Network configuration and change management (NCCM)

As business needs grow, frequent configuration changes are inevitable. While network admins can make these changes manually, the risk of errors is high, leading to faulty configurations. These misconfigurations can introduce vulnerabilities and even cause network outages. Network Configuration Manager is designed to prevent such issues by ensuring efficient network configuration and change management (NCCM).

The essential components of network configuration and change management (NCCM)

Effective Network configuration and change management (NCCM) involves several key components that help maintain a secure, efficient, and compliant network. Here are the essential elements:

Configuration backup and restore

Backups are the foundation of network stability. Without regular configuration backups, recovering from a misconfiguration, device failure, or cyberattack can be a time-consuming and costly process. NCCM solutions automate configuration backups, ensuring that the latest versions are stored securely. In case of a failure, administrators can quickly restore a known working configuration, minimizing downtime and reducing operational risk.

Automating change management

Manually handling configuration changes across multiple network devices is not only tedious but also prone to human error. Automating change management streamlines the process by enabling bulk updates, scheduled deployments, and pre-configured templates. This ensures that changes are implemented consistently across all devices while reducing the likelihood of misconfigurations. Additionally, automation helps enforce compliance by allowing only authorized changes to take place.

Role-based access control (RBAC)

Unrestricted access to network configurations increases the risk of accidental or unauthorized changes. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) ensures that only specific users or teams can modify configurations based on predefined permissions. For example, junior administrators may have read-only access, while senior engineers can approve and apply configuration changes. This prevents unauthorized modifications and enhances security by restricting access to critical network settings.

Real-time change notifications

Even with strict policies in place, unauthorized or unexpected changes can occur. NCCM solutions provide real-time change notifications to alert network administrators whenever a configuration is modified. These alerts help in quick incident response, allowing admins to investigate and take corrective actions before issues escalate. Notifications can be integrated with IT service management (ITSM) tools, enabling seamless tracking of changes and compliance reporting.

By incorporating these essential components, NCCM not only simplifies network operations but also strengthens security, improves compliance, and minimizes downtime.

Simplifying network configuration and change management (NCCM) using ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager

Managing network configurations across multiple devices can be complex and error-prone. Without a structured approach, even minor misconfigurations can lead to security vulnerabilities and downtime. ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager streamlines network configuration and change management (NCCM) by automating backups, enforcing compliance, and preventing unauthorized changes.

To maintain a stable and secure network, it’s crucial to have a robust strategy for

This ensures minimal downtime, prevents unauthorized modifications, and provides real-time visibility into configuration updates. Let’s explore how Network Configuration Manager helps in achieving these.

How to handle network outages with configuration backups?

The fastest way to recover from a network outage is by restoring a device’s configuration from a backup file. Having an up-to-date backup significantly reduces downtime and helps compare configurations across multiple devices to identify inconsistencies.

ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager simplifies this process with:

• Automated backups whenever a configuration change is detected.
• Scheduled backups for devices requiring frequent updates.
• Instant backups with a single click for individual devices or entire device groups.

A structured backup system ensures that even in the event of a failure, the network can be restored quickly, preventing extended outages and disruptions.

How to prevent data misuse with role-based access control (RBAC)?

In a large network with thousands of devices and multiple administrators, tracking who makes configuration changes can be challenging. An NCCM software helps establish a structured access control system to prevent unauthorized modifications and data misuse.

With Network Configuration Manager’s Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), administrators can assign specific permissions to different user roles:

• Administrator – Full access to all devices with permission to make changes.
• Restricted admin (power user) – Access to specific network devices with change permissions but cannot add or delete devices.
• Operator – Limited access to devices; requires approval from a power user or admin to upload or modify configurations.

This structured access control allows administrators to manage network changes securely and efficiently. Additionally, network admins can create custom roles based on the organizational need and a detailed report of all user activities can be generated for auditing purposes.

How to track changes in network configurations?

With business demands constantly evolving, network changes are frequent. Tracking every modification manually across multiple devices and configuration files is nearly impossible. A network configuration and change management (NCCM) tool simplifies this process by providing real-time tracking and visibility into configuration changes.

Network Configuration Manager ensures seamless change tracking with:

• Instant change notifications identifying who made the modification.
• Time and date logs for every configuration update.
• Automated configuration backups triggered after each saved change.

By maintaining a detailed history of changes, administrators can quickly identify unauthorized modifications, resolve issues, and ensure compliance.

How to get immediate notifications when a configuration change is made?

Monitoring configuration changes in real time is crucial to preventing network downtime and performance issues caused by faulty modifications. Network Configuration Manager is an NCCM tool that provides automated change notifications, allowing administrators to act promptly when critical configurations are altered.

Notification methods include:

• Email alerts for instant updates.
• SNMP traps to notify network monitoring tools.
• Syslog messages for logging and troubleshooting.
• Trouble tickets for integration with IT service management (ITSM) platforms.

For high-risk devices such as core routers or firewalls, administrators can roll back to a previous or baseline configuration to eliminate unauthorized or faulty changes before they impact network performance.

By leveraging Network Configuration Manager’s change tracking and alerting features, organizations can enhance security, minimize downtime, and maintain full control over their network configurations. Download a 30-day free trial today to get started.