Managing and maintaining your network infrastructure (e.g., switches, routers) is just as important as managing and maintaining your desktop infrastructure. The table that accompanies this article includes several products that perform network Change and Configuration Management (CCM).

Although a relatively new class of tool, network CCM tools have already grown up and distanced themselves from the vendor-specific tools commonly found in the enterprise. Network CCM tools let you manage and report on the status of your network components. When you evaluate network CCM products, make sure they're compatible with your network infrastructure and determine whether you'll actually use the powerful and sweeping management and reporting changes that these tools offer.