Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager VS NetDisco

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

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

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.

NetDisco logo NetDisco

Netdisco is an Open Source web-based network management tool first released publically in 2003.
  • SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-23
  • NetDisco Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-27

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.

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.

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager videos

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Overview

More videos:

  • Review - What is SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

NetDisco videos

Network Discovery With netdiscover - Discover Internal IP Addresses

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager and NetDisco)
Monitoring Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Network Automation
0 0%
100% 100
Security
100 100%
0% 0
Configuration Auditing
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager 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.

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager yet. Tracking of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager 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: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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