Especially advantageous for large enterprises, network automation software removes the human element, thereby enhancing workflow efficiency while lowering operating expenses, removing margin of error, and improving compliance with configuration policies. As a result of such automation, it’s possible to improve efficiency and success in areas like configuration and continuity management, network maintenance and security, error response and recovery, traffic flow, and overall device health. The six network automation tools listed below all feature bulk action capabilities to enable monitoring and speed deployment of configuration changes across hundreds or thousands of devices across data centers and virtual networks. To further strengthen network security, automated scans and testing uncover vulnerabilities in need of attention, and daily checks help meet regulatory requirements. The continuous automatic backup and deep analysis provided by these tools can reduce recovery time and hassle. Network automation software, like the six tools we’ve shared below, makes it easy to set up a standardized configuration, assign the settings to each device of the same make and model entering the network, alert on unauthorized configuration changes via email notifications, and bulk-reverse changes, all with reduced human interaction. For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on software-based automated network management.Ī crucial component of network management revolves around device configuration. Any type of network can use automation via both hardware and software-based tools. Network automation involves the process of setting up software to consolidate tasks by automatically scheduling, managing, configuring, and deploying device commands across physical and virtual networks, to maximize functionality and security. How to Choose the Best Network Automation Software But First, How Does Network Automation Work? ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager.SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (Comprehensive solution).Kiwi CatTools (Perfect for smaller networks).Small businesses may find SolarWinds Kiwi CatTools ® ideal for their needs, given the software’s straightforward yet powerful infrastructure for network automation. For large enterprises with a vast multi-vendor reach, SolarWinds ® Network Configuration Manager (NCM) sets itself apart from others as the superior network automation software, with its easy out-of-the-box functionality designed for critical network automation support and compliance-ready reports. Embracing automated network management is a step into not only the future but also towards improved network service and business efficiency.īelow, we’ve rounded up six of the best automated network management tools.
Traditionally, IT managers would issue manual command lines to manage networks, but given the size of today’s business networks, manual workflows dealing with repetitive network tasks have become time-consuming and counterproductive, often at risk of incurring errors from manual implementation. In today’s technology-driven world, network automation tools have evolved from convenience to necessity in practically every IT field.