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NCM: lost possibilities
Updated July 19, 2020

NCM: lost possibilities

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 4 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM)

Initially purchased for Network Switch management, but only used for configuration backups. It does not address configuration management as we've hoped it would because of SolarWinds inability to support the mainstream HP/Aruba devices by this product's device templates.
  • Configuration Backups
  • Support of mainstream network hardware manufacturers
  • Intelligent approach to NCM reporting logic (NCM stack in 15-25 years ago approach)
  • We were able to move network device config backup under the same roof as their monitoring. Nothing else.
We are actually evaluating new products so that we can move away from SolarWinds at the first opportunity (to something that works for CISCO Viptela routers and HP/Aruba switches, as well as Aruba Wireless APs and controller). So far we keep losing visibility (like many SolarWinds customers) with newer devices and firmware versions coming to the market that SolarWinds is unable to support.
It is OK for scheduled configuration backups, but unusable with non-CISCO products when it comes to configuration management. Since less and less companies use CISCO LAN/WLAN devices due to exorbitant pricing, HP/Aruba had to be supported, but did not happen. THWACK is full of unanswered questions (2+ year old) about SolarWinds not supporting HP/Aruba devices config management. SolarWinds customers have to rely on the 3rd party-created templates and/or re-use many templates. Essentially SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager does not fulfill its "Configuration Manager" part of the name.

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM) Premier Support

ROI

Yes - Less known network device backup/restore tool
  • Product Features
  • Existing Relationship with the Vendor
We've got network devices under the same Orion umbrella, but could not use NCM fully due to its lack of support for HP/Aruba devices.

Evaluating SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM) and Competitors

If we could find a similar product, which would work for our HP/Aruba switches in conjunction with resolving another problem with Cisco Viptels (VS NPM), plus the functionality. similar to NTA, we would switch away from SolarWinds in a heartbeat

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM) Support

No different VS any other SolarWinds products we have to deal with. Support is not well trained and seem to be internally discouraged from escalating even if they do not know what to do.
ProsCons
None
Slow Resolution
Less knowledgeable
Escalation required
Difficult to get immediate help
Need to explain problems multiple times
We had a couple of cases of the exceptional SW support (very uncommon and extraordinary for SW). Just got lucky getting into someone above the average support level.

Using SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM)

Lack of support for HP/Aruba switches' configuration management (30-40% of the market for this type of devices)
ProsCons
Convenient
Do not like to use
Not well integrated
Inconsistent
Slow to learn
  • Backups
  • Config Templates
  • Restores to remote locations without IT personnel in place