Discussion on:

Automate changes to your Cisco router with Kiwi CatTools

Wonderful tool. Been using it for about 2 years now.

I've used it to modify my configs for all my Cisco (and 1 Dell) devices so that they would be in line with the new DST changes. Took about 15 minutes and everything was done.

I also have it back up my configurations ever 15 minutes. What it does is check to see if anything has changed since the last time the configs were backed up. If not, nothing really happens, but if they have, then it emails me to tell me about it. It also sends me a report showing me the changes between the older and newer configs.

It's a nice way for me to track when someone else makes a change and doesn't tell me about it. It's also handy for having a history of the changes that have taken place over time with a device.

I also use the software to create a Master Switch Port cross reference table. Tells me what MAC/IP address is talking on what switch port.

Finally, I really like that I can run the software as a service rather than a stand alone application. That way if my server reboots for whatever reason, I know the software will fire back up when the server comes back online, regardless of if I have logged on or not.

Eric

I've been using CatTools for a couple of years. Mainly for backing up configs on routers and switches.
Some of the other uses I've discoverd with it, are:
It compare configs, so it's great for security/troubleshooting/change mgmt.. It also emails the changes to me.
It rolls out config changes with no problems.
It gain added value when I did my DST changes to 28 routers in 1 minute.
I also have it doing port status changes on some switches to check for unuse ports.
The tftp server use to have a timeout issue on bigger ios images, but it looks like Kiwi fix that issue.
All in all, it's a great tool for network device management, routers and switches.

If you don't mind me asking, how are you implementing CatTools to do your Port Status Change management?

Thanks...

I've been using them for a number of years now and they are awsome.

I don't see that you covered this in the article, but another really cool benefit of the most recent version is that it correlates ip address with mac address with switchport on the network - I've not had a chance to set this up yet in production but when I evaluated it I thought it would be quite useful in tracking down non authorized systems on our network.

Especially nice is we've had pitches from vendors that charged in excess of 10K to do what kiwi does.

My network consists of over 70 routers and 2000 switches. I've been using CatTools for many years now to keep the configurations straight, to keep an archive of all of the configurations, and to keep me posted on any changes to my network that I may not know about.

It also assists my techs when it comes time to replace a device due to failure. They don't have to know how to configure a device, all they need to know is the name or IP Address of the device, and they copy and paste the config from the archive into a new device and viola! They're back up and running in no time. All at a price that won't break the bank

The latest version adds many new features as well that I find useful on a daily basis.

I also use Solarwinds Orion and Cirrus on a daily basis. Orion tells me what's going on in my network, and keeps the information all in one place. Cirrus does alot of what CatTools does, but also adds a ton of features, especially when it comes to the automation of daily housekeeping.

CatTools provides a starting point template file (based on a Cisco Router) to help assist in the creation of a new custom device script. - Randall Alifano