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Cisco Data Center Network Manager VS SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

Compare Cisco Data Center Network Manager VS SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager and see what are their differences

Cisco Data Center Network Manager logo Cisco Data Center Network Manager

Cisco Data Center Network Manager offers network management system (NMS) support for traditional or multiple-tenant LAN and SAN fabrics.

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager logo SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

SolarWinds is a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT infrastructure management software. Make IT look easy.
  • Cisco Data Center Network Manager Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21
  • SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-23

Cisco Data Center Network Manager features and specs

  • Comprehensive Management
    Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) provides a single-pane-of-glass for managing, monitoring, and troubleshooting a diverse range of data center infrastructure components, simplifying the management process.
  • Scalability
    DCNM is designed to scale with large enterprises, providing management capabilities for extensive networks with thousands of devices.
  • Automation Capabilities
    Includes extensive automation features, such as automated provisioning, configuration compliance, and policy enforcement, which reduce manual effort and the potential for human error.
  • Security Management
    Offers robust security features including role-based access control, detailed audit logs, and compliance monitoring to help ensure the network infrastructure meets organizational security standards.
  • Integration With Cisco Ecosystem
    Seamlessly integrates with other Cisco solutions, providing a cohesive and unified approach to data center network management.
  • Support for multiple environments
    Supports traditional, virtualized, and cloud environments, offering flexibility to manage a variety of data center setups.

Possible disadvantages of Cisco Data Center Network Manager

  • Complexity
    The extensive feature set and comprehensive capabilities make DCNM complex to deploy and manage, requiring substantial expertise and potentially extensive training.
  • Cost
    Cisco solutions are generally priced at a premium, and DCNM is no exception. The cost may be prohibitive for small to medium-sized organizations.
  • Resource Intensive
    The platform can be resource-intensive, requiring robust hardware and infrastructure to run effectively, which can add to the overall cost.
  • Support Overhead
    Managing Cisco DCNM can require dedicated support personnel who are highly skilled, thus increasing the overhead in terms of operational support and maintenance.
  • Vendor Lock-in
    Organizations using Cisco DCNM may find themselves locked into Cisco's ecosystem, making it more challenging and costly to integrate with third-party solutions or switch vendors.
  • Learning Curve
    The complexity and breadth of features mean there is a steep learning curve, which can slow down the adoption and efficient use of the platform.

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager features and specs

  • Automated Configuration Backup
    SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM) automatically backs up device configurations, reducing the risk of data loss and ensuring easy recovery in case of misconfigurations or device failures.
  • Compliance Management
    NCM includes compliance management tools that help organizations adhere to industry standards and internal policies by monitoring and reporting on configuration compliance across the network infrastructure.
  • Change Management
    The software provides a robust change management system that logs all changes made to network device configurations. It helps in auditing and verifying that changes are authorized and properly implemented.
  • Multi-Vendor Support
    NCM supports a wide range of network device vendors, making it versatile and useful in heterogeneous network environments.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The intuitive user interface makes it easy for network administrators to manage configurations, set up compliance rules, and monitor network health.

Possible disadvantages of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

  • High Cost
    SolarWinds NCM can be expensive, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. The licensing and maintenance costs can add up over time.
  • Complex Initial Setup
    The initial setup and configuration of NCM can be complex and time-consuming, requiring a good understanding of the network environment and the software itself.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running SolarWinds NCM can be resource-intensive, requiring substantial server resources, which may necessitate hardware upgrades for optimal performance.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, there is still a learning curve for users who are not familiar with network configuration management systems. Training may be required to fully utilize all features.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users report occasional performance issues, such as slow load times and glitches, particularly in large, complex network environments.

Analysis of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

Overall verdict

  • SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is generally considered a good tool for network configuration management.

Why this product is good

  • The tool offers comprehensive network automation and management capabilities, including configuration backups, compliance management, vulnerability assessments, and automatic updates. It helps in reducing downtime by allowing quick restoration of configurations and supports various network devices, making it suitable for diverse IT environments. Users appreciate its easy integration with other SolarWinds products and its user-friendly interface.

Recommended for

  • Network administrators looking to automate configuration tasks.
  • Organizations needing compliance and vulnerability checks for network configurations.
  • IT departments that require a reliable solution for configuration backups and disaster recovery.
  • Enterprises already utilizing other SolarWinds tools, seeking seamless integration.

Cisco Data Center Network Manager videos

Cisco Data Center Network Manager Overview

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager videos

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Overview

More videos:

  • Review - What is SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Cisco Data Center Network Manager and SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager)
Monitoring Tools
59 59%
41% 41
Log Management
68 68%
32% 32
Security
0 0%
100% 100
DCIM Software
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Cisco Data Center Network Manager and SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager, you can also consider the following products

Cisco ACI - Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) simplifies, optimizes, and accelerates the application deployment lifecycle in next-generation data centers and clouds.

Cisco DNA Center - Find and resolve network issues with Cisco DNA Center. Provides software-based network automation and assurance. Control and manage intent-based networks.

ManageEngine OpManager - Monitors routers, switches, firewalls, load-balancers, wireless LAN controllers, servers, VMs, printers, storage devices, and everything that has an IP and is connected to the network.

Palo Alto Networks Panorama - Greater visibility, tighter control, less effort. Panorama™ network security management simplifies management tasks while delivering comprehensive controls and deep visibility into network-wide traffic and security threats.

Device42 - Automatically maintain an up-to-date inventory of your physical, virtual, and cloud servers and containers, network components, software/services/applications, and their inter-relationships and inter-dependencies.

F5 Advanced Firewall Manager - Stop even the most massive and complex DDoS attacks with BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager: advanced data center protection against layer 3–4 threats.