Network configuration management refers to setting, changing, collecting and restoring information about network devices (bridges, routers, workstations, servers, switches and others).

Networks of any size are in a constant state of flux. Any of the engineers responsible for the network can change the configuration of the switches and routers at any time. Configuration changes to live equipment can have devastating effects on the reliability of the network and the services provided by it. The aim of network configuration management is to save you time & reduce errors on your network due to misconfiguration of network devices.A network configuration management system is designed to allow you to take control of network changes, to simplify the job of managing networks and to fix configuration errors quickly.

There are direct correlations between properly configured devices and network security. Today's network configuration management solutions are specifically designed to automate the process of changing, securing and managing devices throughout the network. Whether configuration changes are introduced through malicious attacks, manual update errors, or network product defects, devices can become vulnerable and place the business at risk.

Basically there are two main categories of network configuration tools: tools provided by equipment vendors, and tools by third party companies.

Vendor specific tools, such as CiscoWorks, only work with their respective equipment (Cisco equipments in this case), which is a good choice in homogenous environments where a single vendor's equipment are deployed.

Usually a range of equipment from a number of vendors is deployed in the same network. In such a heterogeneous environments, a tool by a third party which covers multiple vendor equipment would be a better choice.

Related Terms：Network management, Performance management, Fault management, Security management