Cisco strengthened it network change management offerings yesterday (31 July) by launching several new software and services lines to automate configuration management tasks and help firms comply with regulations.

The Cisco Proactive Automation of Change Execution (Pace) portfolio includes new CiscoWorks Network Compliance Manager and Cisco Configuration Assurance toolsets, and new consulting services for operations, technical advice and deployment, as well as Cisco's existing Secure Access Control Server and CiscoWorks LAN Management suite.

Even Solberg, technology marketing manager for network management in European markets at Cisco, said the new tools offer significant productivity benefits for network managers.

"Networks and IT infrastructure are getting more complex so simple tasks like keeping track of changes and configurations is becoming a huge undertaking," Solberg said. "One of the biggest network management tools out there is Microsoft Excel, but Pace will provide a single, secure, auditable point from which you can manage and automate network changes."

Solberg added that Pace, and in particular the new Network Compliance Manager suite, would help firms prove their networks comply with regulations such as the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) rules and Payment Card Industry (PCI) data security standards. "These tools make sure network devices can be audited and traced to ensure compliance with both internal and external rules," he explained. "The Network Compliance Manager means you can compare changes against a set of regulations and notify administrators if you violate them."

Cisco said the new toolsets could also help firms manage and audit other network tasks to comply with rules and policies - such as changing user names and passwords and monitoring and managing unplanned device configuration changes.