Network Configuration Management

Network Configuration Management

Network

Network Configuration Management

Back up, compare, and manage network device configurations. Detect unauthorised changes, run configlets across multiple devices, and maintain a full configuration history from a single platform.

Overview

Network Configuration Management (NCM) in Cloudmon connects to network devices via SSH or Telnet to collect, back up, and manage their configurations. NCM operates at two levels: at the device level, where each device maintains its own backup history, change detection, and configuration comparison; and at the configlet level, where reusable command sets can be pushed across multiple devices simultaneously for bulk configuration tasks.

NCM requires devices to already be added and monitored under Network → Network Devices. SNMP is used to add and discover devices. SSH or Telnet is used by NCM to connect to devices for configuration retrieval and management. Navigate to Network → NCM to access configlets, scheduled tasks, and execution history.

What NCM Covers

FeatureDescription
NCM BackupSchedule automatic backups or trigger them on demand. Cloudmon creates a new backup version whenever a configuration change is detected, tracks whether changes are authorised, and supports rollback to any previous version via TFTP or SFTP.
Version ComparisonCompare any two backup versions of a device side by side, with line-by-line highlighting of added, removed, and modified configuration lines. View from the device NCM tab under All Backups.
Change Detection and AuthorisationCloudmon flags configuration changes made outside of Cloudmon as Unauthorised. Teams can review, approve, or reject each change, supporting change management and compliance workflows.
NCM ConfigletsCreate reusable configuration command sets and push them to one or many devices in a single operation. Supports immediate execution and scheduled deployment, with full execution history for every push.

Prerequisites

Before enabling NCM on a device, an SSH or Telnet credential must be created in Cloudmon. Navigate to Settings → Configurations → Credentials → Telnet/SSH and select Add. Complete the following fields:

FieldDescription
NameA name for the credential.
DescriptionAn optional description for the credential.
Username and PasswordThe login username and password for the device.
Enable UsernameUsername for authenticating to privileged mode on the device.
Enable Password TypePassword for authenticating to privileged mode.
PortThe SSH or Telnet port configured on the device. SSH defaults to 22, Telnet to 23.
TimeoutConnection timeout in seconds.
Shell / Login / Password / Enable PromptsCustom prompt strings used during authentication. Required only when the device uses non-standard prompts.

SSH or Telnet must also be enabled on the device itself and the relevant port must be reachable from the Cloudmon probe.

Troubleshooting

SymptomLikely CauseFix
NCM backup failingSSH or Telnet is not reachable from the probe, or the credential is incorrectConfirm SSH or Telnet connectivity from the probe on the correct port, and verify the credential assigned in the device NCM settings
Configuration showing as UnauthorisedA change was made to the device configuration outside of CloudmonReview the change using the version comparison tool and either accept it as the new baseline or restore the previous configuration
Configlet execution failingSSH or Telnet unreachable, incorrect credential, or configlet variables not set correctlyCheck the Execution History for the error detail, verify device connectivity from the probe, and confirm variable values are correct
Baseline vs Running showing Not In-SyncThe running configuration has changed since the baseline was setCompare the current version against the baseline to review the changes, then either update the baseline or restore the device to the baseline configuration
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