10 best network backup solutions: From open source to paid platforms

Did you know that nearly 45% of major network outages are caused by configuration or change management failures and not security attacks? According to the Uptime Institute's recent resiliency report, missteps in configuration management are the number one culprit behind network disruptions.

That's alarming because these outages are mostly avoidable. Your routers, switches, and firewalls all depend on their configurations. A single misconfiguration, hardware failure, or untracked change can cascade into hours of downtime, millions in lost revenue, and strained stakeholder trust. This means your network backup system is not just a nice-to-have, it is mission critical.

Why is it important to backup all your device configurations

Network device configurations are the blueprint of your entire IT infrastructure. They control how data flows, enforce security policies, and determine the stability of your operations. Losing these configurations is not just inconvenient. It can lead to outages, compliance failures, and vulnerability issues.

• Disaster recovery: Hardware can fail without warning, taking critical configurations with it. Backups ensure you can quickly restore those settings on a replacement device, minimising downtime after an unexpected failure.
• Change management: Even well-planned updates can introduce errors that disrupt connectivity. Backups let you instantly roll back to the previous stable configuration, keeping your network operational while you fix the issue.
• Compliance: Many industries require detailed configuration histories for audits and regulatory checks. Backups provide a verifiable record of every change, helping organizations avoid penalties and meet strict compliance standards.
• Operational efficiency: Without backups, admins must manually reconfigure devices, which is time-consuming and error-prone. Automated backups eliminate repetitive tasks, allowing IT teams to focus on strategic projects instead of firefighting.

5 best open source network backup tools

Open source network backup tools give you flexibility and control without the heavy licensing costs of enterprise solutions. They're perfect for small to mid-sized businesses, labs, and organizations with in-house expertise. Here are the most reliable network backup solutions you can trust:

1. RANCID (Really Awesome New Cisco Config Differ)

RANCID is a long-standing tool for network configuration backups. It automatically logs into devices, retrieves configurations, and emails configuration differences to your team. While it's great for multi-vendor environments and simple change tracking, it comes with a steep learning curve and limited GUI, requiring strong command-line skills.

Best for: Teams comfortable with scripting who prefer stability over advanced dashboards.

2. Oxidized

Oxidized is a modern alternative to RANCID with cleaner architecture, better performance, and Git integration for version control. It supports multiple vendors and integrates with platforms like LibreNMS. The downside is sparse documentation, so expect some trial and error during setup.

Best for: Organizations seeking a flexible, modern configuration management solution without vendor lock-in.

3. Ansible + Git

This combination is ideal for teams using Infrastructure as Code. Ansible playbooks enable automated backups and consistent configuration changes across large networks, with Git handling version control. While it offers unmatched flexibility and scalability, it requires scripting knowledge and lacks a native GUI.

Best for: Advanced teams managing large, dynamic environments with DevOps practices.

4. Nipper Studio (Community Edition)

Nipper goes beyond backups by analyzing configurations for security vulnerabilities and compliance issues. The community edition is limited compared to the paid version, but still valuable for security audits. It lacks enterprise features like bulk reporting, but it's a strong option for compliance needs.

Best for: Organizations prioritizing security and compliance checks alongside backups.

5. RConfig

RConfig offers a simple, automated solution for scheduled backups across multiple vendors, making it easy to deploy for small to mid-sized businesses. However, it has a dated interface and lacks advanced analytics or compliance features.

Best for: SMBs looking for a straightforward, low-maintenance configuration backup tool.

5 best paid network backup solutions

When your business depends on uptime, free network backup tools might not cut it. Unlike open-source tools that often require manual scripting and ongoing maintenance, paid network backup solutions come ready with intuitive dashboards, automated scheduling, compliance checks, and instant rollback capabilities. These tools are built for scale, saving IT teams hours of manual work while reducing the risk of human error.

Here are the top enterprise-grade solutions that deliver seamless configuration backups, real-time change management, and automated rollback:

1. ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager (NCM)

ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager delivers reliable automated configuration backups across a wide range of network devices, making it ideal for multi-vendor environments. Beyond backups, it enforces compliance using pre-built policies like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and SOX. It also provides real-time change detection, role-based access control, and automated remediation, ensuring you can restore configurations instantly and avoid outages caused by unauthorized changes or configuration drift.

Best for: Multi-vendor networks needing automated backups, change management, and customized compliance without breaking the budget.

2. Cisco Prime Infrastructure

Cisco Prime Infrastructure has been a staple for Cisco-centric networks, offering automated configuration backups, compliance reporting, and device lifecycle management. However, it's approaching end-of-life, and if you're already using Cisco Prime, it can still serve as a reliable backup solution in the short term, but long-term planning should involve migration.

Best for: Enterprises standardised on Cisco equipment.

3. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager offers robust automated configuration backups with real-time change detection and secure storage, minimising the risk of data loss. It also integrates vulnerability assessments and compliance checks, giving you more than just basic backup functionality. While it's a premium solution with a higher price point, its feature depth and scalability make it a strong choice for large enterprises that prioritise security and compliance.

Best for: Organisations that have a high budget for monitoring and maintaining network backups.

4. NetBrain Enterprise Suite

NetBrain includes configuration backup capabilities along with its automation workflows and dynamic mapping features. Its visual approach can help large teams understand network dependencies and troubleshoot issues faster. While these features are useful, it tends to lean more toward mapping and automation than pure backup functionality.

Best for: Enterprises with complex, hybrid networks that value visualisation alongside standard backup processes.

5. Device42 Network Configuration Manager

Device42 combines configuration backups with asset discovery and inventory management, making it practical for hybrid environments. Its primary strength lies in asset tracking and integration with CMDB systems, so the backup functionality may feel secondary compared to specialized tools.

Best for: Organizations running hybrid IT setups or large data centres that need inventory and backup capabilities in one platform.

How to choose the right network backup solution?

Not every backup tool is created equal. Choosing the wrong one can cost more than just money; it can also affect uptime, compliance, and trust. Here's what you need to look for:

1. Network environment compatibility

Do you manage a Cisco-heavy network or a diverse mix of vendors? While single-vendor tools can be effective in uniform environments, multi-vendor networks demand a vendor-agnostic configuration management solution to maintain consistency and control.

2. Scalability for growth

An open-source tool may work efficiently for a small network of 20 devices, but managing 200 devices requires a different level of scalability. As networks expand, it's important to adopt a solution that can scale without disrupting existing processes.

3. Compliance and audit readiness

If you operate in regulated industries like finance or healthcare, backups alone are not enough. Look for built-in compliance checks, audit trails, and role-based access to avoid penalties and pass audits effortlessly.

4. Depth of automation

Some environments only require scheduled backups, while others benefit from features such as real-time change detection, policy enforcement, and automated rollback for error recovery. Incorporating configuration automation can significantly reduce manual intervention and improve recovery speed.

5. Total cost of ownership

Open-source tools save on license fees but demand technical expertise and maintenance. Paid solutions cost more upfront but provide dedicated support, regular updates, and advanced security features that can prevent costly outages.

Invest in a better network backup software today!

The reality is clear: backups are no longer optional. They are the backbone of network reliability, the shield against outages, compliance failures, and costly downtime. Open-source tools can be a good starting point, but they often demand scripting skills and heavy manual effort that slows down teams. Paid solutions promise automation and peace of mind, yet finding one that balances power, simplicity, and cost is not always easy.

That's where ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager stands out. It automates network configuration backups across all your devices, ensuring every change is captured and stored securely without manual effort. Whether it's scheduled backups or instant snapshots after a change, you always have the latest version ready for quick recovery. Built-in compliance checks and role-based controls keep your network audit-ready, while one-click rollback minimises downtime when something breaks; all without the heavy complexity or steep learning curve of other tools.

Download a 30-day free trial, or avail a personalized demo from our product experts to get started on configuration backup management today!