Network Management
Self-Led Project Plan for Network Configuration Manager
This article provides a step-by-step guide for self-led onboarding of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM). It includes installation, integration with the SolarWinds Platform, configuration of administrative settings, device onboarding, configuration management, automation through jobs, compliance reporting, firmware upgrades, real-time change detection, configuration change templates, and additional features such as EOL/EOS tracking, firmware vulnerability scanning, and connected port discovery to help you efficiently manage network device configurations, ensure compliance, and enhance network security and reliability.
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Last published date
Overview
Installation & Setup
Confirm NCM Installation
Ensure NCM is installed and ready for configuration.
NCM Installation Guide
Configuration Summary
Access NCM Config Summary Page
Use the NCM Config Summary Page to add NCM-specific widgets, charts, filters, and maps.
NCM Config Summary Page Guide
Add Nodes & Set Credentials
Add network devices, define credentials, and edit NCM properties for device login.
Manage NCM Nodes
Add Devices to NCM
Manage Connection Profiles
NCM Administration
Global Defaults & Security Settings
Configure default NCM behavior, security settings, and email/SNMP notification parameters.
Specify Connection Information
Config Archive & Firmware Repository
Set up storage locations for archived configs and firmware files.
Config archive and Firmware locations
Change Approval
Enable approval workflows for config changes.
Set Up Config Change Approval
Configuration Management
Grouping Nodes
Organize NCM nodes with groups and custom properties.
NCM Node Groups
Download, Upload, Compare, & Execute Scripts
Manage configs, run comparisons, and issue commands to multiple devices.
Download Configs
Compare Configs
Upload Configs
Execute Scripts
Baselines
Set and manage configuration baselines.
Manage Baselines
Jobs
Automate NCM Tasks
Schedule downloads, inventory updates, script execution, and reporting.
NCM Jobs Overview
Select Job Type
Execute Command Script Job
Compliance (Policy Reports)
Create Rules, Policies, & Reports
Define compliance criteria, associate them with devices, and generate compliance reports.
Manage Policy Rules
Create Policies
Compliance Reports
Remediation Scripts
Automate corrective actions.
Remediate policy violations
Firmware Upgrade
Upgrade Device Firmware
Review and use firmware upgrade templates, or modify as needed.
Firmware Upgrades
Real-Time Change Detection
Detect & Respond to Config Changes
Use syslog/traps to monitor and compare configs in real-time.
Real-Time Change Detection
Configuration Change Templates
Create, Modify, & Execute Templates
Use logic-based config changes dependent on NCM inventory.
Set Parameters
Execute Config Change Template
Create an NCM config change template
Additional Features
Device Templates
Ensure correct commands for each device type.
About Device Templates
EOL/EOS Tracking
Manage device lifecycle.
EOL/EOS Features
Firmware Vulnerability Scanning
Identify risks using NIST vulnerability data.
Firmware Vulnerability Data
Find Connected Ports
Locate wired/wireless connections for end hosts.
Find Connected Ports
Notes
- This plan is designed for customers who prefer a self-paced onboarding experience.
- For assisted onboarding, refer to SolarWinds Deployment Services.
- For troubleshooting, contact SolarWinds Support.