Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

Cisco Prime [EOL] vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager comparison

The compared Cisco and SolarWinds solutions aren't in the same category. SolarWinds is ranked #12 in CM , with an average rating of 7.7, and holds a 1.4% mindshare. Additionally, 91% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 95% of SolarWinds users who would recommend it.
Cisco Prime [EOL]
Read 35 Cisco Prime [EOL] reviews
    91% willing to recommend
    SolarWinds Network Configur...
    Read 27 SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager reviews
    • 498 Views
    • 396 Comparison Views
    95% willing to recommend
     

    Comparison Buyer's Guide

    Download the report
    Executive Summary
    We performed a comparison between Cisco Prime [EOL] and SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

    Find out in this report how the two Network Management Applications solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.

    DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE REPORT
    To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Prime [EOL] vs. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Report (Updated: March 2023).
    Buyer's Guide
    Cisco Prime [EOL] vs. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager
    March 2023
    Download the complete report
    Helped 851,604 peers since 2012

    Review summaries and opinions

    We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
     

    Categories and Ranking

    Cisco Prime [EOL]
    Average Rating
    7.8
    Reviews Sentiment
    6.5
    Number of Reviews
    35
    Ranking in other categories
    No ranking in other categories
    SolarWinds Network Configur...
    Average Rating
    8.2
    Reviews Sentiment
    6.9
    Number of Reviews
    27
    Ranking in other categories
    Configuration Management (12th), Network Automation (4th)
     

    Featured Reviews

    Syed Aathif Hussain - PeerSpot reviewer
    Impressive reporting and data mining features for time traveling through logs
    The solution needs to include centralized management that aligns with the Greenfield network and its focus on real-time, scenario-based applications. The solution is considered legacy and DNAC has overcome it because of centralized controls that allow a complete LAN network to be moved to centralized management. CISCO has suppressed the solution with no new development because they introduced DNAC and favor it rather than modifying the solution to the changing network environment. If this new tool hadn't been introduced, the solution would be improved to include SDWAN and SDA along with its other, better features. The solution's user interface could be improved to align with the changing market that is software-defined and includes graphic interfaces.
    Read full review
    RajeshB - PeerSpot reviewer
    Offers additional functionality, including warranty management
    Setting up a solution involves configuring a server and a web console, which is straightforward. Network team coordination is necessary when applying it to devices. This involves creating device connection profiles and ensuring SNMP is enabled. Initially, there were challenges involved in this process, but once the setup was complete, operations proceeded smoothly. All network devices are automatically added to NPM during auto-discovery in SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, including Network Configuration Manager features. Once configuration profile credentials are established in NCM, they are automatically deployed to all network devices. The solution is easy to use and deploy, although initial setup may require coordination and overcoming challenges.
    Read full review

    Quotes from Members

    We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
     

    Pros

    "The VLAN mapping function has been most impactful in simplifying our network management tasks."
    "The technical support team is very good."
    "We use this solution to troubleshoot our wireless systems, specifically regarding signal strength."
    "We use Cisco Prime for network mapping and surveys."
    "Cisco Prime allows us to manage all the wireless controllers and access points."
    "Cisco Prime, from a management perspective, has good reporting."
    "The installation is easy."
    "It gives you the ability to upgrade switches remotely, schedule the upgrade time, perform backups, and monitor the health of all networks."
    More Cisco Prime [EOL] pros
    "It is pretty straightforward to set up."
    "The most valuable features the solution offers are compliance, reliability, and information about reliability."
    "It allows us to manage backups in big companies. It is also useful in managing the configuration changes."
    "We push all our configurations to the servers with ease and the logs capture almost all the transactions needed for an internal audit."
    "I use it for monitoring the entire network for the company. We oversee nodes down, we oversee devices heading up to crossing the threshold for CPU usage. We oversee power so power backups on the switches, we oversee if they're down or if they're failing. We oversee any node down or any router from any vendor."
    "The solution's view is very nice, and they have a great customized dashboard."
    "The network performance monitoring of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is a vital feature"
    "SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager improves the mean time to repair significantly, bringing measurable benefits to customers."
    More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager pros
     

    Cons

    "I would rate the scalability of Cisco Prime a six out of ten. To scale up from a hundred to a thousand devices, the platform needs to be rebuilt logically. This process might require a downtime window and may involve changing the hardware or upgrading to a larger appliance."
    "The product needs to improve its interface and reporting."
    "Cisco Prime needs to have lower prices and more customization options."
    "I would love for Cisco Prime to show bandwidth usage and consumption, but I can't monitor bandwidth usage at a given time."
    "Cisco Prime could improve the notifications in the system. Having more details about what is happening would be useful, such as traffic numbers or who is connected. We can see them through the firewall controller, but it would be better if you can see them from one place."
    "This solution could be improved if it could monitor configuration changes."
    "It should be able to monitor Palo Alto, Juniper, and Check Point products - not just Cisco solutions."
    "Some improvements are needed, specifically in the form of more updates and enhancements."
    More Cisco Prime [EOL] cons
    "The Network Configuration Manager needs to improve the access control list compliance."
    "The interface of solar winds could be improved."
    "For each device, when you open the network performance monitor, it will give you all of the information about the device, but many of the natural configuration management features are not on that page."
    "Its look and feel can be improved. They can also put in more effort into building the THWACK community and use the information about various customer issues and requests to build the new releases."
    "The third-party plugins available in the solution could improve. I have received some issues with the templates."
    "There are certain limitations of node-related monitoring"
    "There is room for improvement in automation."
    "Improvements are needed in the automatic network mapping function."
    More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager cons
     

    Pricing and Cost Advice

    "I would rate the pricing of Cisco Prime a seven out of ten."
    "If we have a license for Cisco DNA, we can use the same license for Cisco Prime."
    "We update the license every five years."
    "The solution is not inexpensive but is worth it for large-scale environments."
    "The cost is quite high."
    "The product's performance monitoring feature could be more intuitive."
    "The product is expensive compared to other vendors in the market."
    "I would rate the solution's pricing an eight out of ten."
    More Cisco Prime [EOL] pricing and cost advice
    "With a minimal bundle, we pay about $3000 a year in licensing costs. If you have multiple devices in your network, you must buy the bundle, which is 100% identical for your infrastructure. If you have 15 devices, you need 15 licenses, for example. That's one bundle. You don't pay for anything over and above that."
    "There is a license for the use of this solution and it is priced well, there is a lot of value for the money."
    "Pricing is reasonable and competitive."
    "There is a license needed to use SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager."
    "The price of the solution is high compared to other solutions."
    "In Africa, the cost is a major factor in decision-making for many companies. As a result, some companies may choose cheaper solutions, even if they are open-source, over more expensive ones, such as SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. However, as an engineer, I believe that the functionalities and services offered by SolarWinds justify the cost. Nonetheless, many companies in Africa may still view the prices as unaffordable."
    "We have to pay additionally for its support and maintenance."
    "Available at a moderate price"
    More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager pricing and cost advice
    report
    See which vendors are best for you
    Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Network Management Applications solutions are best for your needs.
    See recommendations
    851,604 professionals have used our research since 2012.
     

    Top Industries

    By visitors reading reviews
    Computer Software Company
    16%
    Government
    14%
    Manufacturing Company
    8%
    Educational Organization
    6%
    Government
    13%
    Computer Software Company
    12%
    Manufacturing Company
    9%
    Financial Services Firm
    9%
     

    Company Size

    By reviewers
    Large Enterprise
    Midsize Enterprise
    Small Business
     

    Questions from the Community

    What do you like most about Cisco Prime?
    The most valuable features of Cisco Prime include its comprehensive functionality as a one-stop solution for basic SNMP port management.
    See all answers
    What needs improvement with Cisco Prime?
    The product's performance monitoring feature could be more intuitive.
    See all answers
    What is your primary use case for Cisco Prime?
    We use Cisco Prime for centralized configuration management backups and monitoring.
    See all answers
    What do you like most about SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?
    The configuration compliance aspect of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager allows for easy comparison of configuration settings across branches, ensuring adherence to security guidelines and b...
    See all answers
    What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?
    The licensing costs of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager are expensive, but considering its reliability, feature enhancements, and support, it is worthwhile.
    See all answers
    What needs improvement with SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?
    Further improvements in automation are needed. Currently, there are limitations in performing tasks without logging into routers directly, and we expect more comprehensive device control.
    See all answers
     

    Comparisons

    Cisco DNA Center vs Cisco Prime [EOL] Logo
    Cisco DNA Center vs Cisco Prime [EOL]
    Compared 40% of the time
    Huawei eSight vs Cisco Prime [EOL] Logo
    Huawei eSight vs Cisco Prime [EOL]
    Compared 19% of the time
    Aruba Airwave vs Cisco Prime [EOL] Logo
    Aruba Airwave vs Cisco Prime [EOL]
    Compared 12% of the time
    Fortinet FortiManager vs Cisco Prime [EOL] Logo
    Fortinet FortiManager vs Cisco Prime [EOL]
    Compared 9% of the time
    NetMaster Network Intelligence vs Cisco Prime [EOL] Logo
    NetMaster Network Intelligence vs Cisco Prime [EOL]
    Compared 8% of the time
    More Cisco Prime [EOL] Competitors
    Cisco DNA Center vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Logo
    Cisco DNA Center vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager
    Compared 27% of the time
    Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Logo
    Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager
    Compared 9% of the time
    ManageEngine Network Configuration Management vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Logo
    ManageEngine Network Configuration Management vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager
    Compared 7% of the time
    NetBrain vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Logo
    NetBrain vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager
    Compared 6% of the time
    IBM Tivoli NetCool vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Logo
    IBM Tivoli NetCool vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager
    Compared 5% of the time
    More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Competitors
     

    Product Reports

    Buyer's Guide
    Cisco Prime [EOL]
    May 2025
    Cisco Prime [EOL] reportDownload Cisco Prime [EOL] product report
    Buyer's Guide
    SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager
    April 2025
    SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager reportDownload SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager product report
     

    Also Known As

    Cisco Prime Infrastructure
    SolarWinds NCM
     

    Overview

    Cisco Prime products deliver next-generation management by supporting an intuitive workflow-oriented user experience and integrated lifecycle operations across Cisco architectures, technologies, and networks.

    Cisco
    Before you monitor your network, configure it! A reliable and secure network starts with carefully planned, executed, and monitored network configuration and change management. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM) saves time and improves network reliability and security by managing configurations, changes, and compliance for routers, switches, and other network devices from Cisco, Juniper, HP, Dell, Brocade, Aruba, Rukus, and more.
    SolarWinds
     

    Sample Customers

    Mohawk Industries, Universidad EAFIT, Halton Healthcare
    United Lincolnshire Hospitals, Air Rarotonga, NetSuite, Thai AirAsia, REA Group, 335th Signal Command, Agilisys, Marine Expeditionary Force
    Buyer's Guide
    Cisco Prime [EOL] vs. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager
    March 2023
    Free Report: Cisco Prime [EOL] vs. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager
    Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Prime [EOL] vs. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager and other solutions. Updated: March 2023.
    DOWNLOAD NOW
    851,604 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    See our Cisco Prime [EOL] vs. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager report.

    We monitor all Network Management Applications reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.