SolarWinds Network Automation Manager - Short Review

SolarWinds Network Automation Manager Overview

The SolarWinds Network Automation Manager is a comprehensive software solution designed to integrate network performance monitoring, change and configuration management, and IP address management into a single, unified web console. This tool is tailored to support on-premises, cloud, and hybrid IT environments, making it versatile for a wide range of network infrastructures.

Key Features

Network Performance Monitoring

The Network Automation Manager allows users to monitor the fault, availability, and performance of every node and path within the network. This includes real-time monitoring of network bandwidth usage, enabling administrators to pinpoint performance issues quickly.

Network Traffic Analysis

The software features integrated flow monitoring and analysis, which helps in identifying and managing network traffic and bandwidth hogs. This capability ensures that network resources are utilized efficiently and helps in optimizing network performance.

Configuration Management

It provides robust configuration management by allowing users to monitor, backup, and bulk deploy network device configurations. This functionality helps in quickly recovering from hardware faults and configuration errors, ensuring minimal downtime and maintaining network reliability.

IP Address Management (IPAM)

The tool includes IPAM capabilities, enabling automated subnet discovery and IP scanning. This helps in managing IP addresses effectively, detecting unauthorized or rogue devices, and monitoring switch port usage to enhance network security and visibility.

Network Security and Compliance

The Network Automation Manager includes features for network security and compliance, such as detecting and managing unauthorized devices, tracking users and endpoint devices, and ensuring compliance with network security policies. It also supports network compliance monitoring and troubleshooting to maintain a secure network environment.

WAN and VoIP Performance Monitoring

The software monitors the performance of the Wide Area Network (WAN) from the perspective of remote locations and assesses the impact on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) infrastructure. This ensures that critical communication services are always available and performing optimally.

High Availability and Scalability

To ensure the uptime of the monitoring system, the Network Automation Manager supports High Availability configurations. It is designed to scale from hundreds to tens of thousands of nodes, making it suitable for networks of virtually any size.

Additional Features

• Network Mapping and Discovery: Automated subnet discovery and IP scanning to map and understand the network topology.
• Customizable Dashboards and Alerting: Personalized dashboards and alerting systems to keep administrators informed about network status.
• Network Insights: Detailed insights into network performance and configuration.
• Cloud Monitoring: Support for monitoring cloud-based network resources.
• Wireless Network Monitoring: Monitoring of wireless network segments to ensure comprehensive network visibility.

Benefits

• Unified Management: Combines multiple network management functions into a single console, simplifying the management process.
• Enhanced Visibility: Provides real-time visibility into network performance, traffic, and configuration.
• Improved Security: Detects and manages unauthorized devices, ensuring network security.
• Scalability: Supports networks of all sizes, from small to large-scale environments.
• High Availability: Ensures continuous monitoring and minimal downtime.

The SolarWinds Network Automation Manager is trusted by over 150,000 engineers and is designed to streamline network management, improve performance, and enhance security across diverse IT environments.