NetBrain vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager comparison

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NetBrain Logo
1,376 views|878 comparisons
75% willing to recommend
SolarWinds Logo
1,923 views|1,511 comparisons
93% willing to recommend
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between NetBrain and SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Network Automation solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed NetBrain vs. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Report (Updated: May 2024).
772,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"Enables maps to be drawn out.""Chain management is a good feature. I don't get it on other solutions.""A reliable, time-saving tool for providing accurate layer 2 and layer 3 network mappings.""This product has good network monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities.""NetBrain is a very simple tool."

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"Its main functionality is highly beneficial as it centralizes the management of configuration items across the network.""The scanning features have proven to be highly valuable, particularly due to the comprehensive information they provide.""The feature that I really enjoy is the ability to script changes across all of your devices.""It is pretty straightforward to set up.""Compared to other vendors, like NetBrain, managing the solution is easy. They made it very user-friendly.""It allows us to manage backups in big companies. It is also useful in managing the configuration changes.""The configuration compliance aspect of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager allows for easy comparison of configuration settings across branches, ensuring adherence to security guidelines and best practices. Automation capabilities have greatly impacted workflows, enabling tasks such as configuration backups, template deployment, and firmware upgrades to be automated, thereby streamlining processes and saving time. Compliance reporting features provide valuable insights into network compliance, offering pre-built security audit reports and customizable options to meet specific requirements.""The most valuable Real-time fault detection is beneficial as it enables the identification of changes made to a device's configuration through the SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. This makes it easy to pinpoint which configurations were added or removed, potentially causing network issues. Such changes are saved in logs for future reference."

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Cons
"Each device needs to be configured to allow NetBrain to poll for the information it needs, which can be very time-consuming for a large network.""It would be nice if the setup was a little simpler. Also, if the solution could provide more training materials for new people coming into our company so they can quickly learn how to use the functionalities.""The IP interface brief isn't consistent.""Support needs to improve for the installed product and some of the reporting could be more flexible to provide more complete cataloging.""The solution could integrate more automation."

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"The Network Configuration Manager needs to improve the access control list compliance.""The network flow is a problem for this solution.""The only thing that requires some experience, and training doesn't fix, is how to set up your custom policy-based reports to check compliance.""When it comes to the way of managing the network devices, SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager should provide the simplest way that devices can relate to the server. For example, when we want to get the devices on board, we go by SSH to make the SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager create the connectivity with the device. After that, we pull the configuration. It would be helpful if they could combine both so that everything will be done in one step.""We want to be able to store it in a data warehouse format and integrate it with Google single sign-on.""I'd like to see additional features like support for devices that don't use CLI for configuration backups, expanded inventory support for other vendors beyond Cisco, and compatibility with newer SD WAN devices. These enhancements would further improve the product's versatility and utility for users. we hope for future enhancements, especially in supporting security devices that lack CLI backup options.""The solution could have better integration.""The solution could improve by being more secure."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "The product is expensive, but less expensive than some of the competition and worth the price."
  • "Licensing is based on a per-device basis, which means that it can get very expensive if you have a large number of devices."
  • More NetBrain Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "With a minimal bundle, we pay about $3000 a year in licensing costs. If you have multiple devices in your network, you must buy the bundle, which is 100% identical for your infrastructure. If you have 15 devices, you need 15 licenses, for example. That's one bundle. You don't pay for anything over and above that."
  • "You have a base license for 50 devices, and then you can add more licenses as you go."
  • "There is a license for the use of this solution and it is priced well, there is a lot of value for the money."
  • "I have a yearly subscription."
  • "In Africa, the cost is a major factor in decision-making for many companies. As a result, some companies may choose cheaper solutions, even if they are open-source, over more expensive ones, such as SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. However, as an engineer, I believe that the functionalities and services offered by SolarWinds justify the cost. Nonetheless, many companies in Africa may still view the prices as unaffordable."
  • "There is a license needed to use SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager."
  • "The price of the solution is high compared to other solutions."
  • "We have to pay additionally for its support and maintenance."
  • More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Top Answer:The configuration compliance aspect of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager allows for easy comparison of configuration settings across branches, ensuring adherence to security guidelines and best… more »
    Top Answer:I'd like to see additional features like support for devices that don't use CLI for configuration backups, expanded inventory support for other vendors beyond Cisco, and compatibility with newer SD… more »
    Ranking
    5th
    out of 22 in Network Automation
    Views
    1,376
    Comparisons
    878
    Reviews
    0
    Average Words per Review
    0
    Rating
    N/A
    3rd
    out of 22 in Network Automation
    Views
    1,923
    Comparisons
    1,511
    Reviews
    12
    Average Words per Review
    675
    Rating
    8.3
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    SolarWinds NCM
    Learn More
    Overview

    Managing today’s networks with yesterday’s manual processes is no longer a viable solution. NetBrain’s network automation platform provides actionable insights into your network to help you make better and faster decisions - particularly when you’re troubleshooting, securing, and making changes to the network.

    Before you monitor your network, configure it! A reliable and secure network starts with carefully planned, executed, and monitored network configuration and change management. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM) saves time and improves network reliability and security by managing configurations, changes, and compliance for routers, switches, and other network devices from Cisco, Juniper, HP, Dell, Brocade, Aruba, Rukus, and more.
    Sample Customers
    CompuCon, TD Ameritrade, Move Inc.
    United Lincolnshire Hospitals, Air Rarotonga, NetSuite, Thai AirAsia, REA Group, 335th Signal Command, Agilisys, Marine Expeditionary Force
    Top Industries
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company14%
    Government11%
    Financial Services Firm10%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    REVIEWERS
    Manufacturing Company25%
    Financial Services Firm13%
    Sports Company13%
    Healthcare Company13%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Government12%
    Computer Software Company11%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    Financial Services Firm9%
    Company Size
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business20%
    Midsize Enterprise10%
    Large Enterprise70%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business48%
    Midsize Enterprise22%
    Large Enterprise30%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business19%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise64%
    Buyer's Guide
    NetBrain vs. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager
    May 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about NetBrain vs. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager and other solutions. Updated: May 2024.
    772,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    NetBrain is ranked 5th in Network Automation while SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is ranked 3rd in Network Automation with 22 reviews. NetBrain is rated 7.2, while SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of NetBrain writes "Good monitoring and troubleshoot capabilities, improves overall network traffic visibility". On the other hand, the top reviewer of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager writes "Streamlines network configuration and compliance processes through its centralized dashboard, although its compatibility with multi-vendor devices may present limitations". NetBrain is most compared with Cisco DNA Center, ThousandEyes, Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, SolarWinds Network Automation Manager and SolarWinds NPM, whereas SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is most compared with Cisco DNA Center, Cisco Prime, Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform and OpenText Network Node Manager i. See our NetBrain vs. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager report.

    See our list of best Network Automation vendors.

    We monitor all Network Automation reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.