Aruba NetEdit - Detailed Review
Networking Tools
Aruba NetEdit - Product Overview
Overview of Aruba NetEdit
Aruba NetEdit is a powerful networking tool that simplifies and automates the configuration and management of network devices, particularly switches. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
Aruba NetEdit is designed to automate the configuration of multiple network switches, ensuring that deployments are consistent, compliant, and error-free. It integrates automation, analytics, and intelligent assistance to streamline network configuration changes and maintenance.
Target Audience
The primary users of Aruba NetEdit are IT teams and network administrators responsible for managing and configuring network infrastructure. This tool is particularly useful for organizations with large-scale networks, where manual configuration and maintenance can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Key Features
Intelligent Configuration
NetEdit provides intelligent configuration assistance with built-in validation, ensuring that changes are consistent and compliant with corporate policies and network architecture design.
Multi-Device Editing
It allows operators to view and edit multiple device configurations simultaneously, using a user-friendly, CLI-like interface that includes features like syntax checking, command completion, and syntax highlighting.
Automated Deployment
NetEdit enables automated, large-scale configuration deployment without the need for programming. This feature includes change validation and individual success feedback, allowing for smooth coordination of network-wide changes.
Customized Validation Tests
Users can create customized validation tests to ensure compliance with corporate policies and network design. These tests can be easily managed from the settings page.
Advanced Analytics and Troubleshooting
Embedded with the Aruba Network Analytics Engine (NAE), NetEdit offers advanced analytics and troubleshooting capabilities. This helps in faster issue resolution and provides a holistic view of the network topology, including health summaries and NAE status.
Search and Audit
The tool allows for quick searches of all switch configurations, hardware, and software versions. It also provides audit functions to track changes to hardware, software, and configurations, whether made through NetEdit or directly on the switch.
User-Friendly Interface
NetEdit is accessible via a web browser-based interface and does not require retraining, as it leverages existing networking knowledge and experience. This makes it easy for IT teams to use without additional skills.
Overall, Aruba NetEdit is a valuable tool for IT teams looking to streamline network configuration, ensure compliance, and improve the overall health and security of their network infrastructure.
Aruba NetEdit - User Interface and Experience
User Interface
The user interface of Aruba NetEdit is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, particularly for network administrators familiar with switch configurations. Aruba NetEdit uses a web browser-based client/server application, making it accessible from any device with a web browser. The interface is organized into several key pages, each serving a specific purpose:
Overview
This is the landing page, providing a quick glance at key metrics through tiles such as Recent Configuration Changes, Device Configuration Policy Violations, and Unreachable Devices. These tiles can be customized based on saved search queries.
Network
Here, you can discover and manage devices. The Discover Devices dialog helps in identifying devices on specified IPv4 subnets.
Devices
This page allows for detailed management of individual devices, including editing configurations, viewing device attributes, and checking the revision history of configuration changes.
Plans
Users can create and manage plans to group devices and execute operations such as deploying configurations or firmware updates. There are specific plan types like Configuration Plans and Firmware Plans.
Other Pages
Additional pages include Firmware Repository, Users, Logs, Notifications, Diagnostics, and Settings, each providing specific functionalities to manage and monitor the network.
Ease of Use
Aruba NetEdit is built to leverage existing networking knowledge, making it easier for administrators to use without needing extensive retraining. Here are some key features that enhance ease of use:
Search and Edit
The application allows for quick searches of all switch configurations and enables editing of multiple devices simultaneously. It includes syntax checking similar to traditional CLI, ensuring that configurations are error-free.
Validation and Compliance
NetEdit automatically checks for compliance with corporate policies and network architecture design, ensuring that configurations are consistent and error-free. Users can customize these validation tests using their existing knowledge of configuration commands.
Deployment and Audit
The deployment feature allows for updating configurations on multiple switches with change validation and feedback. The audit feature tracks all changes to hardware, software versions, and configurations, making it easy to roll back to previous configurations if needed.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience is streamlined to facilitate efficient network management:
Intelligent Assistance
NetEdit provides continuous validation and intelligent assistance to ensure that device configurations are consistent and compliant with corporate policies.
Customization
Users can create custom tiles on the dashboard, add or remove fields in logs, and customize validation tests to fit their specific needs.
Role-Based Access
The application supports role-based access control with ADMIN and TECHNICIAN roles, ensuring that users have access only to the features and data relevant to their roles.
In summary, Aruba NetEdit offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, even for those without extensive programming knowledge. It provides powerful automation and validation tools, making network configuration and management more efficient and reliable.
Aruba NetEdit - Key Features and Functionality
Aruba NetEdit Overview
Aruba NetEdit is a powerful tool in the networking tools category, particularly tailored for managing and configuring network switches, especially the Aruba CX series. Here are the main features and how they work:
Intelligent Configuration with Validation
Aruba NetEdit enables IT teams to configure network switches intelligently, ensuring configurations are error-free, consistent, and compliant with corporate policies and network design standards. This feature uses automation and analytics to validate configurations before they are deployed, reducing the risk of human error.
Simultaneous Viewing and Editing of Multiple Devices
NetEdit allows operators to view and edit configurations of multiple devices simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful for large-scale networks, as it saves time and ensures that all relevant switches have consistent configurations. For example, you can centrally define settings like NTP or RADIUS server addresses for all switches or set ACL entries on specific access switches.
Customized Validation Tests
NetEdit includes customized validation tests that ensure configurations meet corporate compliance and network design requirements. These tests help maintain consistency across the network, ensuring that all changes align with predefined standards.
Automated Large-Scale Configuration Deployment
Without the need for programming, NetEdit automates the deployment of configuration changes across multiple switches. This automation ensures that large-scale deployments are smooth, consistent, and error-free. It also allows for staging deployments and validating their correctness before widespread implementation.
Change Tracking and Versioning
NetEdit tracks changes to hardware, software, and configurations, whether made through the NetEdit interface or directly on the switch. This automated versioning helps in maintaining a clear history of all changes, making it easier to manage and troubleshoot the network.
Dynamic Network Topology Visibility
The Network tab in NetEdit provides a holistic view of the network topology, including Aruba CX switches, Aruba access points, and third-party switches. This visibility helps in managing and troubleshooting the network more effectively.
One-Click Deployments with Auto-Verification
NetEdit allows for one-click deployments and rollbacks of configurations across multiple switches. It also includes auto-verification to ensure that the changes are working correctly before they are widely deployed. If issues arise, changes can be quickly rolled back.
Integration with Analytics and Troubleshooting Tools
NetEdit integrates with Aruba’s Network Analytics Engine (NAE) and other tools like ServiceNow and Slack. This integration provides real-time network-wide insights, helping IT operators detect, prioritize, and troubleshoot issues quickly. NAE alerts can be integrated into IT service management processes, enhancing problem resolution speed.
CLI-like Interface with Predictive Assistance
NetEdit offers a CLI-like interface with predictive assistance, making it easy to use without requiring new skills. This interface provides color-coded configurations and guides users through the configuration process, ensuring simplicity and operational ease.
Conclusion
In summary, Aruba NetEdit leverages automation, analytics, and AI-driven insights to streamline network configuration, ensure compliance, and enhance troubleshooting capabilities, all while providing a user-friendly interface that simplifies network management tasks.
Aruba NetEdit - Performance and Accuracy
Aruba NetEdit Overview
Aruba NetEdit is a powerful tool designed to automate and manage network configuration changes, particularly for Aruba switches. Here’s an evaluation of its performance and accuracy, along with some limitations and areas for improvement.
Performance
Aruba NetEdit excels in several performance aspects:
- Automation and Efficiency: It allows IT teams to automate large-scale configuration deployments without the need for programming, significantly reducing the time and effort required for network configuration changes.
- Intelligent Configuration: NetEdit provides intelligent configuration with validation for consistency and compliance, ensuring that network-wide configuration changes are error-free and conform to corporate policies.
- Real-Time Monitoring and Analytics: Integrated with the Aruba Network Analytics Engine (NAE), NetEdit offers real-time monitoring and analytics, enabling operators to quickly identify and troubleshoot network issues. This integration helps in reducing the mean time to resolution (MTTR) by providing actionable insights and automated diagnostics.
Accuracy
The accuracy of Aruba NetEdit is enhanced by several features:
- Continuous Validation: NetEdit ensures that device configurations are consistent, compliant, and error-free through continuous validation. This helps in maintaining the overall health and security of the network.
- Automated Versioning: The tool tracks changes to hardware, software, and configurations, whether made through NetEdit or directly on the switch, using automated versioning. This ensures that all changes are documented and traceable.
- NAE Integration: The integration with NAE provides detailed telemetry and historical data correlated with configuration changes, which aids in accurate root cause analysis and service impact assessment.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Despite its strengths, there are some areas where Aruba NetEdit could be improved:
- User Interface and Usability: Some users have reported issues with the user interface, such as layout problems, column sizing, and the need for better handling of multiple interface configurations. For example, editing configurations on multiple interfaces at once can be cumbersome, and there is a need for more intuitive ways to apply configuration changes across multiple switches.
- Role-Based Authentication and TACACS Access: There is a notable absence of role-based authentication and TACACS access, which are important features for many network administrators. This is an area where NetEdit still needs to improve.
- Configuration Editing: Users have highlighted the need for a more streamlined process when editing configurations across multiple switches. For instance, the ability to easily apply configuration lines to specific switches or groups of switches is currently lacking.
Conclusion
In summary, Aruba NetEdit is a powerful tool that significantly enhances the efficiency and accuracy of network configuration management. However, it still has some areas that require improvement, particularly in terms of user interface usability and additional feature support.
Aruba NetEdit - Pricing and Plans
Pricing Structure and Plans for Aruba NetEdit
Subscription Licenses
Aruba NetEdit is offered through subscription licenses, which can vary in duration and the number of nodes managed.- 1-Year Subscription: This license allows you to manage 1 node for a period of 1 year. It is priced around $57.85.
- 3-Year Subscription: This license also manages 1 node but for a duration of 3 years. The pricing for this option is not explicitly listed but requires a call for pricing.
Features
Regardless of the subscription duration, Aruba NetEdit offers several key features:- Intelligent Configuration: It provides error-free configuration with validation for consistency and compliance across multiple devices.
- Multi-Device Editing: Allows simultaneous viewing and editing of multiple device configurations, enabling centralized management of settings such as NTP or RADIUS server addresses.
- Dynamic Network Topology: Offers a holistic view of the network topology, including Aruba CX switches, Aruba access points, and third-party switches.
- Automated Assistance: Includes automated workflows and a user-friendly, CLI-like interface to facilitate smooth coordination of network changes and ensure policy conformance.
- Embedded Analytics: Utilizes the Aruba Network Analytics Engine (NAE) for continuous validation and to improve network health and security.
Free Option
There is a free option available, known as the “Starter Pack” license, which is essentially a trial license:- Starter Pack: This license allows management of up to 25 devices and does not technically expire. It is available in both version 1.x and 2.0 of NetEdit, but it does not include support.
Aruba NetEdit - Integration and Compatibility
Aruba NetEdit Overview
Aruba NetEdit, a key component of HPE Aruba’s networking tools, is designed to integrate seamlessly with various devices and platforms, offering several key benefits and compatibility features.Integration with AOS-CX Software
NetEdit is closely integrated with Aruba’s AOS-CX (ArubaOS-CX) software, which runs on Aruba switches. The tool provides intelligent configuration assistance and continuous validation to ensure that device configurations are consistent, compliant, and error-free. The compatibility between NetEdit and AOS-CX versions is carefully managed, with specific NetEdit versions recommended for different AOS-CX releases. For example, NetEdit version 2.13 is recommended for AOS-CX versions such as 10.15.0001, 10.14.1010, and others.Automation and Configuration
NetEdit automates multidevice configuration change workflows without the need for programming. It allows network operators to simultaneously view and edit multiple configurations, saving time and reducing errors. The tool also supports customized validation tests for corporate compliance and network design, ensuring that all changes align with organizational standards.Platform Compatibility
NetEdit can be deployed on various virtualization platforms. It supports deployment on VMware vSphere ESXi Server (version 6.0 or higher) and Microsoft Hyper-V (Windows Server 2019 or later). The server requirements include 6 CPUs, 32 GB RAM, and 115 GB disk space, ensuring that the tool can run efficiently in different virtual environments.Browser Support
For client-side access, NetEdit supports several browsers, including Chrome (version 75 or later) and Firefox (version 69 or later). This ensures that users can access and manage network configurations from a variety of web-based interfaces.Device Support
NetEdit supports a wide range of Aruba switch models, such as the Aruba 9300, Aruba 10000, Aruba 8360, and Aruba 6000 series. While it does not manage third-party devices, it can display third-party devices in the network topology view to ensure comprehensive network visibility.Topology and Management
The tool provides each user with their own network topology view, although changes made by one user are not automatically updated for other users. For Virtual Switching Framework (VSF) stacks, NetEdit supports certain operations like adding or removing ports from a VSF link, but other changes to the VSF stack must be made using the CLI or the Aruba CX mobile app to avoid potential issues.Security and Compliance
NetEdit integrates well with HPE Aruba’s broader security portfolio, including AI-powered network security solutions. While it does not directly manage security policies, it ensures that network configurations comply with organizational standards, which is crucial for maintaining a secure network environment.Conclusion
In summary, Aruba NetEdit is a versatile tool that integrates well with AOS-CX software, various virtualization platforms, and a range of Aruba switch models. Its ability to automate configuration changes, provide continuous validation, and support multiple browsers and devices makes it a valuable asset for network management. Aruba NetEdit - Customer Support and Resources
Support Services
Aruba offers 24x7x365 technical assistance through their global technical assistance centers (TAC). These centers provide AI-driven support with high customer satisfaction and net promoter scores. The support extends beyond just break/fix issues, including advice on configuration, administration, interoperability, and best practices.
Support Portal
The HPE Networking Support Portal is a key resource where customers can submit online RMAs, manage cases and assets, and access software and documentation downloads. The portal also features one-click entry for case management, digital RMA processing, and custom notification settings. Additionally, live chat support is available in multiple languages.
Airheads Community
The Airheads Community is a vibrant, interactive platform where users can learn and share knowledge about wireless and wired LANs, network security, mobile devices, applications, software-defined networking (SDN), and network management. This community is an excellent resource for troubleshooting, best practices, and staying updated on the latest network technologies.
Documentation and Updates
Customers can access updates, documentation, and other resources through the Aruba Support Portal or the HPE My Networking Website. For older networking products, the My Networking site may be necessary. It is important to note that some updates might require product entitlement, which can be managed through the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Support Center.
Warranty and Regulatory Information
Detailed warranty information for Aruba products can be found on the Aruba Support Services page. This includes product warranties and regulatory information, ensuring customers have all the necessary details about their product’s coverage.
Additional Resources
Knowledge Base and Forums
The Aruba Support Portal and the Airheads Community provide extensive knowledge bases and forums where users can find answers to common questions and share experiences.
Software Licensing
Information on software licensing can be accessed through the Aruba Support Portal and the HPE Licensing Management System (LMS).
End-of-Life Information
Customers can check the end-of-life status of their products on the Aruba Support Services page to plan for future upgrades or replacements.
By leveraging these resources, customers can ensure they get the most out of Aruba NetEdit while maintaining the reliability and security of their network infrastructure.
Aruba NetEdit - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Aruba NetEdit
Aruba NetEdit offers several significant advantages for network administrators and IT teams:
Automated Configuration and Orchestration
NetEdit allows for the automation of multidevice configuration change workflows without the need for programming. This feature enables IT teams to smoothly coordinate end-to-end service rollouts and initiate rapid network-wide changes.
Intelligent Configuration and Validation
The tool provides intelligent configuration with validation for consistency and compliance. It includes customized validation tests for corporate compliance and network design, ensuring that configurations are error-free and conform to policies.
Time Savings and Efficiency
NetEdit enables simultaneous viewing and editing of multiple configurations, saving time and reducing the likelihood of human error. It also offers a CLI-like interface with predictive assistance, making operations simpler and more efficient.
Advanced Analytics and Troubleshooting
Integrated with the Aruba Network Analytics Engine (NAE), NetEdit provides advanced analytics and troubleshooting capabilities. This integration allows for real-time monitoring, automated service impact analysis, and root cause identification, significantly reducing the mean time to resolution (MTTR).
Versioning and Change Tracking
The tool tracks changes to hardware, software, and configurations, whether made through NetEdit or directly on the switch, using automated versioning. This feature helps in maintaining a clear audit trail and ensuring configuration consistency.
Integration with Other Tools
NetEdit is tightly integrated with other Aruba tools like Aruba Central and third-party tools such as ServiceNow and Slack. This integration enhances IT service management processes and provides a unified management experience.
Disadvantages of Aruba NetEdit
While Aruba NetEdit offers numerous benefits, there are some limitations and considerations:
Compatibility
NetEdit is specifically designed to work with Aruba CX switches, which may limit its use if an organization uses switches from other manufacturers. This can be a significant constraint for mixed-vendor environments.
Learning Curve
Although NetEdit provides a user-friendly interface, there may still be a learning curve for IT teams unfamiliar with the tool. However, the CLI-like interface and predictive assistance help mitigate this issue.
Resource Requirements
Implementing and fully utilizing NetEdit may require additional resources, including training and potential hardware upgrades to ensure compatibility with the latest features and integrations.
Cost
While there is a free trial or a limited free version for up to 25 nodes, full-scale deployment of NetEdit may incur costs, which could be a barrier for some organizations.
Overall, Aruba NetEdit is a powerful tool for managing and configuring Aruba CX switches, offering significant advantages in automation, analytics, and troubleshooting. However, its compatibility and cost considerations need to be carefully evaluated.
Aruba NetEdit - Comparison with Competitors
When comparing Aruba NetEdit with other AI-driven networking tools, several key features and alternatives stand out.
Unique Features of Aruba NetEdit
Aruba NetEdit, part of the HPE Aruba networking portfolio, offers several distinctive features:- Intelligent Configuration: NetEdit provides error-free configuration with validation for consistency and compliance, ensuring configurations are accurate and aligned with corporate policies.
- Simultaneous Multi-Device Management: It allows for the simultaneous viewing and editing of multiple device configurations, which can significantly reduce the time and effort required for network management.
- Automated Large-Scale Configuration: NetEdit automates large-scale configuration deployments without the need for programming, making it easier to manage and configure multiple switches at once.
- Customized Validation Tests: It includes customized validation tests for corporate compliance and network design, ensuring that all configurations meet the required standards.
- CLI-like Interface with Predictive Assistance: NetEdit features a CLI-like interface with predictive assistance, making it user-friendly and requiring no new skills for network administrators.
Competitors and Alternatives
Juniper Networks AI-Native Networking Platform
Juniper’s platform, which includes the Mist Marvis Virtual Network Assistant (VNA), uses AI to unify campus, branch, and data center networking operations. It offers benefits such as reduced trouble tickets, lower operational expenses, and faster incident resolution. However, it is more focused on unified AI-driven operations across different network segments rather than the specific configuration management offered by NetEdit.Nile AI Services Platform
Nile’s platform includes AI applications for automating network design, configuration, and management. It features the Nile Services Cloud for AI-based network design and Nile Copilot and Autopilot for AI-based network monitoring and operations. While Nile’s platform is comprehensive, it is more geared towards integrated security and cloud-native service delivery, which might be broader in scope than the focused configuration management of NetEdit.LogicMonitor, Auvik, and NinjaOne
These tools are more focused on AI-driven network monitoring and management rather than configuration management. They offer features like anomaly detection, predictive analytics, and automated task management, but they do not provide the same level of automated configuration deployment and validation as NetEdit.Key Differences
- Scope of Automation: While tools like Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform and Nile’s AI Services Platform offer broad automation across various network operations, Aruba NetEdit is specifically tailored for automated configuration management of switches, making it highly specialized in this area.
- User Interface and Skills: NetEdit’s CLI-like interface with predictive assistance makes it accessible to network administrators without requiring new skills, which is a unique advantage compared to more complex AI-driven platforms.
- Integration and Compatibility: NetEdit is exclusively compatible with Aruba CX switches, which might limit its use compared to more versatile tools. However, for organizations already invested in Aruba infrastructure, this can be a significant advantage due to seamless integration.
Aruba NetEdit - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Aruba NetEdit
What is Aruba NetEdit and what are its primary functions?
Aruba NetEdit is a network management tool that automates the configuration, validation, and deployment of network settings across multiple switches. It provides intelligent, error-free configuration with validation for consistency and compliance, simultaneous viewing and editing of multiple devices, and automated large-scale configuration deployment without the need for programming.Which devices is Aruba NetEdit compatible with?
Aruba NetEdit is specifically designed to work with Aruba CX switches. It does not support other types of switches or devices outside of the Aruba CX series.How does Aruba NetEdit simplify network configuration?
Aruba NetEdit simplifies network configuration by providing a user-friendly, CLI-like interface that allows network administrators to edit multiple device configurations simultaneously. It includes features like syntax checking, command completion, and syntax highlighting, which help reduce errors and make the process more efficient. The tool also guides users through configuration steps using dynamic UI wizards, ensuring compliance with corporate policies and network design.What kind of validation does Aruba NetEdit offer?
Aruba NetEdit offers customized validation tests to ensure compliance with corporate policies and network design. These tests are automatically applied to all changes, ensuring that device configurations are consistent and error-free. Users can also define their own validation policies based on existing configuration commands.How does Aruba NetEdit handle deployment and rollback of configurations?
Aruba NetEdit allows users to stage deployments (or rollbacks) on multiple switches and validate the correct operation of switches after changes. It collects network and services state information before and after a change, displaying the differences so users can decide whether to keep or roll back the changes. This process is all within the allocated change window.Does Aruba NetEdit require extensive training or new skills?
No, Aruba NetEdit is designed to be used without requiring new skills or extensive training. It leverages existing networking knowledge and experience, allowing administrators to automate switch configuration change workflows using a familiar CLI-like interface.How can I get started with Aruba NetEdit?
If you are using Aruba CX switches, you can start with a free trial that includes 25 nodes. For more nodes, you can request a proposal and quote from your account manager. Additionally, you can schedule a free 30-minute demo with an engineer to see the tool in action and get your questions answered.What kind of analytics and troubleshooting capabilities does Aruba NetEdit offer?
Aruba NetEdit includes advanced analytics and troubleshooting features powered by the Aruba Network Analytics Engine (NAE). These features provide health summaries, NAE script and agent status, and detailed topology views, helping administrators quickly identify and resolve issues in the network.Can Aruba NetEdit track changes to network configurations?
Yes, Aruba NetEdit can track changes to hardware, software, and configurations, whether made through NetEdit or directly on the switch. It provides automated versioning, allowing administrators to keep a record of all changes made to the network.How does Aruba NetEdit display network topology?
Aruba NetEdit provides a holistic view of the network topology through its Network tab, which includes Aruba CX switches, Aruba access points, and even third-party switches. The topology view is customizable, allowing users to select and display various layers of information such as routing, segmentation, and client services.What kind of licensing options are available for Aruba NetEdit?
Aruba NetEdit is available through subscription licenses, typically offered on a yearly basis. These licenses can be purchased for a specific number of nodes, with options to expand as needed.