ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager

ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager handles configuration and change workflows for switches, routers, firewalls, and other network devices. It schedules configuration backups, tracks changes in real time, and supports comparing versions and rolling back to trusted configurations. Configlets and scripts can automate tasks and apply changes across devices in bulk. The product checks configurations against defined standards and policies, supports compliance reporting, and identifies firmware vulnerabilities with CVE IDs, severity information, and patch links. The product page says it supports devices from more than 200 vendors and encrypts retrieved configuration data using AES 256-bit encryption. This is an on-premises product with Windows and Linux installers, as well as Android and iOS apps for viewing backups, changes, vulnerabilities, compliance, and user activity. The Free Edition covers two devices. Professional is listed at $238 a year for a 10-device pack; Enterprise is $3,358 a year for a 250-device pack. Both paid editions list 24x5 technical support, and a 30-day trial is listed.

Network Configuration Manager brings backups, change tracking, automation, and compliance checks into an on-premises product. Its listed free edition is limited to two devices; larger device packs are paid.

It suits organizations managing configurations and changes across network devices. The free edition may fit a two-device setup, while paid editions list larger device capacities.

Overview

ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager is an on-premises product for managing configuration and change workflows across switches, routers, firewalls, and other network devices. It suits network teams that need repeatable controls across a device fleet, especially where backups, change oversight, automation, and compliance all matter. Its central trade-off is clear: a useful but two-device free edition gives way to paid annual packs for larger deployments.

Key features

Backups and change control

Scheduled backups, version comparisons, and rollback provide a way to recover a trusted configuration after a problematic change. Real-time change tracking and notifications can help administrators catch unexpected edits, but they are most valuable when a team has time and ownership to review the alerts.

Automation and compliance

Configlets and scripts can automate routine work and apply configuration changes in bulk, a practical advantage for teams managing repeated tasks across many devices. Policy checks compare configurations with defined standards and support compliance reporting; this is more useful for teams with established requirements than for someone who only needs a simple backup tool.

Firmware and security visibility

Firmware vulnerability identification includes CVE IDs, severity information, and patch links, helping teams prioritize device issues. The product says configuration data retrieved from devices is encrypted with AES 256-bit encryption and stored in its database. It supports devices from more than 200 vendors, according to the product page.

Deployment and operations

The product is deployed on-premises, with Windows and Linux installers and documented support for Windows and Linux server operating systems. The mobile apps for Android and iOS provide views of backups, changes, firmware vulnerabilities, compliance, and user activity; that adds remote visibility, though the core deployment remains self-hosted. ServiceDesk Plus integration can create tickets for configuration upload requests and backup failures. Professional and Enterprise editions include 24x5 technical support.

Pricing

The Free Edition costs nothing, requires no license, and is capped at 2 devices. It is a sensible way to cover a very small network, but the limit makes it unsuitable for most production fleets.

Professional Edition costs $238 a year for a 10 Devices Pack with 2 Users; AMS is included. It starts with 2 users and covers 10–10,000 devices. This is the more accessible paid route for teams that need broad device capacity without distributed deployment support.

Enterprise Edition costs $3,358 a year for a 250 Devices Pack with 2 Users; AMS is included. Its listed range is 250–30,000 devices, and it adds distributed environment support, automatic data synchronization, and central reporting. Those capabilities suit larger or geographically distributed networks, but the entry pack and annual cost are a substantial step up from Professional. The product page separately describes Enterprise support for up to 50,000 devices, so buyers should confirm the capacity that applies to their purchase.

A 30-day trial is offered. Pricing is annual for the paid editions, and the listed packs begin with 2 users.

Platforms

ManageEngine lists Android, iOS, Linux, self-hosted, web, and Windows platforms. The deployment model is on-premises, with Windows and Linux server installers; the mobile apps provide access to selected operational views.

Who it's for

This is a strong fit for network administrators and IT teams that manage multiple vendors, need reliable configuration recovery, or must track changes against policy. Professional is the more natural starting point for teams that need paid capacity and automation without a distributed setup. Enterprise is better suited to larger, distributed environments that benefit from synchronized data and central reporting. Teams with only one or two devices may find the free edition adequate; users seeking a cloud-hosted service or only a lightweight backup utility should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Recovery and accountability in one workflow: Scheduled backups, comparisons, rollback, real-time tracking, and notifications address both recovery and change oversight.
• Useful fleet-wide controls: Bulk automation, policy checks, and reporting serve teams that need consistent configuration across devices.
• Broad device and deployment reach: Support for more than 200 vendors, Windows and Linux deployment, and mobile views can fit varied network operations.
• Enterprise coordination: Distributed support, data synchronization, central reporting, and 24x5 support are relevant for larger teams.

Cons

• Free coverage is narrow: The no-license edition stops at 2 devices, limiting its usefulness beyond a tiny network.
• Paid entry is a meaningful commitment: Professional starts at a 10-device annual pack, while Enterprise begins with a 250-device pack at a much higher annual price.
• On-premises deployment requires server responsibility: Teams seeking a hosted service will need a different product.
• Enterprise capacity needs clarification: The product page gives a 50,000-device support ceiling, while its listed Enterprise plan range ends at 30,000.

Alternatives

Consider Oxidized if a free, self-hosted Linux tool with an Apache-2.0 license better fits your approach. rConfig is worth considering when an unlimited-device free Core plan or a one-time Starter plan covering up to 300 devices fits better. Choose Unimus if a free 10-device tier with all features except Compliance and SAML/OIDC is enough. Netpicker may suit a single user seeking unlimited devices on its free Foundation plan, with Professional features limited to 10 devices. Gluware offers a renewable one-year community edition for up to 20 devices, with its full application suite except Topology. Mobile Net Switch is a free Windows option if that platform alone meets the need. NetKeep is a free self-hosted option for Linux servers. Arista NG Firewall is another freemium option.

For broader comparisons, browse Network Configuration Management Software, Network Management Software, or Network Automation Software.

Verdict

Choose ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager if your team needs on-premises configuration control that combines recovery, change tracking, bulk automation, and policy checks across a substantial network. Professional is the practical fit for many teams; Enterprise earns its higher price when distributed operations and centralized reporting matter. Look elsewhere if two free devices are not enough and the annual device packs or on-premises responsibility do not fit your operation.