When you think of backups, your mind usually goes to files, databases, or applications. But for seasoned IT admins, the real worry is network configurations. Losing a single switch, router, or firewall configuration can cause serious headaches: branch offices going offline, security loopholes being exposed, or compliance audits grinding to a halt, all because those critical configurations weren’t backed up.
That’s why network backup software is not just another expense in IT budgets; it’s the foundation of operational resilience. And, choosing the right network backup solution isn’t about picking the biggest name in the industry, but about finding the best fit for your network’s size, compliance requirements, and budget. On this page, we'll break down:
Network configurations are the blueprint of your IT infrastructure. They define how routers, switches, firewalls, and other devices communicate, secure traffic, and stay compliant. Losing them isn’t just inconvenient, it can disrupt the entire business.
While choosing the right network backup software, you shouldn’t just look at its features. You need a solution that aligns with your enterprise network needs. Here is a look at five popular options and the types of environments they suit best:
Purpose-built for businesses of all sizes, ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager offers instant, scheduled, bulk, and automated backups. It supports one-click rollback from the most reliable backup, which can be labelled as a baseline or any custom point. The platform also provides multi-vendor support, compliance-ready templates to ensure backups meet regulatory requirements, and detailed audit reports to keep your backups audit-ready at all times.
Best fit: Small, mid-sized, and large IT teams that need instant, scheduled, bulk, and automated backups, compliance readiness, and centralised backup management without unnecessary complexity.
A capable network backup solution for enterprise environments, SolarWinds NCM offers automated backups, change tracking, and compliance auditing. It works best when integrated with the Orion platform, but its interface is less intuitive for smaller IT teams, and scaling can get expensive. Multi-vendor support is available, but not as seamless as some alternatives.
Best fit: Organizations already using SolarWinds Orion that need reliable network backup and compliance features, but don’t mind a steeper learning curve or higher costs.
A simple, GUI-based tool for basic network configuration backups. It is easy to use and quick to deploy, making it suitable for small environments, but it offers limited compliance features and is not ideal for larger networks or scaling.
Best fit: Small IT teams or offices that need straightforward backup and restore for a handful of devices.
Free, open-source tools for tracking and backing up network configurations. They are flexible and highly customizable but require manual setup, scripting knowledge, and ongoing maintenance, making them less suitable for teams without dedicated IT expertise.
Best fit: Labs, test environments, or very small networks where technical expertise is available and cost is a priority.
A basic network configuration backup tool available in a community-supported edition. Paid upgrades are available for additional features and vendor support, making it flexible for growing needs.
Best fit: Small and medium offices or hobbyist environments that want a free starting point with the option to scale or add commercial support later.
Here’s where many buyers get stuck: every network backup software vendor claims they do “automation, compliance, and reporting.” But the depth of each feature varies a lot. To cut through the noise, here’s a head-to-head look at the essentials:
| Feature | ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager | SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager | Kiwi CatTools | Oxidized / RANCID | rConfig (Community Edition) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automated backups | Yes: Change-triggered backups, instant backups and scheduled backups per device/group. | Yes: Integrated with Orion scheduler. | Yes. | Yes: via Git integration. | Yes. Limited. |
| Rollback & restore | One-click restore, and version history. | Rollback, and change tracking. | Basic restore only. | Manual restore from Git. | Version tracking with restore options. |
| Compliance & audits | Prebuilt + custom rules, reports, remediation | Strong compliance, Orion-native reports | No compliance engine | No compliance | Limited compliance reporting; paid edition adds more features |
| Automation (Configlets/scripts) | Yes: reusable configlets for bulk changes, and programmable configlets for | Script automation with Orion | Limited scripting | Manual | Community edition supports basic automation |
| Reporting | Compliance + change reports, schedulable | Advanced, Orion-linked reports | Very limited | None | Basic change and backup reports |
| Scalability | 10 to 10,000+ devices, flexible licensing | Enterprise-ready, Orion ecosystem | Small to mid-size only | Depends on manual effort | Small to mid-size networks; scales with paid edition |
| Ease of use | GUI, minimal setup | Complex GUI | Simple GUI | CLI-heavy, requires Git knowledge | GUI-based, moderate setup |
| Pricing (approx.) | From $595 | From $2,895 (100 nodes) | $852 one-time | Free | Community edition is free, with optional paid upgrades for support and additional features. |
Disclaimer: This feature comparison is based on publicly available information from each vendor at the time of publication. While we’ve made every effort to ensure accuracy, details may change over time. All information is provided “as is” without warranty. Please verify the latest features and pricing directly with the respective vendors.
The truth is, most backup tools can save configurations. What separates ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager is how it reduces the everyday pain points that network teams face; from surprise audits to late-night outages. That’s why many admins, after weighing alternatives, choose Network Configuration Manager for its balance of automation, compliance, and cost control. On top of that, it fits all business sizes!
No more missed jobs or manual scripts. Network Configuration Manager runs automated backups across routers, switches, and firewalls, keeping configurations always ready to restore when something fails.
With Network Configuration Manager, you can start small and scale up, backing up more devices without facing steep licensing jumps. Whether you’re managing 10 devices or 10,000, the pricing remains predictable.
Beyond detecting violations, Network Configuration Manager lets you enforce custom rules and push remediation templates remotely, ensuring that compliance isn’t just a checkbox but actively maintained. This also guarantees that all backed-up configurations meet your compliance requirements.
Audits are stressful when you’re unprepared. Network Configuration Manager provides scheduled compliance reports and backup logs, giving admins the documentation they need without last-minute scrambling.
Unlike open-source network backup tools that require constant tweaking or solutions that need complex integration, Network Configuration Manager is straightforward to deploy, easy to manage, and simplifies backup operations.
Admins consistently find that Network Configuration Manager delivers 80-90% of SolarWinds’ feature set at a fraction of the cost, avoiding the “Orion tax” while still covering enterprise needs.
If you want a network platform that balances automation, governance, and ease of use, ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager is built for you. It automates backups, protects configurations, simplifies audits, and scales from small teams to global enterprises.
Start with a 30-day trial or book a free demo to see how it can help you prevent outages and secure your network configurations.