The evolution of automation from a perceived myth to a tangible reality has been a remarkable journey. Its profound impact is notably evident in the realm of networking, where it has addressed various challenges that administrators faced in their day-to-day operations prior to its integration.
These challenges included:
- Needing regular configuration backups because the absence of backups could pose difficulties in restoring networks during unexpected downtime.
- Detecting configuration changes in real time because the absence of detection could lead to unauthorized changes being implemented in the production environment, causing network downtime and related issues.
- Ensuring compliance with standard policies across multiple devices because noncompliance could result in vulnerabilities, substantial fines, and a loss of trust in the organization.
- Coping with time-consuming, repetitive tasks that consumed a significant portion of IT administrators’ time.
- Ensuring that the firmware of multiple devices remained free from vulnerabilities to prevent potential breaches and safeguard critical resources.
The advent of automation prompted the search for optimized solutions capable of automating these manual tasks.
ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager is one such comprehensive network automation tool, meticulously designed to elevate the efficiency of network administrators on a broader scale.
As reported by WebinarCare, approximately 95% of network changes are executed manually, leading to operational costs that are two to three times higher than the actual network expenses.
Unlocking the benefits: How network automation transforms your network
- Automated backups: Network automation software offers automated backup support triggered by any detected changes, streamlining administrative tasks more than manual setups. This ensures that stable configurations are readily available during network downtime.
- Reduced human error: Network automation via network automation software minimizes the risk of human error in network configurations, which ensures consistency and accuracy in network setups and prevents network downtime.
- Compliance management: Network automation ensures adherence to regulations and internal policies, reducing the risks of security vulnerabilities and compliance-related issues.
- Improved efficiency: Network automation streamlines repetitive tasks, reducing the time and effort required for configurations and updates. This leads to increased operational efficiency.
- Faster deployment: Automated processes enable quicker deployment of network services and applications, accelerating the overall pace of project implementation.
- Enhanced scalability: Automation allows networks to scale more easily and adapt to growing demands without the need for extensive manual intervention.
- Faster troubleshooting: Automated monitoring and diagnostics enable quicker identification and resolution of network issues, minimizing downtime and improving overall network reliability.
- Enhanced security: Automation software can enforce security policies consistently across the network, reducing the risk of security breaches and ensuring a more robust network security posture.
- Cost savings: By automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks, organizations can achieve cost savings through increased operational efficiency and reduced manual labor requirements.
You can harness these advantages by leveraging Network Configuration Manager for your network automation requirements. Now, let’s delve into the intricate details of the diverse network automation capabilities offered by Network Configuration Manager.
Network Configuration Manager: Your comprehensive network automation software
Network Configuration Manager serves as a comprehensive, multi-vendor network configuration and change management (NCCM) solution for all your network devices.
It empowers you to exercise full authority over the life cycle of device configuration management. The key automation features of Network Configuration Manager include the following:
- Automated backups of configurations
- Real-time notifications about changes
- Automation with Configlets
- Advanced compliance management
- Vigilant management of firmware vulnerabilities
- Critical network task scheduling
Automated backups of configurations
The importance of backups in swiftly restoring a network during unexpected downtime cannot be overstated. However, in a large, manual network setup, the consistent execution of backups is susceptible to human error, which could have disastrous consequences.
Network Configuration Manager addresses this concern by offering automated configuration backups, assuring administrators that the system independently performs backups at regular intervals to effectively eliminate this risk. The automated backup capability is activated only when change detection is enabled for the relevant devices.
Here’s an overview of how automated backups operate in Network Configuration Manager:
- Whenever an admin, operator, or user logs in to or out of a network device, the device generates a syslog message.
- These syslog messages are sent to the integrated syslog server within Network Configuration Manager, which actively monitors for logout messages.
- Upon detecting a logout message, Network Configuration Manager initiates a configuration backup for the specific network device. This precaution is taken because every logout event carries the potential for alterations to the device’s configuration file.
- The newly backed-up configuration file undergoes a thorough comparison with the most recent version stored in Network Configuration Manager. It is meticulously examined for any new modifications.
- If changes are identified, the backed-up configuration file undergoes encryption and is securely stored in Network Configuration Manager’s database. In the absence of changes, the backed-up file is promptly discarded.
Real-time notifications about changes
In a manual configuration environment, it is difficult to thoroughly scrutinize any changes before deploying them in a production setting. Administrators may unintentionally overlook certain configurations, or operators might implement changes without proper authorization, leading to incidents.
Network Configuration Manager addresses this challenge by providing administrators with automatic change notifications whenever a modification is made to any network device. Various notification channels are available, encompassing the following:
- Emails
- SNMP traps
- Syslog messages
- Tickets
Network Configuration Manager is also equipped with a rollback feature that offers two options: rolling back to the previous version and rolling back to the version labeled as the baseline.
You can opt for either, and Network Configuration Manager will automatically undo the changes to the selected devices as specified.
Automation with Configlets
Administrators often contend with manual tasks, particularly those that are routine and repetitive, such as updating passwords or enabling and disabling SNMPv3.
Although these tasks hold significance, they can consume too much time and impede scalability.
Network Configuration Manager’s Configlets provide a solution. Administrators can utilize templates for a range of critical tasks to swiftly complete them within minutes.
This feature proves beneficial for tasks such as updating firmware, bolstering security measures, and ensuring compliance. You can also choose to schedule the execution of these tasks depending on your requirements.
Advanced compliance management
Ensuring compliance is a pivotal element of network management, yet it poses challenges when managed manually. Administrators may unintentionally miss policy violations on devices, leading to potential fines and harm to the organization’s reputation. Noncompliance also exposes the network to security vulnerabilities.
Network Configuration Manager provides a solution by enabling efficient oversight of compliance across multiple devices, addressing key regulations such as the PCI DSS, SOX, and HIPAA. Moreover, a CIS Benchmarks policy is available, specifically tailored to ensure compliance with Cisco IOS and Cisco ASA devices. The noncompliance remediation process can be automated through the use of Configlets. Additionally, you can obtain immediate reports on your compliance status.
Vigilant management of firmware vulnerabilities
Firmware has emerged as a primary target of malicious attackers seeking unauthorized access to and exploitation of devices. In manual management environments, administrators often discover a firmware attack only after it has taken place, leaving the network exposed.
Network Configuration Manager adopts a proactive approach by automatically retrieving data from NIST daily, keeping administrators informed about vulnerable data.
It furnishes a comprehensive list of susceptible devices, along with their CVE IDs, their base scores, their severity levels, and links to patches for swift resolution.
This capability empowers administrators to stay ahead of potential firmware disasters, ensuring a secure, smoothly operating environment. Additionally, dedicated vulnerability reports offer a comprehensive view of devices’ statuses and processes.
Here is the workflow of the vulnerability detection process in Network Configuration Manager:
Critical network task scheduling
Certain tasks don’t require immediate execution and should be carried out at specified intervals. In manual network setups, administrators are responsible for remembering to perform these tasks at the designated times, which they may inadvertently overlook, leading to potential risks.
Network Configuration Manager provides the ability to schedule critical network tasks during your preferred dates and times. It offers various scheduling options, such as daily, weekly, monthly, or one-time execution.
Supported scheduled tasks include the following:
- Backing up configurations
- Generating reports
- Running compliance checks
- Executing Configlets
- Discovering devices
- Configuring syncing
- Reviewing the PCI DSS
Thus, with its extensive array of network automation capabilities, Network Configuration Manager enables organizations to achieve heightened scalability and establish a robust network environment that can be tailored to both small- and large-scale infrastructures. It also boasts a user-friendly interface, minimizing the learning curve for network administrators.
Excited to explore the advantages of this network automation software?
Keen on gaining expert guidance and insights about the product? Complete this form to request a free demo.
Already have a specific budget in mind? Share your requirements through this form to receive a personalized price quote.
For more in-depth information, delve into the dedicated page specifically designed for the software.