Network Configuration Management Practices

[Carl W.Kalbfleisch <c.kalbfleisch () comcast net>]

Hi,

I am doing some independent research on Network Configuration 
Management Practices. I am trying to get information from service 
providers and enterprises on how they handle this function. I have the 
following specific questions:

1) What configuration issues most affect the performance and 
reliability of your network?

2)  What are you doing to alleviate these problems?

3) What software are you using to manage network configurations for 
your routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, servers, etc? Do you 
use home grown scripts? Or do you use commercial applications (if so, 
which ones)

4) Does your configuration management software integrate with your 
network fault and performance management system? If so, what level of 
integration do you have? If not, is this integration something you 
desire?

5) What functions are you most lacking in your configuration management 
software tools?

Any response and input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Carl

--
Carl W. Kalbfleisch
www.kalbfleisch.us