Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

NetBox VS FusionInventory

Compare NetBox VS FusionInventory and see what are their differences

NetBox logo NetBox

NetBox is an open source web application designed to help manage and document computer networks. NetBox was developed specifically to address the needs of network and infrastructure engineers.

FusionInventory logo FusionInventory

Fork of the OCS Inventory project that enables users to inventory their IT assets.
  • NetBox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-15

It encompasses the following aspects of network management:

IP address management (IPAM) - IP networks and addresses, VRFs, and VLANs Equipment racks - Organized by group and site Devices - Types of devices and where they are installed Connections - Network, console, and power connections among devices Virtualization - Virtual machines and clusters Data circuits - Long-haul communications circuits and providers Secrets - Encrypted storage of sensitive credentials

  • FusionInventory Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-01

NetBox features and specs

  • Open Source
    NetBox is open-source software, which means you can use and modify it freely without having to pay for a license. This can significantly reduce costs and allows for customization according to specific needs.
  • Comprehensive IPAM and DCIM
    NetBox includes both IP Address Management (IPAM) and Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) functionalities, offering a single platform to manage diverse aspects of network infrastructure.
  • Extensible via API
    NetBox provides a robust API that allows integration with other tools and systems, enabling automation and enhanced functionality through scripting and third-party applications.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The web-based user interface is intuitive and easy to use, even for those who may not have extensive experience with network management tools.
  • Active Community and Support
    NetBox has an active community of users and contributors, which helps in quickly addressing issues, sharing knowledge, and contributing to the continuous improvement of the software.

Possible disadvantages of NetBox

  • Initial Setup Complexity
    The initial installation and configuration of NetBox can be complex and time-consuming, potentially requiring a good understanding of Python, PostgreSQL, and other dependencies.
  • Resource Intensive
    As a web-based application, NetBox can be resource-intensive, requiring a capable server environment to run efficiently, which might not be suitable for very small-scale deployments.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    Despite its intuitive interface, the broad set of features and functionalities might overwhelm new users, leading to a steeper learning curve.
  • Limited Built-in Reporting
    NetBox has limited built-in reporting capabilities, which might necessitate additional tools or custom reports to meet specific reporting needs.
  • No Built-in Alerting
    NetBox does not have built-in alerting mechanisms for tracking changes or unusual activities, so additional monitoring and alerting systems may be required.

FusionInventory features and specs

  • Open Source
    FusionInventory is free to use and modify, providing flexibility for organizations to customize the tool to meet their specific needs without the constraints of proprietary software licensing.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    It can be deployed on various operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it versatile and adaptable to different IT environments.
  • Automated Inventory Management
    Automatically collects data about hardware, software, and network devices, helping organizations maintain up-to-date records and streamline inventory management.
  • Integration with GLPI
    Seamlessly integrates with the GLPI IT asset management software, enhancing its functionalities and providing a comprehensive IT management solution.
  • Active Development Community
    Supported by a community of developers who continuously improve the tool and provide assistance, ensuring it remains up-to-date and reliable.

Possible disadvantages of FusionInventory

  • Complex Setup
    The initial setup and configuration can be complicated, particularly for users who are not familiar with IT asset management solutions, requiring a learning curve to effectively implement the system.
  • Limited Reporting Features
    While it offers basic reporting functionality, users may find the built-in reports less comprehensive compared to other commercial solutions, potentially requiring additional customization.
  • Dependency on GLPI
    For users seeking full asset management capabilities, FusionInventory largely depends on integration with GLPI, which may require additional setup and maintenance.
  • Resource Intensive
    Deploying and running FusionInventory can be resource-intensive, particularly in large-scale environments, affecting the performance of other applications or requiring dedicated resources.
  • Community Support
    While there is a supportive community, users may find the availability of official support and documentation less robust compared to commercial solutions, potentially complicating troubleshooting efforts.

Analysis of NetBox

Overall verdict

  • Yes, NetBox is considered a good tool for managing complex networks and data centers. Its strong community support and continuous development contribute to its robustness and reliability in production environments.

Why this product is good

  • NetBox is a popular open-source tool for network automation and management, favored for its comprehensive features such as IP address management (IPAM), data center infrastructure management (DCIM), and its extensibility through plugins and a REST API. It provides a user-friendly web interface and is highly customizable, making it suitable for various network configurations and workflows.

Recommended for

    NetBox is recommended for network engineers, system administrators, data center managers, and IT professionals who need an effective solution for managing IP addresses, network devices, and cabling infrastructure in medium to large-scale operations. It is particularly advantageous for those looking for an open-source option with a strong community backing.

NetBox videos

Accessing NAPALM via the NetBox API

More videos:

  • Review - Network to Code NetBox with Jeremy Stretch and John Anderson
  • Tutorial - Netbox Global Review- How To Earn Money Browsing The Internet

FusionInventory videos

No FusionInventory videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to NetBox and FusionInventory)
Monitoring Tools
89 89%
11% 11
Log Management
100 100%
0% 0
IT Asset Management
0 0%
100% 100
DCIM Software
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare NetBox and FusionInventory

NetBox Reviews

11 NetBox Alternatives
NetBox is a resource modeling application that is specially designed to automate networks and empower network engineering as well. It manages all the needs of networks and works under the license of Apache 2.
The 10 Best IP Address Management Tools for Linux
NetBox is certainly one of the best open-source IPAM solutions reviewed by our editors. It comes with a simple but elegant user interface that packs a serious punch in terms of functionalities. NetBox was initially developed by the network engineering team at DigitalOCean and has since evolved into a full-fledged IP management application. It is very popular among...
12 Open Source/Commercial Software for Data Center Infrastructure Management
NetBox is an open-source IP address management and data center infrastructure management platform, which was created by the network team at DigitalOcean to store the information about your networks, virtual machines, inventories, and many more.
Source: www.tecmint.com
Best IP Address Management Tools for Linux
NetBox is an open-source web based IP address management and data center infrastructure management application. It was developed more particulary to address the requirements of network and infrastructure engineers.
Source: www.tecmint.com

FusionInventory Reviews

We have no reviews of FusionInventory yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, NetBox should be more popular than FusionInventory. It has been mentiond 21 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

NetBox mentions (21)

  • Share your greatest free tools
    Netbox. https://netbox.readthedocs.io/en/stable/ Your “Source of Truth” for your network. NetBox is an infrastructure resource modeling (IRM) application designed to empower network automation. Initially conceived by the network engineering team at DigitalOcean, NetBox was developed specifically to address the needs of network and infrastructure engineers. NetBox is made available as open source under the Apache... Source: about 3 years ago
  • What do you use to track disks and other hardware?
    Currently we are using [SnipeIT](https://snipeitapp.com/) to track our disks, hardware and machines, and [Netbox](https://netbox.readthedocs.io/en/stable/) to track physical layout and locations. Source: about 3 years ago
  • What does a longer career related to computing infrastructure look like?
    You might find it educational/interesting to have a look at Netbox. It's a fairly well respected piece of software that manages network hardware and configuration. Source: about 3 years ago
  • How does proper documentation look like?
    You could take a look at netbox . It’s a little hard to set up at first but worth it in the end IMO. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Web Application That Shows Switch Ports Mapping
    However I'd suggest that Netbox is the more modern and functional solution to this problem. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

FusionInventory mentions (3)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing NetBox and FusionInventory, you can also consider the following products

phpIPAM - phpipam is an open-source web IP address management application (IPAM).

Snipe-IT - Managing assets with a Google doc or a shared Excel spreadsheet is more common than you think.

RackTables - Racktables is a nifty and robust solution for datacenter and server room asset management.

GLPI - GLPI is the Information Resource-Manager with an additional Administration- Interface.

DCImanager - DCImanager is a platform for managing physical equipment. Connect any physical equipment to a single platform. Use the platform to manage your servers, switches, PDU as well as physical and virtual networks.

Open-AudIT - Open-AudIT is a network auditing application.