features found in other tools, making this better suited for smaller networks.
Who is it recommended for?
Best for medium to large-scale networks that require a straightforward tool for network configuration management and hardware inventory audits.
Pros:
- Manages a large number of devices
- Comprehensive hardware inventory audit capabilities
- Good reporting features for configuration changes
Cons:
- Lacks some team collaboration features and access controls
NetLD is compatible with Linux, Windows, and CentOS. It has flexible per-node pricing for both its on-premises and cloud-based products. NetLD is available for a 30-day trial that can support up to 100 devices during that time.
Choosing the Best Network Configuration Management tools
No matter what size network you manage, having a solid grasp on your configuration and patching is mission-critical. Which network configuration management tools work best for you? Well, that depends on your size, needs, and environment.
Auvik is our top choice as it can easily manage any network as long as that site is connected to the internet. The Auvik package enables management of multiple sites within a single account and there is a multi-tenant MSP edition that can manage the sites of multiple companies.
For most medium-sized service providers and IT departments, SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager will cover all of your needs with no unnecessary fluff or features. SolarWinds’ combined flexibility, features, and strong community make it a highly recommended choice.
For large enterprise environments and data centers, Device42 will likely be a good fit. Its datacenter-specific tools tailor it specifically for larger complex networks.
Lastly, if you just run a small budget-strapped business, or have a home network you’d like to manage more efficiently, WeConfig is an excellent free option.
So how do you currently manage your firmware updates and configuration changes? Do you use a software app, or do it all by hand? Let us know in the comments below.
