For more information on Network Configuration Manager, visit: http://www.solarwinds.com/products/orion/configuration_manager/info.aspx This webcast demonstrates best practices for network configuration management – managing the configurations of routers, switches, firewalls and other network infrastructure devices. It also demonstrate the top 5 network configuration management tasks using the SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM). Some of what we’ll discuss and demonstrate will include: - Backing up the configurations of all of your routers, switches, and firewalls - Setting up automated configuration management jobs - Configuring and using real-time config change detection - Managing configurations against policies for compliance

1. Network Configuration Management Best Practices

2. Orion Network Configuration Manager Best Practices This presentation is a SolarWinds customer training on Orion Network Configuration Manager (NCM). If you are not a SolarWinds customer, we recommend downloading and installing a 30-Day Trial evaluation of Orion NCM so you can follow along and understand the material being presented better. Get the free, 30 day evaluation of the software used in this webcast: Orion Network Configuration Manager Download Now

5. We only have an hour

6. Ask questions!

7. No attendee left behind…

8. Don’t wait until the end – ask away on the Webinar Chat

9. Today’s session is being recorded

12. Controlling Environmental Variances

13. Ensuring Configuration Policy Enforcement

14. Providing Efficiency and Automation

16. Upload/Download Configs, IOS, File Transfer Commands

17. SSH Allows Secure Transfers

18. Device Polling Engine - SNMP Data

19. Collection of Inventory Data and Device Discovery

20. SNMP v3 Allows for Secure Polling

21. Script Translator

22. Converts Flexible Config Scripts to Actual Config Commands

23. Configuration Database

24. Standard, Relational and Searchable

25. Alerting, Scheduling, Web, and Reporting Engines

27. Works for Very Small Environments – Less Than 20 Devices

28. Falls Apart Quickly With Increase in Devices or Distributed Devices

29. Normally Accomplished by One Individual – The Hero

30. When the Hero Leaves, the System Leaves

31. Patchwork

32. Homemade Scripts

33. Open Source – Free Puppy!

34. Point Solutions Tools – Many Moving Parts to Manage

35. Comprehensive Configuration Management System

36. Automation

37. Security

38. Scalability

39. Consistency

41. Top Five Configuration Management Tasks Bulk Change Pushes Automatic Push for Changes to Multiple Devices Controlled Push Schedules Eliminate Human Error – Can You make 200 Identical Changes with no Mistakes?

42. Top Five Configuration Management Tasks Config Change Reporting and Alerting Catch Unauthorized or Harmful Changes Maintain Policy Compliance Detect Unauthorized Access Find Problem Config Changes Quickly – No More Searching! Validate Your Procedures are Being Followed

43. Top Five Configuration Management Tasks Inventory Reporting Control Maintenance Contract Costs – Don’t Pay for What’s Not There! What do We Have and Where is it? Track and Report for EOL or Scheduled Refresh Cycles Budget With Improved Accuracy Security - Is There a New Device Connected You Should Know About?

44. Top Five Configuration Management Tasks Policy Compliance Reporting HIPAA, SOX, DISA, STIG, FISMA, PCI, Custom Policies Avoid Costly Penalties for Non-compliance or No Verification Elements Include SNMP Community Strings, Password Strength, SNMP Public, ACL Permissions, Forbidden Protocols, User Access

45. Network Configuration Manager Features and Functionality Config Backup Config Templates User Tracking Config Change Reporting and Alerting Device Deployment Support Policy Compliance Verification Bulk Change Pushes Firmware and IOS Transfers Inventory Reporting Config Comparisons and Rollbacks Real-time Change Detection and Alerting

46. Network Configuration Manager New Features in v6.1 Enhanced Policy Reporting Policy reports to the block level Test policy rules before rollout DISA, STIG reports out of the box Integrated import/export community report sharing IPv6 Config Support Custom Configuration File Types Enhanced Performance Over 80% Faster Than Previous Versions

49. SOLARWINDS CONFIDENTIAL Get the Free 30 Day Trial Evaluation Now that you’ve watched the webcast, it is recommended that you download the free, 30-Day Evaluation of the products mentioned for your evaluation purposes. Get the free, 30 day evaluation of the software used in this webcast: Orion Network Configuration Manager Download Now

50. Summary and Q&A Thank you for attending! To learn more or to download free 30-day trials of SolarWinds products visit: www.SolarWinds.com Contact information Josh Stephens, Head Geek headgeek@solarwinds.com twitter: sw_headgeek Blog: http://geekblog.solarwinds.com/ p.s. Remember to renew your maintenance!!!