What is Network Management Software?

Network management configuration software refers to tools or applications that assist network administrators in managing and configuring network devices and infrastructure. These software solutions provide features and functionality that streamline and automate various network management tasks.

IT system administration, provisioning, and control are performed using network management software. These tools assist users in comprehending the users, the structure, and the functionality of their network. These are utilised by businesses to enhance reporting on current networks and tighten management over linked systems. Many products include network mapping features to show connected infrastructure and devices. For configuration management between cloud services and remote network connections, some contemporary network administration technologies are employed.

 Although they offer less administrative options, network monitoring software is closely related to network management tools. Instead, traffic, accessibility, and network health are continuously analysed by network monitoring technologies. Additionally, there is a connection to networking software for data centres. These programmes offer comparable network management features created especially for data centres and their linked networks.

A product must meet the following criteria in order to be considered for the Network Management Software category:

• grant governing authority over computer networks
• setup of network-connected devices
• Locate and identify fresh network connections

Some people can be confused about What Network Configuration Management software actually is and does, and the usefulness of it might not be immediately obvious.

 In essence, as the name clearly suggests, it is for network configuration, which on a small scale obviously doesn’t seem to be very useful (although, to be honest, it still can be!). However, Network Configuration Management, or NCM, becomes increasingly powerful when you work with medium- and large-sized networks.

 From a single management panel, you can quickly analyse the complete network architecture and make significant changes, and you can be sure that it will try to ensure that all configurations are appropriate and do not conflict with one another.

 Almost everything an NCMS does can be done manually, but it necessitates repeatedly manually signing in to each device and updating each configuration one by one.

 The NCM software makes it simple for you to make changes, and you can even specify permission levels to ensure that other admins can’t unintentionally make too many changes while still allowing them to seek modifications that must wait for approval.

 What are the Benefits of Network Management Software?

Boost network performance by monitoring, assessing, and reporting performance indicators including traffic volume and availability with network management software. Users can forecast resource requirements and load balance based on need using performance information. The user can improve their device, for instance, if an internal network device is a bottleneck. Users can increase their cloud resource capacity if the internal network infrastructure is working but the external cloud server is restricting network performance. Users can precisely identify the performance issue and take appropriate action thanks to the information provided by network management software.

 Manage a large number of devices with ease: Users can use a configuration management dashboard to manage their network and device setup. This entails setting up numerous devices and managing settings inside a single workflow. The programme also enables configuration backup, enabling IT managers to restart the network without having to manually configure everything from scratch in the event of a malfunction or human error.

 Boost network security: Security administration shields data from hackers and unwanted access. To provide real-time security, users can configure user authentication, data encryption, access distribution, firewalls, and other security parameters.

 Selection of Network Management Software

 Assemble a selection squad

No matter the size of the business, it’s critical to start the selection process for network management software with the most pertinent staff members. Larger organisations may add lone team members to fill positions like system owners, IT specialists, and developers who will be closely working with the programme. Roles may overlap in smaller businesses with fewer personnel.

 Negotiation

Many businesses provide comprehensive network-related solutions that go beyond network management and cover things like monitoring application performance and cloud infrastructure. While some businesses won’t compromise on the package configurations they provide, consumers trying to cut expenses should try to haggle down to the precise features that are important to them in order to get the best deal. For instance, network management features might only be included with a powerful all-in-one monitoring package on a vendor’s pricing website, but a sales interaction might reveal otherwise.

 final judgement

Following this step, it’s crucial to do a test with a chosen group of IT experts or engineers. This will make sure that the programme works well with a developer’s regular tasks or an IT administrator’s system configuration. The consumer can assume their choice is the best one if the tool is well-liked and frequently used. If not, it could be important to reevaluate the possibilities.

Here are some key features and benefits of network management configuration software:

• Device Discovery and Inventory:

1. 1. • Automatically discover network devices and create an inventory of the network infrastructure.
      • Retrieve device information such as IP addresses, device types, firmware versions, and serial numbers.
      • Maintain an up-to-date inventory to track changes and ensure accurate device management.

• Configuration Backup and Restore:

1. 1. • Automate the process of backing up network device configurations on a regular basis.
      • Store configuration backups securely for easy restoration in case of device failure or misconfiguration.
      • Enable administrators to quickly recover configurations to minimise downtime.

• Configuration Templates and Baselines:

1. 1. • Create and manage standardised configuration templates or baselines for different device types.
      • Define best practices and predefined settings to ensure consistency across the network.
      • Apply templates during device configuration to enforce compliance and reduce human error.

• Configuration Deployment:

1. 1. • Facilitate bulk configuration deployment to multiple devices simultaneously.
      • Automate the provisioning of new devices with predefined configurations.
      • Deploy configuration changes across the network efficiently and consistently.

• Configuration Compliance and Validation:

1. 1. • Perform configuration audits to ensure compliance with predefined standards and policies.
      • Validate configurations against security guidelines and regulatory requirements.
      • Identify deviations and non-compliant settings for remediation.

• Change Management and Version Control:

1. 1. • Implement a change management process to track and manage configuration changes.
      • Maintain a version control system to store and compare configuration revisions.
      • Enable administrators to roll back to previous configurations if necessary.

• Configuration Monitoring and Alerting:

1. 1. • Continuously monitor network device configurations for changes or unauthorised modifications.
      • Generate alerts or notifications for configuration discrepancies or policy violations.
      • Detects and responds to configuration drift or non-compliance in real-time.

• Automated Troubleshooting and Remediation:

1. 1. • Provide automated troubleshooting capabilities to identify and resolve configuration-related issues.
      • Suggest corrective actions or provide step-by-step guidance for issue resolution.
      • Streamline the troubleshooting process to reduce mean time to repair (MTTR).

• Reporting and Analytics:

1. 1. • Generate comprehensive reports on network device configurations, compliance, and changes.
      • Analyse configuration data to identify trends, patterns, and potential optimization opportunities.
      • Gain insights into network performance, security, and capacity planning.

• Integration and API Support:

• Integrate with other network management tools and systems for seamless operation.
• Provide APIs and integration capabilities to enable custom workflows and integrations.
• Support integration with network monitoring, security, and orchestration platforms.

Network management configuration software simplifies and enhances the management of network devices, ensuring consistency, compliance, and efficient operations. It saves time, reduces errors, and improves overall network reliability and security.