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Illumio VS SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

Compare Illumio VS SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager and see what are their differences

Illumio logo Illumio

Illumio provides visibility into application traffic anywhere and dynamically computes fine-grained policies.

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.
  • Illumio Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-29
  • SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-23

Illumio features and specs

  • Security Features
    Illumio provides advanced micro-segmentation capabilities, which enhance the security posture by isolating workloads and containing potential breaches across multi-cloud environments.
  • Visibility and Insight
    The platform offers extensive visibility into network traffic and application flows, allowing administrators to easily identify and manage security threats and policy violations.
  • Ease of Deployment
    Illumio is designed for straightforward deployment, providing a software-based solution that does not require any changes to the underlying infrastructure.
  • Scalability
    The solution is highly scalable and can accommodate the needs of both small and large enterprises, facilitating growth without additional complexity.

Possible disadvantages of Illumio

  • Complexity in Policy Management
    For organizations with a large number of applications, managing policies in Illumio can become complex and may require ongoing administrative effort to maintain.
  • Cost
    The pricing of Illumio can be on the higher side, making it a significant investment, especially for smaller organizations or budget-conscious projects.
  • Learning Curve
    New users and teams may experience a learning curve when adopting Illumio, necessitating training and time to become proficient in using its full feature set.
  • Limited Integration
    Although Illumio integrates with many common IT tools, the integrations can be limited in some cases, requiring additional custom development work.

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 Illumio

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Illumio is regarded as a strong choice for businesses looking to bolster their network security through segmentation strategies. Its focus on zero trust security models makes it particularly appealing for enterprises seeking modern and robust security solutions.

Why this product is good

  • Illumio is considered a reputable company within the cybersecurity landscape, primarily for its specialization in micro-segmentation solutions. It provides organizations with enhanced visibility and control over their network traffic, effectively minimizing the risk of lateral movement from potential cyber threats. Customers appreciate Illumio for its ease of deployment, scalability, and its vendor-agnostic approach, which integrates seamlessly with existing network infrastructure.

Recommended for

    Illumio is highly recommended for medium to large enterprises dealing with complex IT environments, particularly those that require stringent security measures, such as financial institutions, healthcare providers, and technology companies. It is ideal for organizations prioritizing a comprehensive micro-segmentation approach to network security.

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.

Illumio videos

Illumio Security Segmentation Can Be Easily Done Using My Network Devices

More videos:

  • Review - Illumio Micro-Segmentation Masterpieces: Adventures in Zero Trust
  • Review - Illumio Company Overview with Wendy Yale

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 Illumio and SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager)
Monitoring Tools
31 31%
69% 69
Security
43 43%
57% 57
Cyber Security
100 100%
0% 0
Log Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Illumio and SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager, you can also consider the following products

Trend Micro Deep Security - Excellent hybrid cloud security doesn't require your business to sacrifice operational performance. Trend Micro lets you keep business moving securely.

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.

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.

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.

Junos Space Security Director - Quickly understand threats & how to remediate them with Junos Space Security Director. This responsive network security management application empowers your security team to keep your company safe.

Qualys - Qualys helps your business automate the full spectrum of auditing, compliance and protection of your IT systems and web applications.