Service and Support
SolarWinds customer service is described as helpful and excellent, with a knowledgeable technical support team. They are known for going the extra mile to assist users. Though contacting them was sometimes challenging, improvements have been noted in recent times. Users find support fast and information readily available on SolarWinds and Thwack websites. Support experiences vary, with some needing more engagement to gauge its full effectiveness. Despite occasional delays, they consistently provide assistance when needed.
Deployment
Users found SolarWinds Virtualization Manager's initial setup to be straightforward and uncomplicated. Familiarity with deploying *.ova files eased the process, and a setup wizard guided installers effectively. Integrating with other products initially posed minor challenges, but detailed documentation and support resources, including technical support and THWACK, were helpful. The implementation typically took about two hours, with many deploying it quickly by pointing to the virtual environment and using appropriate credentials.
Scalability
SolarWinds Virtualization Manager scales effectively, often requiring additional licensing. Users have reported stable operation on single virtual machines and across multiple sites, with no significant scalability issues faced. Organizations utilizing a limited number of VM licenses find it reliable. Some run environments with numerous users and minimal administrative effort, highlighting its capacity for larger setups. Users acknowledge its ability to expand capacity as needed, providing confidence in its scalable architecture.
Stability
Users generally find SolarWinds Virtualization Manager stable. Some encountered a bug due to a missing HotFix, easily resolved once installed. Quick development of hotfixes and updates contrasts with competitors. A few experienced stability issues, such as environment loss, resolved with support assistance and upgrades. VMAN's VMware appliance occasionally locked up, requiring a reboot, which led to temporary problems. After troubleshooting, users reported improved stability, with no subsequent disruptions noted.
