Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

rConfig VS NetDisco

Compare rConfig VS NetDisco and see what are their differences

rConfig logo rConfig

rConfig is a free open source network device configuration management utility for network engineers...

NetDisco logo NetDisco

Netdisco is an Open Source web-based network management tool first released publically in 2003.
  • rConfig Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26
  • NetDisco Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-27

rConfig features and specs

  • Open Source
    rConfig is free to use and modify, allowing users to tailor it to their specific network management needs.
  • CLI-Based Automation
    It supports automated configuration backups and changes via command-line interface, which is efficient for managing large network environments.
  • Multi-Vendor Support
    rConfig supports devices from multiple vendors, making it versatile for heterogeneous network infrastructures.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The tool provides an intuitive web-based user interface that simplifies network configuration and management tasks.
  • Secure
    Offers secure communication via SSH for device interactions, helping to maintain network security compliance.

Possible disadvantages of rConfig

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to some commercial solutions, rConfig may lack advanced features like deep analytics or comprehensive reporting tools.
  • Community Support
    As an open-source tool, it primarily relies on community support, which might not be as robust or responsive as official vendor support.
  • Complex Initial Setup
    The initial setup might be complex for users who are not familiar with network management tools, potentially requiring a steep learning curve.
  • Updates and Bug Fixes
    Updates and bug fixes might not be as frequent or timely compared to proprietary software, potentially impacting reliability over time.
  • Scalability Constraints
    While suitable for small to medium networks, rConfig may face scalability challenges in very large or rapidly growing network environments.

NetDisco features and specs

  • Comprehensive Discovery
    NetDisco offers robust network discovery features, using SNMP and other protocols to automatically map the network topology, providing an accurate overview of all connected devices.
  • Web-Based Interface
    The tool features a user-friendly web-based interface, allowing network administrators to access network data remotely and with ease.
  • Device Inventory
    NetDisco maintains an extensive inventory of devices, including details such as vendor, model, and IP address, which facilitates network management and monitoring.
  • Free and Open Source
    As a free and open-source solution, NetDisco can be used and modified without licensing costs, making it accessible to a wide range of users and organizations.
  • Community Support
    Being open source, NetDisco boasts a strong community support network that contributes to its development and provides assistance to users through forums and documentation.

Possible disadvantages of NetDisco

  • Complex Setup
    The initial setup and configuration of NetDisco can be complex and time-consuming, requiring a good understanding of network protocols and system configurations.
  • Resource Intensive
    NetDisco can be resource-intensive, especially in large network environments, necessitating adequate hardware and resources for optimal performance.
  • Limited to SNMP
    Dependence on SNMP for device discovery and management can be a limitation, as SNMP must be enabled and configured on devices, and is sometimes seen as outdated compared to newer protocols.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    For new users who are not familiar with network management tools or SNMP, understanding how to utilize all features of NetDisco effectively can require significant learning time.
  • Interface Design
    Some users may find the interface design to be outdated or not as visually appealing as commercial alternatives, which could affect the user experience.

rConfig videos

rConfig 3.9.2 - Remote Code Execution

NetDisco videos

Network Discovery With netdiscover - Discover Internal IP Addresses

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to rConfig and NetDisco)
Network Automation
33 33%
67% 67
Configuration Auditing
41 41%
59% 59
Backup And Disaster Recovery
Change Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using rConfig and NetDisco. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, NetDisco seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 16 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.

rConfig mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of rConfig yet. Tracking of rConfig recommendations started around Mar 2021.

NetDisco mentions (16)

  • Finding port assignments by mac address on HP switch
    If it's an ongoing task, perhaps http://netdisco.org/ would be useful for you? Source: about 2 years ago
  • Considering a network overhaul. Need advice on Fortinet/FortiSwitch/Aruba/etc.
    Currently the Arubas are managed by CLI/NetDisco. Its great, but NetDisco cant do much beyond identifying devices, and setting the untagged vlan - and I need to break out putty for anything else. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Who doesn't enjoy network programming/automation
    Netdisco does this. http://netdisco.org/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Is there a paid or free tool/utility out there I can use to automate the creation of a decent network diagram?
    Http://netdisco.org/ can generate network maps. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Service to keep track of network devices
    On another job I’ve successfully used netdisco for this! Source: almost 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing rConfig and NetDisco, you can also consider the following products

Unimus - Unimus is a Network Automation and Configuration management (NCM) solution designed for fast deployment network-wide and ease of use. Unimus does not require learning any abstraction or templating languages, and does not require any coding skills.

GenieACS - A fast and lightweight TR-069 Auto Configuration Server (ACS)

Oxidized - configuration backup software (IOS, JunOS) - silly attempt at rancid

RANCID - RANCID - Really Awesome New Cisco confIg Differ.

Kiwi CatTools - Kiwi CatTools is a network automation and configuration management software that manage configurations from the desktop for network devices.

SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper - Automatically plot your network in minutes with network mapping software