Network engineers think ManageEngine NCM is a better replacement to Cisco Prime.

Programmable configlets Flow-based compliance Configuration management Change management Firmware vulnerability management

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Looking to migrate from Cisco Prime?

In March 2023, Cisco announced the end-of-life (EOL) for Cisco Prime Infrastructure, with the final date for vulnerability and security support set for September 28, 2025. After this point, Cisco will no longer release planned maintenance updates or security patches, making continued use a significant security risk. This deadline gives organizations limited time to plan and execute their migration strategies to avoid operational and compliance issues. For teams seeking a reliable, future-ready replacement, Network Configuration Manager (NCM) offers robust features to streamline and strengthen network configuration management. The following sections explore how NCM ensures a smooth, modern transition from Cisco Prime.

Years 20+

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Features that make NCM a better replacement to Cisco Prime

Programmable configlets

Flow-based compliance

Programmable Configlets in NCM are dynamic, script-based templates that empower network administrators to automate complex configuration tasks across multiple devices. Unlike static templates, these configlets support conditional logic, loops, and secure handling of sensitive data, enabling more intelligent and adaptable network automation.

Cisco Prime configuration templates

Cisco Prime Infrastructure provides configuration templates, allowing administrators to create and apply reusable CLI templates to devices.These templates facilitate the deployment of configuration changes across multiple devices. However, the automation capabilities are relatively static, lacking dynamic scripting features such as conditional logic or loop.

Network configuration manager programmable configlets

In contrast, NCM's programmable configlets allows you to define dynamic logic, embed secure variables, and enable bulk configuration uploads to streamline even the most complex tasks. For example, you can exclude specific devices based on IP addresses, apply configurations only to supported hardware models by validating the device type, verify interface settings by checking for required keywords, and extract VLAN details to apply authentication settings—all within a single configlet.

Compliance management in NCM is evolving into a visual, intuitive process with the upcoming Flow-based Compliance feature. Launching in Q3, this feature lets administrators design visual workflows to run compliance checks across their environment—filtering devices based on IP range, model, VLAN, or custom attributes, and excluding irrelevant targets automatically.

Cisco Prime Infrastructure compliance

Cisco Prime follows a linear rule evaluation model. As shown above, devices are checked sequentially. If they meet the defined scope, the rule is evaluated. If a violation is found, it's raised. This model works but lacks flexibility—it checks every scoped device against every rule, even when some devices are irrelevant.

Network Configuration Manager Flow-based compliance

The same evaluation logic will be supported in NCM with more clarity and control. Coming in Q4, the new Flow-based Compliance feature will let admins build workflows using flowcharts. You’ll be able to visually branch logic, exclude irrelevant device types and simplify complex rule sets, leading to faster audits and fewer false positives.

Why Programmable Configlets go beyond Cisco Prime's capabilities

Dynamic VLAN configuration

This Programmable Configlet dynamically updates VLAN settings only on supported device models. It scans interfaces, verifies current configurations, and intelligently applies updates to ensure VLAN configurations stay accurate and consistent.

Predefine configlet parameters

This feature helps network admins predefine device models and relevant keywords when building programmable configlets, so they don't have to input these details manually each time the configlet is executed.

Automate configlet execution

Helps design configlet parameters such as device models and keywords while creating a programmable configlet. This ensures that network admins don't have to define parameters while executing the configlet everytime.

Features of Network Configuration Manager

Configuration management

NCM offers comprehensive configuration management features to safeguard and streamline network configuration processes.

Backup: Supports manual, scheduled, and real-time backups to capture the latest configurations.
Versioning: Logs each change with timestamps and user details for easy tracking.
Baseline support: Enables stable version labeling for quick rollbacks to a previous version when needed.

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Change management

NCM enhances network change management by monitoring, alerting, and reporting on configuration changes.

Alerts: Enable real-time alerts via syslog, SNMP traps, email, or ticketing to monitor all changes.
RBAC: Leverage role-based access control to restrict critical configuration changes to authorized users.
Comparison tools: NCM offers Diff View that highlights configuration differences, simplifying change tracking and troubleshooting.
Change reports: Detailed reports show both authorized and unauthorized updates.

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Firmware vulnerability management

NCM actively monitors firmware vulnerabilities and provides details to help prioritize patching, ensuring network security.

Threat identification: Retrieves daily updates from databases like the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) and other vendor sources.
Vulnerability listings: Displays devices with security issues, including CVE details, risk level, and patch recommendations.
Prioritize patching: Allows admins to sort vulnerabilities by criticality or discovery date to protect the network from potential exploits.

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Compliance

NCM ensures adherence to industry standards through automated and custom compliance checks.

Standard policies: Complies with policies such as CIS, HIPAA, SOX, PCI DSS, and more.
Custom policies: Create custom policies to run compliance checks according to your enterprise standards.
Automated audits: Compliance audits run with each backup, flagging violations by severity.
Remediation: Custom policies and templates allow remote resolution of non-compliant configurations.

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Why it's time to migrate from Cisco Prime to NCM

Multi-vendor support

ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager offers seamless multi-vendor support, making it ideal for diverse networks with devices from Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet, and more. Cisco Prime, built mainly for Cisco devices, struggled with multi-vendor compatibility, leading to its EOL announcement on March 31, 2023.

Firmware vulnerability management

With real-time CVE tracking and integration with NVD and other vendor advisories, ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager helps identify and fix security risks proactively. Cisco Prime lacks built-in firmware vulnerability management, leaving admins to track vulnerabilities manually.

Automated remediation configlets

ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager automates fixes for misconfigurations and policy violations, reducing manual effort. Cisco Prime lacks remediation configlets, requiring admins to manually identify and resolve network issues.

Change and approval workflows

ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager simplifies network change management with built-in approval workflows, ensuring controlled modifications with audit trails. Cisco Prime relies on third-party integrations like ServiceNow for approvals, adding complexity, potential licensing costs, and additional setup effort.

Transparent and predictable pricing

ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager offers upfront, transparent pricing, allowing businesses to budget easily. Cisco Prime follows a closed pricing model, requiring direct consultations, making cost estimation and procurement harder.

Why customers prefer ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager

Network Configuration Manager ensures business continuity for Lightyear Network Solutions

Industry: Telecom service provider

Lightyear Network Solutions ensures uninterrupted service quality for over 200,000 customers by leveraging ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager. This robust solution streamlines device configuration management, automates tasks, and enhances network reliability for business continuity.

Network Configuration Manager helps Princeton University's network infrastructure stay in top shape

Industry: University

Princeton University ensures seamless campus network operations for 10,000 students and 3,000 staff with ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager. This solution centralizes and automates network configuration tasks, improving efficiency and minimizing disruptions.

Network Configuration Manager empowers Bovertis B.V. to centrally manage network device configurations

Industry: IT service provider in retail

Bovertis B.V., a leading IT service provider specializing in retail, optimizes network device management with ManageEngine DeviceExpert. By automating the entire lifecycle of device configurations, Bovertis improves productivity, reduces downtime, and ensures uninterrupted network operations for its global retail clients.

World's leading news agency automates critical network operations using Network Configuration Manager

Industry: News agency

he premier news agency achieves seamless device configuration management for 700+ devices across 300 locations using Network Configuration Manager. This intuitive solution centralizes control, automates tasks, and ensures compliance for uninterrupted operations.

UK's largest IT outsourcing company centralizes network device configuration management with Network Configuration Manager

Industry: IT services and outsourcing company

A leading IT services and outsourcing company in the UK uses Network Configuration Manager to streamline network configuration management. The solution ensures PCI-DSS compliance, prevents unauthorized changes, automates processes, and provides centralized control over devices across diverse locations.

Choosing the best replacement to Cisco Prime Infrastructure

When evaluating network configuration management solutions, the choice often comes down to how well a product balances affordability, ease of use, and feature depth. ManageEngine's Network Configuration Manager (NCM) offers a compelling replacement to Cisco Prime Infrastructure, delivering robust network configuration management, change management, compliance, firmware vulnerability management and automation features.

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Disclaimer:

This page highlights ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager as a replacement to Cisco Prime. This page is compiled from the information available on Cisco's website. We have made every attempt to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided. However, the information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. ManageEngine is not liable for any inaccuracies in the page due to changes made on Cisco's website or any development made to Cisco's product subsequent to the date of publication of this page. Please refer to Cisco's website for more information.