What was life like before using SolarWinds?
Implementing changes to our switches enterprise wide consisted of a long printed out excel spreadsheet handed out to various staffers to check off as they log into each switch and perform the required set of commands. This was mind numbingly painful and took far too long with a network with over 350 closets. We then got instructions that the IOS on all of our equipment needed to be upgraded to meet minimum security standards. This was going to take ages... We finally decided we needed to find a better way to do this.
Which SolarWinds product(s) saved your bacon?
With a little research along comes Kiwi CatTools to the rescue. We were easily able to integrate it into out current tacacs+ model and get a database built with all of devices. Now IOS upgrades were a matter of picking 10 at a time and sitting back and relaxing while we waited for the devices to come back up. If they didn't Kiwi had a builtin config backup so we were able to get something broken set right in no time.
Did you consider other options, and why did you choose SolarWinds?
At the time we considered getting Ciscoworks up and running but it was unreliable at best at the time, and had no where near the functionality.
How has life been since you've rolled out SolarWinds in your environment?
Since the first implementation of that piece of Solar-Winds I have made sure it was in place at every Network Admin job I have had since. Time and Time again config backups and nightly memory writes has kept me out of the dog house and on easy waters. This product is a must for anyone dealing with Infrastructure Administration.
Here is a link to the website incase you want to know more.
Message was edited by: Joe Moyer
